The best of modern streaming smarts with retro appeal and top-notch analogue performance
Here we have a hi-fi system that beautifully marries the best of modern streaming smarts with some top-notch analogue performance. Its somewhat retro look is brought about by the obvious inclusion of a turntable and the ’80s look of the Mission amplifier; but even the thoroughly up to date Cambridge Audio music streamer included here wouldn’t look out of place in a system from before the turn of the century.
FINE PERFORMERS
Cambridge’s little box of tricks features no display showing you what is playing – a minor criticism in our original review, but something that makes this bijou box remarkably unobtrusive in a system. Yet its performance suggests that it would be well within its rights to blow its own trumpet far more than it does. For this is without doubt one of the finest sub-£500 streamers on the market.
Impressively at the price, it can stream hi-res files of up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 from a variety of sources. And, of course, it sounds terrific for the money, delivering a slice of its big brother CXN (V2)’s performance on a smaller scale. There’s authority, musical cohesion and rhythmic and dynamic prowess in spades. It treads a well-chosen path between the detailed, spacious sound of the Audiolab 6000N Play and the more characterful energetic balance of the Bluesound Node (2021), but offers up more dynamism and expression. And it’s that easy-going combination of strengths that justifies its inclusion here.
Rega’s Planar 2 turntable is a sterling performer that merits its spot as the centre of attention here. A step up in performance from the Award-winning, Planar 1, the Planar 2 is an energetic player, able to punch out bass notes with enthusiasm while being nimble and precise enough to deal with complex rhythms and the nuances of technical pieces. It is able to cope with everything thrown at it with ease, resulting in a properly entertaining listen.
Our amplifier is the latest in an increasingly long line of hi-fi products that hark back to the ‘glory days’ of the ’70s and early ’80s. Nothing wrong with that of course – as long as it’s the essence of those veterans that is aimed for, rather than precisely the same performance. And Mission has hit the sonic sweet spot here in a unit that would be completely at home in a system from Bowie’s hey
