The design of the Cambridge Audio Evo 150 DeLorean Edition is inspired by the iconic DeLorean DMC-12, which was used as a time machine in the film Back to the Future. The side panels, which are interchangeable, mimic the design of the DMC-12 front grille for a nostalgic journey, and also include brushed silver metal side panels with the logo of the upcoming DeLorean Alpha 5 sports car.
The front panel of the Cambridge Audio EVO 150 DeLorean Edition amplifier combines imagine the luxury and severity of minimalism. Luxury is a bright color information display with a diagonal of 6.8 inches, which occupies almost two-thirds of the facade of the device. The second visual accent of the facade was the large handle of the double turn-and-push control, through which not only volume control and input switching are implemented, but also menu navigation. Between this handle and the display, small buttons for controlling playback and switching the main operating modes of the component are lined up vertically.
The Cambridge Audio EVO 150 DeLorean Edition amplifier is built on the basis of an audiophile two-channel Saber Reference ES9018K2M DAC chip from ESS Technology, capable of processing audio data with parameters up to 32 bit / 384 kHz and DSD – up to DSD256. The streamer is equipped with a full-fledged MQA format decoder, which is important for using modern streaming services such as TIDAL. Connection to a home computer network can be wireless via dual-band Wi-Fi, or using a cable, for which the switching arsenal includes an RJ45 Ethernet port. The maximum speed of a wired connection is 100 Mbit/s, and this is sufficient for broadcasting audio. Supports Cambridge Audio EVO 150 and Bluetooth version 4.2 wireless protocol with aptX HD codec, allowing audio transmission at 24 bit / 48 kHz. Moreover, via Bluetooth you can not only stream music from a smartphone or tablet to the EVO 150, but also connect wireless headphones.
To make the Cambridge Audio EVO 150 DeLorean Edition amplifier compact and lightweight, Hypex Ncore® amplifier modules operating in class D are used. Their record energy efficiency allows you to do without bulky and heavy power supplies, as well as without massive radiators for cooling the output stages. The result is a compact, lightweight component that packs serious power. Thus, the number 150 in the name Cambridge EVO 150 means power in Watts when operating on a load with a nominal resistance of 8 Ohms. This will be enough to work not only with bookshelf monitors, which will become the most stylistically harmonious partners for the Cambridge EVO 150, but also with full-size floor-standing speakers.
The switching arsenal located on the rear wall of the case was a pleasant surprise. In addition to the aforementioned RJ45 Ethernet port and two pairs of high-quality screw-type speaker terminals for connecting acoustics, there is a balanced analogue input on XLR connectors, a linear unbalanced input on RCA and even a phono input for moving magnet (MM) cartridges. Digital switching includes two optical and one coaxial inputs and an HDMI ARC port for connecting a TV. There are also two USB ports – type B for connecting a computer as a source and type A for playing audio files from an external USB drive. At the same time, Cambridge EVO 150 understands a wide range of modern audio formats, including WAV, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, DSD (x256), WMA, MP3, AAC, HE AAC AAC+, OGG Vorbis. The component is also equipped with analog outputs – a pair of preouts on RCA connectors allows you to use an external power amplifier if desired, and there is also an output for an active subwoofer if you prefer a triphonic.
You can control playback through the proprietary application for mobile gadgets StreamMagic, or use the Cambridge Audio EVO 150 as part of the Roon ecosystem and control it using the Roon Music Player application. In addition, if you wish, you can use streaming service applications by selecting the Cambridge Audio EVO 150 DeLorean Edition as the output device.
Characteristics of the Cambridge Audio EVO 150 DeLorean Edition
Amplification – Class-D Hypex Ncore®, 2 x 150 W (8 Ohms)
Reproducible frequency band, Hz – 20 – 20,000 (-3 dB)
DAC – ESS Saber ES9018K2M
Signal processing parameters – PCM : up to 32 bit / 384 kHz, DSD: DSD64, DSD128, DSD256
Supported digital audio formats – ALAC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD (x256), WMA, MP3, AAC, HE AAC AAC+, OGG Vorbis
Wireless interfaces – Wi- Fi 802.11ac (2.4/5GHz), Bluetooth 4.2 with aptX HD (24bit/48kHz)
Digital Inputs – Ethernet RJ45, USB-A, USB-B, Digital Optical x 2, Digital Coaxial, HDMI ARC
Analog Inputs – XLR, 2 x RCA, Phono MM
Analog outputs – 2 x RCA Pre-Out, RCA subwoofer output
Display – 6.8 inches
Additionally – support for UPnP, Airplay 2, Chromecast built-in, Internet Radio, Spotify Connect, TIDAL, MQA, Qobuz, Roon Ready
Power consumption (max.), W – 700
Dimensions, cm – 31.7 x 8.9 x 35.2
Weight – 5.3 kg
What’s in the box: Evo 150 All-in-One Player, User’s Manual, Safety Guide, Remote Control, Power Cord, 3 AAA Batteries, Optional Side Panels
