Are you still enjoying your CXA1? I am considering getting it but am also considering the marantz pm8006 and even the Yamaha as801. I play music through streaming, CDs, and vinyl.

@@aggonzalez8096 Yes I am! I have been able to compare its DAC to a Chord Qutest and it can defend itself, even if it is not at the same level. I don't know the PM8006, but if you use digital sources, I can tell you the CXA81 is pretty good. Hope it helps

@John Bravo Nope I ended up getting the yamaha AS801. I mostly use CDs but also vinyl and the Yamaha seemed to fit my needs and I got an open box deal for a great price. It sounds great, maybe not quite as much punch as I imagine other amps might provide, but it sounds beautiful when listening to something pretty and gentle (acoustic folk, or some downtempo electronic) and overall everything sounds good. Very easy to listen to amp that I have going almost all day on the weekends or off work. The DAC in it sounds good with my CD transport, but streaming through it sucks. The streaming software loses connection to something (???) every ten minutes. Its pretty much unusable. So for streaming you would need another DAC. I know you are not asking about the Yamaha just providing additional info about my experience with the amp I went with. I am still so curious about the cambridge products and the "cambridge sound" and may still end up getting on the next spree haha.

since I like buying second hand, I am debating between the AXR100 for $420 and/or CX81 for $920, all units 18months or younger - any sensible advice?

@@utube321piotr I don't know the AXR but you could get that AND a decent external dac and you would still spend less than the CXA

What receiver?

Kevin. I couldn't agree more. I just bought before this goofy pandemic, a vintage Mitsubishi DAA15DC dual mono block amp and DP 9 preamp. Man, the construction is Mmm NICE, and the sound, wow: Neutral and clean and muscle. I am waiting for stores to open to get speakers and am looking at either Klipsch Hersey IV, or JBL Studio 590's, or Fyne Audio speakers 503's: all horns, but I dig horns. If you ever get a chance to see the Fyne, check them out, there look great and outstanding reviews. Stay safe and healthy. Peace.

Welcome

@@4991544 I'm currently using a super low powered Sansui with my super-efficient Focal 806s. It sounds amazing!

@Fat Rat In my experience modern speakers tend to outclass vintage ones. Vintage amps on the other hand just crush it!

I tried the same combo with both the cxa60 and cxa80 but just couldn't get it to sound good, was thin and a little rough sounding. Tried with the internal dac and node 2i. I finally found bliss with the parasound 275v2 amp, another one of seans recommendations. Sounds much fuller/dynamic and smoother than the cxas. Didn't want to return the cxas since the refurbs are such good deals :(

@@babupranav Triangle Borea BR03 have these speakers as well. With the parasound 275v2 amp - what pre amp are you using? Looking for a good pair for my speakers.

Wrong about Henry Kloss, another company, after Advent and KLH

The reason for the confusion is Kloss cofounded Cambridge Sound works and manufactured speakers and table top radios. Anyone interested in the history of audio should look him up.

Wrong company. Cambridge Audio started out as a British manufacturer.

Donald DeOrio Actually they have not, a lot of their prior units have been rather disappointing. This has finally brought them back into the game. Very respectable. I bought this amp all prepared to return it, but this amp truly is a keeper.

Diatonic5th Quality amps should not have tone controls. Bad recordings are bad recordings, they should not be corrected with tone controls.

@@ralex3697 Technically you are right, for the most pure audio path. Still I happen to disagree. There are bad recordings that still contain very good music, music that I want to listen to. If I can sweeten a bad recording with a littleEQ I will happily do so. If the recording is good, then I like to be able to bypass the tonal controls for a direct path.

All amps needs tone controls. Some recordings will definitely need tweaking. Manufacturers began removing them to make room for Bluetooth, usb, etc.

@@funkaholic1972 Well said.

@@ralex3697 "Quality amps should not have tone controls." Tell that to Ken Ishiwata

Simple answer. Believe this guy. Forget Robinson.

​@@ZeitdiebXhaha. Cant stand Robinson either..

If you have many different speakers than you can test for your self I would take my set up to richer sounds and have a listen and I was impressed with the new Cambridge gear ......it's all about taste and if your speakers pair well other wise just save up and my a mac

@@allwayzactive4599There are so many factors to consider when it comes to great sound. Gear, room acoustics, interconnects, speaker placement. I tested my CXA 81 with three sets of speakers. An older ELAC model, very dynamic and on the brighter side of things at higher volume levels, my big floor standing speakers Magnat Signature 707 and Wharfedale Evo 4.2. the typical Cambridge sound with the slightly rounded treble and the very roomy, wide mids comes through on all of them. Very involving sound. Alive. Not flat and more on the analytical side of things like most B&W or KEF. I wouldn’t pair the 81 with Focal, though. That could be a bit too bright. But most speakers work great.

It’s a slight warm sound. Solid bass. Drives hard and solid. High quality build

Sounds like you're diggin it! Thanks for sharing.

Is the sound too forward, in your face?

Saquib Hussain I don’t find it so. But the PSBs are a relaxed loudspeaker. A bright and forward speaker would not be a good match.

Is the treble harsh?

The treble is detailed but I don’t find it harsh. Since I posted this I’ve upgraded to a pair of Monitor Audio Silver 500 7Gs which are detailed speakers but even so I don’t find it too forward. It’s not fatiguing to me like some setups can be.

What about tone controls?

@@gokhanersan8561 i was also afraid to miss tone control, especially the bass knob. However with good speakers, tone control is not needed. Besides, tone control only induces distortion and speaker damage if you play too loud. Trust me, the amp plays perfect without tone control.

I agree with you on that. A salesperson told me it was on the cooler side of neutral. Mixed reviews for sure.

I use this with the CXN V2 and I find it a warm but clear amp. I find the sound stage to be excellent, wide and deep enough for me. The articulation is impressive. I've heard it with Tannoy's XTF8s, Fyne Audio 500s and DALI Opticon 8s. It works best at 90dB /W at 1m sensitivity. I'm also thinking it would kick ass with Canton Vento floorstanders so that's my late spring /early summer experiment. I've seen some great deals on the CA CX set of the CXC CD transport, CXN V2 streamer & CXA81 integrated amp. This is a hugely versatile setup. Find the right speaker for your tastes and you'll have an extremely well built and matched system that will make you want to relisten to your favourite music for the joy of discovering nuances.

@@sdemosi Thanks, I actually purchased the amp. I’m using the Bluesound node 2i as a source, and the CXC on order. It works well with the Kef LS50s, which was my main reason for interest.

@@simianinc Hi, So u got CXA81 with KEF LS50 (NOT the Meta), correct ? how does it sound ? do u play low/medium/high volume ? thanx for your answer if u have time.

@@Xavman54 I enjoy the sound on the original LS50s. When there's no one else around, I tend to like playing around 75-80dB, which in my room is about 10 o'clock on the dial (so about a third). I have added a sub-woofer, as the Kefs don't give a deep enough bass for my taste - thankfully, the CXA81 has a subwoofer out

You better have one cuz you will never be able to adjust any treble or bass if needed. If you like the pure only ok. Better get sub.

@Barefoot The pair, speakers and amp, are insanely loud. Honestly I haven't pushed it all the way yet, as it is very very loud. Probably did about 70-80% of the full volume and it gets to an unbearable point where the whole house is shaking. I was concerned with not enough bass, as the 40i, on paper, don't go as low as you would think, but I was mistaken, bass is sublime, I ended up not needed a separate sub. Internal dac works perfectly fine. One thing I would recommend is bi-wiring, this amp and these speakers are setup for that. One thing you will love about this setup is the highs, I personally do not like listening to vocals or any music with a lot of highs, that is until I got these speakers, the tweeter is a completely different design, it brings vocals and high notes to life, it literally feels like somebody is there in front of you singing or playing a guitar.

Give the AXR100 some time. Its not very impressive out the gate. But if all goes well, you'll notice that you end up listening to the music more than the gear.

Randi Jackson I purchased this amp and it is really impressive.

@@ralex3697 sweet i just pulled the trigger on it. It arrives on tuesday. Cheers.

Cheers!

"It's interesting that CA chose to tip up the treble with this unit" - This is not surprising. Did you hear the CXA60 / 80? Trebles are a big issue for some speakers. They had to do something about it.

It should. My CXA61 sounds great with my Wharefedale 12.1’s.

Does the CXA80 have any bass management for integrating with subs? Just got the CXA81, q350s and an SVS sb-1000 sub… sounds great using the sub’s Lowpass filter but I feel like it would be even better if I could set crossover for the speakers.

@@AdamsBrew78 no there isn't any bass management on the CX80 to the best of my knowledge. If it does have that it may be listed in the manual section that I have not read, as I do not use any subwoofers in my setup.

Yes, good shout!

I have the audiolab 6000a and the 6000 CDT and it sounds great, I would also be interested to hear a review of the 6000a. Great review as usual.

Because people serious about audio don't subscribe to snake oil crap. Him talking about the massive soundstage makes me think CA are doing DSP shenanigans.

haha Nothings landed yet!

Man me too.

PLEASE URGENT!!!! SHAWN YOU HAVE TO REVIEW THE Anthem STR integrated ASAP

That's why I am going with the Iota VX amp and later stack. I have Klipsch speakers and they are very we hat do they say... Tilted forward. And with the music I listen to, that's probably just too much

Interesting, vocals seemed too laid back on my Elac UniFi 2.0s, thought it might pair better with Klipsch.

The RP600 has a little too much treble with just about anything unless your listening to only vocals

@@errorsofmodernism9715 yeah I agree I changed to a different speaker now 👍

Stijn Vanderlooy Very solid muscular amps, always very musical sounding.

and...in the late 80s there weren`t quality at low price?

Ты просто не дождался, пока он прогреется!

The Hint 6 is such a great all-around piece. You'll be making a solid choice.

I fixed the volume issue in 5 minutes by spraying some contact cleaner behind the volume knob after removing the top cover. It's literally just dust on the sensor.

??? A phono preamp built into a sub-$300 turntable can equal or outperform one in an amp (much less standalone phono stage)? ... highly doubtful.

PanAm Style that’s right .. included phono in budget tables is just to get folks in the game easily.

Would like to see this reviewed too. I got the CXA61 over the 6000A

Rhodri Matthews Good choice, Audiolab very boring and unmusical

@@ralex3697 not agree with you. I compared the audiolab, Musical fidelity m2si and cam ridge cxa80. It was clear for me, audiolab and mf m2si

Carlos Carlos please try Iotavx Sa3

@@maxrider2887 yeah but not bypass . Do it cannot be used with homecinema amplifier.

The cx60 in comparison with cx61 and cx81 is more neutral sounding (more balance as an amp) and can play with many speakers.And does not offend your ears.But next generation cx61-cx81 has agressive top end (listening fatigue).

Have you found anything ? I got the borea 02 and want to buy the cxa61 , I dont know how they pair

@@lucianvictorgudiu8926 Unfortunately not yet. I would be leaning towards the CXA61 or the Audiolab 6000A, but local distributors are negative to the idea of home equipment trials, thus we can just wait for the pandemic to fade out or buy on our own risk.

Thats one way to look at it - sure!

The Dayens Menuetto would be a far better match than the Saga+Vidar combo. Plus, it'll save you just. bit of money. :).

@@ZeroFidelity Thanks again never heard of it. Will check it out for sure. Ha have a nice weekend!

Hi Sean, do you think the Polk S55 speakers will pair well with the Cambridge CXA81, is there enough power in the CXA81 to power the Polks? Any knowledge on the Rotel RA-1592, if do you recommend this Rotel for excellent audio? Is the Rotel worth the extra expense? Thanks again for all the great reviews

No worries. I couldn't tell you how it compares. I never had the CXA80. From what I've read, the 81 uses the same circuit. Only with better op amps, caps, and some other parts. You'll likely need to do some more digging to satisfy that question.

​@@ZeroFidelity Thanks for the response!

@@kotowski525 I have had the 80 and now have the81. 80 was very good indeed but the 81 is so much better.

@khory kotowski the previous model had a Wolfson DAC and it didn't have built in bluetooth aptx. I assume that the digital components on the CX81 are better.

At least there's a volume marker now.I had to add one to my cx80.This can be very shocking when you turn it on after a part night.

You used usb as a source from Cambridge's internal dac?

@@20puskinas1992 The usb dac is very good quality if you like how the amp sounds.

@@iiiiii1449 no way it goona sound good. It might be servicable, but if youre judging amp based on internal dac then youre kinda stupid. These dacs built in is just dogshit quality that will hold amp back and introduce harshness.

This sounds better than the iota.

Hello, I have just got Cambridge cxa81. I have too aufiolab6000. As for me, Cambridge is brighter, more transparent. This is the reason it seems more detailed, more presence . When you listen classics, guitars, voices it is okay for its transparency but for the other type of music this transparency is a problem. It is as if the rest that compounds ( instruments ) the song was limited by transparency, as congested and sometimes strident. For me Audiolabs 6000a is more homogeneous, you can listen for hours, it is not the case with Cambridge. It is four days since I've been testing. I think this Cambridge is like the cxa80 but less clinical. It make me think Rega Elex r or nsim 5si, clinical and chirurgical sound I could not stand that I replaced by BC Acoustique ex332D, really impressive. As to Cambridge cca81's impressive details one can read on many tests on internet or magazine, I compared it to Audiolab 6000a and Audiolab has all details you can listen in a more coherent way. Details are there but with Cambridge cxa81 because it's transparency you "feel" more details but in reality for me are the same in both amplifiers. I would say you have more and deeply impact with aufiolab ( this sound seems to be based on a different bass, more home cinema in return Cambridge less impact). . Oneust be careful when listening to Cambridge and its transparency, it could tire in the end.

@@ulises3113 hey! interesting, so you prefer the audiolab 6000A to the cambridge CXA81? do you also own the BC Acoustique ex332D? you like it more than the cambridge and the audiolab?

@@themastroiannis il testing again ...The BC was really really good

@@themastroiannis I listened to Audiolab6000 with Dynaudio Emit10s. Beautiful separation, and no harshness when turning up the volume. However, Audiolab didn’t move the woofers; a bit lifeless in the midrange. Maybe with a Shiit Loki eq, one could get more bass and midrange. I am currently listening to Rotel a11, little less refined than Audiolab, but similarly forgiving turning up the volume without creating harshness. Rotel has tone controls, and produces beautiful bass from Dynaudio speakers. Downside is it accentuates the very high frequencies, that I am trysting to offset by using my Shiit Loki eq.

@@gokhanersan8561 hey! interesting! are you liking the Rotel more than the Audiolab overall? or you rather stick with the Audiolab?

You can't compare it with an avr reciever with tons of compromised features.

Good question, I'm wondering about that too.

Look at the Ioata VX. Nice thing.is you can buy it in two stages. Get the integrated amplifier first then hook the power amp up.later. Apparently it has power to spare. I have Rp26f's and it's tinny as hell with a so-so amp. I hook them to a good amp ( even the Onkyo A-9110 ) and ka boom. Great stuff. The Denon PMA600 was good too but both of those are budget amps. Everything I've heard about the Iota VX is absolutely incredible

Same dilemma here. I have had many NAD amps and hey are more neutral and warm. His comments about the high ends tend to define the main differences I think.

You mean a relatively small package that's easy to ship, being sold by retailers that demand being on Amazon as a part of the contract, is on t3h platform? Be still my heart!

Zero Fidelity like speakers? Hello triangle? Anyone home?

@@JEG6919 - Oh, you mean the least expensive speakers in the line?

Zero Fidelity Sell ALL items online lad. Like ALL hi fi items. We are WAY past the point.

@@JEG6919 I'll meet you halfway on this one. Too many manufacturers and distributors I know continue to cling onto the old and dying B&M business model. Namely dealership territories and keeping models beyond a certain price 'exclusive' as an attempt to support the dealers and to maintain and sense of 'prestige'. Many of these companies would be doing way better if they would have adapted 10-15 years ago. Having said that... Amazon isn't really the place for most of it. And there are plenty of products that require more of an in-home installation in order to achieve the kind of performance that the product is truly capable of. From somebody who actually knows what they are doing. But yes, I'll partially with you on the general sentiment.