EVO ONE
All-in-One Wireless Streaming Speaker
$1,499.00
AXR85
85 Watts per channel – perfect for driving different sizes of speakers, ideal for medium rooms
Integrated FM/AM Tuner – with RDS & 15 station presets
Built-in MM Phono Stage – plug & play a turntable, no other boxes required
Built-in Bluetooth 5.0 – easy wireless connection to smartphones etc.
Slim elegant design – classic hi-fi design with stylish white LED display
Analogue Inputs – plenty of rear connectors for audio sources
Full-size headphone jack & Aux-In – on front panel for convenience
With 85 watts of power and an FM/AM tuner at its disposal, AXR85 is a receiver to be reckoned with. A built-in phono stage for easy connection of a turntable, and Bluetooth to play music wirelessly from a smartphone. A dedicated subwoofer output for driving bass, and two sets of speaker outputs add to AXR85’s capabilities. While plenty of sockets front and rear build on that convenience.
AXR85 is a receiver (combined amp and radio) aimed at listening to music, and appreciating how it’s been recorded, from a variety of sources – including its own integrated tuner. Hi-fi separates like AXR85 are designed to take a signal, amplify it and output to your speakers. Choose speakers to suit your own taste, this unit certainly gives you options.
With all the talk of streaming, it’s sometimes easy to forget the simple pleasure of radio. Turn it on, and it just works. With AXR85 you can programme up to 15 favourite stations and retrieve them quickly, without having to re-scan. Station information, thanks to RDS, is shown on the white LED dot matrix display.
A built-in phono stage is one of many aces up AXR85’s sleeve. You can plug a turntable straight into the rear sockets without any extra kit. Moving magnet compatibility means it works with most turntables – including that vintage one you’ve always wanted to dust off. Soon you’ll be playing the records you already own and planning the next purchases.
Thanks to integrated Bluetooth 5.0, it’s simple to play music from your phone, laptop or other compatible device on AXR85. It’s a great way for friends to share music with you, helping you to discover new favourite albums – before you splash out on a vinyl copy.
AXR85 is a well-connected receiver, with 3 pairs of analogue RCA inputs, moving magnet phono section for a turntable and a pair of recording outputs. Hi-fi quality speaker binding posts (connectors), for 2 sets of speakers, mean that thick cable connects securely for an authentic sound. There’s even an output for a subwoofer.
As with the rest of the AX Series, AXR85 shares our house-style of Lunar Grey minimalist fascia, black steel cabinet and ‘floating’ base. This timeless look allows for an upgrade path through our range. A relatively slim build, in the classic 430mm hi-fi width, also means that AXR85 can easily slot into a much-loved system.
Purchased this after attempts to replace a now mothballed AU6600. Love vintage sound but not so much restoration prices. Budget was limited because…life. Wanted new, tried a few and they all fell flat. Was recommended this solution by a friend so did some homework and bought it. First off, my Wharfedale 4.2s love this receiver. I feel they may have been starved for power because man did they open up! Feeding it with a couple of JVC decks, a JVC QL7 and a Topping E30. Everything is far better. Definition, stage and separation just plain improved. But most important to me was a surprisingly powerful warmth where the others sounded sterile. Bottom line, I will not hesitate to buy a Cambridge product again.
Dear Customer
Thank you for the valuable and positive review.At Cambridge Audio we don‚'t go in for unnecessary complications. We focus our efforts and budget only on specs that make a real difference to the sound you hear.We hope the ARX85 adds a whole new dimension in your music experience.Kind Regards
Cambridge Audio Customer Support.
I am upgrading my stereo system very slowly. The plan was for new speakers. but my late father's integrated amp died on me. So an amp of some sort became an instant need. I found out about Cambridges eBay store of refurbished pieces and was going to get the AXC35. But they sold out before I was able to raise the money. I did not want to wait for more so I went with the AXR85. So glad I did. I do not need the radio part of it. But it is there if I need it. My receiver came looking like new. Could not find a blemish on it anywhere. And it has worked flawlessly. The sound is a big improvement over my dad's old amp. Even with my cheap speakers. Some have said about issues with the remote. mine is fine. This is my first receiver/ amp with a remote. I love having it and glad it works so well. The sound is wonderful. I am sure once I can raise the money for better speakers, I will be blown away. I love this receiver and highly recommend it. I also need a new DAC. And am thinking of the lower-priced Cambridge unit. Can't afford the better one right now. I love the looks of it and the features. The Bluetooth works perfectly. Even though I run everything wired. It is a nice option. I connects very quickly to my computer. Being a fan of British things, I am half British, I am thrilled to own something from a company from there. And the quality is wonderful. Theres not much I would change.
Dear Customer
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this wonderful review and more importantly thanks for your trust in Cambridge audio.We are glad to know that you find the sound provided by AXR85 wonderful.It‚'s always nice to hear that the product has surpassed people‚'s expectations. We hope that it continues to bring you many years of listening happiness.Kind Regards
Cambridge Audio Customer Support
Super quick delivery of the AXR85. I was a bit nervous ahead of setting it up and using the amp as this is an expensive investment for me. But I shouldn’t have worried it was a cinch to set up and the sound improvement on my previous admittedly aged and well used amp is incredible. Replaying old vinyl and hearing it anew. Very very happy. And the cardboard box proved a winner with the kids
POWER OUTPUT | 85 watts (into 8Ω) |
THD (unweighted) | <0.01% @ 1kHz, 80% of rated power <0.15% 20Hz - 20kHz, 80% of rated power |
Frequency response (-1dB) | 5Hz - 50kHz |
S/N ratio (ref 1W) | >82dB (unweighted) |
Input impedances | 47k ohms |
Power Amp damping factor | >50 |
Standby power consumption | <0.5W |
Max. power consumption | 500W |
Bass/Treble controls | Shelving, ultimate boost/cut +/- 10dB @ 100Hz and 20kHz |
Subwoofer output | 200Hz 2nd order L+R Level follows volume setting |
Dimensions | 110 x 430 x 340mm (4.3 x 16.9 x 13.4”) |
Weight | 8.1kg (17.8lbs) |
Bluetooth | 5.0 A2DP/AVRCP supporting SBC |
Tuner Bands | European AM (522-1629kHz) FM (87.5-108MHz) / US AM (530-1710kHz) FM (87.5-108MHz) |
Aerial Inputs | FM 75 ohms, Coaxial. AM 300 ohms wire loop/ single wire |
Signal to Noise (Tuner) | 60dB typical (FM) |
Distortion (Tuner) | <0.4% @ 1kHz 50kHz deviation (FM mono) <0.6% @ 1kHz 50kHz deviation (FM stereo) |
In the box | AXR85 Stereo Receiver, Power Cable, Remote Control, 2 x AAA Batteries, FM antenna, AM antenna |
It's a great amplifier / receiver, sounds nice, seems quality. But it forgets volume level every time you switch it off, so each time I switch it on I need to wait 5-10 seconds for it to wake up and then adjust volume back to previous level. Why?! I have no idea. This might sound like a little thing, but doing it multiple times a day is very annoying. So now I just leave it on all day instead, with auto power down disabled. Frustrating as it would take literally 10 minutes for a competent programmer to build in this functionality, as an option that could be enabled / disabled, but they declined when I asked, so this must be a conscious decision they made. Or they are buying the chips in from a 3rd party and are unable to alter the firmware themselves, which would be... troubling.... Either way, it's an annoyance that I could live without.