★ *QOTD: What is the most beautiful piece of HIFI gear you’ve ever seen AND did it sound just as good as it looked?* ★ *REVIEWING: **bit.ly/EdgePreAA** + **bit.ly/EdgePWR** // NEED MORE INFO? ✔︎ THE ⬆︎DESCRIPTION⬆︎* ✔︎ *Love our outtakes? Be sure to watch to the end* ✘ *COMMENT RULES:* - No outside URLs or RU-vid links. - Please be respectful to one another. Harassment and threats will not be tolerated.
The most beautiful item I've ever owned has to be the Trio (Kenwood) KA-60 amp from 1980. Mid-fi? Perhaps to some, but its sound signature is surprisingly close to my Luxman L-114A.
I haven't seen many pieces of gear in person, but I love the look of my classic Yamaha DSP-A1 receiver. It's outdated by means of technology, but it's still the cleanest sounding thing I've ever heard for pure stereo. Mine is black, but I've always wanted to see it in silver with the wood accents.
Thank you so much! If you're interested in the print, it's linked in the description. The screensaver on the tv is from an app on our LG TV, also linked in the description 😉 .
Andrew Robinson ... some people just got talent. I would have designed some Frankenstein looking amp. 😂🤣 ps love your videos. You really put in a lot of effort.
I loved the sound and design of the Classe Audio CA2300 & the matching CP800 Pre Amplifier. Sounded wonderful with a pair of B&W 802’s. My Dad was Gordon Edge incidentally, the chap who the Cambridge Audio system is designed after. Proud to see his name attached to the beautiful looking product
Your question of the day is a very fun one. Personally, the first time I saw the Bang & Olufsen Beocenter 9000 in person, and how it operated, I knew I wanted it. I've been very happy with that choice so far and I find that the connectivity of that system is really one of it's under rated features. I find the sound of it when paired with my Mk I Penta speakers is very good, though the mids can get a little blasting a high volume levels. I'd love to hear a Beosound 9000, Beolab 5's and of course Beolab 90's. Though I'm not sure I'll get to that spot in my lifetime. I did buy the new BeoPlay H95's though. Wow!
great vid as always guys! for jaw dropping hifi I still love some of the B&O gear from the 80`s & 90`s, the sound was fun but I`m not sure it could be classed as true high end audio, not so convinced by their modern gear. As for stunning gear now its definitely the Naim Uniti range which does sound amazing, also quite keen on the Technics SL-1500C which I may be able to afford in the future
Last year I have the luck to see/hear a couple of Dan D’Agostino Relentless Monoblock amplifiers and I was overwhelmed both by the sound and the aesthetics.
I am with you - the Monitor aUdio is a very clean articulate sound - I sue the Edge NQ running into 4X Edge W Monos on Monitor Audio Platinum 500 II's - a huge speaker with a huge soundstage - I call it my tower of power - probably enough current for a welder to get to grips with but it does the job beautifully
Great review Andrew. A favourite piece of audio equipment I have is the Pro-Ject Essential III Bluetooth Turntable (in white), with inbuilt phono stage. I use it both via Bluetooth and RCA cables, depending on the mood. Looks and sounds great. If we are prepared to admit it, looks are right up there with the sound, as we spend as much time looking at our hi-fi as we do listening to it.
I was intrigued by the radical looks of the Devialet Phantom speakers. Then when I heard them, I was completely blown away. That much power, dynamics and extension was something I hadn’t experienced before. My pair of 3000w Silvers are amazing but are a bit overpowering for casual listening.They are at their best playing loud when they can really demonstrate their dynamics.
I considered buying the Edge A. Then you made me try the other Edge (XTZ A2-300). Then you made me upgrade to the SU-G700 by Technics. I guess you might have to review and praise Hegels H120 to make me MAYBE upgrade again😅🤔
In the UK the Edge Series has risen in price by approximately 33%. The Edge NQ is now £5000 (was £3500) and the Edge W is now £4000 (was £2500). With this in mind, they need to be compared to other amps and streamers that are now in a similar price bracket. For £9000 UK, you could, for example, buy a Yamaha A-S3200, an Eversolo DMP-A6 streamer and a Gustard A26/R26 DAC and still have a lot of spare change in your pocket. How does the Cambridge compare to other systems costing £9000? It would be interesting to have some meaningful evaluations.
Am I the only one who thinks Mr. Robinson's dulcet tones are just about the right thing to lull one to sleep? That sing-song melody, that relaxed rhythm.....those definitive statements....I just...oh yeah.
Thank you for being honest; aesthetics matter, more than people like to admit haha. Best-looking thing: Thiel 2.5, and yeah, holographic, deep sounstage. LOVE EM. Also love that new intro dude!
There was a time when every system was full of dials, switches, tone control and even UV meters or flashing lines. Meridian Audio came out with a tiny black box (also in brown) with three selector toggles and a volume / balance knob. At the time it seemed to lack inputs. Now you don't need any more. It was and is a volume control to active speakers and moving coil or moving magnet phono stage. Everything before and after just seem over complex and cluttered. The most friendly speakers in terms of looks in a domestic setting and still have quality in sound are the JR149 book shelf speakers. These are cylinders with wood tops in a wide choice of options. They do need a good 100W amplifier. B&W PV1 subwoofer, Meridian M6 (DPS), B&O Beolab 9 and 20 for the clarity and stunning design.
Congratulations on your presentation. I listened to the system w (amplifier) and nq Cambridge and I liked the detail and refinement of the sound, it lacks some warmth and breadth. Could pairing the Edge nq alone with the Accuphase 280 amplifier give the system a gain in heat and amplitude while not neglecting detail? Thanks Gianluca
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." I find that I like the looks of most electronics (Sim Moon being a favorite) but functionality and sound will win the day. My current system is the compromise of not dedicating an electric line to my great room and the limitations of powering a 7.2.4 setup in that case. It is a beauty!
Question: I may have already asked this, but maybe it's worth diving into in a video sometime. Do you prefer to have a built in phono stage? Personally, I don't. Having a built in phono stage limits my cartridge selections, and makes a piece of kit that I've already bought and love irrelevant. Also, it limits what can be hooked up to the receiver.
Sounds perfect for me. That is the sound signature that I like. The only problem is, it's way out of my budget lol. Hell, damn near everything you review is out of my budget, but I love your reviews, so I'll keep watching.
Cambridge have some lower priced products with the same or similar aesthetics and similar great sound. But you do get what you pay for, that is true. I auditioned my Monitor Audio Bronze 2 speakers on the Cambridge AXR100 amp and was very impressed (price NZ$999, so probably around US$500-$600) but then I asked to audition the new Arcam SA-30 through the same speakers (price of the Arcam NZ$5,499) and, yep, you could hear the sound-stage difference. Still, I bought a Cambridge AXR85 amp (didn't need the extra power of the AXR100) and once home, I'm happy with it. I would still probably upgrade my main system (Arcam Solo Music) to a new Arcam (SA-30) by saving, saving, saving, because I like the Arcam sound and would want to replace like for like (my Solo has been serviced twice and still going, so no need to replace just yet). If you think you might like the Cambridge sound, maybe start at the low-end of the range.
Thanks for the info. I've never had the chance to hear anything from Cambridge or Arcam. What I've got now is a Yamaha integrated amp and Wharfedale Diamond 225 bookshelves. I like the sound but would definitely like to upgrade at some point.
As Walter&Bruges says, there are more affordable options from Cambridge (which we've reviewed on the channel). You'll find some of those links in the description if you want to look them over. Be sure to tune in on Sunday. We have a budget friendly product review coming.
@@michaelwhitaker1972 Arcam started as 'A&R Cambridge' and, like Cambridge Audio, came out of the city of the same name and I think each company started with engineering graduates from the University (at least implied by good old Wikipedia with respect to CA, but definitely the case with Arcam) and at some point Cambridge Audio was acquired by Wharfedale, but that may have changed since then, so there is probably a 'sound' from these British companies that chimes with you. I liked Arcam the moment I heard it and the HiFi store guy said they do have a particular sound - works for my ears, I guess. They do tend to be at the higher price range though as opposed to CA that puts out different price levels. I posted my favourite kit, somewhere here, and I have a vintage 70's Yamaha amplifier (CA-510 but I think its a CA-410 II in the US) and its getting serviced. I've heard nothing but good things about Yamaha amps overall, so looking forward to hearing what it sounds like. All the best.
Most beautiful gear that sounds good too imo: buchardt s400 in white, Aperion Bravus subwoofers in any color or size. Those two items i find absolutely beautiful. For amps some of the Goldmund stuff looks killer but def out of my budget.
I tried both with my Tannoy Kensington SE. The systems are worlds apart. The Nova sounds like a compact stereo system. Punchy but without the power, control and clarity to support it. Remindsed me of the Naim MuSo Gen 1 (but without the speakers of course). Just overall limited. Very unfortunate as I prefer the looks of the Naim. The Cambridge system on the other hand just oozes with detail, warmth and strength. I would say it even surpasses by previous Accuphase E-460.
Hi Andrew, My active loudspeaker reference is AESD (Accoustique Electronique Serge Durcy). I'm the happy owner of a pair of Active 2, but I also love the Monitor 6 and Harmonie 1000. Unfortunately, this brand is not well known. But their line of active loudspeakers is truly fantastic!
I didn't hear the W but I heard the A with B&W 702s and I thought it was neutral. Those speakers aren't exactly wild but still. 2nd time I heard it was with Focal Kantas and it sounded similar. The heat coming from the thing was ridiculous (this thing needs airflow) but the amplifier didn't quite match the sonic profile you've described. I wondered if the character of the amp changes after a few weeks of listening but it was in a store so I only heard it twice.
I have the KLH 5s but wanted a new amp to pair with this but limited on budget. I have the ICan Signature balanced XLR preamp and don't need a DAC. In the price average range of $3K to 4K (even used) I've looked at the Yamaha, the Edge W, Macintosh etc. I can't go but all of them and keep the one I like best. What in your opinion is "ideal" for the KLH 5s? I currently have the Cambridge CXA81 which sounds good to me but it's not a dedicated amp and only runs about $1,200. I can get a refurbished Edge W around $3K. I probably want something that makes the 10" drivers on the KLH really jump. I also don't play loud as much as soft to medium levels. I'm more about ultra clean and clear more than blasting.
Hi Andrew, excellent review. Cambridge, Hegel and NAD offer several super integrated high end amplifiers and you have reviewed most of them. Some offer HDMI connection and pave the way for a totally integrated 2.1 AV solution, a level of integration you have always promoted. Onkyo is offering all of this, plus 4K upscaling, at a fraction of the cost. Surprisingly reviews of the TX8390 are rare to find. Is this a budget amplifier that would do a great job of driving your Q Acoustics Concept 300 loudspeakers or your Klipsch Heritage speakers or is it a poor alternative to the abovementioned high end amplifiers? I know you are very sensitive to style and the silver version of the TX8390 would certainly be a nice mid century match to your Klipsch Heritage speakers. As a Tidal MQA fan and a person with a real world audiofile budget I would certainly look forward to a TX8390 review.
Hi Andrew, I've been enjoying your reviews and advice during lock-down. I've always favoured silver and wood veneer. So I'm a sucker for vintage hifi. I have a Pioneer SX-535 that I love. Not a flagship receiver by any means, but an elegant-looking model. I also have a Yamaha CA-510 that has a very balanced look with the VU meters in the middle (currently being serviced) and a Kenwood KA-5700 matched with a KT-5300 for radio in the dining room (why not?). I like that Yamaha are releasing new models with this kind of vintage styling. But my daily driver that got me into hifi is my Arcam Solo Music (the very first iteration circa 2005). It is an all-in-one and a sleek design. I have an extensive CD collection, some vinyl, but no interest in streaming. The Arcam was my introduction to a much richer sound-stage than I'd ever heard before. I have it running Tannoy DC1's and I wonder if I couldn't pair it with better speakers now, to be honest, but I don't want to go down that slippery path of upgrading. I also have a Kef subwoofer and shifted it as per your guidance. It's much better now, thanks. I have recently bought a low-end Cambridge receiver AXR85 (paired with Monitor Audio Bronze 2 speakers and a Rega P1 turntable) and will get the AXC25 CD player soon. It's an indulgent second system to also run some Q-Acoustic rock speakers outside (AXR85 can run two sets of speakers) and, like you, I was taken by the simple aesthetics of the Cambridge kit. I can see that there is sometimes a UK versus US difference/divide/preference in the comments. I'm writing from New Zealand, so we tend to get a lot of British stuff at all price levels, and then mostly only high end hifi from the US. Do you know of the brand Plinius? Made in NZ and considered pretty damn high end with a price to match. It has a similar minimalist aesthetic to the Cambridge.
Most beautiful, if question is here too 2 years after, is CA Evo150, and i took it, together with spendor d7.2 digital sound is lovely, super good, but analog not so, somehow plain. So i took separate phono drom CA (dealer is near). A s also took alva TT v2. Sound is lovely now, really like the details. And took ortofon 2M black. Oh my gosh, wven better. Ofcorse this is addiction so ordered EDGE NQ, will have it in September. After that thinking about some nicer speaker for winter, spendor d9.2 or classic100, can not decide. Or something else?
Higher end tube amps suit speakers like lintons, cornwall IV’s. Floor standers such as reserve-r700’s are better mated with evo150, naim atom, rn2000 to name a few! IMO humble opinion. Have a nice day/night.
We appreciate you sticking it out and truly watching until the end. We're pretty happy with the new music, thanks for catching on! Just trying to freshen things up a bit.
Sounds bright too, through decent headphones. Loads of echo/reverb, unless that’s a relic of the mic placement (obviously neither it nor Andrew are in the prime listening or speaker position).
With the way you describe this amp, I'm now wondering if it would be a good move to pair my CXNv2 with the azure 851W as I was planning to do. With about the same budget in mind, is there a better pairing available ? I have Paradigm Monitor 11 speakers and a Paradigm PS-1000 sub. Thanks!
There are many different schools of thought on this, but I feel like a system is better built with speakers as the primary and work from there. I love Paradigm and feel that the Monitor 11s punch above their class, but I also feel that you would be better off spending your money getting into some used Paradigm 100s or even Signature S6 or S8 and power them with a nice used B&K, Anthem, or Sherbourn amp. By the way, what version are your 11s?
@@jaredhylton6591 Version 3. I've had them for 15 years now, and I don't think I'll be changing them anytime soon... I do believe that you should build a system around the speakers, which is why I'm asking for advice in which amp I should get
I have never heard this amp myself, but it is just my opinion that you would be "out amping" your speakers. As a rule of thumb I never pair an amp with speakers where the speakers aren't the most expensive item. While Monitor 11 v3 are very solid speakers I don't think you would get any more out of them with this amp than you would with a nice used B&K Reference 200.2 amp that you could pick up for under $500! Also it is by no means a slouch, it puts out 200x2 into 8 and 375x2 into 4. Without having heard the amp reviewed here i can't say for sure, but I would predict the B&K would actually get more out of your 11s. Admittedly the B&K is older, but you could do a full refresh on one and still be at less than 1/4 of the price of this amp reviewed here. I have tested a ton of amps with Paradigm and B&K are my absolute favorites. They seem to work magic of eliminating any of the harshness that can come with metal dome tweeters, but seemingly with no loss in clarity. Speaking of tweeters, all generations of Paradigm Studio and Signature tweeters are 100% drop in on yours. That can be a cheap way to upgrade your speakers. If you want more info message me on eBay. Just find one of my many Paradigm listings, I am greenmr2spyder on there.
Hi Andrew! Amazing channell and I am glad I stumbled upon it. Music was always a passion for me and a great drive in my creative life(i am photographer)... and I am at point where I want to enrich my audio life. And I have a question, or rather suggestion... as a consumer I want best price-performance no doubt, but as a creator I understand that best price-performance is not what I actually need, f.ex, I enjoy funk, blues and probably will spend most of my time listening to Stanley Clarks Journey to Love, Mahavishnu Orchestra types of records - what speakers or system should I pursue to enjoy this type of music. I think a lot of people are mostly lean towards some specific genre of music - a series or advise based on those genres would be very interesting. My second question would be - I live in Japan, usually we have kinda small rooms... so compactness of the system and its ability to deal with smaller rooms is important. I want to go all in yet i dont want to overkill - any advice would be very appreciated. Anyway, thanks for the amazing and what it seems sincere content...
I am lucky to own one of the most beautiful pieces of equipment I've ever seen - and that's the 1st gen. Jadis Orchestra integrated amp. And yes: It sounds as gorgeous als it looks! It runs a pair of Vienna Audio Mozart Grand - and this is a stunning combination!
Great video. Would be interesting on your views on the new Linn Majik DSM that’s just come out. I’m sure it will be cheaper than the Cambridge Edge components.
I just got the Cambridge 851N. It uses different DACS than the CXN V2. The sound has been really good, with a few minor exceptions that I cannot ascribe to a specific source. This has not (at all) ruined the experience. I would say that the 851N is a little punchy, but the fall off is rounded, not clipped. Highs seem to be well separated from the lows. Cambridge uses two separate DACs; one for each channel. Stereo separation is enhanced. Voices are more defined. I can actually make out what Bob Dylan is saying. Liz Story's piano is spot on. Chris Botti's horn reaches for my soul. And, Fleetwood Mac's percussion is real. My gear is high end and older, but not audiophile quality, so it should be even better with updated pieces. I considered the Edge as well as the Mytek Brooklyn Bridge, at twice the price. My money was well spent, I feel. The 851N has an ethernet connection, which sold me over the CXN V2. Good luck in your search.
This was a great review, although I must say that After seeing this, I'm looking for you to get the new Rotel Michi system, and an Old Bottle of Scotch...lol!! Also, I absolutely Love the Chadwick Boseman shoutout...I really appreciate your Humanity. Stay AWESOME!!
Has anyone tried to connect the turntable alva tt strait to active speakers via Bluetooth. I am curious if it could be a great pairing with formation duo from bowers and Wilkins or other active spearkers.
It’s interesting, I go to a store one month ago and listen 3 brands of amps: Yamaha, Cambridge and Marantz. The most beautiful looking was the Cambridge but the sound doesn’t make so much difference between the Yamaha, specially for that price. So I picked the Yamaha.
Nice review and beautiful equipment, but holy shit Batman, that's expensive!! I noticed you changed your theme music, it's pretty cool, but the previous music was more elegant. My most beautiful piece of equipment might be the Emotiva XDA-2 DAC.
I tried to use the link which identifies other items in the room (can't recall the video on the components console). The link just hangs on a blank Amazon page. It tries to download an empty .bin file.
That TV unit.. the thing on which the turn table and the products reviewed are kept during use.. It looks so slick. Just noticed it for the first time. Does anyone know what model it is and from whom ? Edit : holy shit it's 2.5 grand.. :0
@@andrewrobinsonreviews just saw your video on it, it's so cool . Just like something I've been looking. The acoustically transparent metal mesh makes it perfect for the centre channel as I can't mount my television on the wall rn. Definitely worth it
$4/5k? Seriously? And you're not that tickled with it? High end is one thing, but for that price point, it had better brew your morning coffee, and make a pocket radio speaker sound magnificent! That you switch out components for comparative analysis is why I like and trust any of your findings! I'll never buy this system, not unless, that is, I find it on a shelf at my local Goodwill store, and no body knows what it exactly is! Btw, "Thanks!" for your video on sub woofers. I've re connected mine, done my realignment hook-up and placement. Wow, what a difference!
I suspect this setup paired with the ELAC Debut Reference series would be like kicking off your wellingtons, putting on a pair of slippers, and settling into a leather wingback chair in front of the hearth with your faithful, but slightly aged hunting dog already asleep on the rug.
Bonjour, moi j'ai vendu mon edge nq et garder le edge W. Je l'utilise avec un dact séparer. Simplement extraordinaire. Dynamique superbe et effet tridimensionnelle très poussé.
Speakers and amp are great. The Cambridge Edge : for me not at all a good product. I've tried it for several weeks and gave lots of software and connection fails. Not good Cambridge !
Good video but the thumbnail didn't grab my attention, by that I mean if I didn't slow down and read the title/thumbnail I wouldn't have instantly known it was about the edge system. Keep up the good work
my dream piece hifi gear was my grandfather pioneer SX-1250 Receiver I just had it recap and it sounds great. now I am not much it to music streaming . but I do have blue tooth Receiver hook up to it and I listen to a lot of audiobooks. so I guess my dream gear now is klipsch heresy or forte speakers I just not sure wich one to go with. I live in Alaska and they are not sold up hear . so crutch field is my only bet . you have a good day.
Thanks Andrew for one of the few honest and accurate reviews I have seen for the Edge W. Having bought the amp, and now returning it, I found that it is exactly as described, lacking speed and top end detail and this, running Focal 926 speakers. Should have read the review and then looked for an amp. Got it backwards.
So if the Cambridge IT department decides to stop updating the app, your device becomes a useless brick of electronics once you update your iOS/Android. Now that's "Edgey"...
