To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Cambridge Audio just announced its Edge series of audio components, consisting of the Edge A integrated amplifier ($5,000), Edge NQ streamer ($4,000) and Edge W power amplifier ($3,000). The Edge range is designed to be the best of its best or, according to James Johnson-Flint, owner of Cambridge Audio, the “pinnacle of 50 years of hi-fi expertise.”
For those following Cambridge Audio, the company hasn’t really released any hi-fi components since its CX series back in 2015, instead focusing on wireless speakers and a 4K Blu-ray player; but, as we learned today, that’s because the UK-based hi-fi maker has spent the last three years perfecting its Edge series.
Every component in the range has been engineered to keep the signal path as short as possible. The Edge W is Cambridge Audio’s highest performing power amplifier ever — it has just 14 components in the signal path, which according to What Hi-Fi?, is two or three times more efficient than what a traditional power amp can do.
Both the Edge A integrated amp and Edge W power amp can deliver 100 watts of power into 8 Ohms. The system boasts Class XA amplification technology, enabling it to shift the crossover point out of audible range and get really stellar (Class A) sound. And an opposing symmetry twin toroidal transformer design cancels out stray electromagnetic interference.
The Edge NQ, the company’s new versatile preamp and streamer, runs the StreamMagic, the company’s proprietary streaming platform, which has been updated to support AirPlay, Spotify Connect, and Chromecast built-in. It supports Bluetooth aptX HD, too, but also has coaxial and optical jacks for hi-fi listening (up to 24bit/96kHz).
The entire Edge series of audio components will be available this coming June. And, for what it promises, $12,000 for the whole series doesn’t seem too outlandish.
The best way to catch up on the day’s most important product releases and stories. Read the Story