If I buy Cambridge CXA80, do I actually need a DAC or Network Player?

[One and a half]

The CXA80 will do you very well indeed. It does have a USB Audio input that can accept 192/24 PCM, which AIFF or WAV are.

You can keep Audirvana + with a USB cable and connect directly to the CXA80 and it will work. 

 

I would recommend something be fitted in that USB chain like an iFi Galvanic 3.0 as a minimum, provided a USB3.0 port is available on the computer. Choice of USB cables is a personal issue and taste, for economy and performance, the Nordost Blue Heaven USB cables are highly recommended for durability and sound.

 

No other hardware is needed, unless you want to venture to DSD files, then you need a DAC that can play that format. Audirvana+ can convert to DSD to PCM, but best if the DAC does this work..also there's differing opinions on this, like most of audio.

[One and a half]

23 minutes ago, terrys99 said:

I have the cxa 80 with the cxn.

the cxn allows you to connect an hard drive . Or stream from computer.

the cxn has 2 dacs and is xlr internally balanced.

 

the cxn will play dsd 64, has well has an host of others.

the cxa80 and cxn are perfect match.

 

 

 

If there's a CXU, SACD ripping is on the cards