NEW GEAR FROM CAMBRIDGE AUDIO – the EXA100 amplifier and the EXN100 streamer. An affordable pair!

Dear reader, Cambridge Audio just announced the EX-Series, so far including an amplifier (EXA100) and a streamer (EXN100). You see, dear reader, there was a place between the top-of-the-line Edge series and the popular CX series. This is where the new EX series sits, with a leg in the Hi-Fi realm and with the other in the flagship zone. Cambridge Audio said, “we wanted more”, regarding the new EX-series, so, let’s dive in and see if they succeeded.

The new duo looks great together and follows the philosophy of the “separates” that is mandatory in high-end audio, by which the amplifier section needs to be separated from the preamplifier, DAC and streaming functions. I am going to put my looking glass on the amplifier first, the EXA100:

The EXA100 is an integrated amplifier, class-AB, its technological features are drawn directly from the Edge M monobloc amplifier, the flagship in Cambridge Audios’ lineup. In terms of connectivity, the EXA100 is very capable, having four analogue inputs, balanced XLR inputs, also the EXA100 has many digital inputs, including HDMI eARC, USB, optical and coaxial. The EXA100 has also Bluetooth aptX HD capabilities. The EXA100 has a big toroidal transformer and uses the same transistors as the before-mentioned Edge M. The device can be used also just as a power amp.

Next, we are looking at the EXN100 streamer, being a complete solution, with good DAC inside and also preamplifier functionality. The EXN100 streamer uses an ESS Sabre ES9028Q2M Reference DAC, which supports high-resolution audio formats up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD 512. The device is Roon Ready, has also Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Deezer, Qobuz and internet radio, all connected via wi-fi or ethernet. The EXN100 can be used also as a DAC with an external digital source.

Both are already available, the amplifier, EXA100 costs $2199, and the EXN100 streamer costs $1799. A very interesting pair, indeed!