Cambridge Audio CXU is a universal disc spinner that does away with the trend for cheap Blu-Ray devices by becoming an investment while still being able to provide an impressive array of hi-res audio, hi-def images, and other features. Perhaps the only thing missing about it is Netflix.
The Cambridge Audio CXU Provides Excellent Images and Sound Without Netflix
Cambridge Audio CXU is a heavyweight of a player. It weighs 5-kilograms and has a brushed black aluminum body that screams classy and quality. For the price, of course it has these features. Audio-wise, it is the company’s own ATF or Adaptive Time Filtering up-sampling. This takes all music to 24-bit/192kHz quality.
However, the CXU Universal Disc Player is all about home cinema. It has Darbee Visual Presence video processing for the images, and there is also a Wolfson WM870 DAC for each of the surround sound channels.
Hence, the CXU plays nicely with Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio soundtracks, which are normally found in Blu-Ray discs. As for its ports, there is one HDMI input and two outputs (both ports are Audio Return Channel compatible). These two output ports are digital optical audio and digital coaxial output ports. There are also Ethernet LAN, two USB slots, stereo audio outputs, a full suite of 7.1 analogue outputs, and an RS-232C port.
Aside from giving great images and footage, the CXU also works as a music streamer. You can connect a device to it to stream MP#, FLAC, ALAC, and WAV music and sound files from a home network. There’s no app needed to do this, and the device has no standard Wi-Fi connectivity. So how are you going to connect your other devices to the CXU? With a separate dongle.
Now that is just a disappointment as even though the optional dongle is available, the CXU should already provide all the premium, or even the standard features of modern-day products. Many tech of today will already come with Bluetooth or even Wi-Fi connectivity installed within its mechanisms; so it is a big question as to why the CXU does not have this feature built-in.
Aside from the lack of wireless connectivity, the CXU has outstanding performance. It will play almost anything that is chucked its way. This is thanks to its latest Mediatek chipset which allows it to support nearly all array of discs from 2D, 3D Blu-ray, DVD, and even HDCD.
While the Cambridge Audio CXU is indeed a great performer, one cannot get out of the question as to why the device does not support Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity. Also, many would also find it as a disappointment as there is no native Netflix app inside the system.