Too many DAC/streamer/preamp combos are either too complicated or too simple (too many features and not enough thought goes into the navigation and use, or not enough and leaving you needing/wanting more).

The NQ not only has enough connectivity and streaming options to satisfy most users, it has a surprisingly logical and easy interface, without being too dumbed down. While the UI could stand a few refinements to meet my own expectations, none of my complaints are extremely low-priority (save one, which I'll get to in a moment). Starting with the back, I would prefer one more balanced in, but for most folks, a single pair of XLR ins is more than enough. The layout is actually, dare I say it, lovely. The distinct L & R channel layout for ins and outs (a nod to the internal signal path layout), with gold connectors against the silvery grey chassis, and sharp lettering (repeated upside down for people like me who are leaning over the tops of their gear when making connections) is just stunning. What can I say? I'm a sucker for that kind of precision engineering and detail.

The front panel is refreshingly minimalist; futuristic, but understated at the same time. Not flashy, but cleanly efficient. Sexy as an audio box can hope to be. The volume and input selector combination dial and gorgeous remote control are a pair of tragedies worthy of Shakespeare for the simple reason that I (and you) never use them. An excellent app for the NQ, or the volume control in Roon, etc., makes manually doing anything via the face of the NQ or the remote almost non sequiturs. And therein lies one of my minor complaints about use: the front panel display. Neither the app or the remote offer any way to set the display to turn off after a user-defined period of time (such as with a cellphone) and have it turn back on momentarily whenever a setting or input is changed. If it's set to On, it stays on until the NQ is shut off, and if it is set to Off, it stays off no matter what you do. Personally, I like to leave my 2ch audio components on 24/7 (we can argue about that later), and being able to have the display time out after I wander away for an extended period of time, and pop back on when I go back and start to listen again would be nice. Definitely no a deal-breaker, but still.

The app has plenty of great features, too many to get into here, but as a fellow manufacturer, I was immediately impressed with the inclusion of a hot-link to online product registration, an option to try out pre-release firmware updates, and a complete list of current firmware versions not just for the NQ, but for AirPlay, Chromecast, etc., and netwok IDs, all very useful in the rare occasions you might need to call customer support. I applaud that attention to detail.

I paired my NQ with a pair of Edge M's, and you can read that review elsehwere, but as a spoiler alert: wow! I am very happy indeed with Cambridge Audio and their Edge line. I honestly don't know what else they might have planned for the Edge line, but even if it stopped here, you'll be more than satisfied with all of the features and just incredibly neutral and detailed sound the NQ will effortlessly dish out.

I was looking for a Pre-amp / Network Streamer that could also play DSD files.
First I bought a streamer from two wel know British competitors, but after various disappointments (display failure, output, etc.) I bought a Cambridge NQ from my dealer (Audioartistiek).

It has been in my possession for more then a year now and I must admit that this is truly a High End product. Great sound from any type of file and it doesn't matter which input you choose, analog or digital they sound superb.

The only thing I regret that there is no digital output on the product. At the moment I have powered speakers and I now have to drive them analog, while there is a digital input on the speakers.

The NQ is well worth the money, you get a full 5-year warranty and compared to the competitors it is a very good buy from a sound and price point of view.

W.S. de Jong (Dec 2020)

Klanglich super abgestimmt, braucht aber Einspielzeit.

To my musical taste, incredible sound from the EDGE NQ with a native amplifier of the same line. Before him there were Japanese receivers and azur851n. The latter is very good, but it cannot compete with the EDGE NQ. Even with simple b & w 606s, the sound is so filled with life that it is still necessary to decide to change the acoustics. Headphones GRADO rs2e ... a real orchestra moved from the EDGE NQ to them. I have never used headphone amplifiers (only audioplayers) and I will not - edge put an end to it. I hope for a long time.
But I found a negative point on the third day (wrote to the support service). The sound is gone, the headphone connection indicator is gone. Resetting to factory settings did not help. The sound appeared after the edge was disconnected from the power supply at the time of boot and then turned on again. A very unpleasant moment for this class of equipment :(