Due to Popular Demand, Cambridge Audio Adds VU Meters to CXN100

Cambridge Audio announced today that it is adding the ability to bring VU meters and a clock display to another company model, the CXN100 Network Player, via an over-the-air (OTA) software update. And why are they doing this? The company says that the decision to expand the number of models to gain this feature was made “due to popular demand.”

Learn more about the Cambridge Audio CXN100 gaining access to VU meters

Back in March this year, I told you about Cambridge Audio bringing what I called “Retro-Cool” digitally-generated versions of analog VU meters to its EVO series of products. It turns out this former audio engineer/record producer wasn’t the only one who finds VU meters cool, and now the company is expanding the feature (and alternatively a clock element as well) to another popular model, the CXN100 Network Player.

When Cambridge Audio first made that announcement in March, the company said VU meters were a “much-requested feature” and this was an effort to give users what they want. But it would seem the response was even greater than expected, as it has chosen to expand availability of the feature to even more models “due to popular demand.”

A Company That Appears to Want to Satisfy Its End Users

I have to admit, I have a bit of a soft spot for companies that actually appear to want to satisfy their end users. Many company’s take a different path, choosing instead to try and talk requesters out of desiring a feature they don’t want to take the time to engineer and add to their models.

But it is clear that VU meters add to the experience. Strata-gee.com readers, like Dave Gilbert below, commented on my original post in March and made it clear that this is a feature that could have more purpose than just looks.

Hopefully this is the start of a new trend. Retro is in and animating an inanimate object provides a stronger relationship between user and product. Well done, Cambridge.

Dave Gilbert, Commenter on post: Retro-Cool: Cambridge Audio Adds Large VU Meters to Its Evo Models

Launched in February, the CXN100 Now Gets VU Meters Too

The CXN100 was just introduced in February, its first new network player or streamer to be introduced in the wake of its predecessor – the CXN V2 – being inducted into the What Hi-Fi? Hall of Fame. The company said the CXN100 is “The New Streaming Champion.” This very well may be true, but it apparently did not come with VU meters, and this update brings the feature to the end-users who purchased this model.

As with the Evo models, the update is accomplished via an over-the-air software update. Users of Evo and CXN100 then gain access via the “(i)” button on the front panel of the unit. Once installed, users can easily switch between viewing the VU meters, a large easy-to-read digital clock, or the currently playing album artwork.

A Feature That ‘Defined an Analogue Audio Era’

According to the company, “Showing the live signal levels of audio equipment, VU (volume unit) meters have become iconic for the retro ticking needles that defined an analogue audio era.”

Learn more about Cambridge Audio by visiting cambridgeaudio.com (US version of its site).