Cambridge Audio CXA81 - Integrated Stereo Amplifier

Product Description

The Cambridge Audio CXA81 is a high-quality integrated amplifier that offers 80 watts per channel with Class AB amplification, delivering detailed and powerful audio performance.

Its design includes separate, symmetrical left and right channels engineered to provide incredible sound-staging.

The amplifier also features balanced XLR inputs for low noise interference and a high-quality DAC, allowing you to connect digital sources directly via TOSLINK and Coaxial.

Additionally, it accepts up to 32bit/384kHz & DSD 256 digital files from Mac or PC and includes built-in Bluetooth aptX HD for wireless connectivity.

The Sound of Progress

Half a decade after the CX range redefined performance at its price point, the CXA81 brings a fresh and progressive perspective.

With 80 watts per channel, it has complete authority over your music collection, delivering every emotional and musical nuance with precision.

Uncompromised and Uncompromising

The CXA81 has been designed without compromise, with every component selected and every engineering decision made to deliver the most accomplished and absorbing integrated amplifier in its price range.

It combines accuracy with vivid musicality without sacrificing convenience.

Power and Control

The CXA81 boasts a prodigious 80 watts of power per channel thanks to numerous improvements and an overspecified toroidal transformer.

This ensures complete authority over even the most demanding speakers, allowing for big dynamic shifts in music with total control.

Absolute Flexibility

The CXA81 covers all connectivity bases, offering digital optical and digital coaxial inputs, unbalanced stereo RCA inputs, balanced XLR sockets, and Bluetooth aptX HD for wireless streaming.

You don't have to compromise on performance for convenience.

Unmatched Sonic Integrity

The power amplifier stage of the CXA81 has been completely reimagined and redesigned for pristine yet engaging sound quality, maintaining musical coherence regardless of the source.

Partner for Life

The Cambridge Audio CXA81 is a complete solution, combining versatility, power, and audio excellence to be the center of your musical experience for years to come.

Specifications

• Power Output: 80W RMS into 8 Ohms, 120W RMS into 4 Ohms
• DAC: ESS Sabre ES9016K2M
• Frequency Response: <5Hz–60kHz +/-1dB
• Analog Audio Inputs: 1x balanced XLR, 4 x RCA
• Digital Audio Inputs: 1 x S/PDIF coaxial, 2 x TOSLINK optical, 1 x USB audio, Bluetooth (integrated)
• Bluetooth aptX HD Receiver Built-In: Yes
• ROON Tested: Yes
• 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: 8.7kg (19.1lbs)

In The Box

• CXA81 Integrated Amplifier
• Power Cable
• 3 x AAA Batteries
• Remote Control
• Control Bus Cable

Customer Support & Warranty

Warranty Type: Official Manufacturers Warranty

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  Rewarding Performance 

  Our CXA81 integrated amplifier builds on the foundations laid by the first CX Series, and over 50 years’ experience of building amps. It offers a progressive perspective – effortless, poised and sophisticated. 80 watts per channel give CXA81 complete authority over music, to reveal every emotion and nuance from your whole music collection – be that streamed or on disc. 

  

  CX Black Edition

  We present a 1000-piece limited edition of each CX Series 2 model in a minimalist matt black finish, with discreet gloss black branding. The same award-winning sound as CX, only in black. Why? Because we thought they’d look dead cool. If you want some, please don’t delay – CX Black Edition won’t be here for long. 

  

  Your World’s a Stage

  The thing that hits you when you hear CXA81 for the first time, is just how detailed everything sounds. You’ll pick up instruments, subtle shifts in tone, and harmonies you’ve previously missed. Close your eyes, and you’ll be able to place every musician in the soundstage. Once you’ve experienced CXA81, there’s no turning back.

  

  Return on Investment

  Our engineering team in London invested hours researching, developing, experimenting and, above all, listening to ensure that CXA81 was right. Their goal: to make the most accomplished and absorbing integrated amp in its class. Every component selected, and decision made, based on the desire to deliver the most complete musical picture possible.

  

  Effortlessly Musical

  At the heart of CXA81 beats a Class AB power amplifier stage with optimised capacitor values. It takes the musicality of Class A and blends it with the efficiency of Class B. The amp’s short signal path is efficient, leaving little opportunity for interference. The resulting sound is pristine while delivering the emotional impact the artist intended.

  

  Power with Control

  Thanks to a generous toroidal transformer, CXA81 delivers a prodigious 80 watts of power per channel. Dual taps into the left and right of the amplification board mean that, in effect, each channel has its own power supply – resulting in a vivid sound stage. Dynamic shifts in music – like those loud then quiet moments –?are handled with ease. 

  

  Get the Message 

  Designed to bring your music to life, CXA81’s state-of-the-art digital circuit board includes the cutting-edge ESS Sabre ES9016 digital-to-analogue convertor (DAC). This means digital audio files, up to a heady 32-bit/384kHz or DSD256, are energised – with every subtle detail delivered in full. CXA81 combines unparalleled accuracy with vivid musicality, doing so beautifully.

  

  Get Connected

  CXA81 has connectivity covered. As well as digital optical, coaxial and USB Audio, it features stereo RCA inputs, balanced XLR sockets plus wireless hi-res connectivity via Bluetooth aptX HD – perfect for Alva TT V2. You can even connect a second set of speakers, to hear your music in another room.

  

  Designed for Life

  Thanks to the relentless dedication of our team in London, CXA81 is a complete solution. Its combination of versatility, power and audio excellence means it can form the centre of your musical experience for many years to come.?Its elegant, minimalistic lines, crafted from aluminium and steel, will endure both physically and aesthetically. 

  Superb Amp. I Can’t Stop Smiling

  "I bought this amp a week or so ago and cannot recommend it enough. The clarity, soundstage and depth are a giant stride better than my old amp. Everything is so tight and crisp. Digital or vinyl it’s like I’m listening to my music collection for the first time.”

  CXA81 Listener – West Midlands, England

  Specifications

  THE DETAILS

  POWER OUTPUT	80W RMS into 8 Ohms, 120W RMS into 4 Ohms
  DAC	ESS Sabre ES9016K2M
  FREQUENCY RESPONSE	<5Hz– 60kHz +/-1dB
  ANALOGUE AUDIO INPUTS	1x balanced XLR, 4 x RCA
  DIGITAL AUDIO INPUTS	1 x S/PDIF coaxial, 2 x TOSLINK optical, 1 x USB audio, Bluetooth (integrated)
  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)
  BLUETOOTH APTX HD RECEIVER BUILT-IN	Yes
  ROON TESTED	Yes
  OUTPUTS	Speakers A+B, 3.5mm headphone, Preamp Output, Subwoofer Output
  REMOTE CONTROL	Yes
  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	8.7kg (19.1lbs)
  BOX CONTENTS	CXA81 Integrated Amplifier, Power Cable, 3 x AAA Batteries, Remote Control, Control Bus Cable, Bluetooth antenna, Quick Start Guide, Safety Guide