Cambridge Audio Stream Magic 6 V2 Preview

Some people aren't going to be happy to let any old device stream content to their system. They aren't going to buy some hockey puck from Apple or Roku (much less something that looks like a USB stick). It could be that that they want something that does more, or it could be that they just don't trust those mass-market devices to have the audio quality that they demand. Regardless, they want something more.

Cambridge Audio has exactly what they are looking for.

The Stream Magic 6 v2 is an upgrade to the previous Stream Magic 6 primarily in the speed of the WiFi connection. This allows for faster streaming with fewer dropouts. It also will now accept up to 192kHz/24bit files from your computer (the original Stream Magic 6 could only accept up to 96kHz/24bit). Cambridge Audio has recently announced an upgrade in the V2 that allows it to access Spotify Connect, which is why it is in the news. We thought this would be a nice time to introduce our readers to this powerful streamer.

Taking a look at the back, it is clear that the Cambridge Audio Stream Magic 6 v2 is more than just a media streamer. There is an Ethernet connection as well as a WiFi antenna. The back as a USB port (as does the front) for portable media as well as a USB 2.0 port for connecting to your computer (for those uncompressed files). A coaxial and optical digital input is available as is an IR input for direct control. There are digital outputs (one each coaxial and optical) as well as analog (both XLR and RCA). The former would be useful if you think the high quality Wolfson WM8740 24-bit DACs included in the Stream Magic 6 v2 are somehow lacking (they aren't).

While the Stream Magic 6 v2 doesn't come out of the box with Bluetooth, there is an optional Bluetooth antenna available. The v2 has access to Spotify Connect as well as Pandora, Napster, Rhapsody, Sirius XM, Aupeo, and BBC Player as well as over 20,000 Internet radio stations. As you might expect, the Stream Magic 6 v2 eliminates jitter as well as upsamples any incoming signal. Everything gets upconverted to 384kHz/24bit before playback.

The Stream Magic 6 v2 has full app control for Apple and Android devices with built in support for Pandora, Aupeo, and BBC Player. The free app gives you complete control over the device negating the need for a remote. The Stream Magic 6 v2 is UPnP allowing it to stream your content from your networked computers and NAS drives. The Stream Magic 6 v2 accepts WAV - PCM 16-24 bit 32-192kHz FLAC - PCM 16-24 bit 32-192kHz Apple Lossless (ALAC) 16-24 bit AIFF - PCM 16-24 bit 32-192kHz Microsoft Windows MediaTM Audio MP316-320kbps AAC, HE AAC and AAC+ OGG Vorbis 32-320kbps. 

Conclusion

The Cambridge Stream Magic 6 v2 isn't just a media streamer. It is a standalone DAC and preamp as well. With digital inputs, three USB ports, WiFI, and an Ethernet port, the Stream Magic 6 v2 is ready for your digital content. It can stream from services like Spotify Connect and Pandora as well as from your local drives. Every input can accept up to 192 kHz/24 bit files. It takes everything and upsamples it to 24 bit/384 kHz. With both balanced and unbalanced outputs, the only thing that the Stream Magic 6 v2 is missing is analog inputs. While the $999 price tag might scare a few away, we think the Cambridge Audio has enough functionality (and certainly enough high-end cred) to justify the price tag. A niche product...perhaps. But one that certainly has an audience.

For more information, please visit www.cambridgeaudio.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.