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

    Unbelievable sound

    It is an incredible good amplifier and I could not believe how clear and roomy music can sound. And this even played on low volume.

    Response from

    Dear Customer

    Thank you for reviewing the CXA81 amplifier.We are glad to know that you are happy with the sound quality it provides.It's always nice to hear that the product has surpassed people's expectations and we hope that you enjoy years of listening happiness with it.Kind Regards

    Cambridge Audio Customer Support

    Great product, great service

    What an amazing amplifier. Cambridge Audio just seem to get it right every time. No fancy gimmicks, just incredible pure sound with simple controls. Even after just a few days of use I can hear the difference to my music.

    Purchase was simple on their website and delivery was next day. When you open the box you will not be disappointed. Thanks Cambridge Audio.

    Response from

    Dear Customer

    Thank you for reviewing the CXA81 and moreover for your trust in Cambridge Audio Product.We are pleased to know that you are happy with its sound quality.It's nice to know that we were able to deliver your order quickly and hope that it adds a whole new dimension to your hearing experience. Kind Regards

    Cambridge Audio Customer Support

    New CXA-81 Receiver

    It’s a different color than my last one and doesn’t match the CD player. But sounds better than ever.

    Response from

    Dear Customer

    Thank you for such a positive and thoughtful review.

    We are pleased to hear that Cambridge Audio products are adding depth to your music experience.

    We hope they continue to bring you many hours of listening happiness.

    Kind Regards

    Cambridge Audio Customer Support

    Hervorragende Leistung und Klang

    Habe den Verstärker im Oktober gekauft, bin immer noch begeistert: der Anschluss eines PC über USB oder eines Mobilgeräts über Bluetooth war problemlos. Der Klang ist überragend, der Verstärker holt aus meinen eher preiswerten Lautsprechern heraus, was geht. Die Lautsprecher (ca. 10 Jahre alt, ca. 400 €/Stück) werde ich sicher noch gegen bessere ersetzen, aber der Tausch des Verstärkers war schon ein großer Sprung. Der USB-DAC führt zu fein aufgelösten präzisen Tönen in allen Bereichen, und man hört den Unterschied zwischen Spotify (compressed, verlustbehaftet) und Tidal Hi-Fi oder Tidal Master sehr deutlich. Die Bedienung mit der Fernbedienung ist unkompliziert. Für meine Zwecke reichen Anzahl und Art der Eingänge völlig aus, möglicherweise fehlt dem einen oder anderen ein HDMI-ARC-Eingang. Ich wollte Stereo Hi-Fi, das hab ich bekommen, das ist überzeugend gut.
    Habe den Verstärker an Weihnachten noch um einen CXN ergänzt, der ergänzt das ganze ebenfalls sehr überzeugend.

    Response from

    Lieber KundeVielen Dank für diese positive Bewertung des CXA81 und darüber hinaus für Ihr Vertrauen in Cambridge Audio.Wir freuen uns sehr dass Sie mit der Leistung des Verstärkers zufrieden sind und auch die anderen Funktionen mit Ihren Erwartungen Schritt halten können.Wir hoffen dass Sie mit dem Verstärker jahrelange Freude am Hören haben.Hinweis:- Alle unsere nicht-englischen Antworten werden mit Google Translate übersetztMit freundlichen GrüßeKundensupport von Cambridge Audio

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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