Cambridge Audio EX Series review
Hands-on with the EXA100 integrated amp and EXN100 music streamer
I
’m a Cambridge Audio fan. I appreciate the way they add audiophile features to more affordable components, like the CX line. And I love the sound and build quality. So I was excited to get my hands on both of their new EX Series models to audition at home for a few weeks.
The EX line is a step up from their popular CX models, with some tasty trickle-down from their flagship Edge series. The first two components are the EXA100 integrated amplifier and the EXN100 music streamer.
The amp and streamer are made for each other, but don't need each other.
Pristine performance as a pair or on their own
In more ways than one, the EXA100 and EXN100 are made for each other. But they don’t need each other. Either of these high-quality components makes a persuasive argument for itself in setups that need only one or the other of them.
That said, these two pieces look and sound fantastic together. I used a stereo balanced XLR connection and drove Wharfedale Linton speakers on their matching stands.
During the setup, I once again appreciated the way Cambridge labels the back-panel connections right-side-up and upside-down, so you can read them straight on or while you’re looking over the top of the unit.
I could listen to this system all day and then some. I know I’m onto something nice when the sound engages me to cue up a wide range of tracks from Praetorius to Oscar Peterson to Big Star — and to be sad when something like a meeting or lunch pulls me away from listening.
Balanced XLR connections
As I mentioned, I used the balanced XLR connection for testing the EXA100 in both integrated amp and power amp modes. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that the balanced connection is a big reason why you might be shopping in this price range. They deliver lower noise and greater dynamic range than unbalanced RCA connections.
A balanced XLR connection — found on both the EXA100 and EXN100 — delivers the cleanest signal.
The EXA100 integrated amplifier
Rated at 100 watts x 2 into 8 ohms, EXA100 delivers more power than the CXA81 MkII, and it does so with a lower noise floor. That’s thanks partly to the huge toroidal transformer, which you can see through the top vent. And the amp’s circuitry and internal components share lineage with the mighty Edge M monoblock power amp. That helps give the sound precision, authority, and — most importantly — musicality.
The EXA100 has four unbalanced stereo RCA inputs and one balanced stereo XLR input. You can select these analog inputs as A1, A2, A3, and A4 on the front panel or with the remote. The A1 button lets you toggle between whatever you have connected to the unbalanced and balanced A1 channels.
A beefy toroidal transformer is the heart of the EXA100 integrated amp.
Digital inputs include two optical, one coaxial, and one USB Type-B for connecting a computer. That’s “good, better, and best” in terms of playback resolution, with the USB input having the highest at 24-bit/384kHz. Unlike the CXA81 MkII, it’s got an HDMI eARC port for great two-channel TV sound.
There’s also a mono output for a powered subwoofer, a stereo RCA preamp output, a full-sized headphone jack, and two pairs of speaker terminals.
It also has a power amp mode that lets you switch out the preamp and connect an external one, like the EXN100, to the balanced or unbalanced A1 input.
The EXA100's connections include an audiophile stereo balanced XLR input and two pairs of speaker terminals.
I like this versatility, and I like that there’s no app control for the EXA100. Just plug it in, connect your sources, and start listening. I used my Pro-Ject X2 turntable connected to my Schiit Mani phono preamp into one of the RCA inputs and and got great sound.
Aside from the source and speaker selection buttons on the front panel, there’s a big knurled volume knob that feels great, with the perfect amount of resistance in both directions for micro-incremental adjustments.
All those controls on the EXA100 go out the window when you use it in power amp mode. To do that, you flip the recessed switch on the back of the amp and connect a preamp. With the EXN100 and other preamp streamers like the Bluesound NODE ICON or WiiM Ultra, you’ll use the app to switch it into preamp or “variable output” mode. That way you can control volume with your phone.
I listened to the EXA/EXN pair both ways and developed a slight preference for the sound of the streamer in preamp mode and the amp in power amp mode. Maybe just because I didn’t have to get off the couch to change the volume?
I listened to the Red Norvo Trio with Jimmy Raney on guitar and Red Mitchell on bass, and I felt like I was hearing more space around the musicians and clearer articulation of the instruments running the EXA100 in power amp mode.
Weighing your options
When you're doing your due diligence, you might want to consider some similarly priced options.
If you need a balanced connection, you should also consider the popular Rotel RA-1572 MkII, which specs out similarly and has a balanced XLR input, but doesn’t have an HDMI input. But, unlike the EXA100, it does have a phono input. And really nice high-fidelity sound.
If you need an HDMI ARC input and already have or are going to get a streamer that has one — like the EXN100 or the Bluesound NODE ICON — you can get great TV sound that way. But since the Rotel can’t run in power amp mode, you’d be using your streamer’s app to select and play audio, but you'd still need to use the Rotel’s front panel or remote to control volume.
If the balanced input doesn’t matter to you, you might consider the similarly priced NAD C 399. You can connect the streamer of your choice or get the MDC2 BluOS module for $399 more. That adds wireless multi-room streaming and powerful app control, plus Dirac room correction — including the calibration mic. But, again, no balanced XLR input.
EXN100 streamer
The CXN100 is the streamer I chose to try to convince long-time Crutchfield editor Charlie to free his home hi-fi system from his physical-medium-only listening. It worked; he bought one. At the time, Cambridge still hadn’t introduced the EXN100.
The big upgrades when you step up to the EXN100 are its bigger screen, HDMI eARC input, and higher quality Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD encoding. There are also under-the-hood tweaks that include Nisshinbo Muses op amp circuitry and internal component upgrades that Cambridge says will deliver better sound. And we’re still under $2,000.
The EXN100 streamer is a lot like the CXN100: an audiophile streamer with balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analog stereo outputs, versatile digital inputs, a full-color display on the front panel, and stellar control with Cambridge’s StreamMagic app for Apple® and Android™ mobile devices. It also uses the same great-sounding ESS SABRE 9028Q2M DAC.
The EXN100's upgrades from the CXN100 include a larger full-color display and and HDMI eARC input.
The EXN100 also supports Google Cast and Apple AirPlay 2. Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect users can stream from directly within those apps. And built-in Bluetooth — sometimes it’s the easiest way to go, like when you’ve got a few people who want to take turns choosing tracks. It also works with Roon.
Cambridge Audio StreamMagic app
Let’s talk about the app, since that’s the main way you’ll control the EXN100. I’ve tried a lot of different streaming control apps and StreamMagic is one of the best if not the best user interface I’ve experienced. It gives you a bunch of choices for accessing and controlling your music, including support for internet streaming services like Qobuz, Pandora, and internet radio.
I’m a Qobuz user and I appreciate that I can sort my favorites alphabetically by artist or title, and that it mimics the actual Qobuz app more closely than other streaming apps I’ve used.
You can also play local tracks stored on a NAS drive, plug in a thumb drive loaded with tunes to the USB-A input, or a computer via the USB-B input — your music will show up in the “library” section of the app, alongside your streaming services.
Other streamers to consider
If you’re on the fence between the CXN100 and the EXN100 and want to add great two-channel TV sound, the inclusion of the HDMI input on the latter might decide you.
Or you might consider the less expensive Bluesound NODE ICON, which also has balanced XLR outputs and an HDMI eARC input and, in a first for Bluesound, a full-color screen. Its high-res capabilities aren’t as expansive — it doesn’t have an asynchronous USB Type-B input like the EXN. But if wireless multi-room audio is important to you the ICON is worth a look.
The EXN100’s multi-room capabilities are limited to AirPlay 2 and Google Cast, which works for tons of people. The ICON uses BluOS, which gives you more powerful control and for me is a more stable and responsive multi-room streaming ecosystem.
That said, if you don’t care about whole-home wireless streaming, you might prefer the StreamMagic app — I know I do, at least for searching and organizing your music — and that’s the main thing, right?
Final thoughts on the EXA100 and EXN100
I really enjoyed playing music on this system. And when you look at what else is available at this level, it’s hard to beat the performance-to-value of either the EXN100 music streamer or the EXA100 integrated amp.
I also think that as a step up from the CX line, these EX components carry their weight. So if the features fit your needs, I think you'll love the sound of either of these solid choices.
Want to dig deeper?
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Andy
Posted on 5/4/2025
Please explain it to me like I'm 12? I have the AXR100. In what way does the EXR100 noticeably sound better?
Ned O. from Crutchfield
on 5/5/2025