Often Purchased Together

Cambridge Audio CXA81 Integrated Stereo Amplifier with Built-In DAC and Bluetooth - Safe and Sound HQ

Cambridge Audio CXA81 Integrated Stereo Amplifier with Built-In DAC and Bluetooth

Audioquest Rocket 11 Speaker Cable - Safe and Sound HQ
6 Feet Pair with Banana Connector
Kimber Kable 4PR Speaker Cable (Pair) - Safe and Sound HQ
1 Meter (3.3 Feet) with SBAN Connectors

Cambridge Audio CXA81 Integrated Stereo Amplifier with Built-In DAC and Bluetooth

Brand: Cambridge Audio | SKU: CXA81LunaGrey | UPC: 5055300418784

5 reviews
Sale price
$949.99
Regular price
$1,299
You save
27%
Taxes calculated at checkout

User Manual
Have a question?
Cambridge Audio CXA81 Integrated Stereo Amplifier with Built-In DAC and Bluetooth - Safe and Sound HQ

Cambridge Audio CXA81 Integrated Stereo Amplifier with Built-In DAC and Bluetooth

Sale price
$949.99
Regular price
$1,299

Award-Winning Sound - 4x winner of What Hi-Fi? Product of the Year

  • 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 realise 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 – connect wirelessly to devices, incl. Alva TT V2

Rewarding Performance
Our 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.

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
Our 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 convertor (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.

Designed for Life
Thanks to the relentless dedication of our 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.

Brand Cambridge Audio
Model CXA81
Power Output (Watts)/ THD Stereo 4 Ohm 120
Power Output 8 Ohms (Watts) 80
Damping Factor > 110
Total Harmonic Distortion 0.02%
Signal to Noise Ratio (dB) 105
Amplifier Class Class AB
App Control No
HDMI Inputs 0
HDMI Outputs 0
ARC, eARC No
Analog Inputs 4
Analog Outputs 0
Phono Preamp No
Optical/Coaxial Digital Inputs 2 / 1
Subwoofer Outputs 1
Preamp Output Yes
XLR Inputs 1
XLR Outputs 0
Home Theater Bypass No
Bluetooth Yes
Streaming No
DAC ESS Sabre ES9016K2M
AM/FM Tuner No
Room Correction No
Dimensions -No Antenna H x W x D (inches) 4 1/2" x 16 15/16" x 14 9/16"
Weight (lbs) 19.1
Warranty 3 Years

Compare with similar items

Cambridge Audio CXA81 Integrated Stereo Amplifier with Built-In DAC and Bluetooth - Safe and Sound HQ

This item Cambridge Audio CXA81 Integrated Stereo Amplifier with Built-In DAC and Bluetooth

NAD Electronics C379 Integrated Amplifier with DAC and Bluetooth Open Box - Safe and Sound HQ

NAD Electronics C379 Integrated Amplifier with DAC and Bluetooth

NAD Electronics C 368 Hybrid Digital DAC Amplifier - Safe and Sound HQ

NAD Electronics C 368 Hybrid Digital DAC Amplifier

Arcam A25 Stereo Integrated Amplifier with Built-In DAC and Bluetooth - Safe and Sound HQ

Arcam A25 Stereo Integrated Amplifier with Built-In DAC and Bluetooth

Marantz Model 60N Network Integrated Amplifier with HEOS Built-in Open Box front view showing controls and design.

Marantz Model 60N Network Integrated Amplifier with HEOS Built-in

Price
$949.99
$1,399.00
$1,499.00
$1,649.95
$1,600.00
Rating
5
Brand
Cambridge Audio
NAD Electronics
NAD Electronics
Arcam
Marantz
Model
CXA81
C 379
C 368
A25
Model 60N
Power Output (WATTS)/ Stereo 8 Ohm
80
80
80
100
60
Power Output(WATTS)/ Stereo 4 Ohm
120
80
80
165
80
Damping Factor
> 110
> 300
> 300
100
Total Harmonic Distortion
0.02%
0.02%
0.03%
.5%
0.02%
Signal to Noise Ratio
105
95
98
106
113
Amplifier Class
Class AB
Class D
Class D
Class G
Class AB
App Control
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
HDMI Inputs
0
1
0
0
1
HDMI Outputs
0
0
0
0
0
ARC, eARC
No
Yes, eARC
No
No
Yes, ARC
Analog Inputs
4
2
2
3
3
Analog Outputs
0
0
0
0
0
Phono
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
OPTICAL/COAXIAL DIGITAL INPUTS
2 / 1
2 / 2
2 / 2
1 / 2
1 / 1
Subwoofer Outputs
1
1
1
0
1
PRE-AMP Output
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
XLR Input
1
0
0
0
0
Home Theater Bypass
No
No
No
Yes
No
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Streaming
No
No
No
No
Yes
DAC
ESS Sabre ES9016K2M
ESS Sabre ES9028
Burr Brown PCM1795
ESS Sabre ES9280A PRO
ESS Sabre
AM/FM Tuner
No
No
No
No
No
Room Correction
No
Dirac Live Optional
No
No
No
Dimensions No Antenna (H x W x D)
4 1/2" x 16 15/16" x 14 9/16"
3 15/16" x 17 1/8" x 15 7/16"
4" x 17 1/8" x 16 5/8"
3 5/16" x 17 1/16" x 14 5/16"
5 1/8" x 17 7/16" x 17"
Weight (lbs)
19.1
19.1
17.2
19.84
28.1
Warranty
3 Years
2 Years
2 Years
5 Years
5 Years
Based on 296 reviews
93%
(276)
6%
(17)
1%
(3)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)

Great speakers For my needs. Wanted a nice full sound floor standing speaker that wasn’t harsh. Using them just for music in our fireplace room not for home theater. Not a complaint at all on their lack of lower end frequencies, I pretty much knew when I ordered them I’d be adding a sub to the mix to fill in where they leave off. Now to pick the sub 😅😂

Fast shipping and products arrived perfectly. Thank you for a good experience

The delivery was quick and the unit arrived earlier Then expected because I live on the west coast.
The Eversolo T8 is everything as advertised and reviewed. The unit took about 8 hours of use to lose the bright forward sound. I’m happy with my purchase from Sate and Sound.

I'm glad I made the choice to purchase this amplifier! I couldn't be happier and the sound is quite captivating.

I just came back from visiting my big brother out of state who has a system in the mid 5 figure mark. When I came back I was inspired to upgrade but decided to wait. But then my Sub stopped working. I saw these on sale and thought “Is it meant to be?” Of course it was. I have these paired with a NAD T-778 streaming Qobuz. So far I am really enjoying these. I am hearing old songs as if they are new again. I have been listening to music more than ever. Bass is solid and highs are crisp. A truly immersive speaker. While I wouldn’t dare say they are as good as my big brother’s setup, they are close enough to put a smile on my face. I think they are a solid option for the price range. I am very satisfied and they are still breaking in.

Absolute game changer! Love the device - terrific sound quality, intuitive interface and beautiful design!

A
Yamaha A-S501 Stereo Integrated Amplifier with Built-in DAC Customer Return
Anonymous

My amplifier arrived safely and has functioned wonderfully without issue. Thank you!

Reference caliber exotic retro-futuristic LP spinner. Few rivals. Few are so flexible.

I started years ago with an Ortofon Blue and this directly replaced a Mofi Mastertracker. I have coupled the LVB250 with a Darlington MB8 phono preamp and I can finally say that I am satisfied. This cartridge is exceptional and I don't think I'll ever need anything better.

Really good service and extremely fast shipping. Also good price on receiver.

Love the power of it it really feels like the gate way into high end it sounds beautiful happy with your service.Everything was all I hoped it would be thank you

I bought the M2si integrated amplifier to drive my 2.7 magnepans. It does a very nice job of doing just that. That the amplifier is advertised as dipping gracefully or smoothly down to 2 Ohms was a primary point in the buy. Plus, Safe and Sound had a very good buy on this amplifier at $ 799.00. The build quality is very good and it has a large toroidal transformer to better handle high current and increase bass response. The preamp is full Class A and is a strong point for this Class A/B amplifier. Great buy! You can't have it all at this price though. The motorized volume knob does not have an easy viewing of where it is set as it is an inset indention without a light marker. Also, no standby power for the amp but it does have excellent heat management as the chassis has a colder side versus the hotter 2 channel amplifiers side. It is a fully discrete amplifier (wonderful, no integrated except for maybe op-amps at the preamp front). 5 year warranty, hard to beat. The amplifier has to be broken in as treble is at first very forward , but settles after a good break in period. The silver white looks very sexy and has a kind of older vibe. The M2si is British and has a brightness to it which can be toned down if you use the right speakers. Magnepans can change resistor values at the terminals or maybe even use specific DACs. No complaint about not having digital inputs at all since there are plenty of line level inputs as you can use outboards which gives you more opportunities any way. I have three different DACs into the line level inputs so all I have to do is switch out the single coax cable I want to change some of the response. I like a very well made Class A/B like this unit compared to the Class D which I have tried. Soundstage is wide and there is a lot of headroom compared to a lot of class D. If the M2si performs at 90% of what their end does like it has been said, then wow. Way to go Musical Fidelity.

I have all Arcam equipment, the sound is fantastic. The price was amazing.. MusicLife app is so/so. Great piece of equipment..

Safe and Sound is an excellent place to buy audio gear. This phono preamp is excellent, as sounds as advertised and the price was right!

Amazing to deal with and best service on the planet

So pleased with the quality as well as pretty much next day delivery. Great company

Excellent CD player. Very impressed with the quality of the open box service. Absolutely impeccable, couldn’t tell from a brand new unit. Your customer service is also tops. Thanks for great shopping experience!

A
Marantz PM7000N Integrated Stereo Amplifier with HEOS Built-in
Anonymous

Amazing sound. Perfectly pairs with the components I have. Vinyl has never sounded better.

Unit sounds great butyou can hear sound bleeding through the speakers and amp at zero volume. Also bind post so small myspade pugs either too large to accommodate. Unit turned off several times, not sure why possible connection but I could not figure out maybe due to heavy load speakers .Ssrvice and sales always fantastic!

Super quick shipment and communications! Always great experience with Safe and Sound! The T8 is amazing! Big improvement over DMP 6!

These outperform my previous speakers by a wide margin: more punch, more body, higher articulation. The vocals are mesmerizing.

I was trying to scale down from a surround to a stereo setup and looking to upgrade DAC from Marantz av8805a. I have the Anthem mca 525 gen 2 amps and Sonus Faber Sonetto iii g2. It took about 70+ to burn in. It was an upgrade, but it is very subtle and hard to even notice unless really paying attention. This does fell like within the territory of diminishing returns. I don't know if it's because of my speakers, but it is the best speaker I can get given the size and weight for a small walkup apartment. However, I still decided to keep it because it is much lighter and runs cooler than the Marantz. It is also a little bit clearer (the Marantz sounded a little bit muddied, which I didn't even notice after years of using until I was comparing it with m3ai) and I noticed that it sounded louder at the same db level because of this (this means I can listen at lower db levels than I would with Marantz). I do miss the ability to fully control the Marantz via the android app. Overall a good DAC, but subtracting a little bit of points for the high price.