Readers’ Award 2023: Cambridge Audio MXN10 raises the budget streamer bar

By Joe Cox
published

You voted, we counted! The marvellous MXN10 is your favourite product of the year

Readers’ Award 2023
(Image credit: Future)

You can debate the merits of competing music streaming services, file formats and bitrates until the cows come home but it’s hard to argue that streaming has taken over the world. With many music lovers choosing streamers to replace CD players and turntables, it’s no surprise that the music streamers category has quickly become one of our most popular. The good news is the convenience and quality that the best machines offer can now be found at every price point. 

The Cambridge Audio MXN10 is as good an example as any, offering superb value for money in terms of features and sound quality, in an easy-to-use and compact package. We chose it as our 'best music streamer £300-£750' in the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2023, and our readers also voted for it in their droves as their favourite product of the year, making the MXN10 our 2023 Readers’ Award winner too.

Cambridge Audio MXN10 music streamer on a rack shelf

(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)

The MXN10 has great pedigree, following in the footsteps of award-winning Cambridge Audio amplifiers and streamers, and much of what we enjoyed in the likes of the CXA61 amp and CXN V2 streamer is replicated here. Having a broad array of streaming choices is essential and services include Google Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal, Qobuz and internet radio, as well as support for Bluetooth 5.0.

The MXN10, impressively, comes equipped with the ESS Sabre ES9033Q DAC, allowing it to stream high-resolution files of up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 resolution. Regarding physical connections, the MXN10 is fitted with an RCA line-level analogue output, one coaxial and one optical on the digital side, as well as an ethernet port.

The StreamMagic streaming module and app are at the heart of the player, providing excellent Cambridge Audio software so that you can stream from your phone. The app is decent and easy to set up; just turn on your new player, download the application and, even if you choose not to create an account and sign in to StreamMagic, the app will simply pick up your MXN10 immediately. 

Sonically, this streamer delivers the detail and space of the similarly priced Audiolab 6000N Play, with the character and energy of the Bluesound Node, while adding a dose of dynamic expression and rhythmic coherence that they can’t match. Whether your music requires power and punch or subtlety and rhythm, the MXN10 proves itself capable of doing it all.

We think it’s the best streamer around for this sort of money and it seems enough of you out there have found out for yourselves and agree with our verdict. The MXN10 is a worthy winner of this year’s Readers’ Award. 

MORE:

See our Product of the Year Awards 2023 winners in every category

8 ways to make your hi-fi sound better for free

The best music streamers for every price and preference

Joe Cox
Joe Cox
Content Director

Joe is Content Director for T3 and What Hi-Fi?, having previously been the Global Editor-in-Chief of What Hi-Fi?. He has worked on What Hi-Fi? across the print magazine and website for more than 15 years, writing news, reviews and features on everything from turntables to TVs, headphones to hi-fi separates. He has covered product launch events across the world, from Apple to Technics, Sony and Samsung; reported from CES, the Bristol Show, and Munich High End for many years; and written for sites such as the BBC, Stuff, and the Guardian. In his spare time, he enjoys expanding his vinyl collection and cycling (not at the same time).

8 Comments Comment from the forums
  • daveh75
    In what universe is a £450 streamer considered "budget"?
    Reply
  • Jasonovich
    WHF Awards so very much off the mark as usual, it reminds me of network of friends coming together and patting each other on the back.
    We have you covered old boy, yes spiffing good, I need to dip my cigar in the brandy, could you point me in the right direction,....Cha.....Ching!
    It's not to say some of the candidates don't deserve the awards but it seems certain if you are in the club or in the circle of WHF friends, you will do well.

    I keep ranting on about this but I do genuinely feel WHF isn't in step with the industry, I dunno, is it apathy, to lazy to look around or perhaps it's best to snuggle up with the Devil you know than the deep blue sea?

    Just to point out £400-£500 for the Cambridge Audio MXN10 isn't BUDGET by any stretch of the imagination.

    No ifs No Buts, So as your benevolent dictator of Little Briton; I have decreed that the honour should go to the fresh upstart, WiiM Pro Plus for ONLY two hundred and nineteen pounds!!!
    Hard slam of sweaty palms and fists on the rustic oak table, the regular folk at the Tavern raise their mugs of warm ale up in the air, Amy the busty barmaid lands a kiss on my forehead; Oh Arrr, woo woo woo!!! ;)

    (y) Sorry I need to take my medication.


    NOT THE WHAT HI*FI? AWARDS WINNER: WiiM Pro Plus Music Streamer £219Also:Best Streamer / DAC < £1000 EVERSOLO DMP-A6
    Best Streamer / DAC > £1000 ROSE RS150B
    Reply
  • nopiano
    I don’t think you can fairly criticise the magazine for reporting what the readers voted for!
    Reply
  • Jasonovich
    nopiano said:
    I don’t think you can fairly criticise the magazine for reporting what the readers voted for!
    Perhaps I've been a bit disingenuous for not mentioning the reader's choice but it is essentially about coverage and what their readers take in from the magazine. If you're going review a certain product most of the time with the exclusion of others, of course the readers who have entered the WHF Boutique will pick the dress that's hanging from the peg, rather than the one the other stalls are displaying.

    Yes there is free will but it's also about perception that drives the reader to make the desired selection.
    Reply
  • nopiano
    Jasonovich said:
    Perhaps I've been a bit disingenuous for not mentioning the reader's choice but it is essentially about coverage and what their readers take in from the magazine. If you're going review a certain product most of the time with the exclusion of others, of course the readers who have entered the WHF Boutique will pick the dress that's hanging from the peg, rather than the one the other stalls are displaying.

    Yes there is free will but it's also about perception that drives the reader to make the desired selection.
    Unfortunately the selection is pre-ordained, so you get to choose from various TV, streaming speaker, and tablet types as well as a hifi speaker, streamer, etc. Unfortunately I can’t see the whole list though I did vote. Personally, I ignore the tellies and vote for a Hifi item.
    Reply
  • Jasonovich
    nopiano said:
    Unfortunately the selection is pre-ordained, so you get to choose from various TV, streaming speaker, and tablet types as well as a hifi speaker, streamer, etc. Unfortunately I can’t see the whole list though I did vote. Personally, I ignore the tellies and vote for a Hifi item.
    Thank you for clarifying.
    Reply
  • nopiano
    Jasonovich said:
    Thank you for clarifying.
    I searched and found the list. I remember now I voted for the KEF R3 Meta.

    5553
    Reply
  • Jasonovich
    The list does seem to represent the products reviewed by WHF that makes sense.
    You're right it is predetermined and readers given the opportunity to vote from that list.
    It's like a symbiosis, suppliers give up their products for review and they'll get the chance to be nominated for product of the year. If they hit the jackpot, they'll receive the much coveted WHF Award.
    I get it, not reflective of what's really out there but it's pointless to criticise unless someone can come up with a better way.
    Reply