StreamMagic by Cambridge Audio

App works seamlessly with CXN V2 and can browse through my SSD FLAC and DSD music collection fairly fast. Could use a few tweaks to make it perfect. Wish list: 1. Volume dial doesn’t show relative position in app despite being connected to CXA81 via control bus. 2. No way to play all of music collection with a push of a button via app 3. No ability to create a favorites list 4. No ability to create playlists These added features would make the system more amazing than it is already

This App has really been streamlined and made much easier to navigate and use in the last year or so. I primarily use it with my 851N connected to an external hard drive containing about 5 terabytes of music. The user interface is intuitive and the ability to see artwork on the App makes moving around a massive music library relatively simple. The one feature I would love to see added is the ability to edit folder structures and file names on the drive from the App. Now, when I find a subfolder in the wrong spot or a song that is out of order, I need to disconnect the hard drive and reconnect it to my PC to edit the drive. I know, that’s a first-world problem, but if I don’t make a note of what needs to be fixed, I’ll forget. Thanks Cambridge Audio

So I recently picked up a 851N music streamer. It allowed me to replace my pre amp and DAC separates with a all-included unit. The DAC section of the 851 is pretty good it’s much smoother than the DAC magic plus which it replaced. The AD DACs were a major upgrade coming from the wolfson. Switching sources is easy in the app and makes it easy to pick usb, air play or Roon which is what I primarily use. Sound quality is good on Sirius symphony hall and met opera radio using air play. The Roon ready is easy to use just select Roon ready in this app and add it as a audio end point on your Roon audio settings tab. It will display album art and track title and artist on the display which is nice. I primarily got this to replace my separates and be able to control the hifi system all from my iPad. Only giving four stars as the app interface could be improved. Really happy with the 851 will give me many years and hours of listening enjoyment. Compared to competitors products which I also looked at this was the best and most stable app at the price point. You could go to blu os but that app has terrible reviews. I’ve been a Cambridge customer since 2010 and have never had a bad product from them. This is the streamer you want to get at this price point because the integration is all managed in house for the app and the hardware. Really pleased with my purchase.