Skip to product information
1 of 8
Cambridge Audio

Cambridge Audio CXA81

Cambridge Audio CXA81

Regular price $999
Sale price $999 Regular price $999.00

Amplifier type More information
Translation missing: en.products.product.amplifier_type_info

Solid-state

Portability More information
DACs and amplifiers can either be carried around or meant for static desktop use

Not Portable

On back order Join our email list to be notified as soon as it is back in stock.

No Fee 365-Day Returns

Don’t love it to start? Don't worry, you have 365-days to return with no fees.

View full details

Cambridge Audio

Cambridge Audio CXA81

Regular price $999
Sale price $999 Regular price $999.00

Cambridge Audio CXA81 Integrated Amplifier

Experience unparalleled sound quality with the Cambridge Audio CXA81 Integrated Amplifier, the four-time winner of What Hi-Fi? Product of the Year. With 80 watts per channel, this amplifier has the power to drive even the most demanding speakers, delivering balanced and efficient performance through its Class AB amplification. The toroidal transformer ensures incredible sound-staging, while the high-quality ESS Sabre ES9016 DAC brings out the best in your digital music.

Rewarding Performance

The CXA81 builds on the legacy of the first CX Series, combining over 50 years of amplifier expertise. This integrated amplifier offers a progressive perspective with effortless, poised, and sophisticated sound. Its 80 watts per channel provide complete authority over your music, revealing every emotion and nuance from both streamed and disc-based collections. The CXA81 promises a truly rewarding performance for discerning listeners.

Your World’s a Stage

From the first listen, the CXA81 reveals the intricate details in your music. Instruments, subtle shifts in tone, and harmonies are delivered with exceptional clarity. Close your eyes, and you can place every musician in the soundstage. This amplifier’s detailed sound reproduction ensures that once you experience it, there’s no turning back. The CXA81 transforms your listening space into a live performance stage.

Return on Investment

Cambridge Audio's engineering team in London dedicated countless hours to researching, developing, experimenting, and listening to ensure the CXA81 achieves the highest standards. Every component was selected and every decision made with the goal of delivering the most complete musical picture possible. The CXA81 is the culmination of this meticulous process, providing an exceptional return on investment for any music lover.

Effortlessly Musical

At the core of the CXA81 is a Class AB power amplifier stage with optimized capacitor values, blending the musicality of Class A with the efficiency of Class B. The amplifier’s short signal path minimizes interference, resulting in pristine sound that captures the emotional impact intended by the artist. The CXA81 delivers music that is both powerful and delicate, effortlessly musical in every sense.

Power with Control

Thanks to its generous toroidal transformer, the CXA81 delivers 80 watts of power per channel, with dual taps into the left and right of the amplification board, effectively giving each channel its own power supply. This design results in a vivid sound stage and handles dynamic shifts in music—those loud and quiet moments—with ease. The CXA81 provides power with precision and control.

Get the Message

The CXA81’s state-of-the-art digital circuit board features the cutting-edge ESS Sabre ES9016 digital-to-analogue converter (DAC). This ensures digital audio files, up to 32-bit/384kHz or DSD256, are reproduced with every subtle detail intact. The CXA81 combines unparalleled accuracy with vivid musicality, delivering an engaging and lifelike listening experience.

Get Connected

The CXA81 offers extensive connectivity options, including digital optical, coaxial, and USB audio inputs, stereo RCA inputs, balanced XLR sockets, and wireless hi-res connectivity via Bluetooth aptX HD. You can even connect a second set of speakers for multi-room audio. This amplifier is designed to meet all your connectivity needs, making it a versatile addition to any hi-fi system.

Designed for Life

Crafted from aluminium and steel, the CXA81 boasts elegant, minimalistic lines that will endure both physically and aesthetically. Thanks to the relentless dedication of our London team, the CXA81 is a complete solution that combines versatility, power, and audio excellence. It is designed to form the center of your musical experience for many years to come.

Technical Specifications

Specification 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

Reviews