CXA81

Integrated Stereo Amplifier

Colour
$999.00
  • Award-Winning Sound - 4x winner of What Hi-Fi? Product of the Year
  • 80 watts per channel –  power to drive the most demanding speakers 
  • Class AB Amplification – for balanced & efficient performance 
  • Toroidal Transformer – for incredible sound-staging 
  • High Quality ESS Sabre ES9016 DAC – to realise digital music at its best 
  • Digital inputs – TOSLINK, Coaxial & USB Audio Input (up to 24-bit/384kHz & DSD256 digital files from Mac/PC) 
  • Balanced XLR inputs – for premium connection  
  • Bluetooth aptX HD input – connect wirelessly to devices, incl. Alva TT V2
FREE DELIVERY
60 DAY FREE RETURNS
EXCELLENT SUPPORT
  • CXA81 What Hi-Fi? Product of the Year 2022

    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. 

    CXA81 Black Edition

    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. 

    CX Series Hi-Fi stack in living room

    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.

    Engineer working on Cambridge Audio product

    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.
     

    CXA81 in use in a living room

    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.

    Close up of CXA81 detail

    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. 

    Man in chair using StreamMagic to control a CX series Hi-Fi stack

    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.

    Connectivity options at rear of CXA81

    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.

    Button being pressed on the CXA81

    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

  • CXA81 Reviews

    4.5

    65 Reviews

    Excellent Audio, Subpar Software

    I own four of these. Pure. pure sound, astonishingly pure, but the software/connectivity issues I endure are driving me crazy
    I own four of these. SONOS became what it is because BOSE did not pay attention to software. Come on Cambridge, we all know y'all are masters of sound, but in todays world the pieces have to work together.

    Response from

    Dear Customer

    Thank you for taking the time to review the CXA81 and moreover for your trust in Cambridge Audio products. We are elated to hear that you are astonished with the sound quality that the product has to provide.For your issues with connectivity please get in touch with our customer support department by emailing us at [email protected] and a customer support agent will get back in touch with your regarding your issue.Kind Regards

    Cambridge Audio Customer Support

    Exceptional value for the money

    As a long time Audiophile, this unit is exceptional for the money. It really punches above its weight. the DAC is good, and the Bluetooth is very convenient. Channel separation is superb. Overall I'd recommend to any audio stereo enthusiast.

    Response from

    Dear Customer

    Thank you for taking the time to review the CXA81.It is really nice to know that you are satisfied with the output of the amplifier and we hope that you enjoy years of listening and happiness with it.Kind Regards

    Cambridge Audio Customer Support

    PUNCHES ABOVE ITS WEIGHT

    Excellent sound and well focused soundstage. Mid range and treble are beautiful with good recordings. Bass is very good but lacks the slam of more expensive amps.. Overall sound is neutral with just a touch of warmth that allows all the nuances of the recording to come through.

    Response from

    Dear Customer

    Thank you for taking the time and leaving such a positive review of a CXA81.We are pleased to know that you are enjoying the music with it and are happy with the sound quality it has to provide. We hope that you enjoy years of your musical voyage with them.Kind Regards

    Cambridge Audio Customer Support

    Fantastic amp

    Probably the best amp I have ever bought (and I have had a few). I have it hooked up to my mac by a very good usb cable, so I get 24/192 hires and it sounds amazing. The only thing I would have liked would have been the ability to toggle off the speakers completely but I found a good workaround. I have a few Cambridge products and they are all top notch.

    Response from

    Dear Customer

    Thank you for such an amazing review we are thrilled to know that the CXA 81 Amp has lived up to your expectations.We hope that it continues to bring you many hours of listening happiness.Kind Regards

    Cambridge Audio Customer Support

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  • 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