All-in-one streaming amplifier with 300 W per channel
The Cambridge Audio Evo 300 combines a network streamer, D/A converter, preamplifier and power amplifier in a single unit: just add a pair of speakers. With 300 W per channel into 8 ohms (550 W into 4 ohms) it delivers a wide soundstage, big dynamics and deep, controlled bass, even with speakers that are hard to drive.
Everything is controlled from the StreamMagic app, the supplied remote control or the front panel, where the 7.8-inch screen shows album art, level meters and playback information.
Hypex NCOREx, dual-mono architecture and ESS DAC
Amplification is Class D with Hypex NCOREx modules. The dual-mono architecture, the balanced preamplifier and the dedicated analogue volume control preserve channel separation, stereo focus and low-level detail; frequency response runs from 20 Hz to 20 kHz (+0/-3 dB).
Conversion is handled by the ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M DAC, which accepts PCM signals up to 32-bit/768 kHz and DSD512 without resampling. Supported formats are ALAC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD, WMA, MP3, AAC and OGG Vorbis.
StreamMagic Gen 4 and multiroom
The StreamMagic Gen 4 platform gives fast, stable access to Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Deezer, Amazon Music and internet radio; Evo 300 is Roon Ready, works with AirPlay 2 and Chromecast and plays music stored on a NAS or home server over UPnP.
With Google Home, AirPlay and Roon it joins a multiroom system, and support for Control4 and KNX makes it suitable for custom installations. Bluetooth 5.4 goes up to the aptX HD codec.
Inputs and outputs
The analogue inputs are two RCA, one balanced XLR and one phono input for MM cartridges; the digital inputs are HDMI ARC/eARC for a television, optical, coaxial and USB Type B audio for a computer (up to 32-bit/768 kHz and DSD512 in USB Audio Class 2).
Outputs are two pairs of speaker terminals (A and B), switchable from the app to serve two zones, a 6.35 mm headphone output, a preamp output and a subwoofer output, with crossover, level and phase set from the app.
Side panels, dimensions and accessories
The side panels are interchangeable: real wood or a black tech-style finish. Evo 300 measures 387 x 89 x 352 mm (width, height, depth) and weighs 7.2 kg; maximum power consumption is 1,200 W, standby consumption below 0.5 W.
The box contains the remote control with two AAA batteries, two customisable side panels, the mains lead, the quick start guide and the safety guide.
