In Barn for Review: Cambridge Audio CXC Dedicated CD Transport

March 31, 2021 Michael Lavorgna In Barn for Review

Blame Darko.

Actually that’s not completely true as I’ve been hearing from people over the years about how CD playback still bests streaming. Add to that a recent Darko.Audio podcast where John and I talk about our love of physical formats, John and his CDs, me and my LPs, and I had the hankering to spin some discs and hear for myself. Blame Darko.

The Cambridge Audio CXC Dedicated CD Transport is built around the company’s ‘S3’ servo design, originally developed for the flagship Cambridge 851C CD player. When spinning discs, stability, error correction, and super low to no jitter are the main players, and Cambridge touts these traits in the budget-friendly CXC.

Cambridge prints some of the lettering for the inputs upside down. But, if you’re bending over the top of the CDX when its sitting on a shelf and reaching around the back to make your connections, lo and behold that same lettering is now right side up.

The CXC, which is in its Series 2 incarnation, offers Coax and Toslink S/PDIF outputs, a machined-metal chassis with a silver faceplate, a handy remote, and connections for owners of other Cambridge gear that allows for one remote control of the stack.

Cambridge Audio CXC Dedicated CD Transport
Price: $599

Specifications

Digital Audio Outputs: S/PDIF coaxial and TOSLINK optical
S/PDIF Putput Impendance:  <75 Ohms
Max Power Consumption: 25W
Standby Power Consumption: <0.5W
Gapless Playback: Yes
Remote COntrol: Yes
Dimensions (H X W X D): 85 x 430 x 315mm (3.1 x 16.9 x 12.4”)
Weight: 4.7kg (10.3lbs)
Box Contents:  CXC CD Transport, Power Cable, 3 x AAA Batteries, Remote Control, Control Bus Cable

Company Website: Cambridge Audio