Black is back – Cambridge Audio brings classic devices to life with a new look and one surprising connection

British Cambridge Audio is updating the look and feel of its CX series with the launch of the limited edition CX Black collection. The collection consists of three familiar devices – the CXA81 Mk II amplifier, the CXC-CD transport and the new CXN100 SE network player – which now receive a matte black finish alongside the previous grey. At first glance, the change is cosmetic, but the most interesting addition to the collection is found in the new streamer.

The manufacturer emphasizes that there are no changes to the sound quality or basic structure of the CX Black series. In other words, these are the same devices that have been on the market before, but in a new color. This is a typical move in the hi-fi market, where appearance and compatibility of devices with interior design are increasingly important factors for many buyers. In practice, the black finish may be easier to fit into a modern living room than the manufacturer's previous "Lunar Grey".

At the heart of the package is the CXA81 Mk II integrated amplifier, with a rated power of 80 watts per channel, which acts as the hub of the system for both digital and analog sources.

The CXC, on the other hand, is a pure CD transport without an internal DAC, meaning it is aimed at users who want to utilize a separate DA converter or the amplifier's own digital processing. Cambridge Audio justifies the solution by saying that the simplified design focuses on disc reading and signal timing without additional components.

The biggest real novelty, however, is the CXN100 SE network player. It is based on the previous CXN100 model, but brings with it an HDMI eARC connection, which is still relatively rare in this device category. In practice, this means that a TV can be connected directly to the streamer and all TV audio can be routed to a hi-fi system via a single cable. The solution brings traditional two-channel hi-fi and living room AV use closer together in a way that manufacturers have increasingly started to experiment with in recent years.

Technically, the CXN100 SE is built on the fourth generation of the manufacturer's own StreamMagic platform. It supports a wide range of streaming services such as Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Qobuz and Amazon Music, and also works Roon -compatible device. In addition, AirPlay 2, Google Cast and Bluetooth are included. The DA converter uses ESS's ES9028Q2M chip, which the manufacturer uses as justification for the accuracy and dynamics of the sound quality - a typical choice in this price range, but does not alone tell the whole picture of the final result.

One slightly different feature is the seven-band equalizer included in the app, along with room-matching controls. This suggests that Cambridge Audio is trying to bring a bit more user-oriented customizability to traditionally “pure” hi-fi, which hasn’t been a given for all manufacturers.

Pricing puts the whole thing in the mid-range hi-fi segment. The recommended price for the CXA81 Mk II is 1199 euros, the CXC 599 euros and the CXN100 SE 1049 euros. So the mere appearance update does not bring a price reduction, but the black finish will be offered at practically the same price as the previous versions. The CXN100 SE will be released at the same time in a black version, while the Lunar Grey model will follow later.

Overall, the CX Black looks more like a tweak than a major overhaul. The new color is clearly in response to demand, and the addition of HDMI eARC to the CXN100 SE brings a genuinely new way of using the system via TV audio. Otherwise, it's largely a familiar CX series that continues its life cycle with minor updates - which may be exactly the desired approach for many enthusiasts.

For more information: cambridgeaudio.com
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