Cambridge Audio CXN V2 w/ Modwright Instruments Truth Modifications Review (Her Name is Lucille)
A Little Background
In May, 2020 I contacted Dan Wright of Modwright Instruments (MWI) regarding a proposed tube output modification he was considering for the Cambridge Audio CXN V2 (CXN). I now have the pleasure of owning the first of Dan’s first modified CXN music streamer/DAC. Here is a link to MWI’s page describing the modifications in detail (attach page link here).
The stock CXN has been fairly well reviewed on Darko.Audio, What*HiFi, and recently The Absolute Sound. The unit was purchased directly from Crutchfield and shipped directly to Modwright for the modifications, so I don’t have any baseline listening experience with the stock CXN.
What prompted me to get MWI to modify a Cambridge Audio CXN V2? First, I’ve had the opportunity to hear a few of Dan Wright’s amplifiers, preamplifiers, and modified digital source equipment at three Capital Audio Shows. His equipment has always sounded glorious, even in somewhat challenging listening conditions. He has always impressed me as someone who is passionate about music, sound reproduction, and his personal commitment to customer satisfaction. Second, Steve Deckert of Decware (disclosure: I own a lot of Steve’s equipment) lauded about the user friendly interface and excellent sound quality of the stock unit. I was impressed when Steve mentioned on the Decware forum that he replaced his own ZDAC2 (modified TEAC NT503 DAC) with the CXN. Third, after enjoying an audio PC and DAC combo for a few years, I wanted a single box music streamer/DAC solution to simplify my dedicated two channel audio system.
My Listening and Set Up Experience
To cut to the chase, the Modwright Instruments modified CXN V2 streamer/DAC produces the best sounding reproduced music I’ve ever heard, PERIOD! This includes analog (vinyl) and digital (streamed, CD, SACD, or uncompressed digital files). Upon my initial listening after a short period JJ 6992 tube warm up, this baby (which I call My Lucille) casts a tonally accurate, spacious soundscape with beautiful sounding voices and instruments. The music is rendered with exceptional emotion and detail, it just grabs you and won’t let go. The modified CXN allows you to simply indulge yourself in the music.
The CXN was a snap to install and set up. Initially I hooked up a Triode Wire Labs (TWL) digital coax cable from my CD transport, RCA outs from the CXN to my Decware CSP3+ preamplifier and a TWL High Power Digital power cord from the CXN to my PI Audio Group UberBUSS power conditioner. A couple minutes later I had my WiFi connection and downloaded the Cambridge Audio Stream Magic remote app on my Samsung tablet. Then I was playing some favorite selections of streamed music via TIDAL. It was all very straight forward with no hiccups. The controls on CXN front panel and supplied remote control are easy to use and very intuitive. Congratulations Cambridge Audio.
After a couple of days, I found the Stream Magic app a bit clunky and frustrating accessing my music on TIDAL. I opted to a Roon Audio trial. Bingo, just the user friendly ticket for a technology challenged audio nut to access all of his/her music. It was easy peasy to install, plus improved sound quality using the Roon processing to boot. While the CXN has a built in preamplifier mode which makes it easy to adjust volume from your listening position, I found that turning this function off resulted in improved sound quality, YRMV.
More On Sound Quality
After spending ten days with the MWI modified CXN I am growing more and more enamored with each listening experience. Streaming TIDAL selections on Roon (my primary listening mode) I became more drawn to the music than ever before. Everything just sounds so right. Female vocals, piano, stringed instruments, brass, etc. are conveyed to the listener which shocking realism and truth. I was astounded by the attack of several large scale orchestral pieces and drum solo’s on more than one occasion. This piece of audio equipment simply put brings musical joy to your ears!
According to the Cambridge Audio website “the CXN V2 features ATF2 (2nd generation Adaptive Time Filtering) audio upsampling. The ATF2 system intelligently upsamples all incoming audio signals to 24-bit/384kHz. ATF2 also dramatically reduces digital jitter, a form of audible interference which affects all digital music. Jitter is most apparent when music is stored on computer hard drives and is the audio equivalent to a blurred image in a movie. Data scrambling circuitry also maintains signal quality and purity during quieter periods by reducing background noise.”
The modified CXN brings a deep sense of the recorded space, particularly on live recordings. Formerly hidden details in the music like reverberation, breathing of singers, the thwack of a drum skin, buzz of a guitar amplifier on stage, etc. gives one an vivid mental picture of the recorded venue and conveys energy from audiences when present. I think this is due to a combination of factors including the CXN and well-designed tube output’s extremely low noise floor, the cache of subtle details resolved, and the vast three dimensional soundstage that emerges from ones speakers. As an example, listening to Eric Clapton’s Unplugged and the Nils Lofgren Band Live albums were a surreal, you are there experience.
Some Closing Thoughts
Like many, I have been involved in this hobby/obsession for most of my life. It all started with a visit to Audio Connection in Verona, NJ, meeting owner John Rutan, and listening to Quicksilver Audio tube amplifiers and a pair of Vandersteen 2CE speakers. What an ear opening experience that was!
Dan Wright had been obsessed, in a very good way, with designing and building audio equipment and equipment modifications for more than 20 years. I believe his passion, dedication, and extensive tube output modification/building experience has reached a true pinnacle the Cambridge Audio CXN V2. Folks, this is simply an audio masterpiece that rivals ANY DIGITAL MUSIC STREAMER OR DAC out there today.
Sure, right you say, but are there no shortcomings? I’ve tried very hard to find any flaws over the last ten days given my attention to detail and attentive listening. Here are a few minor quibbles. First, as previously mentioned the Stream Magic remote app is clunky and a bit slow. If you want the best user experience plop down the subscription price and install Roon, it’s that simple. Second, my modified unit came with a pair of matched JJ E88CC/6992 tubes sourced from Viva Tubes. The tubes sound very good, but I’ve ordered a pair of NOS Amperex 6DJ8 tubes from Vintage Tube Service to see if I can get an even better sound, it’s just my ever searching for the ultimate nature.
Hearty congratulations to Dan Wright. Through his Cambridge Audio CXN V2 modifications he has created an absolutely stunning sounding audio experience in my listening room.
Associated Equipment
Nottingham Interspace TT w/ heavy platter w/ Dynavector 20X2 low output cartridge > Modwright Instruments PH9.0 phono preamplifier > Decware ZRock2 w/ 25th anniversary mods OR Modwright Instruments modified Cambridge Audio CXN V2 music streamer/DAC > Decware CSP3+ preamplifier w/ 25th anniversary mods > Pi Audio Group UberBUSS power conditioner (source equipment only) > Decware Zen Mystery Amplifier w/ 25th anniversary mods > Omega Super Alnico High Output XRS speakers OR Caintuck Audio Lii15 open baffle speakers. Various RCA interconnects and power cables from Triode Wire Labs, ZenWave Audio, and Accoustic BBQ. All in a dedicated well treated listening room.
Listening Notes
All listening was done through single-ended RCA inputs/outputs. The modification includes upgraded RCA outputs and stock balanced XLR outputs, you can only use one at a time. I did not do any listening to the modified CXN V@ with the stock power cord. I used a highly regarded Triode Wire Labs power cord.
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