Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII Review

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Revised and retuned, the latest ‪@cambridgeaudio‬ CXA81 amplifier gains upgraded digital circuitry and new components making it a very enticing prospect.
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1 окт 2024

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Комментарии : 74

@UTILITARIANTVUK 26 дней назад

If you would like to support the channel, please consider using the *'Super Thanks'* button below the video. Any donation made is greatly appreciated and will be reinvested into the channel. I would also like to express my utmost gratitude to all those who have already donated. 🍀

@Norman-bone13 Месяц назад

I knew you’d love the sound of the CXA-81 MKII. 🎶 According to Cambridge Audio, the focus of the CX Series is the sound quality, so they left phono pre out. Same w/tone controls. Looking forward to your detailed review. I bet you keep it. Sell the Leak 230 unless it’s special to you. Again, you cracked me up when out of the blue you started singing the wheels on the bus go round & round. I believe now you’re as crazy as I am. 👍🏼😎🎶👊🏽

@Niels133 Месяц назад

Don't want no FB. Like the YT. Looks great, the Cambridge.

@andrehendrik Месяц назад

all things considered the more affordable CXA61 (now discontinued) was one of those rare bargains for quality hifi

@Norman-bone13 Месяц назад

Agree 💯%. I was fortunate to snag one after they were discontinued. It was an Open Box Deal/return item for $509. No regrets. I’m in a smaller space now and don’t need 80w. The 60w of the CXA-61 is plenty for my space. I feel I got a great bargain for price to performance. I’m happy with the sound paired with Wharfedale Diamond 225s. I’ve gone all British with amp & speakers. 🎶😎👍🏼

@livium75 Месяц назад

Hello! How did the leak 230 sound compared to the Cambridge? An opinion before making the video? It's interesting what the first impression is.

@UTILITARIANTVUK Месяц назад

I need to do a little more A/B testing before I can form an opinion. Please bear with me.

@RanTausi Месяц назад

Take care ❤️. I will stick with my ADCOM GFA 555mk 2 for me it is beast of an amp , plenty of power and sound damm Good 👍

@UTILITARIANTVUK Месяц назад

That is a bit of a monster! 😄

@ropeburn6684 Месяц назад

You want "endgame" for even less money? SMSL DO100 DAC (2xES9039Q2M, XLR out) for 200 moneys, plus Hypex NC252MP based power amplifier (XLR input, 2x250W) for 500-700 moneys. Puts this Cambridge to shame in every aspect - detail, resolution, flatness/neutrality, bass control, and especially power. They Cambridge advertised "hefty 2x80W" are a bad joke compared. Let's not even talk about other things like power efficiency. Then it gets real bad for this class AB dinosaur doubling as a space heater.

@christee2908 Месяц назад

@ropeburn6684 Energy prices are something to take into account these days. But this remains a hobby and every hobby costs money, sometimes lots of money. Have you ever listened to a real class-A amplifier compared to those energy efficient class-D. You would be amazed at how much better and more musical, a class-A sounds. This Cambridge is a class AB, this is somewhat more energy efficient than a purely class A amplifier, but still very much better sounding than a class D. Let us be realistic that Cambridge remains Mid-Fi equipment and not High End, studio or whatever, and in this class it is absolutely still among the best.

@ropeburn6684 Месяц назад

@@christee2908 Have you ever made properly set up ABX/double blind tests to confirm your "amazingly superior musicality" statement? No? So haven't I. So both of us have exactly zero objective basis for any claim we make about the highly subjective sound difference between amplifier classes and models, beyond mere psychological bias.

@chrisnunya7171 Месяц назад

Hey bud, hope you feel better soon. I forgot to tell ya I'm from Ohio, U.S.A. in my Facebook post on your page. By the way, that's a VERY nice piece of equipment! A bit above my pay grade. 😅

@UTILITARIANTVUK Месяц назад

It's above min e too but I need to find a way! 😄

@GeirRssaak Месяц назад

Nice to see a box!

@joc1016 Месяц назад

I'm not on Facebook

@gwine9087 Месяц назад

Nice, but I never listen to FM anymore, so a receiver is a waste. I am looking at their integrated amps along with Rega and Arcam.

@alanjipy55 Месяц назад

I have the original cxa81.. I dont have a problem with the inputs, just use the remote.. I dont think you'll be tempted to send it back lol.

@Jack96993 Месяц назад

Glad you found the invisible man to help you unbox the Cambridge 😅

@UTILITARIANTVUK Месяц назад

Hope I can find him for the next unboxing!

@Jack96993 Месяц назад

Must say very well done indeed!!

@jamesschneider3828 Месяц назад

I have first gen CXA81 and am disappointed that the new series two still doesn’t have HDMI arc input and they really need to put a tiny led on the volume knob so when using remote from across the room you can see where your at. Too bad. I’ll keep my first gen as it has served me well for four years.

@tonyhall8947 Месяц назад

I reckon you will keep your Leak amp. Leak looks nicer (goes well with lintons) has Phono stage and tone controls. Looking forward to see what you think in next vid. 👍

@JosephTongret Месяц назад

I see you're into a lot of the "chi-fi" dacs and other moderately priced value gear. Have you considered getting a Minidsp Flex or similar and running it as your preamp directly to a power amp? I ask because I considered it for a long time and a few months ago I finally ordered one. I've been impressed with the improvements I've heard with just a little eq through the low end to eliminate peaks. Since I use subs in my stereo setups, I don't think I'll ever want to not have dsp capability in the chain going forward. Also, I just discovered your channel in the last few months and I really love your content man!

@geraldoram2453 Месяц назад

I have the CXA61 version 2 which also has an earphone socket. Very pleased with it. Also it was reduced by £100. Definitely worth a review.

@ianyates7742 Месяц назад

I have quite a selection of Cambridge components from speakers, CD, amps, and dvd player and I’ve got to say it’s really good gear and it’s all staying put 😂❤

@alistermccallum Месяц назад

The Cambridge AXR-100 has a MM phono stage if someone wanted the phono stage in a similar form factor, it also has a bit more power. Would love to hear some sound demos with your Diamond 220s powered by the CXA.

@Panslapper Месяц назад

Got a 20 years old Teac AH-500i arriving today, loads of knobs on it!

@Diploization Месяц назад

Love your reviews and sense of humor.Keep them coming.

@michaelvincent8306 Месяц назад

Now you have a dilemma to go with the chest infection both painful but in different ways a grand for an amp who would have thought it you best go lay down mart

@AlexanderG-mi7ip Месяц назад

I am so glad you've got a Cambridge amp. I've had the all analogue Cambridge AXA35 for a year now, and it works like a beast...

@kevinsheppard6085 Месяц назад

cannot wait to see what you think of it and how it compares to the Leak

@jeffjefferson7384 Месяц назад

Cambridge Audio kit always looks gorgeous to me.

@arliecrumpler3213 Месяц назад

I believe it has tone and balance control. Try pressing the menu button located between the volume control/ fwd/back buttons. The display window should show bass, treble, and balance. You can adjust each setting up or down, or left and right 2db at a time. That's how it works on my AXR85. I think it's a standard feature since it doesn't offer knobs for adjustments.

@UTILITARIANTVUK Месяц назад

Not on this model unfortunately.

@davejones538 Месяц назад

Posting on Facebook now gets you arrested 🤣 and I definitely don't want DWP seeing my hifi 🥊🥊🥊

@UTILITARIANTVUK Месяц назад

Just had the cops at the door asking after you! Don't worry. I'm no grass. 😂😂😂

@GeirRssaak Месяц назад

Your unboxing is amazing!

@Raymondey Месяц назад

I’m still rocking Cambridge Azur 851A 😎

@alanjipy55 Месяц назад

Cool. I took the chance and bought a second hand one just over a week ago. I also have the cxa81😊

@UTILITARIANTVUK Месяц назад

120 watts per channel!

@UTILITARIANTVUK Месяц назад

@alanjipy55 How does it compare to the cxa81?

@alanjipy55 Месяц назад

@@UTILITARIANTVUK The cxa81 has a warmer sound due to quite a bit of mid bass, it's a little brighter. The 851a has more detail, a sweeter treble, deeper layers of resolution.. A better match for my speakers, Tannoy XT-8F.

@kymvalleygardensdesign5350 Месяц назад

Too pricey for me

@MrPINKFL0YD Месяц назад

Meh

@xsamitt Месяц назад

Love your Channel!

@TheNorliss Месяц назад

Hey mate, what's the thinking here? To replace the Leak with this? Or to use it as a power amp, because you mentioned running the pre outs from the Leak into the Cambridge. Enquiring minds want to know!

@UTILITARIANTVUK Месяц назад

I cant afford to keep it unless I sell the Leak 230. So I'm going to do a lot of A/B testing over the next week to determine whether to keep it or send it back?

@TheNorliss Месяц назад

@@UTILITARIANTVUK Fair enough. Both quite different in terms of design ethos but it'll be interesting to see how much of a difference there is in sound...

@Jack96993 Месяц назад

I don't have a Facebook page but I could send you a link to a RU-vid vid I made a while back of my stereo rig, if you like All my equipment and speaker position are in the description Oh, I bought the VAC tube amp and ARC LS15 tube preamp back in 1996

@UTILITARIANTVUK Месяц назад

Sure, post the link here.

@Jack96993 Месяц назад

Some Sax playing on my stereo system ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fh5n7bdKDsM.htmlsi=rzl2qaZ06ZL-ffWN

@Jack96993 Месяц назад

@UTILITARIANTVUK I sent one with Sax jazz but through a female voice can be tricky Hope you don't mind ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bofnCCYuR48.htmlsi=-gDlQ_OFZHZvhyf_

@Panslapper Месяц назад

Get well soon mate!

@UTILITARIANTVUK Месяц назад

thanks 💪

@aj8ky Месяц назад

Looks awesome mate, very pleased for you! I bet it sounds wonderful with those Lintons,…just don’t accidentally punch it. 😂😂😂 Your amplifier cost nearly as much as my entire Chi Fi that i just put together for my last bday in June! 😂😂😂 All the best fella!

@UTILITARIANTVUK Месяц назад

What Chi-Fi kit do you have?

@sbwlearning1372 Месяц назад

Dont let cost fool you I stuck a £100 classD amp ( BRZHIFI X10 )against my arcam a39 £1300 driving vintage Ruark acoustic templars. Was stunned to find there wasn't much in it regarding sound quality so sold the Arcam to invest in a valve preamp on the audio journey My Dac is xiang sheng OB5 - II Lovely sounding. Been using the BRZHIFI X10 every day for around 3 years in the bedroom with vintage monitor audio speakers. Sounds fab. There is a lot of ridiculous redundant snobbery in the audio world. ( As well as snake oil salesman) 😁

@aj8ky Месяц назад

@@UTILITARIANTVUK It’s just an EDIFIER active speaker system with WiiM streamer and mojo2. It consists of: EDIFIER S3000MKII (updated S3000pros) with matching stands. Chord mojo2 DAC + Headphone Amp (Arrived Faulty waiting for replacement to arrive) WiiM mini S.M.S.L PO100PRO USBC to Optical/Coaxial/12S Digital to Digital Converter. Audioquest cinnamon 1.5 meter usbc cable Audioquest cinnamon 1.5 meter optilink cable Audioquest golden gate 1.0 meter 3.5mm jack to RCA cable ISO acoustics isopuck mini x 8 Tidal connect (I can’t afford to start buying CDs or Vinyl again) To be honest though, it sounds so much better than i thought, it blows my old systems out of the water, especially being a WiFi (no speaker cables) active speaker system. It’s probably the last system I’ll be able to buy so tried to get it all straight away, I’m disabled now and soon to be unemployed. I decided to go minimalistic (aesthetically) and build it all into the active speaker and stand. So all the components are attached to the master speaker stand with picture hanging strips. I’m probably around £1300 all in. I just hope I don’t regret buying an active Chi Fi speaker system, as I now realise if it breaks the whole system dies rather than just individual components. All the best!

@aj8ky Месяц назад

@@UTILITARIANTVUK It’s just an EDIFIER active speaker system with WiiM streamer and mojo2. It consists of: EDIFIER S3000MKII (updated S3000pros) with matching stands. Chord mojo2 DAC + Headphone Amp (Arrived Faulty waiting for replacement to arrive) WiiM mini S.M.S.L PO100PRO USBC to Optical/Coaxial/12S Digital to Digital Converter. Audioquest cinnamon 1.5 meter usbc cable Audioquest cinnamon 1.5 meter optilink cable Audioquest golden gate 1.0 meter 3.5mm jack to RCA cable ISO acoustics isopuck mini x 8 Tidal connect (I can’t afford to start buying CDs or Vinyl again) To be honest though, it sounds so much better than i thought it would, it blows my old systems out of the water, especially being a WiFi (no speaker cables) active speaker system. It’s probably the last system I’ll ever be able to buy, I’m recently disabled and soon to be unemployed. I decided to go minimalistic (aesthetically) and build it all into the active speaker and stand. So all the components are attached to the master speaker stand with picture hanging strips. I’m probably around £1300 all in. I just hope I don’t regret buying an active Chi Fi speaker system, as I now realise if it breaks the whole system dies rather than just individual components. All the best!

@aj8ky Месяц назад

@@UTILITARIANTVUK I don’t use Bookface, but I’m happy to send you some pics another way.