Entry Amplifier: Cambridge Audio AXA35 Review
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- čas přidán 11. 06. 2024
- Rarely a component get me to challenge my beliefs about Hifi. The Cambridge Audio AXA 35 is such a product. Find out why...
Link to manufacturer's webpage
www.cambridgeaudio.com/row/en...
Link to my Patreon
/ abritishaudiophile
Time stamps
Intro 0:00
Design & features 3:21
Technical insights 5:10
Sound quality 7:45
Setup & partnering equipment 13:48
Conclusion 16:46
Absolutely first class review, I have not listened to any Audio expert that comes close to this gentleman! What makes it so impressive is his ability to explain detailed technical information to someone trying to break into what is an enjoyable hobby, without having to break the bank to enjoy great music. Simply outstanding!
Thank you Noel. It means a great deal to get feedback like that 👍😊👍
he is the Laurence Olivier of audio who i consider the greatest actor ever!
@@josephvanalstyne4049 wow Joseph! Laurence Olivier is an idol of mine too 👍😊👍
Not to mention we can understand him all the way back in the cheap seats without closed-captioning. That is the mark of a master thespian. All this adulation, but what if he is an audiophile by day and master spy and assassin by night? Can you separate the two? I can; everyone needs a hobby to avoid being a one-dimensional person.
@@Flarptube you rumbled me! 003.5 😂
Listening to music is not a hobby, its a human necessity!
Great review!
Thank you. Love your passion 👍
I was blown away how good this video is. Truly blown away. In all seriousness, your videos are always a joy to watch. Thoroughly thorough. Great video, T.
Thank you buddy. Much appreciated. I hope you are well 😊👍
Blown away? Ha ha ha
I've just got hold of one of these. I've been listening to it for coming on two hours now and I'm impressed. It's pretty well-rounded, everything is so well-judged. It could be more dynamic, but it is satisfying enough. Nice, coherent soundstage, clear, discrete images. I'm using it in my office, nearfield, pushing Triangle BR03s, fed by a Schiit Gumby MB. I bought this largely off the back of this review, so thank you for that - I got this thing for a song, too!
Thank you for sharing your experience 😊
Nice to see Tarun is still putting out incredibly consistent high quality reviews, and has not been corrupted in any sense. Bravo.
Thank you buddy. Much appreciated 😊👍
A really first-rate review. Isn't it refreshing to hear that such high fidelity can be had for a reasonable price? Good news, indeed!
Thank you Reid. Much appreciated 😊👍
You do a better job of describing an amp’s sound than anyone on youtube so far. Nice work!
Thank you Choon. That is very kind 😊👍
Excellent, comprehensive review, but as the owner of a recently-purchased AXA35, I have to correct a comment you made about the units' front-facia being plastic - it is, in fact, metal.
Many other reviews have also indicated that this is the case.
Thank you 😊
I appreciate the honesty and depth of your reviews. Keep up the splendid work
Thank you Hugo. Much appreciated 😊👍
Love the way you show inside the product and explain the parts and their functionality.
Much appreciated Phil 😊👍
Sir, you speak so paced and clear, I don't get tired. Thank you sir! You do this job very professionally.
Thank you my friend. Much appreciated 😊👍
Thank you! I have an AXA35 and I could not be happier. It was more than what I expected. Thanks again for your wonderful channel.
Thank you Alexander. Much appreciated 😊👍
Thanks for hitting upon this entry level goodness and another fine example of being able to get into the quality gateway without a heavy lift. So good is their budget priced & warm duo phono preamp, it is still my go-to for late night vinyl spins.
Thank you Wolf 😊
Thank you for this review, I think you got it spot on. I bought this amp 18 months ago when I hadn't had a proper hifi for 15 years, just listened to my laptop through headphones or a 2.1 PC speaker setup. I put it with a Topping E30 and a pair of Klipsch R-610f speakers, £540 at the time, and it did (am I allowed to say this) blow me away lol. Have been a happy camper ever since 😁
Thank you Mike. Much appreciated 😊👍
A little highlight in my day to see a new video from you. 👍
Thank you Sylvio. That is very kind 😊👍
Thank you for this high quality review, your evaluation of the amplifier is excellent. Keep up the good work, its very much appreciated.
Thank you Hadrian. That is very much appreciated 😊👍
Tarun is a first class reviewer . He's technically adept on the subject and his reviews are well thought out and I especially appreciate and trust his opinions regarding gear comparisions. He is one of the greats on the subject of audio gear and his channel is one worth checking out.
Thank you my friend. That is very kind and means a lot 👍😊👍
Being able to acknowledge past mistakes (of perception in this case) is a true measure of character and integrity, and just part of what makes Tarun such an amazing hifi reviewer. Good Job mate! We're all students in this field.
Thank you my friend. That is very kind of you to say 😊
Well said 👏🏾
I've had one for a couple of years Tarun and I love it. It's so easy to listen to for extended periods. Great review, again! 🙂
Thank you 😊👍
Great review. I went to Richer Sounds last year to buy a Bluesound node for preamp and streaming duties. The staff told me I should try the Cambridge CXN . They gushed about it and convinced me to try it. Best store recommendation I’ve had. Lovely piece.
Thank you Colin 😊
I love the humility, if I may call it such.Honesty is very much appreciated.
Thank you my friend. Very kind 👍😊👍
I bought this Amplifier (refurbished) along with a pair of used AE 100 mk2's from eBay and an SMSL SU-1 dac...
and WOW, Just WOW.
Mission accomplished... Thank you Tarun! 👌
Great 👍
Just an update on this Amplifier .
I have moved it on after reading that Cambridge Audio both through their online manual and through their Amazon sales hub, DO NOT recommend it be used with speakers other than those with an 8 ohm impedance. They say that doing so can result in damage to the unit and/or connected speakers.
Online Manual (FAQ) Quote:
"Can I use 4 or 6 Ohm speakers with the AXA35?
The AXA35 is only rated to be used with 8 Ohm speakers and we would not recommend using it with 4 or 6 Ohm speakers.
Using the AXA35 with 4 or 6 Ohm speakers could result in the amplifier overheating, which in the long run could damage the unit."
Amazon Sales Hub | Customer Questions & Answers | Q & A Quote:
"Customer Question:
Does anyone have experience of using the axa35 with 6 ohm speakers (like the dali spektor 2s)? the manual says 8 ohms only.
Cambridge Audio (Seller):
Hi, as the AXA35 is only rated for 8 ohm speakers, we do not recommend using 6 ohm speakers. If you connect 6 ohm speakers to this amplifier, it could possibly damage either piece of equipment, and the amp may run quite hot."
Hello Rob here. I grew up with an audiophile (my Dad) and was blessed with owing some great gear at a very young age. I carried my equipment with me till I was around my early 20s and then the fast world of digital and my love for weekend binges took over. Fast forward to now and I’m a 40yo just starting my journey again, and this is the amp I’m buying. So thank you for your review and no doubt this channel will be a go to for all my future endeavours
Thank you my friend. That is a real privilege and greatly appreciated 😊👍
Excellent, insightful review. Very well done. It is great to know that you do not need to spend and arm and a leg on high quality units that can produce highly dynamic output.
Thank you Richard. This is a great amp offered at a very reasonable price 😊👍
A trip down memory lane with the list of amps available at that time in the 90's. I ended up with a Pioneer A400. And it was fantastic.
Thank you Winston. I enjoyed reminiscing too 😊👍
Excellent review Tarun, particularly enjoy the tour of the innards - looks like a surprisingly well put together amplifier for the money. Reviews like this tempt me to put a budget 2nd system together, perhaps with those AE speakers. The danger is it may show up my main system!
Thank you Steven. There are some great products for sensible money these days. The CA AXA35 / AE 100 mk2 is a terrific combination 😊👍
A brilliant intro Tarun, and a great story about how biases can become a big part of our perceptions and thinking. 👍
Thank you Baron. It is funny how they creep in with being noticed 👍😊👍
Tarun, always love your reviews. Your concise and very informative reviews are always appreciated. Keep up the excellent work! I will not buy this amp for myself but may buy it for my son 😉
Thank you 👍
Thank you Tarun, what a great review of a component at the more affordable end. Does anyone starting out in Hi-Fi need better advice than this - AXA 35 plus Acoustic Energy AE100.2. I have owned both brands in the past and have not been disappointed. Also good to see that you now have access to more "mainstream" brands such as Cambridge Audio. I am assuming that the unconscious bias against CZcamsrs by some of the bigger brands prevents you from accessing their products, would love to have you review brands such as B&W and Monitor Audio. They are depriving themselves of sales by not giving people like yourself access to their products. Thank you for the great work you do on this channel, I have learnt more from you in the past 2 years , than what I have learnt elsewhere in the past 20 years!!
Thank you. I am working on getting products from those brands but it seems to be very difficult to get the attention of right person 😊
The amplifier review was first class. Thank you for your confession on 'unconscious bias' Tarun, and well said. So many, especially in the audiophile world, suffer from this. Until a person actually hears a piece of gear they should keep opinions to themselves.
Thank you Dan. Much appreciated 😊👍
Great review! Huge fan from New Jersey!! Iv owned the axa35 for over a year and love it. I use it for both hifi streaming tidal and stream movies on my nvidia shield. Pairing my amp with a smsl su9 brings a whole new dimension to the sound!
Much appreciated 😊👍
Another great review, really enjoy each of your videos. To answer your question about having a bias, I had always thought subwoofers had no place in 2 channel listening. I was wrong. The addition of a subwoofer to my system has really enhanced the overall sound to my ears. I have struggled a bit to get it integrated properly, but when it's right, it sounds fantastic. It can be a bit "fiddly" to get it sounding seamless.
I've often thought the AXA35 with a pair of Triangle BRO3's and a Schiit Modi Multibit would form the basis of a very affordable, very nice sounding system. I've owned 2 of the 3 and have heard the AXA35, and believe they would be great together.
Thanks for the time you put into your channel, incredibly informative. The only must see stuff on CZcams for me.
Thank you Rich. Very kind of you to say. I totally agree, subs are tricky to integrate but invaluable if done correctly 😊👍
Hi tarun thanks for a great review, julian richer lives about 5 miles from me ,ive had the pleasure of meeting him ,a very nice gentlemen. Ive been buying hifi and TVs from richer sounds from the 80s, always had great service and value. I used many cambridge audio products over the decades and always thought they punched well above their weight. Looking forward to another review soon.thanks for your work on the channel I always look forward to seeing your reviews.
Thank you Paul. Julian has a great reputation in the industry 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 indeed
I love this honest review. No "egg" in my opinion, just an adjustment in perspective. I own the CXA80, CXN, and CXC in my work office. They are paired to a pair of Vandersteen Model 1b's. I enjoy this pairing. Recently, I used a pair of Klipsch Epic CF-2s with the kit in a large room. It was very impressive. I think Cambridge does a great job with their gear at all the price levels. As for bias, they tend to be in the looks department... I like a tradition gear look and will not buy products that stray from that. Thanks again!
Thank you Jerald. Much appreciated 😊👍
I bought it. Your review was one of those which helped me to pull the trigger.. As as mid income man, this purchase is far the best in decades for me in terms of price performance ratio. This device is unbetable. Thank You.
Great review. TY. The AXA35 is my first amp since my 1976 Kenwood KR-5600. I've been enjoying it. Now I know why. Cheers!
Thank you buddy 👍
Great informative review. This unit must be among the best in its price class. Well built, nice transfirmer. External styling really nice, looks more expensive than it is. Warm sound, may be a good fit for my Klipsch. Thank you.
Thank you Andrew. If you get to try it, please let me know you got on 😊
With you on the brand bias. I worked for a good period of time in an independent HiFi dealers in East Anglia during the early to mid nineties, and remember the original incarnation of Cambridge audio brand including its early release CD player’s dual displays randomly swapping with each other. When the brand switched to a Richer Sounds ‘own brand’ we all turned our noses up collectively (with our shelves full of Denon, Marantz, Rotel, arcam & musical fidelity amongst others..) I also held onto the brands I experienced back then for over two decades, and only recently converted to a pair of Q acoustics in one of my setups (thanks in part to this channel) 👍
Very interesting. Thank you Ram 👍
Ah Tarun, more of that classic British humor, i.e., "these sunny isles". Here in sunny California, it's 18c (64.4 using the proper temperature scale) at 9pm. Fortunately we haven't converted to metric time!
Thank you for yet another top-notch review. And may I say again how much I appreciate that your reviews always contain comparisons. In my view, reviews without comparisons are merely long advertisements.
On this side of the pond, I always thought of Cambridge (as well as NAD, Celestion, Proac among others) as classic British audio gear. And I was always blown away by their sound quality. Literally 'jaw-dropping'.
Thank you my friend. Your tastes seem to very much mirror mine 😊👍
Great video, Tarun! Just learned some more about the insides of an amp. And your intro was one the best so far. I bet one day you’ll be reviewing the phono stages as well ;)
Thank you Felipe. It was great chatting with you on Sunday. I shall be checking out that box set 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 thanks Tarun, Same here. Miles and Coltrane, the complete sessions, it has a pink box, six CDs I believe
Hi Taron, nice review. As I lived with the amp for a month, let me add a couple of things. 1) The front panel 3.5mm input has a gain of +10db which makes it ideal for connecting the headphone jack from from a phone (or USB to 3.5mm dongle). 2) Unfortunately the bass/treble controls adjust in 2db increments. It would be more helpful if they worked in 1db increments. A pretty good-sounding DAC that pairs well with this unit is the Micca OriGen G2 High-Resolution USB DAC and Preamplifier - 24-Bit/192kHz PCM. It's $109 at Amazon in the US, so I would imagine it's available across the pond as well. The DAC not only has a USB input but also an optical connection for hooking up your TV. The rear panel USB A port will power the DAC or a Homespot apt-X Bluetooth module. For the money, my feeling was that Cambridge made a world of correct choices when designing this amp. The only thing I would change would be the steps on the tone controls.
Thank you Larry. Great to learn about your experiences 👍
I agree mate, the tone controls spoil this little amp , picked one up used & cheap, clean, crisp, detailed but not worth the current £3-350 price, would audition it against Denon pma 800ae or Marantz pm 6007 first if buying new.
@@bigambientdeath Lots of folks compare this to the original NAD 3020, which as memory servers, I paid around $100 for one in the late '70s. Adjusted for inflation, the two amps are similarly priced, but the Cambridge is head and shoulders better built. Given that the tone controls appear software-based the decision to do 2db steps is a bit of a head-scratcher. I'd be willing to guess that the engineers thought people would appreciate the bigger steps as they would be more pronounced. I returned mine for a Rotel A11 Tribute, which was over twice the price. I know Cambridge was the better value, but I always wanted a piece of Rotel gear. Since I tend to keep things for years, prices really didn't matter all that much. BTW, if you want to play with something fun and fix the tone control issues, check out the Paradigm PW-Link room correction module. They're on closeout for $199. This is essentially the Anthem Room Correction module in a free-standing box complete with a DAC that Cambridge lacks.
@@larryh9525 😅
@@bigambientdeathagreed.
When I first seriously got into hifi in the early 80s, the first ‘boutique’ dealer I visited was Radford Hifi on Gloucester Road in my home town of Bristol. It was an ‘eye opener’, like being sent back to college, but this time to be lectured on a subject that you were actually interested in. One thing that was impressed very forcefully on my under developed audio brain, was the futility of tone controls on an amplifier. Although today, 40 audiophile years later, I respect freedom of choice and don’t judge those whose amps incorporate tone controls, I’ve always, or at least, since the 80s had an in built bias against amps with tone controls and would still never consider purchasing or owning one.
I know in my heart of hearts that tone controls can be built into an amp without necessarily being detrimental to it’s sonic realism, but that doesn’t countermand my bias!
Thank you Howard 😊
If you're lucky enough to have a dedicated listening room that you can set up to achieve the perfect sound then that's fantastic but we're not all that fortunate and having some room correction available via Balance and Tone controls can make all the difference if you have to make compromises around speaker placement or your room acoustics are impacted by furniture etc.
@@paulwebster9030 quite the opposite. My hifi has to fight for it’s right to be in our family lounge. Speaker placement is influenced more by the aesthetics committee, AKA the wife, and is based on best aesthetics, not sonic performance. If I were to try and introduce any type of room treatment, I would likely find myself in the divorce courts. Actually, I’m not an advocate of room treatment. I think it can often be a costly solution to a trivial problem. Most family lounges, with carpets, rugs, cushions, sofas Etc. Are more than adequately acoustically damped.
As for tone controls, they’re not top of my priority’s, but, as I went at length to explain in my original comments, ice nothing against tome controls and never judge someone for their choice. I was merely answering the question, ‘does anyone have what transpires to be am unfounded bias’!!
A great review. It's nice to listen to a bloke who knows his onions.
I've been shopping for hifi at Richer Sounds (Leeds) since 1997 and very rarely go anywhere else.
I've just purchased the Cambridge Audio CXNv2 streamer and I'm staggered at how well built it is. I'm now thinking of getting rid of my Rega Brio amp for a CA CXA61/81 and a Graham Slee MM phono stage.
Thank you Steven. Very kind of you to say 😊👍
To the best "detailed" reviewer on the tube. Kudos, Tarun.
Thank you James. That is very kind and much appreciated 👍😊👍
I purchased the matching AXC35 CD player around a year ago. My first experience w/Cambridge Audio products. Sound quality and overall minimalist function have been excellent! I hope the long term reliability ends up matching the audiophile sonic performance "on a beer budget."
Thank you Alan. I hope you are enjoying them for years to come 👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Thanks Tarun. I only own the CD player and use a Schiit Vidar for power amplification combined with a legacy Richard Lee Audio passive preamp. BTW - I dig your channel. Keep up the great work! All the best!
@alan I’m thinking of buying the same set up, what speakers would you recommend? And what turntable if you use one.. thanks
Same question to Tarun
I bought an AXA 35 for €349 in 2019 and boy did I have a good time with it. It drove my Dali Oberon 5 speakers with no problems and the combo always sounded lovely. I would have kept it for sure if I had another room in need of a second system but ended up selling the AXA 35 to grab the chance of getting a Rega Elex-R for €869 last year, couldn't miss that now could I? Sometimes I miss that great little AXA 35 and wish I'd kept it in my bedroom or something but that would be wasteful.
That is great. Thank you for sharing Nuno 😊
As always a lovely balanced review. Enjoy your channel a lot. By the way the Richer Sounds in Cambridge has moved to the opposite side of the street very recently. One of the biases I have had for a very long time was that floor standing speakers were better than bookshelf speakers. I have always had floor standers all my life, till about 5 years back when I was so impressed with a book shelf that I bought them & they are what I have now.
Which bookshelf speakers replaced which floor standers?? Genuinely curious I've been on the hunt lately and have listened to 5 bookshelf in the £1500 - £2000 range and my 1999 purchased Ruark Acoustic Templar II floorstanders ( £750 new at the time )still annihilated all of them.
I'm running a valve preamp into a 600 wpc power amp so can drive any speaker on the market
So back to looking at floorstanders for me 😃
Thank you Indrajit. Much appreciated 😊👍
@@sbwlearning1372 MY B&W 603 S2 were replaced by Harbeth P3ESR. Given the size & my room set up the smaller speakers were a really nice set up. However i did not have the option of bringing it home to test so a bit of a blind call. But i loved the sound. If you are into primarily rock music then you may need a sub else for Jazz, country & classical this is more than enough.
So nice to hear you talking openly about your unconscious bias. Deep knowledge and humbleness is a very nice combination!
Thank you my friend 😊👍
I'm rocking a CXA81 mated to a pair of Chario Constellation Cygnus speakers and couldn't be happier... next up the CXC and maybe the CXN to complete the setup
I've always enjoyed the CA range, my first stereo long ago was one of their amps with a Marantz SE CD player... wish I still had that stuff
Thank you 😊
I bought this amp when I moved and my “high end” stuff was in storage. I hate to admit it but the affordability was the primary factor - although I did see some good comments about in online. I totally agree with your assessment! This is an absolutely wonderful piece of equipment. Now I wonder if I should upgrade to one of the more powerful amps in the Cambridge line. Not sure why though because this thing drives any of the speakers I have very well. While I use a sub with most of my speakers and this amp, I do think it brings out enough bass in bookshelf speakers - such as the Klipsch RP 600m that a sub isn’t necessary. I have a pair of open baffle Caintuck Betsy speakers that this amp brings out the best of. Maybe it is that warm attribute you identified; but the Cambridge sounds better with them than a tube amp or monoblock Schiit Aeigirs I have tried. I really just intended to buy this to provide some music until my other gear arrived and then sell it. Now, I will not be parting with it.
Thank you for sharing John 😊
This review makes me want to make a purchase! Thank you Tarun!
Thank you Naresh. If you do, please let me know how you get on 😊
Great review and very surprised as well lol never would have thought twice about this amp otherwise.
Thank you Michael 😊👍
Very good review. I think Cambridge has some good amplifier products.
I recently bought the CXA-81 back in December. It is the best amp I’ve ever had and I’m very happy. I’d love your take on that amp.
Again, great review and Lee up the great work. 🤘🏼🎸🤘🏼
Thank you Scott. Much appreciated 😊👍
I'm very glad the axa35 is getting some much needed attention. With the axc35 they make a very attractive stack and the remote controls both of them. I'm glad grizzled audio veterans are giving this great little amp a chance! Hopefully it means more affordable products with great quality in the future!
This grizzled audio veteran certainly enjoyed it 😂
There's no shortage of products period. Purchasing an amplifier has never been so confusing. On the ultra cheap side you have Chinese amplifiers with class D Texas Instruments chips which harness so much hype. There's a new chip every other week, it's hard to keep up. Then you have a plethora of A/B amplifiers from the typical eastern brands like Yamaha/Denon/Pioneer/Onkyo/Sony. Then you have smaller, specialist brands like NAD or Cambridge Audio. And then it gets even more confusing with "Hi-Fi" class D amplifiers using Hypex/ICE chips. And then anything goes. It's a confusing mess. You don't know where to start. If Chi-Fi amps are worth anything. If you're not better off just buying a used Yamaha amp or saving up and buying the latest from NAD or Cambridge Audio at the entry level etc...
@@user-xg6zz8qs3q thank you for posting this. It really gets across how daunting it can be. Sometimes you just have to take the plunge after some due diligence and start somewhere 👍
I'm listening to this with the AX35 amp, Cambridge SX-50 speakers, and Modi 3 DAC as my desktop system. Love it.
That is great 👍
Great review,very professional and has no BS.
Thank you Mick 😊
Another really good, well-balanced review. Two other things stood out to me:
1. “Sunny” isles
2. “I don’t own a turntable”
Both made me laugh! 🤣
Thank you buddy. I try to keep it lighthearted 😊👍
Hi Tarun, Good review for the AXA35. I might be wrong but this looks remarkably like the Cambridge Audio Topaz AM10 which I have. This to is 35watts and very similar in layout. Obviously I can't compare directly but it appears to be the same. Nothing wrong in that either, its a very capable amplifier for small beer.
Thank you. I never got around to listen to the Topaz 10 😊
I started getting more serious about audio during the same period you talked about and the Cardiff branch of Richer Sounds was the 1st place I shopped for my 1st separate system. I bought a Cambridge Audio A5 amp, KEF Cresta 2 speakers and a NAD 521i CD player, and looking back I’m so glad I made these exact purchases because they did a fantastic job of confirming my hopes and expectations of how I imagined separate electronics sound and the fact they were British was a bonus. I ran this system for many happy years and although I have upgraded over the years (currently own Rega Apollo amp and cd) I still own my Cambridge audio system and it sounds as sweet now as it did back then, and my bias of British Audio still remains. I have no qualms about buying Cambridge Audio products as they produce some fantastic sounding electronics for the money. I still shop at Cardiff RS and although it hasn’t changed that much in all these years I will always have a soft spot for this store where my introduction to audiophile electronics started.
Great. You never know, we may have rubbed shoulders in that store 😊
A first class review and in easy to understand terms. Cambridge now one to consider as i been a NAD amp man for years and in the makret for a new amp.
Thank you kindly 😊👍
Thanks for another great, level-headed review, Tarun. As to your question, I like to think I'm conscious of my biases and one of the most obvious is my bias against British electronics. I suspect it's because I remember the janky efforts of Britain's big-name brands and the built-in-a-shed aesthetic of our better manufacturers at the end of the 70s. It's probably time I challenged myself on this!
Thank you buddy. Good to hear from you 😊👍
I have this little amp and I have been very happy with it. I have it paired with the matching AXC CD player in my office. Needing a DAC I went back and forth for several months on inexpensive options and trying to keep the cost of my new system low, and eventually I bit the bullet and went with the CA DACmagic 200. It cost nearly as much as the amplifier, and some would say it was overkill, but this setup has been completely worth it to me. The warm sound, which I prefer, is great to my older ears. And if I decide to upgrade the amp at a future time I'm ready to go. The next step in my system upgrade is speakers. I'm currently using Polk Audio floorstanders that I bought in 1996. They still sound great, but they're too big for my office and I think I would be happier with some good bookshelf speakers. I have been waffling back and forth on several British brands, wanting to keep the system "all British" and I hadn't considered the Acoustic Energy AE100's until your video. Until now I've been focused on Q Acoustics and Wharfedale, which seems to be another good pairing with this amp. It looks like Acoustic Energy may be harder to get in the US though. Thanks for the video!
Thank you Dan. I really enjoyed learning about your experiences 😊
I would look into the new Mission 770's. I see they are now landing on the American shores, so hoping I can eventually fing a dealer to get an in person review.
@@jamesschneider3828 Thanks for the suggestion. Those are really nice speakers, but still probably a little too big for my space. Would love to hear them sometime though. They remind me of the Wharfedale Lintons with those stands.
Your description of your days with Richer Sound certainly took me back in time, and yes I did end up with a Marantz back in the day! great review, the LM3886 has a cult following and is generally highly regarded so its up to the manufacturer to build a preamp & power supply around it and you`ve got good results. The LM3886 is popular with DIY hobbyists after its first, infamous, inclusion in the GainCard amplifiers quite a few years back
Thank you JD 👍
Another fantastic review! Thanks Tarun!
Thank you Bryan. Much appreciated 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 knickers in a twist > undies in a bunch
Great review thank you, I would love to see a review of the Cambridge CXA81 in the future, would be interesting to see what you get from Cambridge for 1K compared to the AXA35
Thank you John. I would like to do just that 😊👍
I use AXA35 with Elac Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52. The system sounds amazing!!! There is more than enough power for a 30 square meter room. The amp is a bomb!
Thank you for sharing buddy 😊
Your speakers are bomb(s) too!
Much better than Q Acoustics and Acoustic Energy bit they are not produced by British company, right? He,he, he...
I tried this amp with those Elacs and I found that you are only hurting them as they crave power. If you haven't unplugged them, I would do so immediately.
You will need double that power, at least to get decent efficiency. They are 140 watt speakers rated down to 6 ohms.
Excellent review. On a whim I purchase the AXA35 30 minutes ago. It was $50 of the regular price of $399 and I purchased it from a tax free dealer. I also came upon a pair of Dali Oberon 7's for an unbelievable price at Best Buy. I won't believe I got that good a deal until the speakers arrive at my door. The only thing I had to compromise on was the color, but at $700 of list price I'll accept a white speaker. One of the two main reasons I purchased the AXA 35 was your review and it comes with a phono preamp. Cheers.
Great! I hope you enjoy them 😊👍
How is the Cambridge and Dali treating you?😊
Thanks Tarun.
After watching your review & Steve Guttenberg's of this amp I picked up a used one for a bargain. I have to say you were spot on.
I had an original NAD 3020 back in the day when I was just a little younger but, this thing is miles ahead of that amp.
I am ditching all my surround gear & going back to my 2 channel roots. It's great to know there is quality gear out there for not too much money.
Love your style of presentation. Keep up the good work!
Thank you my friend. Much appreciated 😊👍
Nxt move a turntable??
@@matthewtaylor7355 I have one already! The phono input on the AX35 was significant improvement on the NAD and the Denon receiver I was using. 😁
Thanks Tarun, nice review.
Lower capacitance power supply capacitors are fine when they feed voltage regulators IF there is enough overhead into the regulators which I imagine the engineers at Cambridge have instituted. The LM3886 done right is a very good chip and there have been a lot of people fooled by its sonics.
Thank you 😊
The regulators are for the preamp and control system I think.
@@peterlarkin762 That's possible. You can tell by the case of the regulator, something in the TO-220 (flat about 12mm square) with a heatsink is very likely the power amp and something in the smaller TO-92 (signal transistor size) case would likely be for low power apps - preamps. I'm not sure which is used though.
Tarun, first the Arcam SA10, and now the AXA35, I own both... and they are both great!
Thank you Joseph 😊
Hey Joseph, how did you connect your DAC with the the AXA35 ? Via the USB Port on the backside of the AXA. Does it then mean that every source I throw into the AXA is then supported by the DAC? Thanks a lot for your reply.
@@angelheart7643 The USB port is for power only, You connect a Dac to the Cambridge via RCA out from DAC to RCA in on Amp.
I have a Cambridge audio A5 amp and paired with mission M73i speakers sounds exactly how you describe the ax35. A great starting point for someone getting into audio. A great review.
Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences Barry 👍
Excellent review, I'm sorely tempted!
Thank you 👍
I chose a first gen CXA60 several years ago after doing my research. Mated it with the CXC transport. What a value the pair turned out to be. Apparently Cambridge Audio is sustaining its bang for the buck reputation. I recommend CA to any who might ask for suggestions.
Thank you for sharing Eric 😊
I also have a CXA60 and matchiing cd player bought it from Richer Sounds with speakers and a Pro-Ject turntable really happy with the package i got from them.
@@anthonyphillips6662 that is great 😊
Another good video. I have a built in bias towards Klipsch speakers. Growing up my father had a pair of K-Horns and he and his buddies would crank them up to painful levels. This was back in the early to mid 60s when stereo was still ne and many of the stereo recording were of sound effects. Planes flying by, trains, race cars etc. The harshness and high volume really stuck with me and I still find the sound of Klipsch to run counter to my tastes. Currently I run the Cambridge AXR100 and am very, very pleased with its performance. I have it connected to my Elac Debut 2.0 F62s. My criteria was to be able to listen for hours on end without fatigue but also with very good sound quality. It delivers.
Thank you buddy. I appreciate you sharing 👍
Excellent review, I found your comments so interesting I will short list this for consideration.
Thank you. Much appreciated 😊👍
This is the first time that I have seen you on CZcams, I have a Cambridge 851A and a Cambridge 851w power amp and the title of the post drew me in, I like to hear the reason/s when someone has a bias for but particularly against a certain brand, I feel that if someone else can have a bias then of course I will also (just with something different probably).
Let me start here though, your delivery is wonderful, you don't gush, you don't degrade an item or the brand, you are calm and measured throughout, I mean that in a good way too, I was hanging on to your every word, you are very fair in your descriptions and views, I didn't feel that there was any bias toward or against any of the items mentioned, I'm making this sound as though this was really dull, but far from it, everything was carefully considered before being delivered in that wonderful calm and deliberate manner, no overblown fake enthusiasm or overwhelming derogatory remarks, I came away with useful information about several items, some more useful to me personally and some less so, but the information was there for each item including little extra bits that I don't need right now, but they will be there should I have any need for them later on.
I read many reviews from magazines (online based these days), of course there are many biased reviews, there always has been, those will continue to be unfortunately, after around 50 years of reading them you learn to weed out the paid for reviews, unfortunately some reviews don't know any other way of writing a review and they will either love it or hate it, those people should only review for Marmite, I have no idea of your background and so I take notice of the words that you say, and as your delivery is so smooth and none scathing I listen to what you say, which to my mind is how it should be mostly at any rate.
Thank you for such clarity in your delivery and thank you also for not being outright biased. Take care :)
Hi Chris, it is receiving feedback like that which makes running this channel so worthwhile. You have pretty much summarised what I am trying to achieve in my reviews. Thank you so much for taking the time to post this. It means more than I can express 👍😊👍
Tarun, you need to finally review the Proac DB1. I’m sure most of us are really interested in your opinion of these speakers. Make it happen !
I would love to but they won’t send it to me 😢😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314 I wish I lived in England next to you first of all I will take you out for a super lunch cause you are the best because you made me spend a lot of money and I could not be happy thank you so much somebody’s listening please send him those papers to review
@@stephencosta6814 Hi Steve, I would take you to what I consider the greatest inn in the country, steeped in history, stunning setting, gasto pub food without being pretentious but you won’t have to foot the bill 👍😊👍
Great assessment of a great budget amp.The AXA25 and 35 are great sounding, and incredibly affordable, gear that compete very well against the similarly priced Denon PMA 600NE, NAD 316BEE, and Yamaha A-S301, which are all great sounding choices too. An even better deal is the slightly more costly AXR85, which has 85 watts and an FM tuner, and the nearly identical AXR100 with 100 watts (and both sound even better than the 25 and 35, IMO), and the much pricier CXA61 and 81 are good amps too, although the 61 and 81 have no tone controls, which is a deal breaker for me.
Thank you Dick Muncher for your assessment!
I'll be sure to run out and purchase BOTH the AXR85 and mind-blowing, powerful 100 WATT AXR100.
@@JamesBrown-jy5sy 😄
@@JamesBrown-jy5sy He knows a million times more about audio than you mate, you infant.
Thank you DM 😊
@@JamesBrown-jy5sy I have the 85 and I am very happy with it. I don’t need the power it holds but I bought it as a keeper to upgrade my system around it when budget allows it and or the tech itch beckons
Hi Tarun. I admit that I share the same bias regarding Cambridge kit that you brought to this excellent review. After thinking about your remarks I wondered from where that bias originated. I've never owned any of their kit and have never even heard any of their amps. At some point I decided, based on nothing, that Cambridge was not really "high-end" kit and undeserving of my attention. I'm pleased that you did this review. It just shows us that we've still a ways to go in understanding how we listen to recorded music. As always thanks for a brilliant review.
Thank you Gary. I appreciate you sharing this 😊👍
Wow, what a great review and thank you for reviewing an amplifier at this price point. 😎👍🏻
Much appreciated Mike 😊👍
My dad had an obsession with buying listless (to my ears) Denon mini systems back in the day - now I always discount the brand as potential option, which may be unfair.
Thank you for sharing TTT 👍
This sounds interesting. I occasionally buy used from ebay, amps from the late 80s/90s simply to power back-up hi-fi systems in the house, or a lower quality hi-fi in another room than my main one. I have an old Arcam Alpha amp 30w pc and an old Creek CAS4140 amp 35w pc. If you are familiar with those old amps, is this new Cambridge amp in that ball park of performance, or an improvement? If so, its a possibility when one of the old amps finally dies.
It would be interesting to do an A/B comparison with an old Arcam Alpha or Creek. I suspect some of those old amps will fair pretty well but today’s standards 😊
Got the CAX81 3 years ago, thought it was a little bright at first but now I'm more than happy with it, recently paired it up with a Rega Planar P8/Apheta 3 + Rega Aria and I think it sounds great, being able to play from my PC through the USB input is also a nice touch.
Only discovered your channel recently and thanks to your recommendation on another video the excessive hiss I was experiencing from the Aria has been eliminated with the introduction of both the Tacima mains conditioner strip and Parallel mains conditioner.
Thank you 😊
Always great videos from this good man, great indeath information
Thank you Mark. Much appreciated 😊👍
I like the Cambridge audio sound and they look nice but I have never had one that made it past 4 years old. My last try was the cxa60 which sound great but kept going onto mute.
I’ve been team Denon ever since :) 🥳
Thank you for sharing 😊
After fourteen months, the source selector stopped workin on my AXA35, was stuck on A1. Crutchfield replaced it quickly after just a few questions.
@@conanshinn8348 that is a shame 😊
Excellent, thank you.
I'd be very interested in your opinion of this guy's big brother, the CXA81.
Agree!
Thank you. I hope to do that 😊👍
Great work as always Tarun. You have set the standard together with a the exiled John Darko.😉 My bias was finance and wifey. But now since a year back I got the Cambridge integrated CXA61, streamer DAC CXN v2 and cd transport CXC and I’m happy with my new clear sound. Life is now sweeter sounding.
Thank you Rikard. Very kind 😊
You do this very well. I might well look into this amplifier in a year or two.
Thank you 😊
Nice review. It would be interesting to compare vs NAD's amps in this price range.
Thank you. That would be cool 😎
@@vincentpedalino618 thanks. you say it well. Thats what im looking for. Improve the ability to manage complex music but keeping the energetic presentation of the c316 i like so much.
Hi Tarun! I recently bought a CXA81 after demoing 3 sets of speakers with the AXR85 which I was almost certain I was going to purchase going into the store.
I was very skeptical about the influence an amplifier could have on sound but as soon as we swapped in the CXA81 it absolutely brought out the best of the speakers I was testing out. I've been patiently waiting for the day you get your hands on one for a video xD
I low key suspected you had a bias against Cambridge Audio seeing as it was one of the only brands you hadn't reviewed which you have easy access to.
Thank you Julian 😊
i love my CXA81
My Cambridge AXR100 has the exact same sound characteristics. I bought it specifically for it’s warmth, as I found my Yamaha AS801 to be too bright. And I too noticed the beautiful tonality of the Cambridge. As far as features, my AXR100 has a dac, a single sub out (would have preferred stereo sub out), and speaker A/B outs. One thing that’s been endlessly useful is the tone controls which can be accessed with the remote. Have a good one!
Thank you Jeremy 😊
Interesting review Taron. Those filter caps in the power supply do seem small in size for 2200uF.
I don’t think you mentioned their voltage rating. Obviously, the voltage, the capacitance, and the type of capacitor it is, will dictate smallest possible size. I noticed the AXA25 has front panel tone controls, but the AXA35 doesn’t. Aside from the 1.5 dB drop of output power capability, wondering how the AXA25 differs in presentation? Cheers!
I own both the AXA 25 and 35, they both have Tone Controls.... The 35's Tone controls are in the menu. To answer your question, the AXA 25 seems a bit punchier at lower volumes but overall the 35 is a bit better.
Both are great
@@thomasward00
Thanks a whole lot for your response! I’d like to buy one of these small amps, as I need one,
but I guess it’s no easy decision .. 🤔 Is it possible to do everything without the remote control on the AXA35, iow, if the remote control breaks, will you lose any functions?, that would basically be a dealbreaker for me..👨🏻
I think the caps are rated at 53v. That may account for the size. I believe the AXA25 has potentiometers for the tone controls but is overall a similar design 😊
I’ve had the AXA35 for around a year now. I love it, adore it for the all the reasons you mentioned. BUT I recently upgraded to the Rega IO and I can tell you that in the sub-$1k range the Rega easily bests the Cambridge in sound quality across the board. But I should mention that the Rega is twice the price, at least in the States.
Thank you for sharing 😊
Hello! May I ask, what particular characteristics did the Io clearly outdo the AXA35? Am planning on this unit too, any input will be much appreciated. Thank you!
I bought AXA35 beginning of the year and used a Shiit Modi 3e DAC and a vintage pair of Bowers & Wilkens 685s2 and love the sound, and maybe will pair it with other speakers but at the moment happy. I just wish there were good DACless streamers at a reasonable price point out there. Enjoy the brilliant reviews from you every time.
Much appreciated my friend 😊👍
Tarun, you are so articulate and informative in your reviews. Thank you for this. I'm a mid level audiophile and it is so helpful to learn about this hobby from someone who is so knowledgeable, but not elitist, patronising, or using language that doesn't make sense to someone outside of the What Hi Fi editorial team.
Thank you Phil. That is very much appreciated 😊👍
We just need you to make us feel good about our audio gear with your reviews. Not everyone can afford Hegels
Understood 😊
Thank you for a very interesting review - but I now have a quandary. I already own an Audiolab 6000A and was considering changing it for an Atoll IN80 Signature - something you recently reviewed. I find the Audiolab too neutral for my taste, so perhaps I should just downgrade to the Cambridge AXA35 for a warmer presentation. What are your thoughts on the Atoll v Cambridge - does the Atoll have more refinement, detail, scale, dynamics?
But the 6000A is so good already. The IN80 wouldn't be much of an upgrade.
In my experience (I have the Atoll IN100 SE) Atoll is neutral, but doesn’t lack warmth, if that makes sense. In other words, I guess, it conveys warmth when it’s in the recording - it’s honest. Since the Atoll line uses MOSFETs for output, they are more “tube-like” but are not “tubey”. They run in Class A quite a way up their output, certainly enough for moderately loud (not insane) high volumes, depending on speaker load, of course.
Also, IRRC, the IN80, like the IN100 and above, has dual power transformers and dual mono design. As far as price goes, I’m not sure how these compare to the pricier Cambridge models, but I love my IN100 even though it’s about twice the price of my DECware ZEN SE84UFO. I did not really expect to like the Atoll that much.
Final note - Atoll amps take a LOT of time to break in. The distributor here says 200 hours. In my experience it was more than that, maybe close to 300. If people find they are not warm enough, then they may have listened to a unit that was not sufficiently broken in. Also before break-in they do not really sound cohesive or well sorted, if that’s understandable. When my IN100 broke in it was pretty sudden - the difference was not subtle!
Am I a shill for Atoll? Make your own judgment I suppose, but I was surprised that the amp was as great as it is for a solid state amp. FWIW, the add on internal DAC was not anything special when I evaluated it, though it may have needed more break-in. I felt my very old but lovely Teac UD-301 was at least its equal, and it was already paid for.
Cheers
Hi David, it has been a while since I reviewed the Atoll IN80 Signature. If memory serves, the AXA35 will run the 80Sig closer than it has any right to but the Atoll is better. It will certainly play louder is even more dynamic. I suspect that both the AXA35 and the 80 Signature will be better than the 6000A in some ways but not in others. You should wait until you can upgrade to something at the level of an Exposure 2510 😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Thank you for replying, Tarun. And your good advice.
Great review Taron. Will have to demo it.👍
Thank you Bill. Please let me know how you get on 😊
Great Review! Nice job Tarun! I will certainly include Cambridge Audio’s higher models in my audition list when I do upgrades. Call me old school but when I see through-hole discreet components I automatically assume good sound. That “power purification”, frankly appears to be quite opposite, it looks like a switch mode power supply that powers the control board though.
Great work Tarun! Keep it up!! 👍🏻
Thank you William. Very kind of you to say 😊👍
My bias was bose , then I demonstrated a vintage 901
Series 3 set with a monster mac intosh pre power with a naim CD player , when set up correctly in a suitable room which to be honest needs to be huge with at least 3 feet behind them I was floored , u2 , Beatles , John martyn , steely Dan , jazz , blues , acoustic music everything was unbelievable, it’s a pity that the acoustimass cubes have given bose a bad rep when 40 years ago they made class
Thank you Neale 😊