The AXR100 is an integrated amplifier by Cambridge Audio that delivers 100 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms. It was released in 2019. It is a 2-channel design using a Class A/B output stage. It has a built-in DAC (Wolfson WM8728), so you can play digital sources directly with no separate DAC unit needed. It also has a phono input, so a turntable can connect straight to it. The Cambridge Audio AXR100 has an MSRP of $699.
Performance Specs
One of the most important factors when deciding on an integrated amplifier is its power ratings and compatibility with your speaker's impedance requirements. The Cambridge Audio AXR100 is rated at 100 watts RMS into 8-ohms. Cambridge Audio provides this wattage at a THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of 0.15% which is an important indicator of distortion at the given values (lower THD is better).
Here are the main highlights of its performance specs:
- 100 watts into 8-ohms (20 Hz-20 kHz) at 0.15%
Built-in Sources
Most integrated amplifiers expect you to bring your own source. Cambridge Audio AXR100 does not:
How loud will 100 watts actually play in your room? →
Which speakers suit the Cambridge Audio AXR100?
100 W into 8 ohms.
We rank every passive speaker we cover against it on power, impedance safety and current
delivery.
Need more power?
Cambridge Audio AXR100 is rated at 100 watts into 8 ohms, which puts it in our 91 to 120 watts band. The next band up is 121 to 180 watts, which is worth about 1.5dB more output. That is a real difference in headroom on peaks, and a modest one in how loud the system plays - power and loudness are not the same thing.
Before buying watts, check what your speakers actually need: the amp and speaker matcher works it out from their sensitivity, impedance and your room. Plenty of systems are better served by the 61 to 90 watts band and better speakers.
When pairing the Cambridge Audio AXR100 with a passive Bookshelf (Stand mount) or Passive Floor Standing (Tower) speaker, you have to check if their Max Power Range is below the max wattage of the amp for the given impedance levels.
Operating your amp outside of this max range may damage the speakers.
Inputs and Outputs
Besides the performance specs of the Cambridge Audio AXR100, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers.
Inputs
- Phono Input
- 2 Optical Digital Input
- 1 Coaxial Digital Input
Outputs
Bluetooth Connectivity
Cambridge Audio AXR100 features built-in Bluetooth for wireless music streaming from your Bluetooth-enabled devices such as Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad, Android smartphone/tablet, Windows PC, Mac computers/laptops.
Among the amps in the same price range, these are the 5 amps that have Bluetooth Connectivity:
DAC and Digital Music
The Cambridge Audio AXR100's built-in DAC allows the connection of digital sources directly, eliminating the need for an external DAC. The DAC chip that is used in the AXR100 is the
Wolfson WM8728.
Cambridge Audio AXR100 Pros and Cons
Drawn from the published figures on this page, not from listening.
- ✓100 watts per channel into 8 ohms.
- ✓Built-in DAC, so a TV, computer or streamer can connect digitally with nothing in between.
- ✓Digital inputs cover 2 optical and 1 coaxial.
- ✓Phono stage built in, so a turntable needs no separate preamplifier.
- ✓Bluetooth for playing straight from a phone.
- ✓Built-in AM/FM tuner.
- Nothing the published specs count against it.
Cambridge Audio AXR100 External Dimensions and Weight
Cambridge Audio AXR100 has external dimensions of (H x W x D) 4.5inch x 16.94inch x 14.56inch (114.3mm x 430.3mm x 369.8mm ). The unit weighs
8.1 kg (17.8 lbs).
Base Surface Area
Base surface area of an integrated amplifier may become an important decision factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base area of the Cambridge Audio AXR100 is approximately 1591.2cm2 / 246.6inch2.
- Width: 430.3mm (16.94")
- Height: 114.3mm (4.5")
- Depth: 369.8mm (14.56")
- Weight: 8.1 kg (17.8 lbs)
- Base Surface Area: ~1591.2cm2 / 246.6inch2
- Volume: ~18.2 liter / 4.8 gallon
Warranty
2 Years of parts warranty and 2 Years of labor warranty is generally provided for the Cambridge Audio AXR100 by the manufacturer.
| General |
| Brand |
Cambridge Audio |
| Full Model Name |
Cambridge Audio AXR100 |
| Release Date |
2019 |
| Amplifier Type |
Stereo Receiver |
| Number of Channels |
2 |
| Amp Class |
Class A/B |
| Amplifier Technology |
Solid State |
| Performance |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 8-ohms |
100 watts |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 6-ohms |
N/A |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 4-ohms |
N/A |
| Frequency Bandwidth |
20 Hz-20 kHz |
| THD |
0.15% |
| Minimum Impedance |
|
| Signal to Noise Ratio |
N/A |
| Digital Music |
| Built-in DAC |
Yes |
| DAC Specs |
Wolfson WM8728 |
| Bluetooth |
Yes |
| WiFi |
No |
| Ecosystem |
| Apple AirPlay |
|
| Apple AirPlay2 |
No |
| DTS Play-Fi |
|
| Chromecast built-in |
|
| Roon |
|
| HEOS |
No |
| BluOS |
|
| CONNECTIONS |
| Phono Input |
Yes |
| Optical Digital Inputs |
2 |
| Coaxial Digital Inputs |
1 |
| USB Input |
No |
| Preamp Outputs |
No |
| Removable Power Cord |
|
| PHYSICAL SPECS |
| Height |
114.3mm (4.5") |
| Width |
430.3mm (16.94") |
| Depth |
369.8mm (14.56") |
| Weight |
8.1 kg (17.8 lbs) |
| OTHER |
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |