Paying homage to its iconic P40 Integrated Amplifier that helped launch the brand in 1968, Cambridge Audio have pulled back the curtains on the new Cambridge Audio Evo 75 and Evo 150 Network Amplifiers.
What’s clear from the spec sheet is that Cambridge Audio are looking to knock Naim off its rather comfortable perch. The Uniti range have sat on the streaming throne for a number of years and it looks like the Evo range are designed to break the wheel in the network streaming category.
Both models are Roon-Ready and support Tidal Connect, and MQA hi-res digital streaming. If the internal DAC offers the same sound quality of the recently reviewed DacMagic 200M – this will be one very impressive sounding network amplifier.
The Cambridge Audio Evo 150 features a built-in MM phono preamp which was not included in the Edge A or CXA61 Integrated Amplifiers; it’s good to see Cambridge Audio listening to consumers and reviewers (ahem) in this regard. The brand already makes some excellent external phono preamps so it only makes sense that they would include them in the Evo range.
Designed in Cambridge Audio’s London studio, Evo’s minimal and timeless aesthetic will fit into any interior and lifestyle. Lead designer Ged Martin chose premium materials and used industrial design principles to create a product that champions simplicity and will endure for many years.
Taking inspiration from the wood trims of the iconic P40, Cambridge Audio’s first ever product from 1968, Evo has beautiful walnut wood side panels that complement the sleek, black anodized aluminum cabinet.
Evo also comes with a choice of formed black side panels made from Richlite — an innovative new material made primarily from recycled paper. The side panels can be switched out according to each customer’s style.
The rather elegant looking design also features a dual-concentric rotary dial and large 6.8in LCD display panel that shows off album artwork in full color.
Evo uses high quality components and is powered by a revolutionary Hypex NCore® Class D amplification, which reproduces every detail in your music while remaining compact and energy efficient.
Evo comprises two models: Evo 150 is rated at 150 watts per channel, and Evo 75 has 75 watts per channel.
Optimized for Streaming
At the heart of Evo lies Cambridge Audio’s powerful StreamMagic platform. It’s
designed to be the best-sounding streaming platform around and supports the latest digital music formats and services.
Both Evo models use powerful ESS Sabre DACs to ensure all digital music is converted to analogue sound with every ounce of detail, precision and dynamics intact.
Whether you use Roon to organize your digital library or stream high-resolution MQA tracks using TIDAL Connect – Evo can play it all. And StreamMagic will ensure you that hear your music in the best possible sound quality, no matter where you’re playing it from and in whatever source quality.
Connectivity Options
Evo includes a wide array of digital and analogue connections, so you can add any source: from your existing turntable or CD player, to using Evo as your TV’s sound system. Along with optical, coaxial and RCA inputs, there is a TV ARC input for connecting your TV using an HDMI cable.
You can also connect your wireless turntable and wireless headphones using Evo’s built-in aptX HD Bluetooth, allowing you to stream lossy hi-res streams.
The Evo 150 features additional connectivity: a built-in moving magnet (MM) phono stage for compatible turntables, an asynchronous USB audio input, balanced XLR inputs and two sets of speaker terminals for running two pairs of speakers.
Matching Loudspeakers
For the ultimate ‘plug-and-play’ convenience, Cambridge Audio have developed a pair of Evo S speakers to create a complete Evo System.
There’s also the option of adding on a dedicated Evo CD transport. Both are scheduled for release later in 2021.
Pricing
- Evo 150 – £2,249 / €2,499 / $2,999 at Amazon | Crutchfield
- Evo 75 – £1,799 / €1,999 /
$2,249$1,799 at Amazon | Crutchfield
- Evo CD – £799 / €899 /
$1,199$999 at Amazon | Crutchfield
- Evo S – £649 / €749 / $799/pair at Audio Advice
