CAMBRIDGE CXA81 STEREO AMPLIFIER

After the heady heights of the Edge range, created to mark Cambridge Audio’s half-century with a set of no-holds-barred smart amplifiers, the company has settled down to develop its more accessible models, introducing its entry-level AX range and now launching the second generation of CX separates.

This CXA81 is the higher of two integrated amplifiers in the CX range, and it looks very much the classic yet modern hi-fi amplifier. At this price it’s all about balancing the right features with the best possible amplification, and since Cambridge built its rep on exactly that talent, we had grounds for optimism. And we were not in the least disappointed.

Equipment

This amplifier’s predecessor, the CXA80 from 2014, won itself a Sound+Image Award. So we were perfectly happy to hear that for this new generation Cambridge hasn’t messed with the fundamental circuit design, but has rather focused on “the desire