In the build-up to their 50th anniversary, Cambridge Audio asked their top engineers a simple question – what would they build if there was no restrictions?
Forget cost.
Forget limitations.
Create a product that is worthy of our 50th Anniversary and personifies us as a HiFi company and our tradition of performance, build quality and value. What came out of that design brief, is a family of truly stand-alone products that deliver another level of performance: highly transparent, yet still with a warmth and naturalness that defines the British sound… “Well detailed and presented, but serving the music first” is how one might describe Cambridge Audio’s voicing of their components.
Over 3 years in the making, utilizing a team of 9 engineers, the result is Edge. Named for Cambridge Audio’s first principal designer, Prof. Gordon Edge—the Edge components have a shared familial design: satin-finished, dark gunmetal anodized cases with bold radiused corners, with a minimalist without being overly simplistic and incorporating details that create their own iconic stature and highly machined finish.
The Edge Series never calls attention to itself as being an electronic interpreter, instead becomes an instrument to illuminate the music to its fullest. For over 50 y ears, Cambridge Audio’s stance has always been that regardless of price – deliver the most, for the least. They have done just that with the Edge Series.
Every aspect of the series, from the circuitry to the industrial design and build quality just oozes refinement. The result is a range of audio electronics that not only sound exceptional but also exude a sense of timeless elegance and sophistication.
The Edge Series has quickly become a cornerstone product line for Cambridge Audio, garnering acclaim from critics and enthusiasts. Its combination of cutting-edge technology, sophisticated industrial design, attention to detail and resulting sound quality has made it a must-have for audiophiles and music enthusiasts around the world.
1. Most Direct Path and Direct Coupled (DC) throughout entire circuit path
With Edge, we set ourselves a goal to keep the signal path as short as possible to significantly reduce distortion ensuring an immediate and natural sound. To achieve this, the circuit board needed to be unlike any other. We removed all capacitors from the signal path and instead used a DC coupled topology to the board. It’s been well known that capacitors should be removed from the signal path where possible, simply because they are often responsible for adding more distortion and color than any other electrical component.
2. Twin Toroidal Transformers with Opposing Symmetry
Cambridge Audio pioneered the use of toroidal transformers in amplifiers right back at the launch of our first product, the P40, which lead to improved performance. With Edge, they took this a step further, introducing a second transformer and stacking it in opposing symmetry to cancel out magnetic field interference and ensure the amplifier is capable of outstanding power.
3. The Class XA Power Amplifier
Class XA is our proprietary amplification system which combines the best of Class A and Class AB amplification, delivering the sound quality of a Class A amp while retaining the efficiency of a Class AB amp. Class XA differs by adding voltage to a traditional Class AB design, shifting the crossover point to a position where the audio distortion is not audible to the human ear.
4. Digital Input Board and Component Selection
At the forefront of the engineers’ minds was the compatibility with a wide range of sources, allowing for a greater level of flexibility than ever before. Whether you’re connecting via digital coaxial or even USB, you’re completely covered. Whatever digital content you’re looking to play, Edge can handle anything up to 32bit/384kHz and DSD 256 over USB.
5. StreamMagic Streaming Module
Our custom built StreamMagic platform has picked up multiple industry awards and accolades since its inception in 2011 with the NP30. Developing our own platform in-house gives us the flexibility to adapt and change as new technologies emerge. Our latest incarnation ‘Black Marlin’ brings a range of additions to the Edge range, including built in Chromecast for compatibility with audio apps including Tidal, Deezer and Qobuz, and the ability to support DSD256 high resolution formats.
There are four components that make the up the Edge Series, allowing the buyer the flexibility to pick singular components buy either the Edge A, which as an integrated amplifier, it includes the streamer and DAC, or buy them individually or a complete separates and stay within the series.
For the discerning listener, the Edge Series offers an unparalleled audio experience that transcends mere sound reproduction, it’s ability to faithfully recreate the nuances and subtleties of a recording brings music to life in a way that is truly magical.
Stereophile
There are many options for people today… Why buy from us?
For many reasons, and they all add up to earning your confidence and achieving your satisfaction.Our team of consultants and technicians have decades of experience within the consumer electronics custom installation industry.
We subcontract – nothing.
We manage – everything.
We closely monitor every aspect of consultation, design, cabling, installation, and coordination.
Genesis Audio Limited only installs quality solutions with the brands we know, guided by decades of experience, by people you can trust.
