Cambridge Audio EVO CD, musical ecosystem

Cambridge Audio began a successful journey just over two years ago with the arrival of the EVO line. Within this product range, there are two All-in-One devices, i.e. amplifier, DAC, streamer, preamp, etc., the EVO 75 and EVO 150. There are differences between them not only in amplification power, but also in internal characteristics and connectivity. Its EVO S speaker was also launched, following the same lines of style and design.

I would also add, and this is my personal opinion, the Alva TT v.2; since the lower part is EVO and the upper part is EDGE, a mixture of the two, and at the same time it is possible to integrate it with either of the two ranges without detracting from the aesthetics in any way.

The CD player, the EVO CD, which is actually a CD transport, was recently presented to the public. At the time of its launch, there was perhaps some confusion as to how to position it correctly. Now, with the models on the market, there is no longer any doubt that it is a CD transport.

With a casing identical to the integrated EVO models, the EVO CD is a minimalist product in design and functionality. It should be understood that it is a complement to the EVO 75 or EVO 150 and in no case an individual and autonomous element. The EVO CD needs its integrated components, as they perform all the functions for its proper functioning and practicality, and cannot be used in any system other than the EVO. This is a feature that should be taken into account when considering its purchase.

The system is extremely easy to set up. The EVO CD is connected to the EVO 75 or EVO 150 using a single cable, EVO Link, and the CD option automatically appears on the source selector. A few seconds later, depending on your Internet connection, the album cover will appear on the amplifier screen and you're ready to listen to your favorite music. The CD cover data and music content is extracted from the Music Brainz website, and it is possible to add any album that has no information by creating an account on the website and adding all the necessary data.

Once the album data has been loaded, on second or subsequent starts, it saves the data in the internal memory, therefore, the start is faster. We are not talking about significant times, at most a few more seconds, although, I insist, faster.

Equipment used in the tests

Sound source:
  » Cambridge Audio EVO CD player
  » Roon Labs on dedicated PC
Power amplification:
  » Cambridge Audio EVO 75 integrated amplifier
Speakers:
  » Legacy Audio Focus SE speakers
Cables:
» Wires4Music in cabling:
    » Horus Hybrid RCA interconnection
    » Evolution in speakers and mains power
» AKG K-701 headphones
» Customized rack

At this point I lost my bearings, my south and my sanity. The EVO 75 was insufficient to drive the speakers I had in the room, the Legacy Audio FOCUS SE. Besides, they don't play in the same league. Although my curious spirit opened another door for me. So I ordered a second Cambridge Audio EVO 75 unit, and configured them as follows. The first one controlled the EVO CD, acted as a preamp and sent the line signal through Pre-Out to the other EVO 75, as well as amplifying the speakers at its HIGH terminals. The other EVO 75 took the signal at Line In and amplified the speakers through the LOW terminals. In other words, it really worked alone as a (pseudo) power amplifier.

The end result was that it could easily drive the speakers, bearing in mind that they were bi-amplified, albeit at the lower end of their maximum output. Sometimes we can be as sane as a frog.

I have probably spent more time trying to understand this product than listening to it carefully and slowly. But it is thanks to this product that I have been able to fully understand what Cambridge Audio's EVO ecosystem consists of.

The British company has a series of families that could be summarized as follows for easy classification: entry level AX, mid level CX, top level EDGE. In addition, they have products for individual placement in any system, such as DacMagic, MXN10 or even Alva. All of them have one main feature, and that is that they can be easily integrated into any setup made up of other elements from different brands or manufacturers.

EVO is endogamous and is practically a closed system, optimized for use with its own parts. In the case of the EVO CD, it is the quintessence of the above. You know that everything works well if you follow the line set by the company. EVO is the iPhone's IOS, so to speak. Understanding and accepting its philosophy steers you towards the simple and easy side of life.

I wouldn't rule out seeing an EVO turntable for the EVO 150 in the future. Or maybe a NAS for your digital music collection, EVO NAS. Why not? EVO is a musical ecosystem designed so that the user only has to worry about selecting their music, not other things that probably don't concern them at all.

The EVO CD is for anyone who has a large amount of music on CD at home; to have a private "physical cloud music service", with no monthly cost, where you can see your album covers, both on the amplifier and on the Cambridge Audio StreamMagic APP. In a natural and uncomplicated way you will be able to listen to your CDs with the sound quality set by your EVO 75 or EVO 150.

Although it can be easily operated with the remote control, without a doubt, its maximum expression of simplicity is through the application for cell phones or tablets. StreamMagic is an APP that works excellently, without any kind of computer hang-up. Something quite unpleasant that I have encountered with other applications that are not as well designed.

The EVO audience will not be disappointed with this product.

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