Edge NQ

Preamplifier with Network Player

Colour
$4,999.00
  • Impressively revealing – our most detailed pre-amplifier and network player.
  • StreamMagic – award-winning streaming built-in.
  • Hand-picked components – hours of listening to select only those that sound the best.
  • Ready for digital – built-in DAC with digital inputs including TV ARC and Bluetooth aptX HD.
  • Perfect partners - pair your Edge NQ with Edge W or Edge M to create your perfect system.
  • Multiroom Capability – compatible with Google Home, Apple Airplay and Roon multiroom systems. 
FREE DELIVERY
60 DAY FREE RETURNS
EXCELLENT SUPPORT
  • Edge NQ Preamplifier with Network Player and Edge W

    Impressively Revealing

    With a revolutionary preamp circuit-board that reduces interference and an incredibly clean signal path, Edge NQ plays your favourite music with astonishing depth. Stream, plug-in and play to enjoy every note in perfect clarity.

    • What Hifi logo

      "A truly fantastic streaming preamp"

    • Hi-Fi-Choice Magazine

      "It sounds seriously good for the money, with a happy, upbeat nature underwritten by real power and insight"

    • HI-FI News logo

      They are designed to be chic, sleek and easy to operate, while still delivering where it counts – in their performance

      Edge NQ Preamplifier With Network Player and Edge W

      All the Sources

      Edge NQ lets you enjoy music from any source. As well as digital coaxial, HDMI, USB and S/PDIF connections, there’s also Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Qobuz, AirPlay, Bluetooth aptX HD, Internet Radio and UPnP Playback. Roon Ready certification enhances your browsing experience. Wherever songs are played from, Edge NQ stays true to the character of every instrument and uncovers a musicality you’ve never heard before.

      Edge NQ Preamplifier with Network Player and Edge W

      Astonishing Digital Detail

      With a wealth of connections including digital coaxial, ARC (Audio Return Channel), USB and S/PDIF, our engineers have ensured that all of your digital content can be enjoyed, at up to 24-bit/384kHz and DSD 256. Edge NQ offers an incredibly revealing sound that has detailed tone, rhythmic drive and taut bass.

      EDGE

      Sonic Balance

      Edge NQ was designed with a unique PCB. Our engineers replaced conventional capacitors with a DC coupled topology and also added a solid state volume control. The end result is a clean signal path that’s perfectly balanced at any volume.

      EDGE

      Award-Winning Streaming Software

      Edge NQ boasts the very latest version of our award-winning streaming module. Designed in-house, right here in the UK, it features a new, faster chipset and support for both 24bit/192kHz and DSD128 files. The addition of Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Qobuz, AirPlay, Bluetooth aptX HD and Internet radio means you can enjoy your music whatever the source. Roon Ready certification enhances your browsing experience.

      Edge NQ Preamplifier and Network Player close-up of volume dial

      Chromecast Built‑in

      Thanks to Chromecast Built-in hundreds of music services, including Sirius XM & Soundcloud, can be enjoyed on the Edge NQ. Just tap the cast button in your favourite app to stream music from your smartphone, tablet or laptop in stunning high definition sound, up to 24bit/96kHz.

      Edge NQ Preamplifier and Network Player close-up

      Fixed Line-out Mode

      If you wish to connect the Edge NQ to an integrated amplifier rather than a power amplifier, the streaming functionality can be used independently of the preamplifier. The preamplifier can be disabled via the dedicated Edge app for iOS and Android.

      Edge NQ Preamplifier with Network Player and Edge W

      Perfect Partners

      Edge systems are designed to work in perfect synchronisation. Match the Edge NQ with our highest performing power amplifier, Edge W, to create a hi-fi system with a sound, and a look, unlike anything else.

    • Edge NQ Reviews

      3.8

      48 Reviews

      NQ unboxing

      setup was the easiest and most elegant in hifi. so nice to enjoy the unboxing and being playing music in minutes

      Edge NQ first thoughts

      After a little fussing around with the initial set up, I was really pleased with the overall sound quality and the Stream Magic app.
      My Edge NQ is paired with Quad Platinum cd, Power amp, and Quad Electrostatic Speakers. The sound excels, it’s very musical with tight punchy bass and detail.
      Streaming is a joy, I use Tidal and the delivery is fabulous cd quality. The Edge NQ works brilliantly with my system. I use the TV arc into my Oppo DVD player and send the sound to the Edge via the digital optical connection. I have no sync problems and am happy with the sound back from Netflix, Apple, YouTube etc.
      All in a great sounding Streaming Preamp

      Response from

      Dear Customer

      Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this wonderful review and more importantly thanks for your trust in Cambridge audio. We are delighted to hear about your experience with the Edge NQ. We hope that our product brings you many hours of happy listening.Kind Regards

      Cambridge Audio Customer Support

      What a journey!

      Okay, so we didn’t get off to a good start. Towards the end of lockdown, I had some money to throw at a streamer and amp to replace my ageing Roksan Kandy and BlueSound Node set-up. The Dali Oberon 5’s and REL T9x would stay for now, and I, like many folks influenced by the press, began my quest to bag a Naim combo. I say ‘quest’ because that’s what it became, very quickly and very widespread across all the retailers, as the chip rut made Naim waiting lists commonplace.
      Now, I’m as weak willed and impatient as the next audiophile with cash in hand, and it wasn’t long before I’m on the hunt for a new champion; burning the midnight oil in search of the holy grail v2.0. Long story short, my research suggested the Cambridge Edge NQ was worth every penny of its asking price and it seemed to partner rather well with the non-too shabby W power amp as well. This led me down the route of buying a refurbed NQ from Richer's and a refurbed W direct from Cambridge.
      I have to say, I was a little disappointed at first: unimpressed, underwhelmed and a bit deflated with my purchasing decision. Problem being, I’d bought them mid December and had waited until after moving house (mid January) to unbox them, so the 14 day, no quibble was now quibble. I decided to wait and see if weeks of burn-in would prove me wrong.
      It didn’t. I blamed the Dali’s for ‘holding out’ on the Cambridge duo’s potential and got myself a pair of ATC 40’s, which also sounded sub par to my ears.
      Fast forward to present day and after many hours of online owner’s group encounters, emails, phone calls and payment (to cover the difference), I’m the proud owner of a brand new off the shelf (not refurbished) NQ, and couldn’t be happier. The pairing now performs as well as it looks, and it does look very, very special.
      Now that all’s good in the hood, I would like to thank:
      Richer Sounds, for coming good in the end, despite a poor start, and going the extra mile to give exceptional after sales support - rescuing an almost ex-customer about to throw the towel in
      Cambridge Audio, for recognising extenuating circumstances and responding appropriately, with genuine commitment from the customer service agent handling the issue
      ATC, for making the SCM40’s sound so wonderful that I’m keeping them forever, despite the awful 80’s cherry veneer finish
      IKEA for making the TV stand that’s an uncanny match for the 80’s veneer and will render the speakers viable in my living room
      In all seriousness, I am extremely happy with the NQ/W combo and would thoroughly recommend it for those hoping to reveal a vast soundstage with a fast, agile bass; very breathy but not too forward mid, and a refined but detailed top end.
      I’m without doubt so emotionally attached to this set-up now, I’m considering buying 2 more W amps and tri-amping the ATC’s. You know, that feeling where something’s so perfect you wouldn’t change it one bit… except for maybe having even more of the exact same sound. Happy 50th anniversary Cambridge, you’ve done yourselves proud there.

      Response from

      Dear Customer

      Thank you for taking out time and writing such a detailed thoughtful and thorough review of the Edge NQ and W amp and moreover for your trust in Cambridge Audio Products.

      We are sorry to hear that the first time you tried the refurbished products things didn't go as expected and you weren't satisfied.

      It's relieving to know that once you had the brand new set of Edge NQ and the W amp their pairing was perfect enough to be a permanent part of your setup and was able to put up with your expectations of how your ideal setup should sound like.

      It's good to know that you find the combo to be perfect and consider purchasing more of them as well as recommending them to others.We really hope that the duo serves you with your favorite Melodies for years to come.Kind Regards

      Cambridge Audio Customer Support

      Mächtig Druck und klanglich überragend

      Bin begeistert. Endlich mal ein Verstärker der den Druck und den Klang der alten Elite aus den 80ern hat. Der Preis ist angemessen.

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    • The details

      D/A Converter THD <0.0008%, 20Hz - 20kHz, 24-bit, 1Vrms output
      THD analog sources <0.0008%, 20Hz – 20kHz, 1Vrms output
      Frequency response 20Hz-20kHz +/- 0.1dB
      S/N ratio (ref 1V output) >103 dB
      Crosstalk @ 1kHz < -100dB
      Max preamp output 6Vrms single ended or 6Vrms + 6Vrms balanced
      Fixed Line-out Mode Yes. The preamplifier can be disabled via the dedicated Edge app for iOS and Android. Within the app, simply turn off ‘preamplifier mode’ in the settings to run a line out via XLR or RCA to an integrated amplifier.
      USB audio input USB Audio Class 2.0 supporting up to 24-bit 384kHz PCM, or up to DSD256
      USB drive input 1 x USB 2.0 current limited to 1A, FAT32 / NTFS / HFS / HFS+
      Bluetooth 4.1 (Smart/BLE enabled) A2DP/AVRCP supporting SBC, AAC, aptX and aptX HD
      UPnP Connectivity Yes - Accesible via supported app
      Chromecast built-in Yes
      Roon Ready Yes (Requires a Roon subscription)
      TOSLINK input 16/24-bit 32-96kHz
      Coax S/PDIF input 16/24-bit 32-192kHz
      Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 b/g or n (2.4GHz), Encryption WEP, WPA, WPA2
      Ethernet IEEE 802.3, 10 Base-T or 100 Base-T
      Max power consumption 100W
      Standby power consumption <0.5W
      Dimensions 120 x 460 x 405mm (4.7 x 18.1 x 15.9”)
      Weight 10.2kg (22.4lbs)
      Chromecast built-in Hi-res wireless connectivity that's compatible with hundreds of Android and iOS apps. Chromecast built-in is a trademark of Google LLC
      In the box Edge NQ Pre-amplifier and Network Player; 1.5M Power Lead; Edge Remote Control; 3 x AAA Batteries; Bluetooth Antenna; Wi-Fi Dongle; Edge Link Cable; Edge NQ User Manual