Cambridge Audio CXA61

Features

60 Watts x 2 Channel: Rated at 60 watts x 2 channel into 8 ohms (or 90 watts x 2 channel into 4 ohms), the Cambridge Audio CXA61 integrated amplifier is powerful enough to drive some of the most demanding speakers, yet has the nuance and subtlety demanded by modern recordings. The CXA61's class AB amplifier design, along with its centrally mounted oversized toroidal transformer and extruded heatsinks, will reveal spectacular detail in your music.

Oversized Toroidal Transformer: An oversized toroidal transformer gives the CXA61 a muscular 60 watts of power for each channel. Painstaking engineering gives it super-low levels of distortion and supreme electrical efficiency. The result is an amplifier with limitless reserves of power, ready to maximize the dynamic potential of any loudspeakers and able to play at any volume level without stress or distortion.

Symmetrical & Separated Circuitry: The entire internal layout of the CXA61 is designed to minimize left/right crosstalk and provide astonishing stereo separation, thanks to its symmetrical and separated circuit paths. By entirely separating the left and right channel heat sinks, and using symmetrical and separated circuit paths for the two channels, the CXA61 will deliver stunning stereo separation and minimum cross-channel interference with great soundstage performance.

High-Quality Damped Metal Chassis: The Cambridge Audio CXA61 integrated amplifier features a high-quality damped metal chassis, designed to ensure that nothing rattles or interferes with the electronics.

ESS Sabre ES9010 K2M DAC: Because it's designed to deliver the maximum musical experience no matter where the music is coming from, the CXA61 has an entirely re-engineered digital board featuring the industry-standard ESS Sabre ES9010 K2M digital-to-analog converter. The CXA61 can bring digital audio files up to state-of-the-art 32bit/384kHz and DSD256 resolutions vividly to life.

Bluetooth Audio Streaming w/ aptX HD: The CXA61 features built-in Bluetooth 4.2 with support for wireless music streaming (A2DP) and remote control (AVRCP). You'll be able to wirelessly stream stored music, music apps, and other audio content on your Bluetooth-enabled source device to the integrated amplifier. In addition to support for Bluetooth's standard SBC codec, the CXA61 supports Qualcomm's aptX HD codec that provides much higher-quality sound than previous codec versions (available in a growing number of Android mobile devices and Mac computers). aptX HD preserves sound data through the wireless audio transmission, resulting in a "better-than-CD-quality " (24-bit/48kHz) listening experience.

• Playback control and song/artist/album information will still need to be done from the Bluetooth source device.
• Only one device can be paired and connected to the integrated amp at a time.
• The CXA61 has a Bluetooth wireless range of approximately 32.8 feet.
• Make sure to connect the included Bluetooth antenna on back of the integrated amp.

USB-B Port: The CXA61's USB-B port allows you to connect your Windows PC Or Mac computer to the integrated amplifier for playback of stored music files (up to 32-bit/384kHz). The CXA61 is both USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) and USB 1.1 (Full-speed) USB port
compatible. It should also work with the new USB 3.0 ports where the PC will simply treat the CXA61 as if it were a USB 2.0 or 1.1 device. The CXA61 supports two USB Audio protocols - USB Audio Class 1 (which works over USB 1.1 ports and
supports up to 24-bit/96kHz) or USB Audio Class 2 (which requires a USB 2.0 port and can support up to 32-bit/384kHz).

• Windows OS: With the CXA61 switched to USB Audio Class 1 the CXA61 will work with the native Windows XP, Vista, 7, or 8 Audio 1.0 driver (no need to load any new driver) and accept audio up to 24-bit/96kHz. With the CXA61 switched to USB Audio Class 2 the CXA61 will work with the same Windows operating system, but will also need the Cambridge Audio USB Audio 2.0 Driver to be loaded and can then accept up to 32-bit/384kHz. Click here for USB 2.0 Audio Driver.
• Mac OS: With the CXA switched to USB Audio 1.0 the CXA will work with the native Mac OS-X 10.5 (Leopard) or above Audio 1.0 driver and accept audio up to 24-bit/96kHz. With the CXA switched to USB Audio Class 2 the CXA works with the
  native Mac OS-X 10.5 (Leopard) or above Audio 2.0 driver and can accept audio up to 32-bit/384kHz. No extra drivers are required for either setting.

Notes:

• Always use a high quality USB connection cable certified as USB High-Speed. USB cable connections longer than 9.8' may result in inconsistent audio performance.
• The Ground/Lift switch enables the USB interface earth to be disconnected from the CXA61 chassis earth. Disconnecting (lifting) the earth can be useful if electronic hum is heard through the speakers when the USB input is selected. The switch should otherwise be left in the Ground position.

Optical & Coaxial Digital Inputs: The CXA61 integrated amp features two optical (toslink) inputs and a S/PDIF coaxial (RCA) digital input so you connect all of your digital sources. The two optical digital inputs support 2ch PCM (up to 24-bit/96kHz), while the coaxial digital input supports 2ch PCM (up to 24-bit/192kHz). The digital inputs do not support multichannel formats, such as Dolby Digital or DTS.

Front-Panel & Rear-Panel Analog Inputs: The CXA61 integrated amplifier also features four stereo RCA inputs and a front-panel 3.5mm Aux input. The CXA61 does not feature a dedicated phono input. If you want to connect a turntable, you'll need a turntable with a built-in phono preamp or an external phono preamp (sold separately - see Accessories Tab).

Outputs: The Cambridge Audio CXA61 integrated amp is outfitted with A-B speaker terminals, a mono-sub output, stereo pre-outs and a headphone jack.

• A-B Speaker Terminals: The Cambridge Audio CXA61 integrated amplifier is equipped with two sets of gold-plated, binding-post speaker terminals (labeled A and B). The terminals will accept bare wire, spade connectors, single- and dual-banana plugs. (The red and black caps can be removed when using banana plugs.) The use of A and B speaker terminals allow you to hook up speakers in another room. When using a single pair of speakers, use speakers with a nominal impedance of 4 ohms to 8 ohms. When using two pairs of speakers, use only speakers with a minimum nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
• Subwoofer Output: The CXA61 integrated amp features a mono-subwoofer output for adding a powered subwoofer. To ensure there's no unnecessary high frequency noise affecting the subwoofer, the subwoofer output is filtered at 3kHz. This is high enough to prevent any phase shift associated with the low pass filter affecting what happens below 200Hz. The result is a phase linear subwoofer output signal which is clean and musical.
• Pre-Outs: The Cambridge Audio CXA61 is equipped with a pair of RCA pre-outs to connect the integrated amp to an external power amplifier.
• Headphone Jack: The CXA61 integrated amplifier offers a front-panel 3.5mm headphone output to connect a set of headphones for private listening. When headphones are connected, the output to both A/B loudspeakers is muted.

Remote Control: The CXA61 is supplied with an IR remote control that operates this integrated amplifier and other Cambridge Audio CX series components. The remote operates off of three "AAA" batteries (supplied). The CXA61 also features an RS-232C port, a Control Bus In/Out, an IR in, and a Trigger In/Out for custom remote integration.

• Control Buss In/Out: The Control Bus Input and Output (RCA) allows un-modulated commands from multiroom systems or other components to be received by the amp and loop out to another unit.
• IR In: The IR input (3.5mm) allows modulated IR commands from an IR repeater or custom install systems to be received by the integrated amplifier.
• RS-232C Port: The RS-232C port allows you to control the CXA61 from a custom install control system (sold separately).
• Trigger In/Out: The CXA61's 12V trigger input (3.5mm) can be connected to the trigger control output of home automation equipment to control the power state of the integrated amplifier. The 12V trigger output (3.5mm) can be used to turn on other equipment that has a trigger in.

Auto Power Down: The CXA61 integrated amplifier can be set to automatically go into "Standby mode" if there is no audio signal or operation for approximately 20 minutes.

CAP5 Protection System: Cambridge Audio has developed a proprietary protection system to ensure reliability and a long life for its amplifiers and connected speakers. The CAP5 protection system comprises of five main protection methods -

• DC Detection: CAP5 offers loudspeaker protection if the output of the amplifier goes to a high constant voltage (DC) because of some internal fault. In this case, the integrated amp will automatically switch off.
• Over Temperature: CAP5 includes temperature detection which constantly monitors the heat generated by the output transistors. If the monitored temperature reaches a high level, the amplifier will automatically switch into a fault mode and turn off.
• Overvoltage/Overcurrent: CAP5 offers V/I (voltage/current) protection by constantly monitoring the output transistors to keep them working inside their Safe Operating Area (SOA). The unit will automatically power off during voltage or current protection.
• Short Circuit: During power up from standby, CAP5 performs a check on the loudspeaker terminals to see if a short across the terminals has been accidentally introduced. If the resistance measured across the loudspeaker terminals is too low the unit will stay in Standby mode until the fault has been removed and Power up is re-attempted.
• Intelligent Clipping: CAP5 has the ability to detect when the amplifier starts to clip or overdrive at its output, which can damage loudspeakers, and degrade the sound. When clipping is identified, the volume level of the integrated amplifier is automatically reduced.