Am listening to a CXA-81 right now vs. CXA-61 I've just boxed up and, well am now sat here considering undoing all this work as I MUCH preferred the sound of the CXA-61. To the extent I've checked all speaker connections again to much sure hadn't missed something. All the punch, bass, warmth (and not clear on the lingo) I enjoyed in all my favourite tunes seems to have disappeared. The speakers haven't changed - the singular isolated item is the amp.
@@robertireland2888 good to hear from you. In keeping with the price point Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2's. Experimented with the native dac, an entry level topping D10 or even just 3.5 to RCA; same results. Will plug the CXA-61 in again tomorrow and make sure am not just imagining things
Your comment about the Venus II vs the internal DAC is one of the most useful bits of Hi-Fi insight I’ve heard in the last few years. I see so many reviews hyping DACs without any context of appropriate system matching. You are for me the best at that of any channel I follow, as well as any of the more well known review websites. I bought the Mojo 2 primarily for desktop (using an old Audiolab 8000a) and headphone use connected to a Wiim Mini in my office. I compared it against the DAC in my CXA60 and couldn’t hear a difference. I thought it was my hearing, so I’m glad to know that probably isn’t the case.
If I was filthy rich and already had a $200,000 system in my listening room, I'd still anticipate and watch your reviews. Informative and entertaining. I hope you can someday review an LFD integrated.
You are 100% correct Eric! I have Wilson Alexx V speakers and the full Dan D’Agostino M400 Amps and Momentum HD Pre-Amp n my primary listening room (well above $200K), but I watch all of Toruń’s videos. I often wish he would review even higher-end gear because his knowledge and overall review approach is exceptional!
Thanks Tarun! If there's a better place to sit down and enjoy a croissant and a coffee, then I have yet to find it. I almost bought a Rega Brio, especially tempting with the £200 price cut, but I decided to send my 1992 Audiolab 8000a off to get new RCAs, new caps, new power button etc. What a great experience - talking to an old Audiolab engineer, chatting about UK Audio history, electronics, music ...cricket!? But then later getting to open the box and plug it in - it sounds better than ever! Runs cooler. Bliss! I love buying new stuff, but there's plenty of nostalgia, satisfaction and value in extending the life expectancy of machines we already own. Still ...if only I could saw it in half!?
@@abritishaudiophile7314 hahaha, yes it definitely could be worse! Though saying that, I would like to add a sub and some supertweeters some day, so that'll shift the equation a bit
Thanks for all you do for the audio community. Just picked up the CXA61 two months ago to go all British with my Wharfedale Diamond 225 speakers. Next is the Cambridge AXN10 streamer. Thanks again. I trust your reviews and thoughts. 👍🏼🎶😎
Audio lab 700a, For the money I think it’s one of the best amps available. Solid metal construction with no cheap plastic parts, the added hdmi arc is also a nice feature to have. This would be my first choice if I was looking for an amplifier around this price.
Hi Tarun - I was a bit amazed to hear you say that there wasn't much difference between the Denafrips Venus DAC and the CXA61 internal DAC. It would seem Cambridge have quite the value on offer here. I agree with you about the placement of those input controls. Thanks for another excellent review.
I have a lot of respect for Cambridge Audio. The build is very nice considering the price. I also own a phone preamp from them. Very nice and underrated.
This is the review I've been waiting for. I bought mine in a hurry when my old Technics packed up. I chose if for two reasons. It had a product of the year award from What HiFi and Richer Sounds were knocking £250 off last easter. This thing has rekindled my interest in HiFi. I can't believe how good my old Wharfdale Pacific Evo 30s now sound. Its left me wanting even more but I get the feeling I'm going to have to spend heftily to exceedn what I've already got. So pleased you gave it an 'outstanding'
I was so excited to try the Cambridge cxa81. Got a good deal for it. It sounded like an absolute toy compared to my rogue audio sphinx v2. I sent it back after one day kinda wish I had them back to give it more of a fair shake, but I just couldn’t even wrap my head around the difference in sound.
I have a CXA80 (the predecessor to the 81) and it is fantastic. I have a CXN v2 and MXN10 and boy do they sound exceptional and engaging. I also have the CXC35 CD Player and all in all...Cambridge Audio can happily take my money. Love them!!!
Tried the cd player. Love the ax35. CD player was junk compared to marantz cd6006. But LOVE THE AXA35. THANKYOU AGAIN MR BRITISH AUDIOFILE. THE 35 AS PER YOUR EVAL: SMOOTH POWERFUL DETAILED. SO REALISTIC ARE THE VOICE S AND INSTRUMENTS.
Ironically the CXA80 did not receive favourable reviews when compared to the CXA60, whereas the CXA81 was found to be a noticeable improvement over the CXA61.
Great review, Sir! From the under 1000 euros category, I'd like to see reviews for the Yamaha A S-801 or the Audiolab 8300a. Keep up the stellar work. 👌
I have the Yamaha and am enjoying it. Works very well hooked up to my TV through the optical. I run I turntable through a schitt mani photo preamp though the internal is fine. It has a lot more power than the Cambridge, 100 watts into 8 ohms, 200 into four. A couple of reviewers have said it is overly bright though a third party website measured its performance as flat and it's power rating as well deserved. It has tone controls so this can be adjusted to taste. It is limited in terms of pre-outs. It can drive only one subwoofer and has no pre-outs for external amps. I don't need more power but if I want to use two subwoofers I will need to upgrade. Would be good to hear Tarun's take on it.
Tarun! You give me warmth to my heart. I bought a year ago CXA61, CXC cd transport and CXN v2 streamer. I’m satisfied and wifey appreciate the looks, so I can have it in my IKEA Bestå cabinet in the living room. So happy with my choice. The streamer did set the direction. I would go for a Schiit Mani 2 as phono amp below a 1000. The rest I got.
Thanks Tarun for your informative review. For your viewers' information, this specific model is at the moment almost half price in Canada. Might be a sign that Cambridge wants to lower inventory for a soon to be announced a newer model. Edit: at 850$ CAD, you cannot miss this deal. Bought it. Paired with Triangle Borea Br09, just sublime. Thanks Tarun. Edit 2: My intuition was good. This product is no longer available in Canada. Crutchfield labels it as discontinued. April 2023.
Considering it started at CA $1599, at $850 it's a great deal. Mine's paired with Monitor Audio Bronze 2 speakers and a Rega P6. Soundin' gooooood! Very happy, indeed.
Enjoyed this review. I have the CXA81 and while I’m not sure there enough of a difference to the 61, it would help those who are trying to decide if which one to choose. I have the 81 and I really enjoy it and not surprised the 61 did well with you. Be cool for you to check the new AudioLabs out as those came out this year. I’m hoping Cambridge comes out with some updates amps later this year. Nice job as always. 👍🏻
Totally agree with the outcome. I bought one late last year along with a Cambridge audio phono stage. I had an aging Rotel RB960 pre-power set up with 2 power amps running as monoblocs. There was plenty of pot but it was unrefined and the Rotels were becoming troublesome. Auditioned a few amps but kept on coming back to the 61. Recently replaced my speakers with Buchardt P300’s.. not 💯 sure they are totally right however the whole system now sounds very musical and I am enjoying going through my record collection again. I also added the Cambridge cd transport! Another upgrade for my aging Rotel cd player 👌
Hey Tarun, nice one. As prejudices go, I learnt about Marantz amps not from listening back in the day but from recapping and repairing the likes of the PM40SE and a couple of others recently. I’m curious to know what the latest budget models such as the PM6007 would be like against the AXA-35 as it’s about the same price. Top tip, by the way. If a screw is tight, try tightening it a bit more. The forward pressure on the screwdriver is acting in the direction of the thread and is more likely to crack it into motion, then you can simply back it off. You’re welcome. 😄
In UK Richer Sounds are the distributor for Cambridge Audio The Marantz PM6007 has been around for a good few years now so built in DAC chip not as up to date. However it's still a great buy amplifier currently £369 Inc vat/tax. I've owned the predessor, PM6006 for a decade 👍
You make me feel like I need one of these, but I have more amps than I can use. I'm using my Marantz 2220b receiver as a tuner just so I can look at it all lit up. And my offer still stands, if you need a kidney I will trade you for that beautiful antique table! You should do a video about that.
For 899.00us, but can be had for as much as $230 less on the open box market…(where I found mine, unopened) the Yamaha AS801 sounded much more neutral and engaging than either Cambridge offerings. At 100+ high current amps into 8ohms, it has a THD measured at 0.019. It drives a pair of speakers, the KLH Kendalls, that for no other reason than they sound stupidly good for 1499.00 a pair, you need to listen to. I’m a minimalist when it comes to audio gear having owned Luxman tubes to Pro Bose Amplifiers in the 80’s. The Yamaha allows for after market power cables which, again….if for no other reason, I’ve added the amazing Viborg MTR1501 power cable, which in tandem makes for one of the best sounding amplifiers this side of $3000 bucks! Its internal DAC uses an ESS Technology 32-bit ES9010K2M chip to play PCM files up to 384kHz/32-bit and DSD files up to DSD128. A BluSound Node2i handles all streaming. With only very small amber led’s for input settings, it and the Kendall’s literally disappear for nighttime listening. And the Yamaha is so rich and non fatiguing in its presentation of the music in tandem with The Kendalls which at 96, yes, 96db sensitivity reaching down to a full range 25hz make for a 1-2 combination that I have found hard to beat! Oh and that Viborg cable…..120 bucks! And it’s more of a component than a cable….talk about jaw dropping! I hope you can get your hands on any of the gear I’ve mentioned here, but the Yamaha is overlooked in the realm of neutral, low noise, high amp sub $1000 Integrated Amplifiers. But on tighter budgets the Cambridge is a no brained! Cheers!!
@@abritishaudiophile7314 I hope it’s the 801, cause it’s the Jewel in the line. There larger units are over priced, and offer no digital inputs…and while some just love the VU meters, for the money having auditioned the 2200 and 3200, I just don’t see the asking price. They sound great, but again, with the Viborg power cable, the 801 is every bit as musical and I’d say less colored as well. I’ll be watching, as always!!
Great review. I think a lot of British audiophiles have a particularly soft spot for Cambridge Audio equipment, given the excellent package deals offered by a certain hifi store chain using CA amps, therefore being many people’s first step on the journey. It’d be great to see a review of the Audiolab 7000A in the not too distant future
I recently had a old NAD amp that started to fail. I came accross the CXA-61 on sale, $599.00 and glad I did. I teamed it up with the CXC v2 CD player, Bluesound Node and finished off with my older pair of Definitive Technolgy SM65s. I will say this amp has everything I need at this price and pairs very well with the equipment noted. One thing that I have heard in other reviews is the CXA-61 will make your bad recordings sound really really bad...but you good recordings and sources sound really really good. This is absolutly true as IMO this amp is very centered neutral which is what my ears prefer. I have a friend who has spent three times of what I spent on my system. When he listened to mine he just shook his head...but applauded as to the quality of sound.
Hi Tarun, Nice review. I notice that here in the US Cambridge has discontinued CXA61. However, Amazon has a few at $599, which sounds like a steal to me.
I would love to see a review on the PM6007 Marantz Amplifier. It seems to win best in class and always rated very highly for each new model that appears. I would love your review on if
Boss. Thats my amp. One thing that amazes me is how different sound engines conect with the dac. I use 3 engines , streamers, via pc and 3 via Samsung Android all by USB. On Android I have the full fat onkyo player and the cxa61 absolutley takes off with this engine streamer. Ty for your re assuring review. My speakers are the kef R3. Tea in the Sahara, police for a sound stage test. 😊
You're obviously going to have to do a review on it's bigger brother the CXA81. Many others have noted that it has a different sound signature? I bought the limited black version of the CXA61 the day before this review dropped. I have to say at first I thought it sounded a little harsh in the upper reaches on my (under-rated imo) Monitor Audio Bronze spks, but after a few days, without any sense of listening fatigue, it is obvious that what I am hearing is the added clarity & detail in the mid and upper registers. It's a very pleasing amp to live with this one I think. A little concerned that you note that it struggles with those ProAcs as I am thinking of getting in some Sonus Faber Lumina's which as a 4ohm spkr apparently take a bit of current to get the best from them. I'm wondering if I should have gone for the bigger brother?
Appreciate the review of this amp, I bought a 61 on a whim seeing it on sale for 599. It's doing a great job powering some AE300s for my office system. I'd like to see a review of the Peachtree Nova 150, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on the AE500s.
Thanks for this Tarun, this was on my original list when I bought my Brio. I can’t remember why I ruled it out, possibly a combination of the 3.5mm headphone socket and the Brio sounding better to my ears.
Thanks for the review . I think the next logical step would be to review the Cambridge cxa 81 . It was exactly a 1000 pound but don't know if it still is .
@@crazyprayingmantis5596 to my ears it has more headroom (90W@6ohm) and I hear more detail, a wider soundstage and tighter bass. I also get more out of the music when listening at low volume. It's not a night and day difference, I'd still be pretty happy with the AXA35 but I couldn't resist a deal of €869 for a brand new Elex-R back in 2021.
Great review once again . Life is busy but I always look forward to your Friday video releases . For me , I would be very interested if you did a pre amp shoot out !
I think you’re an absolute legend in reviewing gear. Something I’d like you to do is compare gear against other gear a bit more - especially used gear. Say this amp and a used 6000A or Naim 5i…well, you’d know best about comparing…I’m just a poor man and I only buy used gear these days.
I've been running it's big brother CXA81 for 2 years. I was running a Yamaha AS501 with the same 80 Pac but the Cambridge seems to have a higher current and drives the music much smoother. I am running a Node2i streamer and have both the analog and digital outs going to the CXA81 so I can easily switch from one dac to the other. They both have nice sounding dad's with different attributes. These are powering my Martin Logan Motion 60xt towers which are very efficient and I sometimes use the b speaker output to listen to a pair of B&W 606s2's and an older B&W 12 inch sub. Overall I love the system but am experiencing a lot of drop outs from the Node2i. They blame my internet service and the internet providers say it is the Nodes fault. I believe the internet provider as i never has issues streaming television.
Thanks so much for the excellent review Tarun. I purchased one after listening to your review and looking at it. After some years of listening through a Panasonic SAXr70 this is a welcome change. Quite a nice upgrade for my system. I have a pair of Fried A/6 floor standers (2 way transmission line) and a Rythmik F12G subwoofer. I still spin CD's with my Pioneer DV-353. After trying the internal dac I prefer the Schiit Modi 3E by a bit. Very nice amp with good features. Sound stage is very nice with layering and separation of instruments that is a nice improvement. Thanks again so much for your recommendation. I appreciate it.
Great review! I love my axa35 and eventually wouldn't mind jumping up to the 61 or even 81 so this really helped me out! I would interested in a review of their power amplifiers as well!
@@jamesschneider3828 Its a good buy... I'm tempted but have not need. I have a rega and just got the sugden A21. Thats in a whole different level. Take care
Thanks for another great review. A friend has the CX35 and we just compared It to SMSL A300...Very intersting results. I would be delighted to hear your opinion about these new budget chinese class d amps, like smsl da9, ao200, a300, topping pa5, etc...
I personally wouldn’t go for any Chinese Class D over either the AXA35 or the CXA range but for the convenience of their digital inputs they are a little bargain. I have years of experience with all of the Chinese brands since the T amp days many moons ago and while they can give you seemingly greater clarity and apparent detail in my experience they fail dramatically in overall sonic balance and command little control over low end frequencies, even today with the latest German and American chipsets they don’t match the later class A/B amps from many of the major manufacturers. Although Aiyima A07 is about the most balanced small class d amp I have heard and I was not as fatigued after an hour or so listening time. They are great for second amps though or garage set ups due to their size and overall the class d amp has improved a great deal over the last few years but they still cannot really match the fuller more balanced sound of a well implemented class A/B amp. Just my view which many would agree and even disagree with but it can be easy to slip into an constant curiosity where these little amps are concerned.
I bought one secondhand to hear the house sound, I believe your review is on target. The 35 is a delightful little amplifier for a small or second system. I think it's a great buy for the price.
Good to see this. I recently auditioned the Hegel H590 integrated and it wowed me. Sadly my choice in life limits me to a good all round A/V in my home.
I heard the H120 the 1st time ive heard that brand at the recent Bristol Hi Fi Show.I've seen 1 auth UK dealer advertising a display model H95 for £1100.Much less powerful. Hegal cannot be usually be purchased online
Woah! Outstanding from Tarun! Must be kick-ass. Great to hear about excellent affordable hi-fi. I missed a comparison to the Audiolab 6000A. A mix of the affordable and the pricey makes this channel even more attractive. Keep up the good stuff, Tarun. (The Menuet SEs are in their 20th hour of burn-in and beginning to sound very good)
Another fine review Tarun. As you are currently impressed with the two reviewed Cambridge Audio amplifiers, maybe the CXA81, which is on my radar and as the bigger brother of the CXA61, qualifies at one pound under £1000 ?
Thank you for your honest and informative reviews. I also apreciate the effort in comunicating the findings with the clarity we see in the videos. I would like to see reviews of Vincent SV-500 AND SV-200. Both seem well regarded in general but there aren't many serious or detailed reviews. Someone mentioned Exposure 1010 and I'm curious too.
Here's one for you Tarun, that I have not seen anything on. The Totem Acoustic Kin Amp. It has been flying under the radar so far. Looks to be very good value. Excellent review as usual. Thank you.
CXA81 next! :) My CXA60 pairs very well indeed with my original LS50s. Great width of soundstage, even a sense of 3D depth. Lovely bass frequencies too, surprisingly, espectially when I upgraded the power cable, not to mention the improved micro-dynamics. Although, when paired with my main speakers Tannoy XT6f, the amp couldn't give the low end juice the Tannoys was craving, so I opted for the Lyngorf TDAI-1120. An upgrade in all senses except for the slightly narrower staging and flatter depth, but everything else makes up for it. The Lyngdorf has a terrible time with the LS50s, by the way.
As always the case your reviews even if I am in 😂 no way going to be spending a small fortune on the setup I will have are always informative. Their educational contents are unquestionably worth the time. This amplifier is within my budget, but I find the one issue we seem simpatico on is that lack of seeing and tactile buttons for function irrespective of it's sonic abilities. And your admission as to the pleasures of putting aside previous skepticism concerning it's sibling only made me like the sybling even more. And given any listening space I have, or ever have, will also increase the siblings potential. So, T as always thank you.
Great review! Tip, when you raise the volume with the remote the knob moves, which is, in my opinion, a really really nice touch to the amplifier. It took me a few weeks owning my CXA81 to notice it as I left the remote on the side for a while. 🔥
I'm finding yours the most useful and relatable reviews on RU-vid. Great stuff. Out of interest have you tried an Exposure 1010 amp? I got one as a stand in and actually preferred it to the 2010S2D. Not better, just better suited to my set up with a more delicate, subtle balance and delivery.
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Don't think they sell them new any more but they stand out as mile to me as a 2nd hand bargain. I swap between it and a Class A amp (depending how long it's going to be left on) - similar vibe of delivery.
@@abritishaudiophile7314yes, the only problem is that it is too powerful for my triangle comete 40th anniversary with 90db sensitivity :/ probably gonna have to swap it for a tube amp. I never go past 10 o clock on it…
Another really interesting review. A couple of years ago I mentioned about a pair of Celestion 100 speakers after your review of some older 300s you still owned. I auditioned the CX61 (my Dad has the older CX60) and we loved the sound, although eventually went for an end of line CX80 which, we felt, drove my 100 speakers a little better. The overall sound is definitely more biased towards clarity and imagery rather than weight, but I think this is that particular combo. Not sure whether my Dad's CX60-based system is better, but the CX80, although older, just edged it for me over the 61 with my existing speakers.
not heard the cxa61 but used my cxa 60 for years that has given great service and is excellent for the money , now have a Denon PMA-A110 paired with Bowers and Wilkins 705 s2 signatures , would be interested in your take on either of these , eccellent reviews keep it up😁
Another articulate, well-balanced review. Thank you. If Emotiva equipment has penetrated the UK market, I would be interested to hear your remarks regarding any of their BasX amplifiers.
Hope you would do a review/comparison between CXA61 and CXA81. I owned the CXA81 and wanted to upgrade to external dac. Been eyeing Guustard R26, as I think it will make a good synergy with CXA81. Hope you could give some opinion when the time comes 🤞🏼
R26 is excellent but the A26 is punchier. It depends what you want but from what I hear about Cambridge amps (warmer sounding) the A26 may make the better partner. Enjoy either way!
Great review as per usual. Not many available reviews of hybrid pre- and amplifier combos. For instance, yours is almost the only review on IOTAVX PA3, which I am thinking of pairing with the Schiit Freya S pre-amplifier, but too many questions arise regarding compatibility and synergy between the components, only their own separate contributions. That'd fill a great gap, imho. thanks for your work!
As much as this is fun to learn about, how about reviewing any Onkyo integrated amps. They make the best AV receiver for home theatre. They did make some really nice mid priced gear back in the late 70s. I’m not sure if they have any offerings, but it would be worth trying just to see what they have now. The T9 tuner back in the 70s was a real performer. I had one. Lovely piece with a tuning dial that had a great feel as well as an ability to bring in stations far away with a great antenna and rotator. Fun review Tarun! Didn’t think it would have the internals to drive your 1SCs. I was right. ProAcs can be notoriously hard to drive without a gutsy power supply. Takes real juice to make them sing. I know. My EBTs ate a 60W per channel pair of monoblocks for breakfast. It took a 100W per channel Roger Majeski RM 9 to wake them up.
Onkyo's are not the best AV receivers. And how would you know that if you're not even sure what they offer if anything? They are generally solid mid range performers but every model is different.
I always look forward to your videos. Thank you for all the work that you put into them. The amplifier that I'd be particularly interested in you reviewing is the Roksan attessa (streaming). It seems like a great price point for an A/B with such wonderful connectivity. In addition, I note that you've started to review smaller tower speakers and, as they are owned by the same parent company, I wondered whether the monitor audio silver 200 might be an intriguing proposition. And they both look the part too. Thanks again
One of the best sub 1000 integrated I've heard is sadly not available in UK - Clef Audio Soloist, sells for equivalent of £950 in Thailand. Good looking amp with decent power supply, dual mono and first 10w in class A.
Hi Tarun. Here's an unusual but one recommendation which I think you should look into reviewing and which I think will float your boat big time: Soulnote A1 A purist piece which looks fab and has a resistor volume control. Will give the Rega, Cambridge, Hegels a huge run for their money. It's time to assess what a more affordable purist Japanese piece can deliver (excluding the Accuphase) Vs the European purist pieces you've reviewed and I bet Soulnote will more than oblige you.
I for one would love to see you review a Dartzeel amplifier, way out in the other end of the price spectrum. Or a Gryphon! These high end manufacturers should be falling over themselves to get their gear reviewed by you.
Many thanks for your review. I am a spendor aficionado and recently paired my cambridge with A7s. Very good sound especially in the bass and vocals. If I wanted something different then it would be a tube amp
I purchased the CXA35 mostly based on your review. However before it arrived I noticed the CXA61 on sale for $599 with shipping and sales tax included. Roughly 40% off regular price. So I returned the CXA35 unopened. I love the British sound. Warm non-fatigueing and dare I say accurate? The reduced price was the icing on the cake.
always look forward to your reviews. Interesting, informative and intelligent. Sub $1000 amps is a difficult one. (I'm assuming close to parity between USD and Pound.) Just seems like there are steps, rather than a slope in price vs performance. And as you point out, significant improvement usually requires doubling the outlay of lolly.
Tarun! One thing more. Did you try the pre-amp on the CXA61? Sound quality stayed the same? Connected to your Exposure mono blocks. This would be a nice test for a change. Has anyone done this? Love your style, attitude and skills.
A comparison with Rotel amps would be very helpful. Plus another comparison with the Hegel 190 and up-to see what that extra 2-3 thousand bucks buy on top of amps around 1K.
Really appreciate how you always back up your enthusiasms for a piece of hifi equipment with very clearly stated and understandable reasons re sound, build, etc., and how you always include comparisons and recommended partnering equipment. Very helpful! Thanks. I assume you're asking about integrated amps, but I'll throw in that I would be interested in a review of the Schiit Vidar 2 power amp, which sells for $800 USD. Maybe not quite enough left over for a good preamp to keep it under 1,000 GBP, but perhaps it's feasible. My reason is that I'm looking to upgrade from an IOTAVX SA3 that I like very much, though find a bit lacking in bass definition. Also, my speakers (Triangle Borea BR08) are known for sounding better with more wattage, even though they're quite sensitive. So the question in my mind is whether to upgrade to a somewhat more powerful and higher quality integrated amp or whether to go the route of the Vidar 2 or other power-pre combination. Thanks again for your great reviews!
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Thank you, Tarun. I've actually thought seriously about the Exposure 2510 based on your high praise for that integrated amp. Getting access at a decent price is a little challenge. But the other thing is that I don't know in advance how the synergy would be with the speakers I have. I've also thought about the Heaven 11 Billie amp, which some people find to be very good. Again, it's a big step to put down 2k or more if you're not sure how it's going to sound. So, will keep looking, and...I suppose that's part of the fun of this hobby, is making an estimation based on what others hear, and then trying things out. And keeping it all in perspective with what's most important in life. Hobbies have a way of taking on a life of their own. Thank you again!
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Hi Tarun, you are very good about responding to those who comment, but I want to be thoughtful of your time and say I mostly just want to follow up, and there's no need for you to respond to the semi-question embedded in my comment. Your response to my question about how to upgrade, "there is no one route for your next step" proved to be helpful and perceptive in a way I didn't expect. For both my classroom and home use, I had already wanted to buy a pair of REL T7x's, and I got a chance for a very good price on them here in Thailand. So I did. Their addition to my system -- Schiit Bifrost 2/64 to IOTAVX SA3 to Triangle Borea BR08 + REL T7x -- has given me a much greater enjoyment of the sound of my two-channel system as it reaches now into the deeper base octaves. I feel for my personal home use, I'm happy with this system as it is and will likely be for a long time. For my classroom, though, I am still interested long-term in exploring either a higher level integrated amp or mid-fi to hifi separates like those I can get from Schiit Audio (or elsewhere). The reason is that the very large classroom with 20 or more people listening (to recorded lectures, music, and films) puts much higher demands on the system, especially in terms of getting volume that is completely clean and undistorted at high levels. So I do look forward to whatever videos you might produce in the area of higher power (75 - 150 wpc into 8 ohms) integrated amps and affordable separates in the future. In the back of my mind I'm also wondering whether including the REL T7x in the system gives the IOTAVX SA3 greater room to perform well in the classroom, given that the very lowest base is now handled by the subwoofer. Or does that deeper base region ultimately put only a very minor load on the integrated amplifier to begin with? Thanks again for your helpful reviews!
Thank you, much appreciated. Unfortunately, I would need to get the A11 Mk2 home to find out. From what I understand it has a cooler tonality than the CXA61 😊👍
Thank you for this excellent presentation. I would love to watch a review of the Yamaha A-S801 amplifier. Also the Cambridge Audio AXr100 receiver. Thanks again for all your hard work.
I think Yamaha A-S701 is a true gem for the money that you can test.I bought it after listening marantz,nad,cambridge cxa60.Only the cxa60 was good (for me).But yamaha was much stronger and has that disco-roc feeling for me.I think A-S701 is very underrated leaving in the shadow of his big brother.
I had the 801 and while it does have good clean power, I sent it back. It's very good on the digital end but I'm analogue all the way and the direct mode did nothing special. It was just a little to bright. Totally my mistake. I like running flat and thought the power alone would help me. Still a very good amp.
Av been going to richer sounds for years and had the same take on Cambridge amps speakers was ok but i went in and tested some gear and your right they alot better than used to be ended up getting the axa25 for £150
The presence of balanced xlr inputs and the slight increase in wattage are the hardware changes. Sound, am not quite sure. My CXA 81 has been routed through to my Wharfedale Evo 4.2 from a Bluesound Node 2021, through a Denafrips Ares II. Had added a Rel T5X subwoofer as my last component a few months back. And now it sounds divine. For a sub 3000 pound budget of course.
I really luv these reviews of more affordable gear. 🥰 Everyone and their mums seems to looooove the Rega Brio. Is it possible to shake one down from somewhere to be reviewed? Me, Myself and I,, 😇😇😇,, would love to see/hear the Camebridge AX-R100 being reviewed by you, T. 🙏🙏🙏 All of us three, wonder about the inbuilt DAC,s quality in that one. Could a WIIM mini or Argon Audio Solo in combo with the AX-R100 "beat" the CXA61. 🤔🤔🤔 Cheers, and thank you sooo much for your work and time, Mr MasterReviewer,, 🍻⭐👍👍
Hi Tarun, nice review! When I was buying brio, it was this or the brio and no dac in brio was a bit of an issue as it meant, I had to buy a dac as well. But the brio did sound slightly better though. It would be great if you can review Rega and EAM labs amplifiers some day.
"Comfortably the best sound that I've heard from a passive system for this money." My goodness that is high praise, and it caught me a bit flat-footed as it doesn't sound from this review like the Cambridge has much in common, sonically, with the Hegel -- which is, in fairness, much more expensive. I'm in touch with the Amphion rep for Asia and he recommends that I hop over to Hanoi to audition the Argon 1's and I'm looking forward to it. Do I take from this review that a price-appropriate Cambridge amp might be the better match, on an absolute scale, than the analogous Hegel amp, for the purpose of driving the Argon 1's?
@@abritishaudiophile7314 I'm still biased in the direction of an integrated by Naim -- perhaps a gently used Supernait (1), with the built-in DAC -- and the Asia Amphion rep says that the CEO actually prefers Naim, which surprised me (I would have expected Hegel-Hegel-Hegel-Hegel, eight days a week and twice on Sunday). But I wonder if the Cambridge would sound better than the Naim. You've liked both combinations (the Amphion-Naim combo yielded "all the PRAT that anyone could want") but it's less clear that the unexpectedly good synergy with the Cambridge will scale quite so well.
Great review Tarun, as usual. I wonder if the CXA61 might be the bottleneck in limiting the difference between a low end internal DAC and a high end Denafrips? Also, how would you compare the CXA61 against the Audiolab 6000A in sound quality? One last comment, would love to hear your thoughts on the new Audiolab 7000A when it arrives. Thx for your insight.
Thank you GV. Much appreciated. The 6000A went back some time ago. Both very good. My impression is the 6000A is more analytical and detailed whilst the CXA61 is fuller and warmer sounding 👍
