Cambridge Audio CXA80

I got a Cambridge Audio CXA80 to replace my old and failing NAD C370. What an amazing upgrade. Though I did showroom audition the C370 way back when and it seemed amazing at that time, with my home audio components it never revealed the sound stage depth and clarity that the CXA80 now does with those same components. It took a little burn in time for the bass to be fully revealed, but again, its bass fidelity puts the C370 to shame. As for gripes, its speaker terminals are sadly low end for its price point. My speak cable spade lugs simply would not fit; other amps I've owned they had fit fine. To get a secure, tight fitting connection, I had to snip a tine off from each spade! Overall it seems odd to me they'd include an XLR input (IMO rather unnecessary at this price point) while so cheaping out on these terminals. Also, it's practically impossible to know the volume level from looking at the control knob. This omission is somewhat ironic considering its overly lit up input selection indicators (which fortunately can dimmed or disabled from the remote). For my gripes I docked a star. But in the end, the CXA80 delivers where is counts: filling my living room with lusciously expansive and detailed music. It's as if a veil has been lifted off my music collection. Symphonic classical recordings sound just like I'm sitting in the concert hall (providing the recording was well produced...some I now know weren't).

Pros: -80W of sonic bliss (seems like it's a lot more) with its lusciously expansive sound stage. -Lots of inputs. -Excellent quality integrated DAC. -Modestly sized enclosure, reasonable heat levels.

Cons: -Sadly low end-ish speaker terminals. -Practically impossible to know the volume level (unless its playing music).

This intergrated amp is fantastic. 80 strong watts per channel and all the inputs you need. I auditioned other amps in the same price range and the Cambridge CXA80 sounded the best. Worth a look!

Pros: Sound. Inputs. Great cost performance ratio.

Cons: Lacks phono preamp, but at this level you probably have a stand alone.

My first amp purchased separately from a receiver. Paired with aeromax 2 speaker from the same maker this was a very, very good upgrade from my 25 yr old speakers and receiver.

Pros: Excellent sound reproduction

Cons: None

I'm conflicted about this. The amp is beautiful, aesthetically. I love the old-school look to it with the modern connectivity options. It sounds wonderful with my KEF LS50s. But... I have gotten two units that are defective in exactly the same way. You hit the mute button to mute the sound. Then hit the mute button again to unmute it. All is well, except that now the unit will randomly mute itself for a while, putting itself back into mute mode, with the mute indicator blinking and everything. You turn the unit off, then back on again, and it works fine again. Swapped out the first one, and the replacement seemed fine. Now the second one does the very same thing. After two of them, this seems more like a problem with poor manufacturing, which is actually more troubling. So, bottom line... I recommend this unit, but be careful.

Pros: Looks great, sounds great, perfect for minimalist design

Cons: Low-quality binding posts. Apparent manufacturing problems.

Upgraded from a 1980s-era Harman Kardon and, wow, things have changed! I loved the warmth the HK had and this amp has it, too.

Pros: Warm, great sounding amp.

Cons: No easy way to see what volume is set to.

Surprised at the sonic performance and features of the cxa80. Way beyond my expectations at this price level. Crutchfield provided prompt delivery service and I am very happy with the purchase.

Pros: performance and features

Cons: None

Some of my almost thirty year old components were failing. Restoration started with this Cambridge Audio CXA80 and some Audioquest type 4 bulk cables to my Klipsch Heresy II speakers. Man alive! I've tested some cds using the direct sound which bypasses tonal adjustment. It is foundation shaking with Santana's Supernatural, the Doors Stoned Immaculate, Pink Floyd's DSOTM Master disc, Depeche Mode, AC/DC LTBR....... just at noon on the volume dial. Unreal channel separation. Cassette playback improved just like the cds did. My speakers, considered harsh and/or "punchy" with the mid to treble horn's response are more warm at this direct setting than with the treble turned down on my old Nakamichi SR-3A or Yamaha RX1100 (RIP). I know it's a combination of the amp and cables (the bananas would not connect to the SR-3A for a before and after test). Bass is more textured and better than ever on these old speakers, the chorus and upwards in the khz is more full and detailed than I've ever heard or expected. Realistic, clean sound is what you'll get from the CXA80. Without a doubt, I'm happy with my research and this product! Can't wait to replace the turntable and get into the records. Then I'll be eyeing the CXC of course!

Pros: Exceptional channel separation. CLEAN (low THD), high S-N ratio, detailed, powerful sound. Connectivity for uses I don't even use now. Aesthetically smart & simple.

Cons: No record-out or phono amp. You want it, you've got to PAY for it.

I recently bought the Yamaha R-S700. I liked it, but the yamaha "natural" sound wasn't as satisfying as my old NAD 3130 integrated or my first Stereo Receiver an H.H. Scott. The Yamaha had a clinical sound, accurate, but lacking something. I asked a Crutchfield salesperson and I was recommended either an NAD or Cambridge Audio integrated amp. I chose the Cambridge for the powered subwoofer out and USB connection for use with my computer. The sound is rich, powerful, and much warmer than the Yamaha. Acoustic guitar and Bass sound wonderful. The soundstage is wide. It is perfectly matched to my Vintage Genesis Physics 320 Floorstanding speakers. Not a hint of distortion and a very powerful, lively sound. The Yamaha is 100 watts RMS, the Cambridge 80 watts RMS, but the Cambridge is much more powerful. I also have an OPPO 103 Blue Ray and a SVS SB-1000 subwoofer. All sound great paired with the CXA80. I'm very happy I got this integrated amp.

Pros: Warm, powerful sound, excellent soundstage. Plenty of analog and digital connections.

Cons: My only gripe is when you adjust the volume nothing is displayed to give you an indication of the volume increase/decrease. Of course you can hear the change.

This is the driver for my Cambridge CX-series system. I have it paired with the CXC and CXN for digital audio. For analog it is taking a feed from my Rega Planar 3 through the Cambridge CP2. Speakers are the Monitor Audio Silver 8s. I have the CXN acting as the DAC for itself and the CXC, so the CXA80 is fed via XLR cables. Great complement of connectivity options and plenty of power to drive the MA Silver 8s. High quality build. Very balanced.

Pros: Connectivity, Power, Clarity

Cons:

So my story....I had purchased the NAD 356DAC from Crutchfield, upgrading my older NAD integrated. Unfortunately it arrived with some technical issues, so I had to send it back. (The return process went flawlessly, by the way) During the transfer process I had a brief talk with technical support about both Cambridge Audio and Peachtree amplifiers. Since this Cambridge amp was next on my list as a choice, I decided on the spur of the moment to give it a try. Needless to say, I am really enjoying this amp. It's a balanced, well designed, full featured product. The overall sound is broader and more spacious than what I'm used to with NAD. While the deep midrange and bass is not as strong, it is more than made up for in detail and force. Vocals are point forward without being bright, the bass is more on the musical side of sound then the standard thump-a-dump. I'm currently using all of the digital outs, and I can attest that the Wolfson DAC in this iteration can hold it's own with my standalone Peachtree DAC (i.e. Sabre). If you compare a features list the CX80 trumps the NAD 356DAC, but really it's about how the amp sounds with your set-up and within your space. I have nothing against NAD and will continue to purchase their products, but I'm keeping the CX80 because it just sounds right to me--it fits my space and speakers and current listening choices. And, you know, I'm in my 50's and change is good, right?

Pros: Feature list, particularly the multiple digital inputs, pre-out, sub out, USB input for either power or the bluetooth dongle, two speaker design. This is in addition to the impressive tech specs, including the dual mono operation. I particularly like the display and remote. It's a quality amp from a great company with plenty of power and a full feature set for under a grand---can't beat that.

Cons: One thing that set me off was the quality of the speaker posts. They are flimsy, and just feel off compared to the quality of the rest of the build. Y But they work, and this is a new design--lets hope they address some fine tuning in the next version. Also, the volume knob should have an indent or raised mark for viewing the level. Minor annoyances.

Great mid-fi buy. Looking for power to run a 2 speaker set-up and could not be more pleased. Simple interface , several connection options, wicked quite , with great detail to music via Spotify and CD. Cambridge packaging is nice touch too.

Pros: Quite Loud Clean Detailed

Cons: Will immediately expose any weak spots in your system, you and your bank account have been warned.

Outstanding sound and design

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