Review: Cambridge Audio AXA35 stereo integrated amp
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- čas přidán 18. 07. 2019
- For more info read my CNET Cambridge Audio AXA35 review. www.cnet.com/news/keeping-it-...
My Klipsch RP 5000F CNET review www.cnet.com/news/klipsch-rp-...
NAD C 316BEEv2 nadelectronics.com/product/c-...
Schiit Modi, www.schiit.com/products/modi-1
Follow me on Twitter / audiophiliacman - Zábava
Love the sensible build quality in all Cambridge Audio products. I have one of their phono amps which was reasonably priced and the build quality again was top notch.
What about those people saying all the front buttons went dead?
Your channel is such a breath of fresh air! Thanks!
After I watched the review I bought this integrated amp and separate DAC as what you recommended. Thanks for making up my mind. :)
getting the axr85. very excitedd. finially upgrading from my yamaha htr 5790 surround reciever I had as a child in my parents house. excited to have something a step up
CA Axa35 purchased today! Thanks for your input on my decision!
Thanks for your review and comparison- just bought one today.😊
Thanks for this review Steve.
Based on this and other positive reviews I picked up a used model for $330Cdn. A steal! The phono input is WAY better than the old Denon receiver I was using. Bass is tighter and musically so much more enjoyable. Seems to pair well with some older Paradigm Mini Monitors. Now have a Schiit Modi+ on the way to complement the amp for some Hi-Res streaming.
I am in the process of offloading all the surround components in the system to go back to my 2 channel roots. For me simpler quality components are the way to go and this amp shows you don't have to take out a second mortgage to achieve a satisfying hifi experience.
Steve I would like see a review from you on
Atoll Electronics and Arcam components.
Thanks for all those reviews over the years.
Being a fan of NAD and Bjorn Eric Edvardsen, I was planning to replace my NAD C315BEE with C316BEE v2 but I saw and watch your review and others' reviews too. And yesterday, I finally bought Cambridge Audio AXA35. Thanks Steve!
And how do you like it? What speakers are you matching with the CA?
For anyone in the future who sees this. The 315 and 316 are basically the same amp. The difference is the new low power standby circuit.
Sorry, I may have screwed up and deleted my previous comments.
In any case I want to report that last night, 12/23/2021, I woke up in the middle of the night from a bad dream and went to my study to relax and listen to my Cambridge AXA35 feeding a pair of Pioneer SP BS22LR speakers (No longer on the market). I used my Bluetooth adaptor to feed music from my iPad and chose the Dave Brubeck Quartet for some cool jazz. The music transported me from the terrible times we are living in, back to 1960. I felt that I was back in Greenwich Village, in a small club, while the quartet played. The reproduction was beyond beautiful, and it was an amazing experience where everything jelled. I am glad I got the AXA35.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!
I use the AXA25 version. I use it to power my Klipsch Heresy speakers from the 70's. The Cambridge AXA25 and the Klipsch Heresy in an amazing combo.
Its a great amp! I bought a second hand AXA35 to replace my not so often used Cambridge Audio Topaz AM10 and the difference in sound quality between the two amps is night and day. The AXA35 really hit alot of sweets spots in my ear that the AM10 just could not even tickle. My only gripe with this amp is that it just falls a little short on power but that's it. I would wish for a total of 45watts per channel on this as an entry level amp which in my view would be an phenomenal pocket of reserve for the more expressive moments. The next choice is the CX range for the extra power which in turn jumps to 60watts per channel so with that in mind I think asking for 45w pc on the AXA series is not too much of an unfair or ill balanced request nevertheless I am totally stoked with this amp and love every bit of the dynamism this amp produces especially when using my PC an Hi-Res music running through an Topping E30 dac and on into the AXA35. Top marks!
The difference between 35w and 45w is 1 db , barely recognizable by trained ear
🤪👍All I needed to know is when you said that maybe it's your new reference that sealed the deal for me😜👌
Recommend this integrated amp since I just bought one largely based on this recommendation. I just got tired of messing around with 30 and 40 year old receivers and amplifiers that always seem to have something wrong with them. I mostly listen to vinyl and this amp sounds great playing through my Klipsch Heresy 1 speakers. If you're tired of experimenting with vintage gear this is a very good choice and at the right price.
I know exactly what you're talking about. I had a store in my hometown. Used to sell vintage gear and records. There's always something ready to fail on these old electronics. Even so, that's all I've been using for the last 10 years. I've finally sold all of my "legacy" equipment and I'm ready to unbox something after a long time. I'm thinking about marrying this integrated with a pair of Klipsch 600m. Any thoughts regarding the results I might achieve? The same as you, I mainly listen to vinyl and those equipment are somewhat affordable here in Brazil...
@@madeira-de-vento I'm sure the speakers you have and this amp would serve your purpose very well although I haven't heard those speakers. I don't know how available they are in Brazil but if you could find a pair of Klipsch heresy ones you would be very happy also. I know the RPM 600 have a good reputation.
@@BartholomewSmutz Thanks for the prompt feedback!
I've had an NAD 320BEE for 10+ years.... absolutely love that little guy.
i had 2 of those,damn sounds powerful than 50 watter..one i gave away to a niece and the other to my sister..im using Primare and Roksan amps now but respect to NADs value for money and SQ.
Thanks Steve i just bought this amp in 2021, theres not a bad review on it anywhere. Im going to pair it with Zen Blue to stream, and Klipsh 600
Did you like it? :)
@@parada Love it
This is really the only good review of this Cambridge axa35 on the tube. Thank you. Great work. I cant afford the new Rega IO. Im hoping that this axa35 is going to be the solution.
I'm thinking along the same lines. I wonder if the IO is better?
@@spellacy29 yes it is. All day
Nice hifi to get started. In the day I had a NAD 312.
Kraftwerk re-issues sound amazing.
I own the Cambridge CXA60 amp and the CXC transport. Such a great combo and incredible value considering the excellent sound and versatility. BTW that USB port may accommodate the optional BT100 BT antenna assuming there’s a BT source selection button.
I have the CXA80 and I love it. Great amps.
it's to power a DAC i think
Are you using an outboard DAC, or the internal DAC of the CXA60?
@@andrewfurst5711 I’ve a Schiit Modi Multibit. Much better to my ears.
Steve, you & I know these amps have to get out of bed very early to compete with NAD. Although curious, I'll just keep enjoying mine.
Wow. I'm stunned. I thought the NAD was the obvious way to go, for the price. Thanks so much Steve - now I feel compelled to purchase some new electronics. I should have avoided this video on that basis alone. Kind Regards, Matt, Brooklyn, NY.
Your description of the sound reminds me of that of my vintage Sony receiver, str 6050.
Also its modern tidy looks appeals to me. Will definitely give this one a try.
I have bought 2 Cambridge audio amps... Azur 840A and a little Sonata AR30. Sound good but both developed the volume control fault, that rendered them worthless. I did the research and ended up repairing the 840 ,replacing (upgrading to Fujitsu) all the relays in the volume resistor ladder (there is something like 30 of them, so it wasn't cheap) The original Omron relays employed by CA was an error since those relays are specified as not suitable for application. I also needed to remove and recondition the rotary selector. The Sonata is in the landfill. I wouldn't risk buying another CA product with the relay/resistor ladder volume control... Not sure if this amp does or not, but soon will because a mate just bought one.
I have a lot of Cambridge Audio equipment Including the 851N Streamer, and 851A Integrated Amp. . I find their equipment t to be well made and have a full, and neutral sound.
My two 24 year old avi s2000mi integrated amplifiers biamped together, kick the Cambridge amplifiers, naim, cyrus, amplifiers into to the dust I'm afraid. They are hardly never ever on sale on the used 2nd hand market, they are as rare as hens teeth. Between the two of them together biamped, there is 350 Watts into 4 ohms and 750 Watts into 1 ohm, and 38 amps of current.
Would love an updated tour and walk through your room. Reasoning, thoughts and stories behind what you bought and why :)
That USB port may be there to power the Schiit Modi, which is such an obvious DAC to pair with this Amp.
Excelent, i would choose the nad for its rating 4 ohms. This nice Cambridge says in the faq the following. 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.
I switched from AXR100 to CXA81 and CXN V2 as my source connected by XLR cables.
The result is phenomenal.
At this price point between AXR100 , AXR85 and AXA35 I strongly recommend AXR85 best balance between price and function.
IMO
Is your Cambridge setup still working for you? Thinking about getting the CXN V2, I've heard the sound is really good.
@@andrehbAs I mentioned before, I am really satisfied with its sound quality and highly recommend it.
@@ramin3080Good to know, thanks
Steve are you planning to review the AXR100? do you know if that one is also a Class A/B amp?
Hey Steve - Got a Question for you, do you think this amp can do a decent job powering either JBL A190’s or Klipsch RP-280F speakership? Thanks
Hey Steve,
do you know the (outdated model) Cambridge Audio AM10, which is just a touch cheaper?
Which one is more musical in your opinion?
Thank you
Great!!! Thanks for sharing. Elac uni fi ub5 can be a good match?
reminds me of the time I switched from a Yamaha to a Tandberg..... Yamaha had quite a bit more power on paper however the Tandberg had "it" / more umph.
Yup, I heard a comparison back in 1976 between a 100w Pioneer receiver and a 40w Tandberg receiver and the difference was night and day - in favor of the Tandberg. My guess is that the Tandberg had a much better damping factor and greater dynamic headroom. Then again, it's possible that it was the exact opposite - the Tandberg had a "warm" sloppy bass where the Pioneer was better engineered. It's too late now to do an objective comparison, unfortunately.
assuming like the Topaz series there is a 80 w version coming, it's on my short list along with Yamaha ( silver required. )
I've had a vintage sound system compoused with Kenwood LS series speakers and Integrated Amplifier Pioneer SA-7600 II, them I could buy a system than modern with Psb imagine Xb and Cambridge Audio AXA35, nowadays I love this combination but sometimes I used both with my DAP Lotoo Pawn Gold it's amazing natural sound.
Fantastic timing. I just picked up a C 316BEE to weeks ago. "ArGh!!!!" Totally agree about modularity. I hate those "all-in-one" pieces of gear. "Easy" is rarely "better". 😉📻✌
The NAD is still a fantastic amp don't despair :) Just because Steve preferred the Cambridge doesn't mean that you will feel the same. I used to own that 316bee, its a kick ass little amp.
@@mag-wp6yt Thanks for sharing your opinion. I was "kind-da" squawking a bit just because Steve has always been touting that NAD amp. I actually like it a lot and got it really cheaply. Plus, it's kind of a "stop over" amp until I can save up for a Freya+ and Aegir. I bought a pair of the Zu Dirty Weekend speakers recently and am really looking forward to giving them a good "work out". I picked up the NAD to get them off o my AV receiver. Definitely an improvement. I appreciate your perspective though. Cheers!
I hope your enjoying the NAD. I am going to buy Either this AXA 35 or the NAD 316BEE. i didn't know about this amp until Steve reviewed it. The thing is my Elac bookshelves are 6 ohm speakers. The axa35 does not recommend anything under 8ohm. I might be forced to get the NAD and that's certainly not a bad thing. Any suggestions or comments on your NAD before i pull the trigger this week? Id really like to know. Thx Frank :)
Hola Frank ¿Por cuál amplificador te decidiste?
Just ordered the AXA 35 + Mission LX3 mkii. My ifi Zen blue dac its waiting to pair with them 😄
Hey man, I’m also thinking of doing this but with some Q acoustics probably. Do you think the ifi Zen DAC is good enough or it needs an external like the Schiit Modi 3?
Hey! I recently modified my audio setup Monitoraudio + bluesound node 2i. I highly recommend the bluesound
The 316-V2 gained a phono stage, it would be nice if you had that and could compare phono to phono against the Cambridge?
A good video and baught the Cambridge based on this review
I'm sure someone would have said it already but the cambridge is a class D not class AB. I have one and I love it. love the review thank you for your work
Hi Steve it’s grate to see you endorse a British product we do make some of the best hifi in the World hear as do you in the USA ps 1st to comment in the uk 🇬🇧
We don't necessarily spell the best though
Nicholas Rigg What the fuck is your problem if all you have to do is pick fault with other people you’re a waste of space
Tut, tut, language. ;-)
Seriously, though: There is a fine line between a national bias in which products one chooses to review (acceptable IMO if it is not excessive -- how many German products does WhatHIFI review?), and a national bias in the actual reviews. Steve fails on neither account.
Christopher Brown hi CHRIS sorry yes Germany make som Mitty fine products and always has but if I was to list all the country’s that-do it wold take all day. Ps the ass ole I used bad language is a troll
I was under the impression this was made in china
You should review Roksan amp, new or vintage! And be amazed!
The only thing that I don't like is no pre-out for easy sub integration but for some reason it has a rec out. Almost perfect.
I wrote a similar comment right after I saw the back of the unit. Frankly, I don't care how good it sounds. I just looked at their website and they seem to have a distinctly anti-customer approach to their offerings. It looks like least expensive preamp they offer with analog inputs is $4k. So they are willing to make a $100 mini integrated amp, which I can understand not having much in the way of inputs and outputs, but they won't sell you an analog input preamp for less than the price of a used car. I am very turned off by this company.
Hi Steve, i've just seen your klipsch rp600m + nad c316bee v2 combo before this. Would you reccomend the Cambridge combo better?
Gracias por tu informe, me gustaria conocer tu opinion para el amplificador cambridge axa 25, muchas gracias.
Mmm...Cambridge! Looking good!
Hi Steve, given that it is a 35Wx2. Do you have any idea if it can drive my vintage Monitor Audio Gold 7 MKII 88dB sensitive?
I purchased one of these - manufacturer refurbished- a couple of months ago and I am very happy with it. I also bought the AXC 35 CD player. What seems strange to me is that the CD player does have a coaxial out, but there is no coax input on the amp. No big deal to me, but a bit strange.
Maybe because the amp has no built in DAC.
Hi, i have question for You. Can I connect old Vienna Acoustic Bach 6ohm to AXA35?
Hi Steve, can you review the Technics SU - V40 amplifier. I know it is an old amplifier, but it would be great to get your views on it. Thanks. Regards, Sean.
Great review! Anyone have a comparison about how the Cambridge stacks up to another budget amp like the IOTAVX SA3????
I picked one of these up having had the older model without the phono stage about nine years ago and sounds the same as I seem to remember however I noticed a little issue with it and was wondering if anybody else had the same behavior.
So the issue is when I am changing the volume with the remote and the motorized potentiometer is activated there is a very slight low level buzzing coming through either speakers or headphones. It seems to happen on all inputs and it only happens when that motorized action is occurring. I don't seem to notice it when music is playing or let's say a signal is being passed through only when there is no signal of any kind.
I'm inclined to think it's not really an issue because again it doesn't interfere with music and if I simply turn the knob by hand which I do 70% of the time it doesn't do it, again it only does it when you use the remote and the motor of the pot turns the knob.
Hi thanks for the review. I am new to the audiophile concept and I just want to ask you what type of speakers(watts) I can use with this amp, i am planning to connect via Aux cable my LG v20 phone as it has got dac in it and also i have got my wav and flac music collection in it
Please give me some advice if you doint mind
Thank you
Ebin
Hey Steve. How does it do with the maggies?
Is the IOTAVX better? Direct sales from what used to be branded Nakamichi.
Til the cows come home. I haven't heard that for a while hehe looks a decent amp I've heard Cambridge are a little bright tho
Hello and thank you for your great reviews! I would like to ask, if for the double price here in Greece, Musical Fidelity M2si (800€) sounds better than Cambridge AXA35 (400€). My speakers are Sonus Faber Lumina II (4 ohm 86dB). Thank you in advance!
What are the output devices? Mosfet or bipolar?
And that's why I run an older NAD C325bee! Because budget NADS after that are NOT as warm or punchy. The C316 is lean by comparison! Previous Cambridges have also been on the lean/clean/thin side of the continuum.
The 325 is a price point above the 316 though. I've owned the 326bee beside the 316bee and sure it is definitely weightier in the bass department but has nothing to do with the newer models being interior, it's just a higher spec amp.
Hi Steve, love your honesty. I recently bought this amp and have tried a couple of sets of speakers with it. Did you notice a somewhat elevated top end in the 6 to 9 kilohertz range?
Have you used the tone control? It one of the best things about this amp. Just the right amount of refinement to treble and bass for different recordings. I am usually in the 0 to +4 on treble and 0 to +2 on bass ranges. It's great to be able to find that sweet spot with a quick tweak on the remote.
@Boneseyy L I found the tone controls needed a finer adjustment ability. Too heavy-handed for me.
@Boneseyy L The amp is ok, but the 6 to 9 K treble rise is a fatiguing coloration for me. Just a heads up, folks. I sent it back.
Steve, when describing an amp that is Class AB it would be a really good thing to say how far it is biased. 1/4 a watt is very different from, say 4 watts. I know this is not actually a simple question, inasmuch it is not easy to give a straight answer. One amplifier designer said to me it was "approximately 13 watts"! But hey this is important.
I notice you said that the axa35 was better than the nad and you mentioned that the nad was your long term reference. My confusion is that it seems like you label the mk2 as being interchangeable with the first version. The nad v1 and v2 sound different from each other.
I agree with you that the integrated amps should not be putting in a DAC. I understand that people may want to get an all-in-one box, but the DAC is always the weak point and will soon be replaced by a better DAC anyway. Your money is better spent buying an external DAC; even an inexpensive one will outperform a cheapie built-in.
i am thinking of buying the axa35. currently run an arcam Alpha 9 cd player with cardas everything thru to a 1976 rotel rx 102 mk2. jamo 807's. sound is awesome, imaging etc etc. given how good the old rotels sound, how far up the ladder does the axa35 sit in comparison ?
how would you wire this up with the heresy/modi for speakers, im confused
I tried both with Kef Q350s. I didn’t like the NAD. It sounded aggressive to me. The AXA35 sounds more laid back and complex.
I Have the Kef Q150 and the sound with the NAD is more detailed , and less agrresive because the less amount of bass of the kef´s 150 i think that i don´t tried the sound of the AXA35
How do you think the NAD 3020 sounds compared to the Cambridge audio AXA35?
Damn I'm about to use the mani with that 5v usb.
It's a question of one's taste in sound. I have the Nad and i love his sound. I listen cassette tapes, cd, sacd and vinyl and it sounds great.
I Have The Nad Too in complement with legendary KEF Q 150 Speakers and the sound is AWESOME
Does anybody have a general opinion about whether $1,000 integrated receiver from marantz or denon would have a decent dac in it or would an outboard dac still be a good idea
Would love your thoughts on the Audiolab 6000a and Cyrus One HD.
Sign me on both of those.
Hey Steve how would you compare the Cambridge to the denon pma600?
Hey Steve! How does this amp perform as compared to the Onkyo A-9110 you recently praised?
The 5V USB out is very thoughtful imho.. Can be used to provide clean linear power to an external dac or a portable source.
It's a service port. 🤦
I just got one of these and it appears the USB port is very noisy. I connected a BT adapter to the port and there was a lot of noise just when plugged in. I used an external wall wart to power the BT adapter and the noise was gone. Any thoughts?
When the tone is so different between amps, it seems that a comparison of their frequency response is in order.
A freq response graph shows you how loud an amp plays at each frequency but the graph does not show you what the amp sounds like at those frequencies.
@@dreamdiction That statement sounds wise, and would be if you left off the last three words.
Measuring implies you know some engineering...
@@edwardallenthree A frequency response graph shows you how loud an amp plays at each frequency but the graph tells you NOTHING about the quality of reproduction at any of the frequencies shown on the graph.
🙄 yes because as any audiophile knows measurements and frequency reaponce charts are what any buying choice should be based on.
Get real ive got a croft phono integrated and its one of the worst measuring solid state amps on the market, sure sounds like heaven though.
Now Cambridge Audio is offering the AXR85 - which has all the same features as the AXA35, plus a tuner, subwoofer output and over double the power at 85w RMS. Best of all? It's only $50 more! Help me understand, for only $50 more - why would anyone NOT purchase the AXR85 over the AXA35?
Please make another video and explain how to use it. Front and back.
To summarize, there is a significant tonality difference totally obscured when demonstrated in a TouTube video.
And, the reviewer can reliably identify 128 kbps AAC and lossless audio, as shown in this video.
How does it make you feel?
Didja try different power cables?
Was it properly burned-in before the evaluation?
What if the NAD has Mpingo discs strategically placed on the cabinet with Tiptoes under its feet?
Just a suggestion Steve but why don't you review a UK amplifier that's been around for nearly 20 years and relatively unchanged apart from a phono stage. The Sonneteer Alabaster.
should i buy this or the marantz pm5005
Hi Steve, I’m from Italy. Can I use ELAC Debut 5.2 with a Cambridge axa 25?
sure you can, in stereo only
I went to a dealer today to buy a pair of speakers and an amp. I got the Dali Oberon 5 and tested them with a Nad c316 and the axa35. Well after one hour with some of my favourite CDs I brought the Cambridge Audio home. It sounds sweeter and more mature, the Nad is more exciting but I could tell my 45 year old ears would get tired pretty soon. Thank you Mr. Guttenberg!
Nuno
Are you considering the axc35 too?
@@CM-dw3gh no, I bought a Marantz CD6006. It sounds marvelous.
@@nunofernandes4501 the only cd6006 I can see to buy now is B stock from hyperfi. Its £229. The cd6005 is even cheaper and believe it has the same DAC chip
@@CM-dw3gh the 6006 was discontinued but for that price it's a good deal. I bought mine for €422 and still think it was worth every cent. The new 6007 costs 500.
@@nunofernandes4501 would you buy b stock though? It's like 2nd hand as far as I can tell.
Steve would this be good enough to retire my Sansui G 8000??
I recently bought the Cambridge AXA25 integrated amplifier and use it with a pair of ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 speakers for computer use. The little Cambridge 25 watt amp only cost $225 delivered, and I think the combination with the Andrew Jones designed speakers is great. The only thing I do not like is the automatic power on-off energy saving device. Let me turn it on and off myself. I don't like extra gadgets like that. What if it breaks? Otherwise, the sound is great without the hard solid state sound of typical home theater amps. Please review this little amp. A review of their expensive mono-block amps would be interesting as well. I would like to see what is inside their designs that makes them so different from the pack.
You can disable the auto turn off. While the unit is on, press and hold the power button until you see the LED flash 5 times. 5 times and it means the auto power off is disabled. If you press and hold again for a total of 10 flashes, then that means the auto turn off is enabled again.
@@svtcontour Thanks for the tip. :)
@@BanBiofuels Anytime my friend. I actually find the info not in the manual for this model but in one of the high end models and I was like what if they did the same and just didnt document it. Boom it works hah. BTW I hated that feature too! Stupid stuff. Glad it stays on now :)
How would it sound compared to the Vista Spark that you once said was "more audiophile sounding" than the NAD Steve?
Yes, I'm curious about this as well.
A reply here would be much appreciated.
Me too, trying to decide. Can’t hear either in person.
What is good match for Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 BS?, the NAD or Cambridge
is it worth the "upgrade" from a marantz pm5005? powering kef q100 with it, getting analog signal from a fostex hp-a3. i like my sound as it is, just wondering though...
Did you buy the Cambridge audio?
I also have a Marantz pm5005 and I'm wondering the same thing?
My NAD 3020B gave up on me and i stumbled over the Cambridge n i buy one
Hello!i use axa35 with Canton karat40 4ohm, Is It a problem use a 4ohm speaker? Thanks
Hey Steve, I bought the Cambridge CXC CD Transport per your great recommendation. I teamed it with the Schiit Modi 3 and it's really great sounding.. very 3D with my Tube Depot Tube Cube 7, 3.5 wpc SET and Zu Omen Mk ii DW's.
Now, I'm looking to do some streaming and have no experience. I've read a favorable review or two on Cartridges CXC V2 Streamer and was hoping you'd review it and/or compare/review some other streamers.
As you can see in my post I have the same transport and DAC but with a Tube Depot 8 watt kit amp and back loaded horns. I bet your system sounds sweet!
@@lynnpoole7830 The Zu's really make it all happen .. 97 db 1w/m sensitivity. Really a full sound.. better even than my vintage Sherwood S 5000 ii. Tomorrow I get back my restored Conrad Johnson PV5 Preamp so I'm anxious to hear the results..
Cambridge Audio makes good stuff for low money. I wasnt realy into CA but when i got a streammagic v1 a had no complaints at al. Love it!
But the comparison with the NAD, isnt that model a few years older and running out of specs?
did you switch ?
Hi, does the volume control affect the RCA output? I'd like to use this with a pair of active speakers.
no
So the Denon PMA600NE is replaced by the NAD or the Cambridge?
I'd be curious to see a comparison between the built-in phono pre-amp stage and separates in the $100-$200 range. I realize the phono stage doesn't have any switchable settings, but most MM carts use the default settings on many stand alone units.
So i used to have the predecessor to the AXA 35 and that's the topaz am10.
I picked up an AXA 35 when it came out and I was a little concerned about that as well because I really enjoyed the built-in phone stage in the topaz. When I had it I compared it to the vaunted schiit Mani and found that it was about 95% of what the schiit mani has with the exception of a bit of clarity. However I actually liked the built-in one better in the topaz because it sounded warmer and more analog. The Mani on the other hand kind of to me made Records sound sort of CD like in the presentation.
I only bring that up because I emailed cambridge Audio when the Axa 35 came out and I bought one and asked them if it's the same phono stage as the older topaz and their response was yes it is.
And my experience so far with it is that the built-in phono stage in the 35 is fantastic, it has great warmth great sound stage presentation and is not overly noisy. What I mean by that is I found over time that the Mani has a tendency to really display everything that's in the groove of the record including surface noise whereas the 35 built in stage glosses over that surface noise better. Granted as I previously stated you lose a little bit of absolute resolution but I think the price of the 35 the built-in phono stage is more than acceptable and fantastic truly when paired with a budget turntable like the uturn pluto or rega p1 or project debut.
Hey Steve. I've heard it said "the more power the better". This amp does not have an impressive power rating but you are very high on this amp! Can you share your thoughts on my quote above? I'm new to the hobby and eager to learn. Thanks!
More power isn't always better. Keep researching.
Dang was about to jump on NAD 316bee for my office to pair with my Klipsch R-51M bookshelfs....until I saw this (I wont even think about the RP-600M). Now do I go with NAD that might have a little for low end for the bookshelf speakers and much better THD rating....or do I go for the Cambridge AXA25/35 with higher THD, lower price and now a Audiophiliac Endorsement? Like listening to the snake to eat the apple or not. LOL Thanks for any further thoughts Steve....would like to buy soon unless want to sell me your NAD if that convinced. :) LOL
What amp did you choose?
Is it better than Onkyo A-9110?
I'm trying to decide between the nad this cambridge audio and the rega io any advice would be appreciated..I have a rega table
Same here, but also considering the Music Hall A15.3
How is this compared to topaz SR20?