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AUDIO FORUMS >> Digital >> Cambridge CXN V2 Roon streaming solution
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Message started by HockessinKid on 11/10/24 at 13:07:48

Title: Cambridge CXN V2 Roon streaming solution
Post by HockessinKid on 11/10/24 at 13:07:48

Good morning,

In my last rant I expressed disappointment with Roon streaming via WiFi to my ModWright modified CXN V2. It was a really frustrating experience, drop outs and discontinued songs, which led me back to using the Cambridge Audio Stream Magic app for Qobuz listening. This after an Chinese LPS melted my Netgear extender twice.

So this past week the Stream Magic started to get wonky, becoming unstable with WiFi streaming. Ugh! I came to the realization that the CXN V2 WiFi was simply failing.

What to do? Get a Wiim Pro Plus to stream via a coax into the CXN V2 and simply use the latter as a DAC. I really wanted a solution that allowed me to get back to stable streaming via Roon with it's unmatched sound quality. More money, more money, more money.

Discussing the issue with my tech savvy son, he suggested a tp-link passthrough power line network extender. Well with up to 2000 Mbps it certainly seemed it had plenty of chops but I worried about noise that might be introduced using existing electrical wiring for signal transfer. It's a very simple set up process.

I'm happy to report that the set up is performing extremely well after the first few hours. Running Roon via the TP-Link AV2000 extenders works. I've got my high quality Cat 8 Ethernet cable
(https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650025355-finest-digital-solution-premium-ethernet-that-outshines-the-competition/) running from the extender to my Stack Audio Smooth LAN filter then into CXN V2.

Very happy with the results and only our $79.99 for the extenders.

HK

Title: Re: Cambridge CXN V2 Roon streaming solution
Post by Geno on 11/11/24 at 02:26:04

Hey HK.

Did you do a reset/reboot with the CXN. I was having sound issues with mine a while back, unplugged it, plugged it back in. After that I was back in business. However, it wasn’t Wi-Fi that was the issue - if was the overall sound that was lacking, before the reboot.

Best,

Geno

Title: Re: Cambridge CXN V2 Roon streaming solution
Post by HockessinKid on 11/11/24 at 10:05:30

Geno,

Yes, I did a reboot - no go. Than reset to factory settings - no go. Just happy to find an inexpensive work around using the TP power line product.

HK

Title: Re: Cambridge CXN V2 Roon streaming solution
Post by JBzen on 11/11/24 at 10:16:26

You guys got me thinking 🤔 oh boy! My CXNV2 also has issues with WiFi connectivity. My issue seems to start after the player sets in standby mode for sometime. It will not reconnect with the app until it is unplugged and replugged. Then all is fine. I tried other fixes such as router reboot, phone shutdown, etc. Disconnecting the CXNV2 from power seems to be the only fix and source of the problem.

So, I did some digging in the app and found a FAQ section. There is a work around that is in place for this problem. It seems to have been added recently by the way it is worded. The app can be connected thru the CXNV2's IP address instead of WiFi. I have not tried it yet but just wanted to throw it out there.

Title: Re: Cambridge CXN V2 Roon streaming solution
Post by Gilf on 11/11/24 at 17:31:57

I have had similar issues with mine since purchasing it and Cambridge tech support hasn’t been much help. Initially mine connected via Wi-Fi and I would frequently have to do a hard reboot on it. This is really annoying since I use almost all the inputs and have to re-label them with every reset and also find my favorite streaming stations again.
The last two years I have had it connected via Cat8 network cable directly to my router and has worked much better, with maybe three or four reboots in two years. I have tried JB’s recommendation with connecting via the IP address and it didn’t help.
At least twice I have found that my phone would automatically connect to our community Wi-Fi instead of my home network’s Wi-Fi and that jams up all communications with the CXN.
A creature of comfort, I have not pursued other streamers but after looking at the Wiim mentioned in HK’s initial post and the fact that I’m not using the CXN’s DAC anymore that Wiim is looking really attractive. It’s too bad the retail market for the CXNs has fallen out. If they still were selling for what they were used a year or two ago I would make the switch in an instant.

Title: Re: Cambridge CXN V2 Roon streaming solution
Post by HockessinKid on 11/11/24 at 17:47:05

FWIW, I'm genuinely impressed with the modified CXN V2 and the Roon- Qobuz streamed sound quality. It sounds exceptional when hardwired via Ethernet cable to the router. Hopefully I'll get a few more years out of this one before I'll need to think about a replacement.

HK

Title: Re: Cambridge CXN V2 Roon streaming solution
Post by JBzen on 11/11/24 at 21:08:17

Quote:

At least twice I have found that my phone would automatically connect to our community Wi-Fi instead of my home network’s Wi-Fi and that jams up all communications with the CXN.

Now you really got me wondering. My WiFi issue with the CXNv2 started this year. Occasionally it would drop out in the past but could be fixed with a cycle of the on and off switch on the CXNv2. I attributed it to a weak WiFi signal with the location of the streamer. I also figured the lax of operation contributed to this new problem because I simply was not home most of the year.

One thing not figured was the new car purchased in February of this year and Android Auto that just about jams any communications with my home WiFi when it is started in the garage in close proximity of the Charoit. Hmmmm!

Title: Re: Cambridge CXN V2 Roon streaming solution
Post by Gilf on 11/19/24 at 23:33:36

My latest CXNv2 quibble is that the power off button stopped working. The button turns the unit on but will not power it off. I can power it off through the app. I’ve done the usual- unplug the unit for hours, hard factory reset, cycled eco-mode on and off…. still won’t let me turn it off.

Title: Re: Cambridge CXN V2 Roon streaming solution
Post by mrchipster on 11/22/24 at 18:07:38

I have the MWI modified CXNv2 and I'm very happy with the performance and sound quality as well.
I've had mine connected via ethernet since day one so I can't comment on the wifi usefulness. I've had very good luck with it directly connected and have not had any issues to speak of.

I was actually surprised how good Spotify tunes sounded through this unit. I wasn't expecting lower resolution streaming could sound as good as it does. It's still all relative to the quality of the recording/mastering/etc. but most tunes sound really good. Maybe it's due to CA's ATF2 technology which upscales the incoming digital signal and most certainly due to the twin Wolfson DAC's. Add the MWI mods and it's a fabulous unit.
I have a CD transport connected as well to take advantage of the DAC and MWI output stage modifications and I'm very happy with that as well.

I've only recently started to try Qobuz and I'm looking forward to delving deeper into the sound quality differences. With much more A/B'ing to do I can only say right now that I hear a good deal of difference between Spotify's 320kbps and Qobuz streamed at 192khz/24bit (with well recorded material) but I'm not so sure between the 320kbps and 44.1khz/16bit. However, I've got a lot more listening to do before I come to a conclusion. The differences between the user experience in each is something else I'm coming to terms with. Should be fun to explore in the coming months.

Gilf -- Funny you mentioned the power off button problem. I just recently experienced the same issue. I can use the button to turn it on, but the button has no affect to turn it off. Right now, because of having to put the standby mode in 'eco' due to the MWI mods, (this is needed to have the tubes turn off as well) I have been using the 'auto power down' feature in the settings. I set it to 5min of inactive time before I want to shut down and it all powers down (including the tubes) without issue. I just have to remember to turn the auto off to off when I restart otherwise it will power down if the unit is inactive for 5min. Many ways to skin the same cat I guess. Other than that, I am very happy with the unit and wish you luck with yours as well.

Title: Re: Cambridge CXN V2 Roon streaming solution
Post by Gilf on 11/24/24 at 01:28:44

Well I’m glad we’re both having issues… :/ haha. But seriously, now I wonder if it’s not a software glitch with one of the recent firmware updates. I would prefer that to a switch problem because software can be fixed through another update.

I’ve been a Qobuz user for years. Although glitchy the SQ is outstanding. Their library has expanded greatly since I first became a subscriber and now I can’t remember the last time I searched for music that wasn’t there (actually yes I can- a few days ago Lon posted Buster Williams Quintet - Somewhere Along the Way, and it’s not on Qobuz). Listening last night Qobuz was glitching and kept cutting out a few songs into an album. I know it was Qobuz because streaming radio worked just fine. Anyway, i gave up on Qobuz and switched over to Spotify and agree that a majority of what I listened to was surprisingly good. Qobuz is still a step up to my ears but these are very minor improvements at this point. Luckily whatever was going on got worked out and Qobuz is operating without a problem today.