signal path
CXN100
streamer
1 xlr (balanced)
CXA81 Mk II
integrated amplifier
2 2 × 3 m · 16–14 awg
3050c
speakers
shared system
Cambridge Audio CXN100streamer
Cambridge Audio CXA81 Mk IIintegrated amplifier
Q Acoustics 3050cspeakers
connection plan
the cables
1 CXN100 → CXA81 Mk IIline
Stereo interconnect
CXN100: Balanced output (XLR) → CXA81 Mk II: Balanced input (A1) (any line/aux input)
Our pick for your systemour pickAtlas Cables Element XLR Mezzo 1 m pair £132.5 RRP
The right match for a system at this level: properly made and correctly specified for the job.A step upQED Reference Analogue XLR 40 1 m pair £189 RRP
A worthwhile step up in shielding and construction, on a system that will show the difference.The aspirational choiceAudioQuest MacKenzie XLR (pair) 1 m pair £389 RRP
The aspirational choice: reference cable for when the rest of the system earns it.
The right match for a system at this level: properly made and correctly specified for the job.A step upQED Reference Analogue XLR 40 1 m pair £189 RRP
A worthwhile step up in shielding and construction, on a system that will show the difference.The aspirational choiceAudioQuest MacKenzie XLR (pair) 1 m pair £389 RRP
The aspirational choice: reference cable for when the rest of the system earns it.
There is insufficient evidence to prefer either DAC implementation for sound quality. An analogue connection uses the CXN100's DAC; a digital connection uses the CXA81 Mk II's DAC. Chip specifications alone do not establish which complete path performs better. The connection shown is a practical wiring choice, not a sound-quality ranking.
verified with manufacturer documentation
2 CXA81 Mk II → 3050cspeaker-level
2 × 3 m, 16–14 AWG, banana plugs
CXA81 Mk II: Speaker terminals (A/B) → 3050c: red to red, black to black
Our pick for your systemour pickPro-Ject Audio Systems Connect it LS S speaker cable (pair, 4mm banana) 3 m pair £189 RRP
The right match for a system at this level: properly made and correctly specified for the job.A step upPro-Ject Audio Systems Connect it LS DS speaker cable (pair, silver-plated banana) 3 m pair £289 RRP
A worthwhile step up in shielding and construction, on a system that will show the difference.The aspirational choiceQED Genesis pre-terminated speaker cable (pair) 3 m pair from £389 RRP
The aspirational choice: reference cable for when the rest of the system earns it.The cheapest routeQED QX16/4 PVC 4-core install speaker cable 6 m off the reel £20.52 approx. (£3.42/m)
Cable cut from a reel to the length you need, which is how an installer would wire this run and much the cheapest way to do it. No plugs are fitted and none are in the price: a binding post clamps bare wire directly, or you can fit your own banana plugs.
The right match for a system at this level: properly made and correctly specified for the job.A step upPro-Ject Audio Systems Connect it LS DS speaker cable (pair, silver-plated banana) 3 m pair £289 RRP
A worthwhile step up in shielding and construction, on a system that will show the difference.The aspirational choiceQED Genesis pre-terminated speaker cable (pair) 3 m pair from £389 RRP
The aspirational choice: reference cable for when the rest of the system earns it.The cheapest routeQED QX16/4 PVC 4-core install speaker cable 6 m off the reel £20.52 approx. (£3.42/m)
Cable cut from a reel to the length you need, which is how an installer would wire this run and much the cheapest way to do it. No plugs are fitted and none are in the price: a binding post clamps bare wire directly, or you can fit your own banana plugs.
Keep left and right runs equal learn why →
verified with manufacturer documentation
Please verify connections with your equipment’s user manuals. See our Disclaimer & Accuracy.