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

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

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

Brand: Cambridge Audio | SKU: CXA81MKIILunaGrey | UPC:

1 review
Sale price
$1,099
Regular price
$1,199
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PRODUCT SHOWCASE VIDEO

Cambridge Audio CXA81 MKII Product Showcase

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

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

Sale price
$1,099
Regular price
$1,199
  • 80 watts per channel – power to drive the most demanding speakers
  • ESS ES9018K2M SABRE32 DAC – reference level digital/analogue conversion
  • Class AB Amplification – for balanced & efficient performance
  • Toroidal Transformer – for incredible sound-staging
  • Digital inputs – TOSLINK, Coaxial & USB Audio Input
  • Balanced XLR inputs – for premium connection (to CXN100 etc.)  
  • Bluetooth aptX HD input – connect wirelessly to devices, incl. Alva TT V2
  • Roon Tested – connect a PC or Mac over USB

Rewarding Power
CXA81 Mk II builds on the success of its multi award-winning predecessors. We haven’t looked back since making our first integrated amplifier in 1968, always looking for new ways to improve your listening experience – while recognizing that great sound never goes out of fashion.

CXA81 Mk II is effortless, poised and sophisticated – only more so. 80 watts per channel give it complete authority over your music, to reveal every emotion and nuance contained within it. 

Raising the Standard
How do we improve on CXA81, an amplifier regarded by many as the standard-bearer at its price point?

Focusing on the all-important signal path, we re-engineered it with premium components end to end, plus an upgraded DAC and a whole load of listening and tuning; all part of a relentless drive to deliver new clarity and depth.

The outcome? Audio performance that goes way beyond expectations.

Your World’s a Stage
What hits you first when you hear familiar music through CXA81 Mk II, 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 heard CXA81 Mk II, there’s no turning back.

Effortlessly Musical
At the center of CXA81 Mk II lies a custom-designed Class AB power amplifier stage with highly optimized components. It takes the musicality of Class A and blends it with the efficiency of Class B. The amp’s short signal path is super-efficient, leaving little opportunity for coloration.

The result is a detailed sound that connects you to the emotional power of your music.

Power!
Thanks to a chunky toroidal transformer, CXA81 Mk II delivers a generous 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 soundstage. 

Dynamic shifts in music – like loud then quiet passages – are handled with ease.

Digital Love
Designed to bring your digital music to life, CXA81 Mk II features the upgraded ESS ES9018K2M DAC (digital analogue converter) in its dedicated circuitry. This means that digital audio files, up to a heady 24-bit/384kHz or DSD256, are unpacked – with every subtle detail delivered in full. 

CXA81 Mk II combines unparalleled accuracy with vivid musicality, doing so beautifully.

Get Connected
CXA81 Mk II has connectivity covered. As well as digital optical, coaxial and USB Audio (from computers), it features stereo RCA inputs, balanced XLR sockets plus wireless hi-res connectivity via Bluetooth aptX HD – perfect for our Alva turntables. 

You can even connect a second set of speakers, to hear your music in another room. 

Total Control
Designed to work with carefully matched kit of a comparable quality, CXA81 Mk II isn’t festooned with switches and dials – to keep the signal path clear. Its minimal aluminum fascia has a power button, input selectors and a beautifully smooth volume control. 

It’s also supplied with a CX Series remote control, which you can use with other products in the series.

Designed for Life
With elegant, minimalistic lines, crafted from aluminum and steel, CXA81 Mk II will endure physically and aesthetically. There should be no reason to change an amplifier for many years, if at all. 

Making products that last is just one of the ways that we can minimize our impact on the planet and maximize your listening pleasure.

Brand Cambridge Audio
Model CXA81 MK II
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 ES9018K2M
AM/FM Tuner No
Room Correction No
Dimensions -No Antenna H x W x D (inches) 4 1/2" x 16 15/16" x 13 7/16"
Weight (lbs) 19.1
Warranty 3 Years

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Price
$1,099.00
$1,399.00
$1,499.00
$1,649.95
$1,600.00
Rating
1
Brand
Cambridge Audio
NAD Electronics
NAD Electronics
Arcam
Marantz
Model
CXA81 MK II
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 ES9018K2M
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 13 7/16"
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 290 reviews
93%
(270)
6%
(17)
1%
(3)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)

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.

I love it! I wish I would have bought one sooner!

So far very satisfied with the speakers. Box arrived damaged but speaker was ok. Definitely an improvement over my 40 year old cerwin Vegas.

I have found the Dynaudio Evoke series of speakers to be exactly what I have been looking for. They are on the "warm" side of the sound spectrum and have truly excellent fit and finish. I use them for both home theater and music.

Amazing AVR!! DIRAC ART is a game changer. If you want the full DIRAC suite Denon or Marantz are your only option outside of much much more expensive equipment from Storm. I have an 7.2.4 set up and decided to treat myself to this AVR over the Denon X6800H. This AVR is gorgeous, even better in person than the photos.

Great performance, beautiful menus, easy setup, both audyssey and Dirac options and support for just about every codec or processing need there is.

So far so good. It seems to reduce vibrations and static. Came with the turntable ordered, perfect condition and love the look.

Great product, thank you.

Excellent clarity, texture, and sound stage..