Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII
An affordable and award-winning integrated amplifier with built-in phono (MM) input.
$1,699
Buy today! Normally in stock for purchase.
Available to audition in-store in Winnipeg.
Creative Audio is an authorized Cambridge Audio dealer.
Advantages of this integrated amplifier
Luxurious and minimalist design.
Digital, analog, XLR, and Bluetooth inputs for the ultimate in connectivity.
A significantly improved sonic performance compared to the entry-level AXA35 for greater musical insight.
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“The original CXA81 was an excellent amplifier, both for its simplicity and its performance; this new version takes that sonic ability to an even higher level and, given its refinement of both styling and sound, proves to be an even more compelling buy.”
The Creative Audio Review
Over 50 years of experience building hi-fi amplifiers gives the CXA81 MKII a rich heritage. This is the latest version of Cambridge Audio’s best amplifier from their premium CX series. Many an audiophile has started their journey with Cambridge Audio’s entry-level amplifiers and they sound so good, many have wondered if it could get any better. Of course the answer to that question is almost always an emphatic yes. Invest more in your audio system and it will reward you with greater musical insight, bringing you closer to that spine-tingling “you are there” feeling. Compared to the more affordable AXA35, the CXA81 MKII without question reveals finer details and texture in the music. You wouldn’t notice it until you compared, but the CXA81 MKII removes a layer of grain that was obscuring information. It also offers a much larger sense of scale and dynamics; this amp will throw you back into your seat and command you to listen to the music. This is an authoritative amp but, fortunately, never overbearing. One of the reasons we love Cambridge Audio is how they pull off what lesser amps miss: engagement. It is not enough to achieve a rated specification, but rather a good amp needs to offer some sort of understanding of the music it is playing. The CXA81 MKII achieves this handily and fortunately can accommodate music from a variety of analog and digital inputs. There is no built-in phono preamp, however at this level of amplification we’d recommend a separate phono pre for best results.
Sound Advice
The Cambridge Audio CXA81 MKII will sound great right out of the box, but it will sound even better after 50-75 hours of use.
Cambridge Audio CXA81 MKII Specifications
Power output:
80 watts into 8 Ohms
120 watts into 4 Ohms
Frequency response:
5Hz – 60kHz +/- 1dB
Analogue audio inputs:
4 x RCA
1x XLR (Balanced)
Digital audio inputs:
1 x S/PDIF coaxial
2 x TOSLINK optical
1 x USB audio
Bluetooth (integrated)
DAC:
ESS Sabre ES9018K2M
Compatibility:
TOSLINK optical: 16/24bit 32-96kHz PCM only
S/PDIF coaxial: 16/24bit 32-192kHz PCM only
USB: audio profile 1.0/2.0 (default 2.0), up to 24-bit 384kHz PCM, up to DSD256 or DoP256
Bluetooth: 4.2 A2DP/AVRCP supporting up to aptX HD (24bit 48kHz)
Outputs:
Speakers A+B
3.5mm headphone
Preamp Output
Subwoofer Output
Max power consumption:
750w
Standby power consumption:
<0.5w
Dimensions (H x W x D):
115 x 430 x 341mm (4.5 x 16.9 x 13.4”)
Weight:
8.7 kg
What's in the box:
CXA81 MKII Integrated Amplifier, Power Cable, Remote Control, 2 x AAA Batteries, Control Bus Cable, Bluetooth antenna