Today, UK-based hi-fi company, Cambridge Audio, announced the addition of TIDAL Connect technology to their music streaming devices (see our review of the CXN V2 Streamer). TIDAL Connect allows direct control of TIDAL music service playback using the TIDAL iOS and Android app. This allows direct access to TIDAL’s many music discovery features as well as personalized playlists. It’s very similar to Spotify Connect, except it allows for streaming of CD-Quality music as well as TIDAL Masters (MQA) tracks, which Spotify doesn’t have.
The TIDAL Connect upgrade will be available on selected devices via a firmware update; see the full list of available devices/dates below.
A firmware update for TIDAL Connect support is now available to the following Cambridge Audio streamers:
• Edge NQ
• CXN (V2)
• 851N
• CXN (V1)
• StreamMagic 6 (V2)
The following models will receive the TIDAL Connect firmware update on April 7th, 2021:
• CXR120
• CXR200
For more info, read the following Press Release:
London, UK – Cambridge Audio has updated its range of network audio streamers to include the latest TIDAL Connect technology.
With over 50 years of experience in creating the best quality audio products, Cambridge Audio has always understood that its customers enjoy listening to their music collections in a variety of different ways. The addition of TIDAL Connect expands upon the wealth of options already available in the company’s award-winning range of network audio streamers.
With TIDAL Connect, you can control music playback on Cambridge Audio streamers directly by using the TIDAL iOS and Android app.
TIDAL Connect support is available on Cambridge Audio’s current line-up of streamers that use its critical acclaimed StreamMagic streaming platform. Where possible, Cambridge Audio strives to support its older network players long after their availability in retail. As such, TIDAL Connect will also be available on older products such as CXN (V1), StreamMagic 6 (V2) and CXR120/CXR200 models.
A firmware update for TIDAL Connect support is now available to the following Cambridge Audio streamers:
- Edge NQ
- CXN (V2)
- 851N
- CXN (V1)
- StreamMagic 6 (V2)
The following models will receive the TIDAL Connect firmware update on April 7th, 2021:
- CXR120
- CXR200
“StreamMagic is award-winning, critically acclaimed and one of the most successful streaming platforms in recent audio history. A dedicated team of engineers have spent the last 11 years constantly refining and upgrading its capabilities, and the majority of those engineers were around at the launch of our first network player. They’ve learnt a lot along the way, which in turn can only benefit our listeners. We’re currently working on our 4th generation module but, wherever possible, we continue to support and upgrade our older network players long after their on-shelf life has ended,” says Tony Stott, Head of Product Marketing, Cambridge Audio.
TIDAL Connect was announced in October 2020, and allows subscribers to control music streaming on compatible products directly within the TIDAL app. While you can access TIDAL’s hi-res music streaming service using Cambridge Audio’s StreamMagic app, the addition of TIDAL Connect offers a greater degree of flexibility for existing customers. TIDAL Connect is capable of CD-quality playback, as well as hi-res Masters (MQA) tracks.
I’m an audio writer who started as a young audio salesman/consumer electronics professional back in the late 90s. That’s where I discovered the magic of 2-Channel sound. My hunger for great sound has led me on a delightful music quest that continues today.
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