The CXA81 is Cambridge Audio at its best. A modern integrated that blends clean industrial design with the kind of musical honesty that’s kept the British brand relevant for over 50 years. It’s an amp built to anchor a contemporary system, offering both the muscle and the flexibility to keep up with whatever source you throw at it.
Rated at 80 watts per channel into 8 ohms (120W into 4), the CXA81 has more than enough drive for most speakers, but what sets it apart is its refinement. Inside beats an ESS Sabre ES9016K2M DAC, capable of handling up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256, giving your digital sources the kind of resolution and transparency once reserved for separates. Connections cover all the bases: balanced XLR input, USB, coaxial, optical, and four analog inputs, plus Bluetooth aptX HD built right in for high-quality wireless streaming.
Sonically, the CXA81 walks that sweet line between authority and musical ease. Bass is taut and confident, mids open and expressive, and the treble has just the right amount of sparkle without fatigue. It’s a piece that adapts. Happy driving bookshelf speakers in a small room or anchoring a larger, more ambitious rig.
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