Cambridge Audio’s Evo is an all-in-one music player that “combines timeless design, cutting edge technology, streaming smarts, and incredible audio performance into one streamlined and compact box. You simply need to add speakers to start enjoying music.”
Evo has walnut wood side panels that complement a black anodised aluminium cabinet. It comes with a choice of formed black side panels made from Richlite, an innovative new material made primarily from recycled paper. The side panels can be switched out according to each customer’s style. A dual-concentric rotary dial and 6.8in LCD display panel shows off album artwork in full colour.
Evo uses high quality components and is powered by Hypex NCore Class D amplification. There are two models: Evo 150 is rated at 150 watts per channel, and Evo 75 has 75 watts per channel. Cambridge Audio’s StreamMagic platform combines with ESS Sabre DACs “to ensure all digital music is converted to analogue sound with every ounce of detail, precision and dynamics intact”.
You can use Roon to organise your digital library or stream high-resolution MQA tracks using TIDAL Connect. Evo supports streaming via AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Chromecast built-in, Qobuz, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and internet radio. You can add any source: from your existing turntable or CD player. Along with optical, coaxial and RCA inputs, there is a TV ARC input for connecting a TV using an HDMI cable.
A 3.5mm headphone socket lets you plug in your favourite pair of headphones and listen to music at all hours. You can also connect your wireless turntable and wireless headphones using Evo’s built-in aptX HD Bluetooth, allowing you to enjoy high-definition streamed music without the need for wires. Evo 150 features a built-in moving magnet (MM) phono stage for compatible turntables, an asynchronous USB audio input, balanced XLR inputs and two sets of speaker terminals.
Cambridge Audio has developed a pair of Evo S speakers to create a complete Evo System. There’s also the option of adding on a dedicated CD transport. Both are scheduled for release later in 2021.
Pricing:
Evo 150 – £2,249 / €2,499 / $3,000, Evo 75 – £1,799 / €1,999 / $2,250, Evo CD – £799 / €899 / $950, Evo S – £649 / €749 / $750