Cambridge Audio CXA81 80 Watt Integrated Stereo Amplifier with aptX HD Bluetooth

$1,299.00 OR

Color: Gray - In Stock

More Product Details

Our product experts are here to help

Questions? We're here to help.

Model: C11130K UPC: 5055300418784 Item: 4086

Product Information

Rewarding Performance

Cambridge’s CXA81 integrated amplifier builds on the foundations laid by the first CX Series, and over 50 years’ experience of building amps. It offers a progressive perspective – effortless, poised, and sophisticated. 80 watts per channel give CXA81 complete authority over music, to reveal every emotion and nuance from your whole music collection – be that streamed or on disc.

Features

  • Award-Winning Sound - 4x winner of What Hi-Fi? Product of the Year
  • New CX Black Edition now available
  • 80 watts per channel power to drive the most demanding speakers 
  • Class AB Amplification for balanced & efficient performance 
  • Toroidal Transformer for incredible sound-staging 
  • High Quality ESS Sabre ES9016?DAC – to realize digital music at its best 
  • Digital inputs –?TOSLINK, Coaxial & USB Audio Input (up to 24-bit/384kHz & DSD256 digital files from Mac/PC) 
  • Balanced XLR inputs for premium connection 
  • Bluetooth aptX HD input connects wirelessly to devices, including Alva TT V2

Your World’s a Stage

The thing that hits you when you hear CXA81 for the first time, is just how detailed everything sounds. You’ll pick up instruments, subtle shifts in tone, and harmonies you’ve previously missed. Close your eyes, and you’ll be able to place every musician in the soundstage. Once you’ve experienced CXA81, there’s no turning back.

Return on Investment

Cambridge’s engineering team in London invested hours researching, developing, experimenting and, above all, listening to ensure that CXA81 was right. Their goal: to make the most accomplished and absorbing integrated amp in its class. Every component selected, and decision made, based on the desire to deliver the most complete musical picture possible.

Effortlessly Musical

At the heart of CXA81 beats a Class AB power amplifier stage with optimized capacitor values. It takes the musicality of Class A and blends it with the efficiency of Class B. The amp’s short signal path is efficient, leaving little opportunity for interference. The resulting sound is pristine while delivering the emotional impact the artist intended.

Power with Control

Thanks to a generous toroidal transformer, CXA81 delivers a prodigious 80 watts of power per channel. Dual taps into the left and right of the amplification board mean that, in effect, each channel has its own power supply – resulting in a vivid sound stage. Dynamic shifts in music – like those loud then quiet moments –?are handled with ease. 

Get the Message 

Designed to bring your music to life, CXA81’s state-of-the-art digital circuit board includes the cutting-edge ESS Sabre ES9016 digital-to-analogue converter (DAC). This means digital audio files, up to a heady 32-bit/384kHz or DSD256, are energized – with every subtle detail delivered in full. CXA81 combines unparalleled accuracy with vivid musicality, doing so beautifully.

Get Connected

CXA81 has connectivity covered. As well as digital optical, coaxial and USB Audio, it features stereo RCA inputs, balanced XLR sockets plus wireless hi-res connectivity via Bluetooth aptX HD – perfect for Alva TT V2. You can even connect a second set of speakers, to hear your music in another room.

*Please note: Included Bluetooth antenna is required to enable Bluetooth connectivity

Designed for Life

Thanks to the relentless dedication of Cambridge’s team in London, CXA81 is a complete solution. Its combination of versatility, power and audio excellence means it can form the center of your musical experience for many years to come.?Its elegant, minimalistic lines, crafted from aluminum and steel, will endure both physically and aesthetically. 

CX Black Edition

Cambridge presents a 1000-piece limited edition of each CX Series 2 model in a minimalist matt black finish, with discreet gloss black branding. The same award-winning sound as CX, only in black. Why? Because we thought they’d look dead cool. If you want some, please don’t delay – CX Black Edition won’t be here for long. 

Specifications

Specifications

  • Power Output: 80W RMS into 8 Ohms, 120W RMS into 4 Ohms
  • DAC: ESS Sabre ES9016K2M
  • Frequency Response: <5Hz - 60kHz +/- 1dB
  • Analog Audio Inputs: 1x balanced XLR, 4 x RCA
  • Digital Audio Inputs: 1 x S/PDIF coaxial, 2 x TOSLINK optical, 1 x USB audio, Bluetooth (integrated)
  • Compatibility: TOSLINK optical: 16/24bit 32-96kHz PCM only, S/PDIF coaxial: 16/24bit 32-192kHz PCM only, USB: audio profile 1.0/2.0 (default 2.0), up to 24-bit 384kHz PCM, up to DSD256 or DoP256, Bluetooth: 4.2 A2DP/AVRCP supporting up to aptX HD (24bit 48kHz)
  • Bluetooth aptX HD Receiver built-in: Yes
  • Roon Tested: Yes
  • Outputs: Speakers A+B, 3.5mm headphone, Preamp Output, Subwoofer Output
  • Remote Control: Yes
  • Max Power Consumption: 750 W
  • Standby Power Consumption: <0.5W
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 16.9" x 4.5" x 13.4"
  • Weight: 19.1 lbs

What's in the Box

What's in the Box

  • CXA81 80 Watt Integrated Stereo Amplifier with aptX HD Bluetooth
  • Power Cable
  • Remote Control
  • Control Bus Cable
  • Bluetooth Antenna
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Saftey Guide

Reviews

We'd love to hear your thoughts! Please leave a review.

Customer Reviews for Cambridge Audio CXA81 80 Watt Integrated Stereo Amplifier with aptX HD Bluetooth

5.0 / 5.0
12 Reviews
5 Stars
4 Stars
3 Stars
2 Stars
1 Star
12
0
0
0
0
Rated 5 out of 5
Fantastic Amp, almost perfect.
I would really give this 4.5 out 5. I think 4 is harsh, but it isn't quite a 5 for me.

I spent quite a bit of time researching integrated amplifiers trying to balance cost and performance, and I settled on the CXA81. I've been using now the unit for about 3-4 weeks and am thrilled with its performance. It effortless powers my speakers and the music sounds wonderful! I appreciate the user friendly front panel. A great value!

I have two suggestions that are "nitpicky," but IMO would make this perfect. 1... You're not able to select/change speakers via remote (A, B, A/B). This is frustrating when I'm across the room, and want to turn off one set of speakers. 2... a phone app would be nice to control the unit and ability to switch between inputs or go to bluetooth.
This review was collected as part of a promotion
May 11, 2023
Rated 5 out of 5
Fantastic amp! Replaced my Marantz receiver with this. The sound quality for both digital and vinyl is excellent.
This review was collected as part of a promotion
January 8, 2023
Purchased
10 months ago
Rated 5 out of 5
Cambridge Impresses With This Integrated Amp
Completely happy with this integrated amp. I purchased it thinking I would end up having to return it but it’s now part of the family. Easily powers the Dynaudio towers with ease.
May 16, 2022
Purchased
1 year ago
Rated 5 out of 5
My overall impression that for price point and sound quality this is a fantastic deal.
This is a just a super integrated amplifier, the sounds coming from my ( Martin Logan ) speakers is just so clear and smooth. I strongly recommend to purchase this device and by the way it also does a wonderful job of steaming music as well.
November 24, 2021
Purchased
1 year ago
Rated 5 out of 5
Insane Amplifier!
I have had the cxa 81 for about 12 months. I listen to every type of music....a real variety. I do tend to buy amps which suit rock, i like to feel like the ban is in the room. My speakers are some axent line arrays and Linn sub. I have several speaker sets and also audition other speakers in a buy and sell capacity.
My room is about 50m2. This amp replaced a harmon kardon beast and a nad vintage stereo amp.
I am blown away by the cxa 81. The sound is balanced,warm and fills the room. I wasnt a fan of the idea bluetooth, but the sound from the bt is actually really nice for most listening. I use bt for spotify. For hdef it has a usb input and plenty of other ways to connect. Sure..it really needs a phono stage but i have externals for that. This amp is simply insane
April 9, 2021
Rated 5 out of 5
CXA81 80 Watt Integrated Stereo Amplifier with aptX HD Bluetooth (Gray)
Beautiful detailed sound and plenty of power. Awesome at this price point!
October 30, 2020
Rated 5 out of 5
Sounds amazing with my Klipsch Forte IIIs.
June 22, 2020
Rated 5 out of 5
Sounds Great
I am replacing an old Sherwood receiver with the CXA81. The sound is much clearer and the soundstage is better. I also like the idea of the built in DAC and bluetooth. This is connected to a pair of Polk Audio LSiM703 they have never sounded better.
This review was collected as part of a promotion
May 20, 2020
Purchased
over 3 years ago
Rated 5 out of 5
Excellent Sound!
This review was collected as part of a promotion
User submitted image
Added May 13, 2020
May 13, 2020
Purchased
over 3 years ago
Rated 5 out of 5
Beautiful sound, amazing build quality and nice, simple operation. Plenty of inputs, both digital and audio, and CA USA were helpful when I asked for the RS-232 serial connection information.
February 5, 2020

Q&A

Customer Q & A

Have a functionality, compatibility, or otherwise product-specific question about this product? Ask it here! If you have a customer service or shipping question, please direct it to our customer service department

Start typing your question and we'll check if it was already asked and answered. Learn More
Browse 8 questions Browse 8 questions and 10 answers
Why did you choose this?
World Wide Stereo Store
reviews
Chris C on Jul 20, 2021
Great reviews
george w on Jan 7, 2021
reviews
Chris C on Jul 20, 2021
great reviews
Raymond B on Feb 9, 2021
Great reviews
george w on Jan 7, 2021
great reviews
Raymond B on Feb 9, 2021
I don't need the power from the CXA81, but are there any other reasons to choose it over the CXA61?
A shopper on Jun 3, 2020
Cambridge Audio CXA81 80 Watt Integrated Stereo Amplifier with aptX HD Bluetooth (Gray)
Cambridge Audio CXA81 80 Watt Integrated Stereo Amplifier with aptX HD Bluetooth (Gray)
Cambridge Audio CXA61 60 Watt Integrated Stereo Amplifier with aptX HD Bluetooth (Gray)
Cambridge Audio CXA61 60 Watt Integrated Stereo Amplifier with aptX HD Bluetooth (Gray)
  Thanks for your question. Other than the output power difference, the 81 has one pair of balanced XLR inputs for lower noise, separate symmetrical amp topology, and higher dynamic headroom when played at increased volume.
does it come with a remote?
A shopper on May 16, 2020
  Thanks for your question. The CXA81 is shipped with a remote control in the box.
Can this amp be used to bi-amp a set of speakers?
Michael S on Sep 22, 2021
  Thanks for your inquiry. Bi-amplification requires two separate amplifiers as well as speakers capable of bi-amping. One of our product specialists would be happy to answer any questions you have and explain the differences between bi-amping and bi-wiring.
Will this push my 350 watt Cerwin Vega DX-9's?
A shopper on Sep 15, 2021
  Thanks for your inquiry. Cerwin Vega speakers of that era are very efficient. They will play very loud with modestly rated amplifiers. The DX9 has a nominal rated power of 5 watts RMS. The peak power rating is 350 to 400 watts (not an RMS rating), at rated 4 ohms impedance. The Cambridge Audio CXA81 delivers a prodigious 80 watts of power per channel (at 8 ohms) and will power the DX-9s very effectively.
Hi. Can you please confirm that it is compatible with 110V and 220V input voltages?
Thank you in advance!
A shopper on Nov 22, 2020
  Thanks for your question. Cambridge Audio models sold in this country are 110 V AC only. They will not accommodate 220 V.
everything for bluetooth out of the box, no need to purchase dongle?
A shopper on Aug 19, 2020
  Thanks for your question. The CXA81 has Bluetooth aptX HD built in. No dongle necessary.
Is this amp powerful enough to drive Focal 906 speakers?
A shopper on Jun 10, 2020
  Thanks for your question. The CXA81 would be a fine match to drive the Focal 906. The 906 is 89dB sensitivity, and recommended power range is 25 to 120 watts per channel. The Cambridge CXA81 is powerful enough, a very good combination.
Top