Cambridge Audio CXN100 SE Network Player

The Cambridge Audio CXN100 SE takes an already excellent network player and solves the one problem its predecessor left on the table: getting your TV audio into your hi-fi system. With the addition of HDMI eARC/ARC, the CXN100 SE handles TV, gaming, and movie audio through the same ESS SABRE32 DAC and balanced XLR outputs that made the original CXN100 a streaming reference. One input, one cable, and your entire system gets better.

Key Features of the Cambridge Audio CXN100 SE

• HDMI eARC/ARC Input: Accepts digital audio directly from your TV, including Dolby and PCM signals from built-in apps, Blu-ray players, and gaming consoles.
• ESS ES9028Q2M SABRE32 DAC: Reference-class digital-to-analog conversion with native support for PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512.
• StreamMagic Gen 4 Platform: Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Deezer, Roon Ready, AirPlay 2, and Chromecast built-in.
• Balanced XLR and RCA Outputs: True balanced analog output for noise-free connection to amplifiers.
• Digital Preamp Mode: Volume control via the front dial or StreamMagic app lets you drive a power amplifier directly without a separate preamp.
• 4.76-Inch IPS Display: High-resolution color screen shows album artwork, track info, and selectable VU meters.
• Bluetooth 5.1: SBC and AAC codec support for quick wireless playback from any phone or tablet.
• Over-the-Air Updates: Firmware updates keep the platform current with new features and services as they arrive.

HDMI eARC Changes Everything

The original CXN100 was a pure music streamer. Excellent at that job, but it left TV and movie audio stranded on the soundbar or AV receiver. The SE fixes this with a single HDMI eARC/ARC input on the rear panel. Connect your TV, and every app, console, and streaming stick feeds digital audio through the CXN100 SE's DAC and out to your stereo amplifier. No optical adapter, no extra box, no compromise. The audio quality your music gets now applies to everything you watch, too.

Cambridge Audio CXN100 SE Streaming and Connectivity

The fourth-generation StreamMagic platform is the foundation of the CXN100 SE's streaming capability. It supports virtually every major service natively: Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect with full MQA decoding, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Deezer, and internet radio. Roon Ready certification makes it a first-class endpoint for Roon users, while AirPlay 2 and Chromecast built-in cover wireless casting from any app. For wired sources, USB Audio 2.0 (Type B) accepts a direct computer connection, and both coaxial and optical S/PDIF inputs handle legacy digital sources.

ESS SABRE32 DAC Architecture

At the core of the CXN100 SE sits the ESS ES9028Q2M, a SABRE32 reference DAC that handles PCM signals up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD up to DSD512. The conversion stage feeds both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analog outputs. Cambridge Audio chose not to include analog inputs or upsampling at the output stage. The signal path is purely digital in, analog out, with nothing added or altered along the way.

Designed in London, Built to Last

The CXN100 SE was designed and tuned at Cambridge Audio's London headquarters and live music venue, Melomania. The Lunar Grey aluminum and steel chassis carries the same clean, minimalist lines that define the CX Series. A 7-band EQ is built in for room correction, and the StreamMagic app (Gen 4, iOS and Android) provides full control including input selection, volume, and library browsing. An RS232 service port supports custom integration for those who need it.

Explore the Full Cambridge Audio CX Series

The CXN100 SE pairs naturally with the rest of the CX lineup. The Cambridge Audio CXA81 Mk II Integrated Amplifier is the ideal companion, providing 80W per channel with its own ESS SABRE DAC and balanced XLR input that matches the CXN100 SE's balanced output. Add the Cambridge Audio CXC CD Transport for disc playback through the SE's coaxial input.

The Listening Room Difference

We're a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on exceptional service and relentless passion for hifi. Whether you're visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don't just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.

Cambridge Audio CXN100 SE Specifications