Cambridge Audio CXA61 Integrated Amplifier Review
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- čas přidán 9. 09. 2020
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We always liked the look of the previous CX series in how they used a slightly tapered front panel and a solid front foot, which makes the unit look like it is floating in the air above your shelf. This design continues in the new CX models with a color update to a sleek looking Lunar Grey color. The front panel is clearly laid out. In the center you’ll see a display with the source selection buttons. Analog inputs are on the left and digital on the right. Right in the center is the speaker selector button which gives you a choice of A, B, or A&B. The front side also includes a headphone output and a mini-plug audio input on the left. The previous models in the CX series had tone controls, and we were a little displeased to not find them on the new CX line up. Cambridge Audio made the decision to put every dollar towards the best possible sound quality, which certainly came true when we did our listening tests.
If you switch things around a lot you know it can be really frustrating to lean over the back of an amp trying to read the connections upside down. Cambridge Audio cleverly prints the labels for everything both right side up and upside down, a great touch! Fit and finish on the CXA61 is just first class. One thing that really jumps out is the quality of the binding posts which are top rate and can handle a large spade lug. Cambridge Audio designs and engineers all of the products in the UK. Production of everything has been at the same Asian factory for almost 25 years instead of just going with the lowest offshore bid. This philosophy has resulted in very consistent, great build quality for over two decades.
The connection possibilities on the CXA61 will cover a lot of situations. You have 4 rear analog RCA inputs, a front mini plug analog input, 2 Toslink digital inputs, a coax digital input, and even a USB input. The older series required a separate, optional adapter for Bluetooth, but it is built into the CXA61. We like the fact it also has preamp outs and a subwoofer output. here are two sets of triggers on the back, an external IR input, and an RS232 connection for home control systems. You can even lift the ground on the USB input in case your computer might cause some hum, pretty neat! If you are looking at the CXA81 in comparison, it adds a set of balanced audio inputs,and gives up the front panel mini analog input. The DAC used in the CXA61 is an ESS Sabre ES9010 K2M. That is a lot of letters, but this is a high performance, audiophile level DAC capable of Hi Res Audio, even up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD256 quality when using the USB input from a computer. This is one area where the CXA81 does exceed the CXA61 in performance. Its DAC is also an ESS Sabre32 DAC, but in the next level up in the ESS series. If a lot of your audio is in the form of digital files, you might want to consider the CXA81 for $300 more. We feel the better DAC offers more dynamic sound, a slightly quieter background, and just a better sense of musical involvement.
We connected it up to our best selling pair of bookshelf speakers, the Klipsch RP600M speakers- which by the way is just a magical speaker for the money. Our source was a Sonos Port with it’s digital output going into the CXA61 Coax digital input. This amp felt like the perfect match for these speakers as it drove them extremely well. As you might imagine, the Klipsch speakers have the ability to rock the house, which could easily be done with the CXA61 driving them, but they also maintained a really full sound when we turned the volume way down. These bookshelf speakers can get down pretty low and the bass was full and fast using the CXA61. Stereo imaging was spot on with a wide and deep soundstage. Paired with just about any speakers that are somewhat easy to drive, the CXA61 will perform way beyond what you would expect for what it sells for.
The CXA61 has enough inputs to satisfy ust about any system we can think of. With its great build quality, it should give you decades of great sound. If you are looking for an amp in the $1000 range and down, the CXA61 should be on your list. It is definitely worth saving up for if you are thinking in the $500-$900 price point as most people keep their integrated amps for 10+ years. - Věda a technologie
Sydney, Australia. I bought one of these yesterday, my 55yo musicians ears feel right at home. Great review which helped me to pull the trigger on the CXA61. Thanks so much, regards Cameron Febuary 2024.
Awesome! Glad you enjoy it!
Me too. I’m loving it! 👍🏼🎶😎
I paired this with B&W 606 S2 Anniv. Edition, really good combo. Also running a Raspberry Pi4b via USB Audio on this CXA61 and you get high quality streaming through Tidal or Deezer HiFi. Couldn't be more happier
Sounds like a great combo. Thanks for watching.
Sorry but can you explain or point me some ressources of what software you use on your raspberry please ?
Thank you for your great review. I decided to give it a shot and went to a listening test. Now it is at my home hooked up to Q Acoustics 3050i and what a pleasant surprise this combination is :)
Thanks for sharing, we are glad you like it. Hopefully you purchased yours from Audio Advice to support our channel.
I have this amp with its matching streamer powering a pair of 20 year old Quad speakers. The sound is awesome.
Hi. I ordered the same. This amp and the CXN V2. I'm wondering exactly what cables for which ports I will need to hook up for best possible results. Thank you.
I have a CXA60 paired with a set of B&W 606 speakers. I stream to them via the BT100 dongle and have to say the sound is amazing with everything from a Messiaen recording to a Prodigy drum and bass mix. I'm a big fan of the Cambridge gear and even have their CP1 Phono amp between the CXA60 and a mid 70's JVC JL-A1 turntable. Must say I'm tempted by the CXA81 though..
Thanks for sharing!
My go to choice of amplifier series for tonality, prat and soundstage. I don't know why people consider this bright. I have paired cxa81 with neutral with a touch of brightness ie tannoy xt6f and the results are incredible
Do you think this would be a good pair with Kef R11s for a "big and fun sounding experience" but not on loud volume?
I have one paired with KEF Q150 speakers and it sounds great!
They're the speakers I have, thinking of getting this one.
+1 I hv the cxa61 partnered with kefq150s too... With Tidal hifi and a Huawei p30 with Bluetooth aptx HD codec installed it is really good
@@razifaziz4897 Ah nice setup mate. Do you think the Bluetooth HD codec makes a noticeable difference? Most of my music is 320kbps but some of it is ripped from various places through my mixer or from old Vinyl and in lower quality.
@@nicksillver subjectively it does... I plan to eventually move to WiFi with a streamer eg arcam rplay/bluesound node 2i/cxn v2 depending on funds but I hv to fix poor WiFi where the set is... Until then bluetooth will do
@@razifaziz4897 Nice. Cheers
Cambridge amps are pretty bright. They need the reverse for speakers.
Have this amp paired with the Denon CDC900NE. Denon DAC blows the Cambridge DAC out of the water. Cambridge DAC is probably its weakest point. Have the Denon connected through the analog input. The sound of the amp is on the bright side. Very analytical.
Thanks for sharing! Sounds great!
Greetings, i enjoyed the review. How would the Cambridge compare to the Arcam SA10 in terms of audio performance? I understand you get bluetooth with the Cambridge. Is the DAC better in the Arcam ? Thank you !
Please reach out to our team at www.audioadvice.com for the best advice. Thanks for watching
@audioadvice, great review! Would this be able to power the Elac Uni-Fi UB52 properly?
Yes. It works well with those
Was just listening to these exact pairings for last 10 hours today lol. Kinda in a fog now. But yah.. and the Cambridge didn't even get hot. I don't know spl but volume almost at 12 o'clock in small room. So... Kinda loud
Is there anybody who have the KEF LS50 (i have) in combination with this CXA61? Is that a good match?
I like so much how this amp is built, but the missing phono preamp and the little 3,5mm jack for the headphones instead of the 6,3mm, keep me a bit uncertainly, I mean, the DAC and the bluetooth feature are subject to get older way more before than a decently built phono preamp.
We think they have a lot of buyers who do not have a turntable and expect you to add one of their very good separate phono preamps, but you are right on the technology flow. Thanks for watching
@@AudioAdvice Yes, you're right, today most users use a digital source, and with this amp one could easily connect a smart tv or a pc with a pair of decent bookshelf speakers,thanks for your reply :)
Hi! How does it work pairing with the Elac Debut 2.0 B6 speakers?
I am sure they would sound as good as those speakers could sound on the cxa61, kinda like driving a corvette on budget tires :)
@@Mobile-wj7kz Yo're right. So it's prefarible waiting and saving in order to get some higher level speakers, isn't it?
Hello is it a step up and good replacement for denon pma 600ne or it is not worth the money to change it?
Please hop over to www.audioadvice.com and chat with one of our experts. Thanks for watching.
Has this amp tones control?
No
Sorry, what type and brand of surge protection do you recommend for this amplifier?
A trick: you can watch series on instaflixxer. Been using it for watching loads of movies lately.
@Ralph Ahmed Definitely, I've been watching on instaflixxer for years myself :)
@Ralph Ahmed yea, been watching on instaflixxer for since november myself :D
can you review the Azur 851N .. there is practically nothing about it on CZcams,.
did anyone try the cxa61 with a pair of harbeth p3esr?
Those speakers are very low sensitivity and pretty hard to drive, you might want something bigger. Thanks for watching
Where is the phono preamp with this?
it doesn't have a phono preamp
It's in 1968 with the other ones. Jk.. yah it doesn't have one but you can easily buy an external one.
No phono preamp... that's a deal breaker.
not really, you can easily pair a dedicated phono preamp and you get much a better quality output
Rega io