If You're Looking For A New Amplifier... The Search Is Over - Forbes

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For the past month, I’ve had plenty of spare time during the lockdown here, in the UK, to settle down and finally get up close and personal with the brand-new CX 2 Series from Cambridge Audio, a classic British Hi-Fi brand that’s been turning out some amazing audio kit for more than half a century.

Announced towards the tail end of last year, the CX Series 2 consists of two integrated amplifiers, the CXN V2 wireless streamer, plus the CXC CD transport mechanism for playing those legacy CDs that many of us still enjoy collecting. I’ve been reviewing the Cambridge Audio CXA 81, the larger sibling to the 60 Watt CXA 61, and a beast of a stereo integrated amplifier that can pump out a muscular 80 Watts per channel. I know many purists prefer a separate power amplifier and pre-amplifier, but for those of us with limited space and limited bank accounts, an integrated amplifier that brings both devices together in one delightful-sounding box makes more sense.

The CXA 81 looks similar to its predecessor and has a timeless, almost classic appearance. It’s available in both Silver and a Lunar Grey finish, a gorgeous graphite that’s a perfect blend between the brightness of silver and the austerity of black. Lunar Grey gives the CXA 81 a classy and understated look. This new version of Cambridge Audio’s flagship integrated amp has been beefed up with high-quality capacitors and features upgraded op-amps throughout. The left and right channels are housed in symmetrical layouts to ensure noise and crosstalk between channels is kept to an absolute minimum. A chunky toroidal transformer delivers bags of regulated power, resulting in a big and solid bass with a well-focused soundstage.

Lurking inside the CXA 81 is an ESS Sabre ES9016K2M DAC (Digital-to-Analog Convertor) which can be fed with signals from a USB input and it can handle digital audio files up to 384kHz/32-bit and DSD256 quality. An apt-X HD Bluetooth receiver is also built in, enabling high-quality streaming from almost any smartphone, tablet or computer. If the streaming device supports apt-X HD, the audio quality is exceptionally good. Including the apt-X HD Bluetooth support feature is a good move here by Cambridge Audio.

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Looking at the rear of the CXA 81, it soon becomes clear that Cambridge Audio has included almost every input you could wish for. I love the way each input is labeled twice; once with regular lettering, and then again with upside-down lettering just above each input. Anyone who has ever fumbled around the back of an amplifier in an effort to connect a new piece of kit will know exactly what I’m talking about.

In terms of the CXA 81’s inputs and outputs, there are two optical TOSLINK and one coaxial digital input. Then there are four unbalanced analog stereo RCA Phono inputs, plus two XLR balanced inputs, plus a preamp output for sending a preamp signal to a power amplifier. A subwoofer output is included for those who like to rattle the teacups with a big bass sound. A USB input has been provided for connecting a Mac or PC so that the highest-resolution digital audio files can be played. A screw terminal next to the USB port is for a stubby little Bluetooth antenna that provides the CXA 81’s wireless function. However, please note, there is no phono stage input provided for a vinyl turntable. If you’re a vinyl addict, then you’ll need to budget for the cost of an external phono preamp. Fortunately, Cambridge Audio produces the rather nice Alva Duo phono preamp that matches the CXA 81 perfectly.

The CXA 81 features two pairs of sturdy binding posts that can drive two sets of speakers. Pairs A and B can be driven separately, or both pairs can be used at the same time. The speaker pairs are switched by using buttons on the front panel or the remote control. Finally, inputs are provided for infrared and wired triggers, and there are two RCA phono sockets that are used to transmit a control bus signal between the CXA 81 and the companion CXN V2 wireless streamer. The control bus synchronizes the power switching between the two units so everything can be controlled from the remote. A couple of control bus leads are included in the box.

A beautifully crafted remote control is supplied with the CXA 81 and it’s the same unit used with the CXN V2 streamer and the CXC CD transport mechanism. The remote feels solid and well-balanced and is made using high-quality materials. It’s astonishing how some audio products, even very expensive ones, are sometimes supplied with a remote control that feels like a cheap and nasty afterthought. Cambridge Audio realizes that the remote is an ambassador for its brand and is probably the one piece of kit that gets handled the most. If a remote feels cheap and nasty, that reflects badly on the brand.

The front of the CXA 81 looks fairly plain and understated. There are selection buttons on the left side of the control panel that’s used for selecting the four analog inputs. Another four buttons on the right side of the panel are used to switch between the CXA 81’s three digital inputs and the Bluetooth/USB function. A button in the middle of the panel is for selecting speaker pairs A or B, or you can opt to have both pairs working at the same time. Finally, a 3.5mm stereo output is provided for headphone listening. I would have preferred to see a 6.35 mm (1/4-inch) jack as many higher-end headphones still use this size of plug for headphone listening.

As with many premium integrated amplifiers, the CXA 81 has no tone or balance controls. An amplifier that’s been carefully designed will deliver a superbly balanced tone with just the right amount of bass, treble, and midrange, and without the need for tone-shaping controls. Adding EQ circuitry often introduces electrical noise and impurities into the signal, and they shouldn’t be necessary if the amplifier is designed properly. If you’re the type of person who likes to turn the bass and treble controls all the way up, or if you route your audio through a graphic equalizer, then this probably isn’t the amplifier for you. This is an amplifier for music enthusiasts who want to hear music clear and unsullied, just the way the artist, recording engineer, and producer intended.

Now, let’s move on to the sound quality. After a couple of weeks of listening to the Cambridge Audio CXA 81, I have to admit I am totally smitten. The sound is superb with so much detail, rhythm, and pace. Paired with some fine Q Acoustics 3050i floorstanding speakers, the music sounded sublime with plenty of attack and a smooth finish. There’s plenty of bass on offer, but it never swamps the midrange or muddies the treble. The midrange sits forward and is as clear as a bell, while the treble trilled along, providing the fairly small tweeters in the Q Acoustics with plenty of detail. The soundstage was resolved in such precision, with every instrument in its place, clear vocals and a brilliantly articulated upper end. The whole sound has a warmth that even made digital sources sound like analog recordings. No matter what genre of music I played the CXA 81, it handled all of them superbly. Even recordings that were old or not technically brilliant, still managed to shine abd made listening to them a magical experience.

Verdict: The Cambridge Audio CXA 81 integrated amplifier is probably the best-value amplifier in its class. You’d have to pay a lot more money, or possibly opt for a power and preamp combo, to get anything that sounds close. The CX81 has most of the inputs you could want, and it can cope with most digital audio formats. The inclusion of Bluetooth apt-X HD streaming is an inspired addition. The only thing missing is a phono stage for a vinyl turntable. The CXA 81 looks clean and stylish, while the controls and volume knob are beautifully made. There’s absolutely nothing to criticize at this price point. If you’re thinking of setting up a highly capable audio system that will last you a long time and form the nucleus of a great set-up, then the Cambridge Audio CXA 81 is the only way to go.

Price: £999 / $1,299

More info: www.cambridgeaudio.com

Features:

• 80-watts per channel of Class AB
• Separate, symmetrical left and right channels incredible sound-staging
• Balanced XLR inputs for low-noise interference
• ESS Sabre ES9016K2M DAC with USB, TOSLINK, and Coaxial inputs
• USB Audio Input at 32bit/384kHz & DSD 256 digital files from Mac or PC
• Bluetooth apt-X HD built-in

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