Cambridge Audio CXA80 Integrated Amplifier Review
The CX series launched by Cambridge Audio was designed from the very beginning with digital audio sources. Indeed, digital music is more and more adapted to the rhythm of life of most people in contemporary society. It is convenient, efficient, and has excellent sound quality. In the fast-paced modern life, wouldn’t it be nice to come home from a busy day at work, play the album you want to listen to in the most effortless and worry-free way, and let yourself have a good rest? That is also the advantage of the Cambridge Audio CXA80 integrated amplifier.
The CX series launched by Cambridge Audio is above the Azur 651 series and second only to the flagship Azur 851 series. There are currently one CD turntable, one Blu-ray player, one network music player, and two AV surround amplifiers and two combined amplifiers. This time I will first introduce the CXA80, which is the highest level among the integrated amplifiers.
Multifunction in One Amplifier
CambridgeAudio’s engineers took months to create a unique discrete circuit board. CXA80 uses a class AB amplifier to reduce crossover distortion, making music sound purer and more controllable. Large toroidal transformers bring substantial power reserves. Cambridge Audio CXA80 can achieve precise volume control, especially in weakly amplified signal output.
CXA80 incorporates both digital and traditional analog inputs in the design. The purpose is to allow it to be used with other devices of the user as widely as possible to enhance its product competitiveness.
CXA80 is a power amplifier equipped with a decoding chip designed with Wolfson WM8740 (24bit/192kHz) chip. Even if there is only one power amplifier, it can be directly connected to a computer via USB transmission, and you can easily listen to network music. In addition to the USB port’s digital audio input, CXA80 also supports one set of S/PDIF coaxial digital input and two sets of TOSLINK optical digital input. The CXA80 can also be used with the user’s CD player and various playback devices that support digital streaming output. CXA80 can also add an optional BT100 Bluetooth adapter to play music wirelessly easily.
Convenient Interfaces Capabilities
In the analog audio part, CXA80 still has many interfaces, with one set of XLR balanced analog input interfaces, four sets of RCA analog input interfaces, and one set of RCA Pre-out output interfaces. Let CXA80 be used as an integrated amplifier alone, but also can be used as a pre-amplifier with other amplifiers of the user.Finally, there is a Sub-Out output interface. It seems that CXA80 is equipped with subwoofer output to adapt to users of different matching schemes widely.
In terms of speaker output, it includes A/B two sets of output. In other words, two pairs of speakers can be output. The setting is also very convenient. You can select A or B single output, and AB two pairs of speakers simultaneously output through the front panel buttons.
CXA80 also supports headphone amplification and has a 3.5mm headphone output in the front panel. Just a CXA80 can also meet the needs of headset players.
Conclusion
Pleasant timbre has always been what we are after. Whenever we want to sit down and listen to music to relax, Cambridge Audio CXA80 can present a durable and pleasing timbre, giving the softness of music entirely. Let the music soothe the tiredness of the day.
Product Highlights
- 80 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms (120 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms)
- 4-ohm capability allows use with a wide range of speakers
- THD: 0.02% (20-20,000 Hz at 80% of rated power)
- built-in high-performance Wolfson WM8740 DAC
- toroidal power transformer for low noise and high-current output
- separate transformer taps for left and right channels, twin rectifiers and separate power supply units for dual mono operation of the left and right power amplifiers
- separate left and right channel heat sinks and symmetrical separated circuit paths for maximum stereo separation and minimal cross-channel interference
- high-quality ALPs film-type volume control provides superb low-level channel balance and stereo imaging
- relay-based input source switching with silver-plated contacts for maximum signal transfer
- full-metal casework with thick, brushed aluminum front panel and acoustically damped chassis for enhanced resonance control
Inputs
- USB (Type B) input for connection to a computer
- supported bit depth and sample rates: up to 24-bit/192kHz
- dedicated Cambridge Audio USB 2.0 driver required for 24-bit/192kHz playback on a Windows® PC (free USB driver download available from Cambridge Audio website)
- 2 optical and 1 coaxial digital audio inputs
- balanced stereo XLR inputs provide connectivity for high-end and professional audio sources
- 4 stereo RCA audio inputs, 1 front-panel minijack (3.5mm) audio input
- Bluetooth®-ready with optional Cambridge Audio adapter
Outputs
- 1 stereo RCA preamp output and a dedicated mono subwoofer output
- minijack headphone output
- switchable A+B speaker outputs with binding-post connectors
Other Info and Specs
- class A/B amplifier design
- asynchronous USB technology for reduced timing jitter and better sound
- ground lift switch to eliminate potential noise through USB connection
- remote control
- 16-15/16″W x 4-1/2″H x 13-7/16″D
- weight: 19.1 lbs
