The CXA81 is an integrated amplifier with built-in DAC by Cambridge Audio that delivers 80 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 120 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms. It was released in 2019. It is a 2-channel design using a Class A/B output stage. A minimum impedance of 4 ohms makes it compatible with a wide range of loudspeakers. It has a built-in DAC (ESS Sabre ES9016 K2M), so you can play digital sources directly with no separate DAC unit needed. The Cambridge Audio CXA81 has an MSRP of $1,299.
Cambridge Audio later replaced the Cambridge Audio CXA81 with the Cambridge CXA81 II. Follow the link to read our in-depth comparison of these speakers:
Compare Cambridge Audio CXA81 vs Cambridge CXA81 II
There are 10 Cambridge Audio amplifiers in our database. Below you can see the main specs of these amps.
Cambridge Audio Integrated Amplifier Series
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 CXA81 is rated at 80 watts RMS into 8-ohms. Cambridge Audio provides this wattage at a THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of 0.02% which is an important indicator of distortion at the given values (lower THD is better).
Here are the main highlights of its performance specs:
- 80 watts into 8-ohms (20 Hz-20 kHz) at 0.02%
- 120 watts into 4-ohms
- 4-ohms Min Impedance (allows compatibility with a wide range of loudspeakers)
- 105dB Signal to Noise Ratio
How loud will 80 watts actually play in your room? →
Wiring more than one pair of speakers to it? Check the load first →
Which speakers suit the Cambridge Audio CXA81?
80 W into 8 ohms, 120 W into 4, rated down to 4 ohms.
We rank every passive speaker we cover against it on power, impedance safety and current
delivery.
Need more power?
Cambridge Audio CXA81 is rated at 80 watts into 8 ohms, which puts it in our 61 to 90 watts band. The next band up is 91 to 120 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 Up to 60 watts band and better speakers.
When pairing the Cambridge Audio CXA81 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.
What size of room is the Cambridge Audio CXA81 Amplifier good for?
An essential deciding factor is the size of the room in which you intend to employ the Cambridge Audio CXA81 amplifier. Here, taking into account its maximum power parameters, we analyzed its applicability to various size environments:
| Listening Environment |
Suitability |
| Near-field | Poor |
| Small Room | Average |
| Mid-size Room | Good |
| Large Room | Average |
| Very Large Room | Poor |
Inputs and Outputs
Besides the performance specs of the Cambridge Audio CXA81, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers.
Cambridge Audio CXA81 has total of 5 Analog inputs .
Cambridge Audio CXA81 Back View (Click the image for the larger version)
Inputs
- Total Number of Analog Inputs: 5
- 2 Optical Digital Input
- 1 Coaxial Digital Input
- USB Input:
- USB-B(Connect to your PC for playback of stored files)
Cambridge Audio CXA81 Connections
Outputs
- Speaker Outputs (A/B switchable)
- Stereo RCA, Sub Preamp Outputs
- 3.5mm Headphone Output
- Subwoofer Output (1)
Bluetooth Connectivity
Cambridge Audio CXA81 features built-in Bluetooth 4.2 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:
Cambridge Audio CXA81 supports the following Bluetooth Codecs when used with supported devices:
Phono Input
Cambridge Audio CXA81 doesn't have a phono input so in order to play your vinyl albums, Cambridge Audio CXA81 has to be paired with a Phono Preamp that is MM (Moving Magnet) or/and MC (Moving COil) depending on your cartridge type.
Subwoofer Output
Cambridge Audio CXA81 has a dedicated subwoofer output which can be used to connect it directly to a powered subwoofer via an LFE(Low Frequency Effects) cable.
Check our
Powered Subwoofers page to find a subwoofer that will work with Cambridge Audio CXA81 amp and your speakers.
DAC and Digital Music
The Cambridge Audio CXA81'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 CXA81 is the
ESS Sabre ES9016 K2M, and supports resolutions up to
32-bit, 384KHZ.
Cambridge Audio CXA81 Handheld Remote
Cambridge Audio CXA81 External Dimensions and Weight
Cambridge Audio CXA81 has external dimensions of (H x W x D) 4-1/2inch x 16-15/16inch x 14-9/16inch (115.0mm x 431.0mm x 370.0mm ). The unit weighs
8.68 kg (19.1 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 CXA81 is approximately 1594.7cm2 / 247.2inch2.
- Width: 431.0mm (16-15/16")
- Height: 115.0mm (4-1/2")
- Depth: 370.0mm (14-9/16")
- Weight: 8.68 kg (19.1 lbs)
- Base Surface Area: ~1594.7cm2 / 247.2inch2
- Volume: ~18.3 liter / 4.8 gallon
Available colors
Cambridge Audio CXA81 is available in Lunar Grey and Black color options.
What's in the Box of Cambridge Audio CXA81?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of CXA81:
- Integrated amplifier
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Remote control
- 3 AAA batteries
- Bluetooth antenna
- 39-inch mono-RCA control cable
- Quick Start Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
User's Manual
For more information about how to setup, use and maintain the Cambridge Audio CXA81, use the direct link below to download the official manual document:
Download User Manual for Cambridge Audio CXA81
Official Product Page
Official manufacturer's product page for the Cambridge Audio CXA81 Integrated Amplifier can be found below:
Official Product Page for Cambridge Audio CXA81
Warranty
3 Years of parts warranty and 3 Years of labor warranty is generally provided for the Cambridge Audio CXA81 by the manufacturer.
Cambridge Audio CXA81 Lifestyle
| General |
| Brand |
Cambridge Audio |
| Full Model Name |
Cambridge Audio CXA81 |
| Release Date |
2019 |
| Amplifier Type |
Integrated Amplifier |
| Number of Channels |
2 |
| Amp Class |
Class A/B |
| Amplifier Technology |
Solid State |
| Performance |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 8-ohms |
80 watts |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 6-ohms |
N/A |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 4-ohms |
120 watts |
| Frequency Bandwidth |
20 Hz-20 kHz |
| THD |
0.02% |
| Minimum Impedance |
4 |
| Signal to Noise Ratio |
105 dB |
| Digital Music |
| Built-in DAC |
Yes |
| DAC Specs |
ESS Sabre ES9016 K2M |
| Bluetooth |
Yes |
| WiFi |
|
| Ecosystem |
| Apple AirPlay |
No |
| Apple AirPlay2 |
No |
| DTS Play-Fi |
No |
| Chromecast built-in |
No |
| Roon |
No |
| HEOS |
No |
| BluOS |
No |
| CONNECTIONS |
| Total Analog Inputs |
5 |
| Phono Input |
No |
| Optical Digital Inputs |
2 |
| Coaxial Digital Inputs |
1 |
| USB Input |
Yes |
| USB Type |
USB-B(Connect to your PC for playback of stored files) |
| Preamp Outputs |
Stereo RCA, Sub |
| Pre-out / Main-in Loop |
No |
| Headphone Output |
3.5mm |
| Subwoofer Output |
Yes |
| Removable Power Cord |
IEC 3-prong |
| PHYSICAL SPECS |
| Height |
115.0mm (4-1/2") |
| Width |
431.0mm (16-15/16") |
| Depth |
370.0mm (14-9/16") |
| Weight |
8.68 kg (19.1 lbs) |
| Available Colors |
Lunar Grey,Black |
| OTHER |
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |