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Cambridge Audio CXA81 Mk II
- 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 recognising 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 centre of CXA81 Mk II lies a custom-designed Class AB power amplifier stage with highly optimised 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 colouration.
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 aluminium 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 aluminium 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 minimise our impact on the planet and maximise your listening pleasure.
Dealers selling Cambridge Audio near you
The Cambridge Audio CXA81 Mk II pairs muscular Class‑AB power with refined digital handling, delivering a compelling, musical performance and a rich feature set. Reviewers from What Hi‑Fi? and Sound Advice highlight its confident timing, punchy dynamics and expansive imaging, while The Ear and Audiophilepure praise its versatility and value. The amp’s 80W RMS into 8Ω topology and an ESS Sabre ES9018K2M DAC enable detailed, open midrange, taut bass and treble that stays airy without harshness. Connectivity is comprehensive — balanced XLR, USB‑B to 24/384 and DSD256, S/PDIF, and aptX HD Bluetooth — making it straightforward to fit into evolving systems. Built with upgraded op‑amps and robust construction, the CXA81 Mk II suits listeners seeking punch, clarity and longevity in a single integrated amp.
Pros
- Powerful, controlled dynamics and expert timing that lock in rhythm and offer ample headroom.
- Excellent imaging and soundstaging with precise placement of instruments and convincing spatial cues.
- Generous, modern connectivity and a high-quality ESS Sabre DAC (supports 24/384 and DSD256) plus aptX HD Bluetooth for flexible source integration.
- Strong value and system-building versatility — performs well with modest setups and remains capable as systems are upgraded.
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Cons
- Requires a break‑in period; out of the box the bass can sound a touch heavy or brutish until the amp settles in.
- May lack midrange contrast and the final degree of finesse on some classical or densely scored acoustic recordings.
- Conservative, understated industrial design that some users may find visually bland compared with flashier rivals.
Sound Quality
90/100
Dynamics
90/100
Class‑AB 80W performance is repeatedly described as powerful, confident and controlled — 'no shortage of power', 'more than enough oomph', 'hammering out staccato rhythmic patterns' (Sound Advice, What Hi‑Fi). Reviewers note strong headroom and transient control; a few notes about initial bass weight being a touch brutish in some tracks temper a perfect score.
Soundstage Imaging
91/100
Soundstaging and imaging receive high marks: 'superb soundstaging', 'reach out and touch them' instrument timbres and the ability to place and position sounds with superb clarity (Sound Advice, The Ear). Performance depends on recording quality but imaging is consistently highlighted as a strength.
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Build Quality
89/100
Reviewers note solid construction, quality finish and upgraded internal components (op‑amps, capacitors) with precise controls and good engineering (What Hi‑Fi, Sound Advice). No major mechanical or thermal complaints; some commentary stresses proper power‑supply isolation as important for best results.
Features Connectivity
95/100
Very well featured for the class: balanced XLR input, four RCAs, USB‑B up to 24/384 and DSD256, multiple digital inputs (optical/coax), ESS Sabre DAC onboard, aptX HD Bluetooth, subwoofer and preamp outputs, Roon tested and remote control (Sound Advice, The Ear, What Hi‑Fi). Feature set is capped at the top of the allowed range for a fully featured integrated.
Value for Money
93/100
Multiple reviewers explicitly praise its value — 'serious value', 'could be the perfect start' at just over $1,000 and 'nothing at this price' (Sound Advice, Audiophilepure, What Hi‑Fi). Reviewers feel it challenges pricier rivals, justifying a strong value score.
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