Here at HF&MS, one of the first reviews was of three all-in-one systems from Naim, Cyrus and T+A. At the time, nearly nine years ago, the review was focused on the musical performance, brushing over the control problems as I recall. Now, we are in a different age, just add loudspeakers, download the faultless App and access the music, it is that simple. Where these fantastic new super integrated amplifiers leave the HiFi industry in the medium term is anyone’s guess. We’ll worry about that… in the medium term and meantime enjoy the music.

Design

The Cambridge Audio Evo 150 is an all-in-one style, just add speakers, sometimes called, ‘super integrated’ amplifier. You literally plug in a pair of speakers, hook it up to WiFi or the Ethernet, and you’re off with great sound and access to everything you can think of, including a turntable, this Evo 150 has a MM phono stage.

The Evo 150 has Class-D amplification using externally sourced Hypex Ncore architecture, it claims 150W/ch into 8Ohms. Hypex Ncore is a bit like using B&Os ICEpower technology in your application, it allows you to concentrate on everything else, knowing the amplification is proven. There is an Evo 75 with fewer features and 75W/ch.

Inside the streaming Evo platform, there is the latest ESS Sabre ES9018K2M DAC, one of the best out there.  Just about everything is supported, from MQA, YouTube Music, AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Roon. Deezer integration was recently added to the Qobuz and Tidal, Spotify integration. There is aptX Bluetooth and DNLA network connectivity.

Analogue inputs include one of RCA, balanced XLR, and interestingly, a Moving Magnet phono stage. On the digital side, there are 2 TOSLINK optical inputs, a S/PDIF coaxial input a TV ARC and a single USB Type B conforming to USB Audio Class 1 or USB Audio Class 2 (selectable in the App). The DAC has asynchronous input if required. Note the Evo 75 does not have the MM phono stage.

On the output side, there is a twin speaker output, which is interesting, there is a 3.5mm headphones output, a subwoofer out and preamplifier output if needed (if you have a spare Edge W lying around (awesome by the way)). There is supplied a very lovely remote control.

Quality

A choice of styling on the sides of the Cambridge Audio Evo 150

Yep, this is beautifully put together, the device oozes class from the sponge-fitted box. The 6.8-inch colour display is bright and vibrant with all the data you want about the track you’re playing and as a Naim classic owner, I’m very envious. The side panels on the Evo swap out too, allowing you to switch from a traditional wood finish to a contemporary black sculpted look, very cool. The sides are heavily magnetic.

The Cambridge Audio Evo 150 weighs in at 5.3kg with dimensions 317 x 89 x 352mm (WxHxD). It consumes 700W (0.5W standby), which would be about £6/day running cost (on my tariff) if you had it on nonstop all day or it is less than a penny a day on standby, very efficient in this modern age.

The Cambridge Audio Evo 150 is £2,499 and the 75 is £1,999 in the UK.

Performance

Review Equipment

I have ‘just added’ my own Jern 14 DS speakers with a REL S/510 subwoofer, using the sub-out feature; I would usually use a high-level connection, however, for the purposes of this, the sub-out is fine.

I also have a pair of so far impressive PSB Passsif 50 Anniversary speakers, so no sub needed and review to follow, but I’m enjoying this wonderfully laid-back, slightly loose and ‘retro sound’ with the PSBs, they complement this Evo 150 nicely.

I’m also using some recently arrived and run-in the latest Atlas Hyper 5.0 speaker cables and a Vertere power lead. I happen to have a Chord Company GroundARAY in the Ethernet slot to reduce HF noise.

I’m using StreamMagic, the App, on my Pixel 6 Pro.

Physically

Classy detailing on the Cambridge Audio Evo 150

WiFi setup could not be easier if I’m honest, the StreamMagic App does it all and I was up and running in minutes. This is impressive and you’re buying the convenience, but this is how it should be at this price. The device goes to power down nicely, this is programmable in the App. I personally like the XLR input too and with the iFi Pro iDSD, I’m all over this.

Overall Sonic Performance from the Evo 150

With the Jern 14DS loudspeakers, there is a welcome assault on the senses with the level of resolution being offered by this platform. I go straight to Dylan’s Hurricane (Tidal Masters 24-bit, 192kHz) which has the resolution, guitar string detail and rhythm in spades. It is beautiful to hear. I’ve been introduced to Reina Del Cid and her track Carl Sagan (Deezer 16-bit, 44.1kHz), is absolutely beautiful here.

Switching output to the PSB Passif 50 loudspeakers (no sub needed) I’m getting a very satisfying and punchy, soundstage. Resolution is excellent from the Evo and the languid snare in Oasis’ Half a World Away (Tidal 16-bit, 44.1kHz) comes over really well from the Passif 50 loudspeakers.

Switching sources to the XLR input from the iFi Pro iDSD (fixed output) with their iPower upgrade, I’m getting a heightened presentation from the Evo and these Passif speakers seem to have a lovely dreamy drum response that I’m appreciating. Taylor Swift’s 10-minute version of All Too Well (Tidal Masters 24-bit, 96kHz) has this languid drum rhythm that just seems to loll along perfectly with the dense lyrics.

StreamMagic App

The App is as good as it gets, I recall this from the top-of-the-range Edge NQ review, it is the same App. In the App, you select your sources, Qobuz, Deezer and the interface does the rest. You also need to enable your other sources, such as networked Media Libraries, Bluetooth or the MM phono stage. This source selection is good as it does not clutter the App and it is all very intuitive.

Cambridge Audio Evo 150 rear panel is nicely spaced out

There are twin speaker outputs with the Evo 150; this can therefore be used for different speakers in different rooms, like Zone A or Zone B. The App allows you to easily switch between speaker selection A or B, or A and B, or headphones or even a Bluetooth speaker/headphone, which is slightly odd, but useful in some cases, I guess.

The App controls everything from inputs, output, volume, and mute and for me, it is quick intuitive and STABLE. The remote, which is lovely, is a bit redundant to me, and I have barely used it, the buttons are a little small anyway.

The StreamMagic App on the iPad is a thing of joy, and it is very intuitive. It also just really looks good.

Deezer, the newest Music Source to be integrated by Cambridge Audio, works nicely and the music selection seems to have dialled into my tastes, although I’m on a free trial. You can use Tidal Connect if you prefer to excellent effect if you prefer. I’d be confident Qobuz would offer the same results.

Evo 150 vs Naim Uniti Star

The obvious competitor to this Evo 150 might be the Naim Uniti Atom which is similarly £2,499 though rated with just 40W/ch of punchy Class A/B amplification, key here though is there is no turntable input. Here at HF&MS we have the big brother Uniti Star, which is £2,899 with 70W/ch; the Star has a CD player, but no MM input

Cambridge Audio Evo 150 has a 6.8-inch full-colour display

Both are very aesthetically pleasing, the Naim loses out on the screen size but wins on the remote control, but the Naim App is a very poor relation compared to the StreamMagic if we are being honest. Naim’s biggest win is on the volume control at the top of the unit, which is exquisite, nothing comes close anywhere.

Sound-wise, swapping between the Evo 150 and the Uniti Star, the Naim Uniti Star might be a bit punchier in my ears with the dynamic Class A/B stretching forward. The Evo 150 nonetheless offers a great soundstage and sound, there is plenty of resolution from both units.

But really, with these all-in-one systems, it is the overall experience, and the Cambridge StreamMagic App is a winner in my view. What happens when you have these high-end flexible systems in everyday use is you just end up listening to more music, this can only be a good outcome.

Speaking to Cambridge Audio it has emerged there is an exclusive Evo CD transport coming soon. This is a very exciting prospect based on the Evo performance thus far and would step ahead of the Uniti Star with the MM and CD options covered. Cambridge Audio said to HF&MS of the Evo CD:

Production of the custom Evo CD transport originally announced last year has presented us with some challenges – not least against the backdrop of global semi-conductor shortages. Development has continued though, and we’re confident of a product being available to purchase in the first quarter of 2023. We’d like to thank all of our existing Evo listeners for their patience

Further: The dedicated…

..connection between CDP and main unit is unbalanced digital. It’s a proprietary cable running SPDIF and control data

The final pricing on the Evo CD has not yet been decided.

Headphone Performance

I happen to have the very new Meze Audio 109 Pro here and they are performing very nicely indeed, with an excellent and open presentation that is hard to fault. These are Meze Audio’s first dynamic headphones, departing from the planar magnetic collaborations with Rinaro.

Cleverly, the insertion of the headphones cuts out the speakers with a pause and a relay clunk and the volume in the headphones reverts to a pre-set, or the previous level, which means you could crank up your headphone listening but have the speaker music on low levels when taking headphones off (or vice versa of course).

Whilst the headphone output is not the last word in headphone presentation it is above average in the Evo 150 in this context.

Media Library Nain UnitiServe

My networked Naim UnitiServe is old gear now compared to the Uniti Core, not to mention other more accomplished media libraries like that at Leema, Melco or Innuos. However, it works, varyingly and it is still a quality platform from which to play music.

On selecting Media Source in the App the Naim file comes straight away and playback is crisp, clear and bright. I’m very happy with this library feature.

I’ve had a good play too with the USB drive backup of this same Naim library to the rear of the Evo, which performs similarly and equally crisply. I have not played with the USB B asynchronous input to the rear.

MM Phono Stage with Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO

Cambridge Audio Evo 150 MM input

Overall, the soundstage is fulsome and there is plenty of resolution on offer…

In the StreamMagic App, you need to select MM as a source, this is a simple matter, there is a setting where you can trim the input gain up or down, but I have no need to do this. The Pro-Ject is a decent turntable, and it integrates well with the MM stage in the Evo 150. Overall, the soundstage is fulsome and there is plenty of resolution on offer from the Jern 14s. With no discernible loss of fidelity compared to my own modest Musical Fidelity MM phono stage. The Evo 150 offers a clean and convenient turntable solution that is hard to find fault with.

Thoughts

Cambridge Audio is doing a fine job with this generation of products, including this Evo 150 and the stunning Edge range

This streaming ‘super integrated amplifier’ is a fine all-around performer, this is ‘buy and forget’ really, there is no upgrade path, save for firmware updates, I’d guess. In the world of the Naim Uniti Star/Atom and the MOON ACE, these amplifiers, including the Evo 150, are redefining everyday HiFi but without an upgrade path, where do the HiFi listeners go with their spare cash? I surmise this cash may not see its way into the traditional HiFi Industry upgrade path, and this must be an issue for these excellent and long-established companies going forward. Meanwhile, Cambridge Audio is doing a fine job with this generation of products, including this Evo 150 and the stunning Edge range.

Overall

The Cambridge Audio Evo 150 is a fine piece of equipment and sums up the progress of the last ten years in the HiFi industry.  High-quality sound married with a slick control interface, this is as good as it gets.

Specification

Full details are on the company’s site.