The new Cambridge Audio Evo 150SE is a special edition of the company’s award-winning mini streaming … More amplifier.
JONATHAN BUSHELL
It’s been a busy month for the classic British brand Cambridge Audio. Not only has the company launched a brand-new pair of wireless earbuds and a smart corporate rebrand, but it’s also announced a major update to its highly regarded Evo all-in-one streaming amplifier.
The new and enhanced special edition of the award-winning Evo 150 has been designed and engineered in London. The Evo 150SE offers powerful amplification and runs on the StreamMagic platform. The whole caboodle is contained in an elegant and customizable case. All users need to do is add a pair of speakers.
“Evo 150 has been a very special product for Cambridge, merging true hi-fi sound with lifestyle-friendly aesthetics and convenience in a way that has really resonated with listeners. For this special edition, we’ve pushed the boundaries of what to expect from Class D amplification – an even more musical, emotive listening experience in a design that has been further refined,” says Matt Dore, Chief Technical Officer of Cambridge Audio.
All the Cambridge Audio Evo 150SE needs is a pair of speakers.
Cambridge Audio
Half-Century Of Heritage
Cambridge Audio started as a boutique audio business based in London. Its first product was the groundbreaking P40 amplifier, which was unveiled way back in 1968. Since then, Cambridge Audio has been making hi-fi separates and the Evo 150 SE is the latest to join the range.
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Designed, engineered at the company’s London HQ, the Evo 150SE is tuned to deliver an emotive sound, with clarity, resolution and a sense of rhythm. To create the amplification, Cambridge Audio worked closely with Hypex to produce the NCOREx “Tuned by Cambridge” Class D amplifier technology.
The amplifier is highly efficient and compact, but still manages to maintain the signature sound that Cambridge Audio is known for. The new NCOREx “Tuned by Cambridge” module delivers 150W per channel into 8Ω, which means it can drive all but the most demanding of speakers.
The Evo 150SE from Cambridge Audio has Hypex NCOREx Class D amplification officially “Tuned by … More Cambridge” and offering 150W per channel into 8Ω.
JONATHAN BUSHELL
With this special edition, improvements have been made to the entire audio signal path to tweak the sound further. After hundreds of hours auditioning many different component variations, as well as improving the quality of the vital components, Cambridge Audio has made the Evo 150 SE sound more detailed, open and engaging.
Comprehensive Connections
The new Evo 150 SE is built around Cambridge Audio’s 4th generation StreamMagic platform for seamless and stable streaming across a wide range of music streaming services, radio stations and digital audio file formats.
The new StreamMagic can stream Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Amazon Music, Deezer, Qobuz, Roon Ready, UPnP and Internet Radio using either Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Cambridge owns and develops the StreamMagic platform and develops new features and services in-house so that the ecosystem is regularly improved with extended functionality.
The Evo 150SE may be small, but it is bristling with inputs and outputs.
JONATHAN BUSHELL
For maximum wireless flexibility, the Evo 150 SE also has options to stream wirelessly with Bluetooth aptX HD, Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Cast. To share music across devices all around the home, the unit is fully compatible with Google Home, Apple AirPlay and Roon multi room systems.
All The Right Connections
As well as wireless connectivity, the Evo 150SE has plenty of wired inputs. There is HDMI ARC for connecting to a TV, a moving-magnet (MM) phono stage for a hi-fi turntable, plus RCA line input and balanced XLR inputs for handling the analog sources. In addition, there are two optical digital inputs, a coaxial digital input, USB Audio and USB Media sockets for further digital options that are passed to an ESS SABRE ES9018k2m DAC.
Adding a subwoofer to the Evo 150Se is simple thanks to a dedicated sub out. There are also pre-outs for using the Evo 150 SE as a pre-amp to feed a power amp such as the Cambridge Audio Edge. Two pairs of speaker outputs enable the use of dual listening zones, for a secondary set of speakers in another room or even an outside area.
There is a matching Evo CD transport to go with the Evo 150SE.
JONATHAN BUSHELL
The Evo 150 SE can be paired with the Evo CD, a dedicated compact disc transport that’s designed to match the build and sonic quality of the main unit. The Evo CD integrates with the Evo 150 SE, making it easy and convenient to breathe life back into a CD library.
While all the functionality of the Evo 150SE can be accessed using the StreamMagic app and the HDMI ARC connection enables simple volume control through a TV remote, there is a dedicated remote control supplied for ease of use for anyone in the room.
A Timeless Look
The original Evo 150 won a Red Dot Design Award for its timeless look and clean lines, as well as its minimalist retro-modern look from designer Ged Martin. The Evo 150 SE refines the design with enhancements and an update.
The Evo 150SE has the bold new Cambridge branding and ships with two swappable side panels including … More the wood version shown here.
JONATHAN BUSHELL
The compact footprint of this all-in-one streaming amplifier is 12 inches square, which is the same size as the sleeve for a vinyl LP. However, despite its small size, the unit still manages to house a 6.8-inch color screen, which can be switched between a purely functional look or one with a dash of retro-chic style. Other options include a clock display, album artwork, info on the current track or even a pair of virtual VU meters.
There are two side-panel designs with the Evo 150 SE and they magnetically attach to the casing and are easy to swap over. There’s a choice of classic real wood or modern industrial chic, so users can switch things around to match their mood or décor.
Pricing and Availability:
The Cambridge Audio Evo 150 SE is available from July 2025 at cambridgeaudio.com as well as approved retailers. The price will be $3,299 / £1,999 / €2.399.
Key Features:
Output: 2 x 150W power output (8Ω).
Amplifier: Hypex NCOREx Class D amplification officially “Tuned by Cambridge.”
Operating system: StreamMagic Gen 4.
Display: 6.8” color screen.
Streaming services: Spotify, TIDAL, Amazon Music, Qobuz, Deezer, Internet Radio and more.
Wireless streaming: Google Home, Apple AirPlay and Roon multiroom systems.
DAC: ESS SABRE ES9018k2m DAC.
Phono stage: Moving magnet.
HDMI ARC: Yes.
Bluetooth codec: aptX HD.
Inputs: RCA line input, balanced XLR input, 2x TOSLINK inputs, coaxial digital input, USB Media, USB Audio, Evo CD input.
Outputs: RCA pre-out, subwoofer out.
Speakers: 2 x 4mm banana plug sockets with binding posts.
Headphone jack: 3.5mm.
Trigger: 12V input and 12V trigger pass-through for auto power on/off.
Customizable side panels.
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