Cambridge Audio EVO 150 Streaming Integrated Amp Review

[@martinaston1715]

Biggest compliment I can make after moving House a few years ago and sold my Naim Uniti Nova (which I loved) I needed music again but had a reduced budget , the Evo 150 filled a need for half the money, but heres the rub, havn,t felt like Ive missed out I enjoy Tidal Connect ,my 83db Mark & Daniel Maximus Saphire sound superb ..no regrets!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

That’s probably because the Naim is way overpriced. Naim’s usually are.

[@rodneydangerfield7153]

Thank you, Simon, for the very informative video!

[@liamporter1137]

Great review. Thanks for sharing. Pretty happy with Kinki Studio EX-M1+ amplifier, Musician Aquarius DAC and Eversolo A6 combination.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

You’ve definitely got some extremely good value products there in the Kinki and A6 Liam. Never tried your DAC I should say.

[@petrpulpytel]

I have kinki and a6 too and looking for a good dac, I taught about gustard a26, but aquarius looks interesting too😀

[@johnratcliffe6438]

​@@13thnotehifireviews7You have. Musician = Denafrips.

[@user-br1sn3xi3y]

Hi, any idea if the EVO-150 will drive a a pair of falcon gold-badge LS3/5As ? (Nom.imp 15ohms). I asked CA but they have not tested the unit with these BBC spec speakers.

[@IrenESorius]

Thank you for sharing Simon,, 💖🙏💖. Cheers and I wish you the best of weekends,, 🍻😎👍‍‍👍‍‍

[@anonimushbosh]

Haha... love the Darko reference. I wouldn't mind so much that he doesn't compare to products he's not heard that month if he didn't fill 10 minutes of every video continually explaining it 😉 The closest competitor to this is (or rather could seem to be) the Evo75 and that would be an interesting side by side, esp with (as you suggest) slightly sensitive speakers.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

I think the competition is probably gear like Gato DIA-250S NPM Integrated Amplifier, nad c388. Both have similar or better power levels. I don’t think the nad m10 v2 or naim uniti atom is “probably” in the mix or evo 75 because they are down on power and this isn’t gonna drive most speakers best possible. So there would be no point comparing the evo 75 to evo 150 imo, as it would be pretty obvious which will be the better amp.

[@anonimushbosh]

Yes. I meant bc many buyers would see both advertised and naturally wonder how one compares with the other & to what extent the extra power is a benefit bc it's not like the 75 will be too puny to go much louder than necessary. Whilst you can likely predict the outcome of such a comparison many buyers will struggle to weigh up the appropriate pros & cons before hearing either. Not saying you should get both in but because there are two models they present a nice opportunity for someone to look into the effects of (air quotes) headroom.

[@hclandscapes]

I’m really surprised to hear that you find the emit 20’s to be slightly toppy with the treble? I used to own the Emit 30’s and when running with my Hegel h190 I thought they sounded slightly dull and overly relaxed?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

I didn’t say they are toppy and trebeley per see, I said they can be ‘quite toppy and trebeley with SOME recordings’. The emit 20s will have a different character to the emit 30s because of the extra driver of the 30s, which may be a radiator driver or another driver. In addition the cross over is probably different to account the different driver arrangement, so will the port be different and port tunings different, so too how the drivers are damped by different cabinets, so this can all account one model sounding very different to another in the range.

[@rajnidhins]

Hi, My current setup is: Source - Tidal Network Transport - Bluesound Node 2021 DAC - Denafrips Venus 12th Preamp - Denafrips Athena Power Amp - Kinki Studio EX-B7 mono blocks Speakers - Focal Diablo Utopia Color Evo III Need your kind advice on whether to add Denafrips Gaia DDC to the setup or change the Network Streamer to An Auralic G1.1 / G2.2 or Hifirose RS130

[@jameskolar9655]

I really like this Evo 150 machine, seems to be just what I’m looking for. What bookshelf speakers do I put with it? Thank you.

[@PhotographyInFlight4183]

Might consider the little Harbeths P3s

[@JBOsurf]

I have a feeling I would choose the NAD M2 as it has Dirac, ample power, nicely presented product, compact, ticks many many boxes. I've had cambridge products before and they offer great value. But it's the NAD that seems to be sitting at the top of the heap in my opinion at present, especially given the discounts available here in Australia (circa 15% off). I would be pairing it with my Larsen 4.3 orthoacoustic speakers. Build quality is non-existent, but they sound amazing.

[@andrehendrik]

'been wondering if you'd review this one -- glad to see it, cheers. Btw: I have CXN v2 which I use for streaming Qobuz (without Roon). StreamMagic is definitely the weak link; even setting aside its clunky layout -- streaming Qobuz via SM is usually patchy. I do like the sound of the CXN though, Cambridge just needs to step up their software game.

[@ericjohnson829]

Well, in reality, as nice as the CXN was, it's been way overdue for an upgrade to the old dac section, low res pixelated screen and overall functionality. Dual Wolfson DAC's in 2023 ? The design has endured unchanged for almost 8 years.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Totally agree, I suspect they are aware they need a replacement to it. The new streamers they brought out don’t exactly represent value against the likes of wiim, eversolo, bluesound, and the cheaper of the two looks like it’s taking a price tumble. I think the prices are probably a bit high of those.

[@andrehendrik]

@@ericjohnson829 I agree about the screen, functionality is fine apart from Qobuz via StreamMagic. Still sounds great, though. 1BTN streams at only 160 kbps but it sounds remarkably good. As Simon noted, the most significant change since the release of the v2 is that Eversolo really changed the game as to what consumers can expect at the 700 - 1000 euro/dollar price point.

[@marctoupin3968]

Love the reference to National Lampoon’s Vacation 😂

[@RAMIRO61FERNANDES]

Great review.

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

THANKS SIMON 🤗 INTERESTING AND INFORMATIVE 🧐😎💚💚💚

[@rickhenry8154]

Hello Simon, great review as always, just wondering, you reviewed the marantz pm 7000n some while back, which I have, in your opinion would it be worth the upgrade to the Evo 150 2:20 Many thanks Rick

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks Rick, it does substantiate its price over the Marantz with hypex ncore I would say. The Marantz is more a languid smoothed sound and class ab, but not as gutsy, this is more dynamic and lively but still nice balance I’d say. That aside it’s down to feature set. From what I remember without watching my review again, the Marantz is very feature laden.

[@rickhenry8154]

@13thnotehifireviews7 Hello Simon, thank you for your thoughts, much appreciated, that aside, the Marantz is now retailing for £650 from its original £1000, which is a bargain for anyone thinking of dipping their toes into the streaming world for the 1st time Rick

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

I saw that a while back , thanks for saying. It is a bargain defo, as much as the Cyrus one cast selling for half price. I think that Cyrus lost half its value after the what hifi review which wasn’t entirely fair imo. It’s not amazingly built but the amp in it is very good

[@rickhenry8154]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 👍👍

[@JamesWilliams-ps6xz]

I was a Roon user for 3 years, there is nothing better. Unfortunately, Roon doesn’t support accessibility tools, like Apple’s assistive touch or eye-gaze screens, which my ALS requires.

[@medonk12rs]

The EVOs (heard the 150 in a Hifi dealer's and also in my place) have a quite dry and analytical sound. I think the Naim offerings (Unity) with A/B amplification are much more interesting.

[@martinaston1715]

Had both the Uniti Nova and now Evo 150 once run in certainly not dry and analytical to my hears….

[@rich.e]

Had a friend's EVO 150 fronting a pair of KEF Q150s for a week... not a happy pairing to these ears. Recently bought a Uniti Atom HE & AE1 Actives and I could hardly be happier.

[@sk8er.panda.on.wheels]

The EVO is just fine with my B&W CM10's. I add the EVO CD to listen to my huge CD collection. To me it sounds amazing, and I enjoy the flexibility of streaming Qobuz, use the EVO CD, etc . Are there amps which are better ? for sure ! Does it matter? no. The EVO is very very easy to use (also by other people at home) and it sounds impressive for the money. Just my 2 cents.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Put it this way if it’s an amp to stumble across or otherwise it is a goodun.

[@marcelgroen8379]

Had it, rejected it. Too expensive and too boring/harsh/clean/dry sounding. The EVO sounds better and more dynamic than the NAD and Hifi Rose 250, but even the HifiRose 520 (which sounded more organic than the EVO to my ears ) improved sound a bit but even they do not manage to keep the output interesting. It was a costly lesson to learn that class D (Hypex Ncore/Rose/IcePower) is still no match for my NuVistas, unfortunately. Hope the new and improved Hyex Nilai provides the answer.

[@nelsonclub7722]

When I used to sell Hi-Fi in Gloucester (Audio Excellence) we had a saying for those who liked Musical Fidelity - and it was far from complimentary - regardless of that I went all in with the NuVista - X-Ray - Pre this and -Power that and hung them on the end of a pair of Kef Reference 4's; it was a sweet sound and went very loud - I loved it!!!! I have the Cambridge now - Edge NQ this and Edge Mono that - and for dynamism they don't quite cut it - for music though without any big drama they deliver every time without sounding tiresome - just a little boring

[@martinaston1715]

Mmm definitely does not sound harsh your speakers must be broke , flat sounding maybe or just neutral adds nothing takes nothing with very low distortion my advice 2 anybody ignore the haters try for yourself ..

[@marcelgroen8379]

Dear Martin, so now i am a hater? Or now my Elipsons or my new QA concept 30's are broken? The evo150 is a nicely designed all in one but way too expensive for what it offers both in soundquality and flexibllity. The least any class d manufacterer should do is add a working equalizer to bring it to life. I bought both the EVO and the Rose 520 and as I said: they are nice but flat. But if you like your sound that's what it is all about.@@martinaston1715

[@Retro_Analog]

Griswold wood panel vibe 🤣

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

No sleight on my US friends, we had the morris minor with those wood panels too, lol.🤣

[@jacopocom]

but please remember there is no soundstage related to amplification

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

There very much is taking aside what may be technical discourse

[@michaelmityok1001]

Excellent value but doesn't get a lot of love outside of GB, is the app as terrible as some report?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

I think it is pretty pants Michael

[@larazss3254]

Evo150 beats any other integrated in terms of features.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Well it doesn’t beat the nad m33 imo.

[@larazss3254]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 Agreed, m33 has room correction, otherwise both are on par.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

@@larazss3254 the nad is way ahead and the class d modules it uses are a development of hypex ncore ones

[@larazss3254]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 It is, but NAD costs almost twice as well. In terms of features (listed as specs) they are almost identical

[@REX4340]

This power amp section sucks! Try using the pre outs and decent power amp, much much better.

[@CraciunAlexandruGh]

IMHO, the CA EVO series is overpriced on the amp side.,

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Have you tried one out of interest

[@ZEN_X999]

Product is good. BUT... But the Cambridge Audio repair for EVO is arduously taking very long time, taking MANY WEEKS for spares delivery to dealers. I am one unlucky owner to have a faulty EVO150 less than 2 months of ownership. And once DOWN, the REPAIR IS TAKING LONG.....it is 1 MONTH DOWN TIME now and counting. No ETA from Cambridge on spares delivery after asking more than 4 times. Have to pray your EVO do not spoil.

[@davidcarr2216]

All HiFi reviewers use the context of if it costs more it "sounds better" - this is pure BS. Cost has got nothing to do with anything. Everything depends on how well the product is designed and executed in engineering terms. Wood side panels and nice displays make zero difference to anything. You don't get wood side panels and fancy displays on pro gear because you don't need them. These are dead simple products, so you don't need big fancy screens and if you can't use a streamer without this nonsense: Are you sure you can tie your own shoe laces ? I could go on but I'll stop here.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Cost determines what can be used component wise with designs the same. I’ve never *always* said if it costs more it sounds better. Ironically this video includes a reference to a product that I thought is cheaper and better. Economies of scale is a big determinant of what can sound better relative price. Thanks