Cambridge CXN100 paired with CXC CD Transport HUGE ISSUES

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by Katz, Feb 7, 2024.

  1. Katz

    Katz Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Bucharest
    Hello

    Up until recently, my sources comprised of a Cambridge CXN V2 paired via COAX to a Cambridge CXC CD Transport.

    Today, I got my hands on the brand new CXN100 - wonderful device, clearly improved audio quality - but this is not the subject here.

    The issue started when I tried listening to a CD via the CXC connected (as previously with the CXN V2) via COAX to my new CXN100 - there are constant sound dropouts. They last
    a few miliseconds, but it's basically unlistenable, as if the signal is constantly interrupted.

    I first tried another RCA Coax cable - a brand new one. The same issue - apparently the cable wasn't the problem.

    Then, I tried an optical cable - same problem, dropouts.

    I then reconnected the CXC via coax to my older CXN V2 to see if the problem isn't some recent issue with my CXC CD Transport - the CD played flawlessly - NO dropouts - either
    via COAX or OPTICAL.

    I then reinstalled the CXN100 and connected it to my TV cia OPTICAL to see if the issue is with the digital inputs on the CXN100 - with the TV via OPTICAL, there were NO dropouts - unlike the CXC CD Transport.

    As a last test, I used my older CXN V2 as a Streaming Transport, and tested in connected via both COAX and OPTICAL to my new CXN100, to see if there are dropouts - to add to my headache, there were NO dropouts when using the CXN V2 as transport connected to the CXN100.

    Within these "Tests" - I tried everything related to cables - different types of cables, I tried plugging in the power cables of both the CXN100 and CXC to different outlets, also directly into the wall.

    The CXN100 even has a "ground" switch on the back - tried it ON and OFF - no difference. The CXN100 app has a function for the digital inputs called "TV Mode" - I don't know what it does but I tried it both ON and OFF for both COAX and OPTICAL - no difference.

    I literally (at least to my knowledge) tried EVERYTHING. This strange issue seems to happen ONLY and ONLY when pairing the CXN100 with the CXC CD Transport.
    As mentioned, when using the CXC CD Transport with another DAC, or when using the CXN100 as a DAC with any other audio "Transport" besides the CXC via digital inputs - there are no issues.

    Does anyone have ANY clue what could be going on? Why this specific CD Transport does not want to "handshake" and keep a steady connection with the Streamer/DAC from not only the same manufacturer, but the same CX series - especially since the model it replaced had NO issues with the CD transport?

    Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!
     
  2. ti-triodes

    ti-triodes Senior Member

    Location:
    Paz Chin-in

    You can always contact Cambridge. It might be something that needs a FW update.

    When I was having problems with my CXU, a tech worked with me to try to sort it all out. Good luck.
     
    Earthbound2, Big Blue and jonwoody like this.
  3. jonwoody

    jonwoody Tragically Unhip

    Location:
    Washington DC
    That is very odd I agreed this is a contact Cambridge moment it does sound software related.
     
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  4. psulioninks

    psulioninks Forum Resident

    Location:
    KC Chiefs Kingdom
    Have you checked for a firmware update on your new streamer/DAC? I've read other threads where a firmware update solved this kind of issue (other DACs of course).

    It wouldn't surprise me if this was your issue. A lot bug fixes happen right after a new product hits the market.
     
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2024
    Big Blue likes this.
  5. Katz

    Katz Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Bucharest
    Thanks! Yeah, I actually did contact cambridge first thing - i just jumped here on the forums, maybe there's a quick fix for this or anyone has an idea what's going on
     
    Big Blue likes this.
  6. Katz

    Katz Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Bucharest
    Actually as soon as I set it up there was already a FW update. So, this issue happens on the latest FW. I'm awaiting on CA's update - I contacted them already.
     
    ti-triodes and Big Blue like this.
  7. rockin_since_58

    rockin_since_58 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Simi Valley, CA
    I just connected my Rotel CD11 via coax to my new CXN100 and am also having random dropouts. They occur once or twice per track. Fortunately I am happy with the internal DAC on the CD11 so that is how I use.

    Hopefully a software update will correct this.
     
    psulioninks likes this.
  8. psulioninks

    psulioninks Forum Resident

    Location:
    KC Chiefs Kingdom
    Since two different people are experiencing dropouts using two different transports, it seems almost certain to be a problem with the streamer and not the transports. I bet a firmware update will solve the issue.
     
    jonwoody likes this.
  9. rockin_since_58

    rockin_since_58 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Simi Valley, CA
    The Rotel CDP worked fine with the coax input on the CXN V2.
     
    psulioninks likes this.
  10. psulioninks

    psulioninks Forum Resident

    Location:
    KC Chiefs Kingdom
    Yup, mine works fine as well. It's the new streamer...they need a firmware update to correct the issue.
     
  11. Big Blue

    Big Blue Forum Resident

    Location:
    Wisconsin
    What seems weird to me is that it’s happening with the CXC as a transport but not with the CXN v2 as a transport. I can’t think of a reason firmware would make this happen with only certain transports — it’s not like the DAC knows which device it’s getting the bits from on a S/PDIF connection, does it?

    Hopefully Cambridge can sort this out for the OP, especially since both components are their own products…
     
  12. bever70

    bever70 Let No-one Live Rent Free in Your Head!

    Location:
    Belgium
    Big fail imo. All these big companies want/need to bring out streamers as fast as they can because the market demands it, yet they don't have a clue how to handle the software/firmware side of it. Streamers are by far the most vulnerable component in any system today, which is why I'll take a cheaper one that actually works over any well-known 'branded' and usually more expensive solution.
     
  13. psulioninks

    psulioninks Forum Resident

    Location:
    KC Chiefs Kingdom
    The CXC is a transport and the Rotel CD11 is a CD player/transport. The CXN v2 is a streamer/DAC. The discussion is that there is no issue with the v2 connected to either transport (acting as a DAC)...just when the CXN100 is connected to either transport (acting as a DAC).
     
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2024
    rockin_since_58 and GordonM like this.
  14. psulioninks

    psulioninks Forum Resident

    Location:
    KC Chiefs Kingdom
    Well, the CXN v2 works great! I think the issue is companies are always bringing new models to the market to provide new features, deal with discontinued parts from old models and most importantly - make additional sales for their company/brand.

    Even the v2 wasn't perfect when it came out, and the app was horrific! But after firmware updates and app updates it finally turned into an awesome unit. I have no doubt the CXN100 will get there too - probably quicker than the v2 did! LOL
     
  15. Katz

    Katz Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Bucharest
    Well, I got an answer from Cambridge, but it doesn't sound too great. They say: we "hope that it can be fixed via a firmware update to the CXN100". What in G-d's name does that mean? That there's a possibility it CAN'T be fixed via software? What were they thinking launching a product without even testing it with a CD player...c'mon, man....

    So what's the alternative, worst case scenario? Money back for everyone? Global recall and hardware modifications? This sounds like, possible (hopefully not), a BIG f up.

    This is their answer:

    Hi Vadim,

    Thank you for contacting Cambridge Audio and for your purchase of the CXN100, we appreciate your trust in our brand and products.

    I am sorry to read about the issues you have experienced with the CXN100 when connected to the CXC via a digital connection. We are aware of a handshake issue via this method and our software and engineering team are currently investigating this as a priority with the hope that it can be fixed via a firmware update to the CXN100.

    I'll put this ticket on hold and I hope to update you further on this very shortly once I have some more information from our engineers.

    Please accept my apologies for any disappointment this may cause.


    Best regards,
    Tom
    Customer Support Manager
    Cambridge Audio
     
    GyroT likes this.
  16. rockin_since_58

    rockin_since_58 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Simi Valley, CA
    At least they acknowledged the problem. I am sure this is something they will take care of quickly as they don't want the bad publicity.
     
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  17. GordonM

    GordonM “..in a setting of pure electronic sound..”

    Location:
    N.Ireland
    This is about as good as you can hope fir at this stage - other than a message which stated that it has already been fixed and that it would be in the next firmware release. The engineering team are sure to be looking into it and hopefully it is root caused soon and can be fixed in software. Firmware software for hardware like this can be very complex. I agree that this should have been picked up during QA and field testing. I for one am interested in the outcome because if I had one of these units I would be using the DAC facility with coax out from a CD player!
     
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2024
  18. psulioninks

    psulioninks Forum Resident

    Location:
    KC Chiefs Kingdom
    While I understand your frustration, I think they will get it solved sooner rather than later. I've read other threads with people having this exact same issue (different transports and different DACs), and the issues all seem to have been fixed via a firmware update.
     
    GordonM likes this.
  19. bever70

    bever70 Let No-one Live Rent Free in Your Head!

    Location:
    Belgium
    Should work perfect from the start. Not going to buy a car that stalls at every corner with the promise that they'll fix this whenever they feel like it. LOL
     
  20. Katz

    Katz Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Bucharest
    absolutely. Except, they did not "market" the CXN100 as "stalling at every corner", but rather as being an upgrade to the CXN V2 - a streamer I had until yesterday and which worked flawlessly with any CD Transport.
     
  21. Classicrock

    Classicrock Senior Member

    Location:
    South West, UK.
    It's absolutely inexcusable that they didn't test it with their own CD transport! So it won't work in the system it is supposed to match to optimally? Many customers are going to match this with a CXC. This seems to be an issue with the DAC digital input and not the streamer. Might need a hardware redesign, so if I had one it would be going back to Richer Sounds for a refund.
     
    robusa and bever70 like this.
  22. Katz

    Katz Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Bucharest
    I just got an update from CA - firmware fix incoming very soon.
     
    ti-triodes, forthlin and GordonM like this.
  23. Claude

    Claude Senior Member

    Location:
    Luxembourg
    The device is brand new, released this month.

    That means you are now their beta tester ;)
     
  24. bever70

    bever70 Let No-one Live Rent Free in Your Head!

    Location:
    Belgium
    Exactly. It's cheaper to use your own customers as free beta-testers instead of having to pay someone to do it before the release :D.
     
    on7green and ls35a like this.
  25. Katz

    Katz Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Bucharest
    They should reward me with an EDGE NQ for the effort :D
     

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