2023 Golden Ear: Cambridge Audio Evo 150 Integrated Amplifier

$3249

The Cambridge Audio Evo 150 is an all-in-one streamer, preamp, and stereo amplifier. It’s the sort of box that can be dropped into a system to replace multiple other products without missing a step. It outputs 150Wpc and utilizes Hypex NCore Class D amplification, which means it has plenty of power and runs coolly and efficiently. It has a ton of input options, including a phonostage (mm only), RCA, balanced XLR, optical, coaxial, and HDMI ARC for TV control. For streaming, there’s AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal MQA, and Qobuz; plus, it’s Roon Ready. Other outputs include a headphone stage, preamp out, subwoofer out, Bluetooth, and speaker out. It’s got Wi-Fi and an Ethernet port and is compatible with a bunch of audio formats (ALAC, WAV, FLAC, many others), and there’s a very nice ESS Sabre ES9018K2M DAC in there, too. All those acronyms are necessary to make a point—the Evo 150 does pretty much everything imaginable, all with an attractive design and large front screen. Once setup is complete, the Evo 150 works seamlessly with very little fiddling and maintenance beyond the occasional firmware upgrade. Frankly, it was a pleasure to use, not only because of the otherworldly convenience, but also because of how great it sounded. Rhythm was tight and engaging, soundstage was wide, dynamics were exciting, lows were solid, and highs had a nice shimmer—no matter what genre of music got thrown at it, the Evo 150 performed. This could be the box-to-end-all-boxes, or at least a great way to tame the hi-fi sprawl. (338)