Cambridge Audio EVO 150: Amplifier that combines luxury with minimalism

The front panel of the Cambridge Audio EVO 150 amplifier combines luxury and the rigor of minimalism. Luxury is a bright color information display with a diagonal of 6.8 inches, which occupies almost two-thirds of the facade of the device. The second visual accent of the facade was the large handle of the double turn-and-push control, through which not only volume control and input switching are implemented, but also menu navigation. Between this handle and the display, small buttons for controlling playback and switching the main operating modes of the component are lined up vertically.

The Cambridge Audio EVO 150 amplifier is built on the basis of an audiophile two-channel Saber Reference ES9018K2M DAC chip from ESS Technology, capable of processing audio data with parameters up to 32 bit / 384 kHz and DSD – up to DSD256. The streamer is equipped with a full-fledged MQA format decoder, which is important for using modern streaming services such as TIDAL. Connection to a home computer network can be wireless via dual-band Wi-Fi, or using a cable, for which the switching arsenal includes an RJ45 Ethernet port. The maximum speed of a wired connection is 100 Mbit/s, and this is sufficient for broadcasting audio. Supports Cambridge Audio EVO 150 and Bluetooth version 4.2 wireless protocol with aptX HD codec, allowing audio transmission at 24 bit / 48 kHz. Moreover, via Bluetooth you can not only stream music from a smartphone or tablet to the EVO 150, but also connect wireless headphones.

To make the Cambridge Audio EVO 150 amplifier compact and lightweight, Hypex Ncore® amplifier modules operating in class D are used. Their record energy efficiency allows you to do without bulky and heavy power supplies, as well as without massive radiators for cooling the output stages. The result is a compact, lightweight component that packs serious power. Thus, the number 150 in the name Cambridge EVO 150 means power in Watts when operating on a load with a nominal resistance of 8 Ohms. This will be enough to work not only with bookshelf monitors, which will become the most stylistically harmonious partners for the Cambridge EVO 150, but also with full-size floor-standing speakers.

The switching arsenal located on the rear wall of the case was a pleasant surprise. In addition to the aforementioned RJ45 Ethernet port and two pairs of high-quality screw-type speaker terminals for connecting acoustics, there is a balanced analogue input on XLR connectors, a linear unbalanced input on RCA and even a phono input for moving magnet (MM) cartridges. Digital switching includes two optical and one coaxial inputs and an HDMI ARC port for connecting a TV. There are also two USB ports – type B for connecting a computer as a source and type A for playing audio files from an external USB drive. At the same time, Cambridge EVO 150 understands a wide range of modern audio formats, including WAV, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, DSD (x256), WMA, MP3, AAC, HE AAC AAC+, OGG Vorbis. The component is also equipped with analog outputs – a pair of preouts on RCA connectors allows you to use an external power amplifier if desired, and there is also an output for an active subwoofer if you prefer a triphonic.

You can control playback through the proprietary application for mobile gadgets StreamMagic, or use the Cambridge Audio EVO 150 as part of the Roon ecosystem and control it using the Roon Music Player application. In addition, if you wish, you can use streaming services applications by choosing the Cambridge Audio EVO 150 as the output device. The Cambridge Audio EVO

150 amplifier comes with wooden side covers, which, paired with a large control on the front panel, are designed to resemble the company’s debut model – amplifier P40, which was released back in 1968. If vintage notes do not fit into the design of your room, then these linings can be removed altogether, or replaced with ones made of innovative environmentally friendly material Richlite – a product of recycled paper, which are included in the kit.