The CXA81 Mk II is an integrated amplifier 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 May 2024. 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 ES9018K2M), so you can play digital sources directly with no separate DAC unit needed. The Cambridge CXA81 II has an MSRP of $1,199.
Cambridge Audio replaced the older Cambridge Audio CXA81 with this model. Follow the link to read our detailed comparison of these models:
Compare Cambridge CXA81 II vs Cambridge Audio CXA81
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 CXA81 II 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 CXA81 II?
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 CXA81 II 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 CXA81 II 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 CXA81 II Amplifier good for?
An essential deciding factor is the size of the room in which you intend to employ the Cambridge CXA81 II 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 CXA81 II, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers.
Cambridge CXA81 II has total of 5 Analog inputs .
Inputs
- Total Number of Analog Inputs: 5
- 2 Optical Digital Input
- 1 Coaxial Digital Input
- USB Input:
- USB Type-B input for connecting a computer
Cambridge CXA81 II Connections
Outputs
- Speaker Outputs (A/B switchable)
- Stereo RCA, Sub Preamp Outputs
- 3.5mm Headphone Output
- Subwoofer Output (1)
Bluetooth Connectivity
Cambridge CXA81 II 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:
Cambridge CXA81 II supports the following Bluetooth Codecs when used with supported devices:
Phono Input
Cambridge CXA81 II doesn't have a phono input so in order to play your vinyl albums, Cambridge CXA81 II 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 CXA81 II 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 CXA81 II amp and your speakers.
Balanced connections
Cambridge CXA81 II has a balanced XLR input. A balanced cable carries the signal twice, on two conductors of opposite polarity. Interference picked up along the way lands on both equally and cancels when the two are recombined at the far end, so the longer the cable run and the noisier the surroundings, the more the connection is worth. Whether a balanced connection also yields more power depends on how the amplifier is built inside - some are balanced end to end, others convert to single-ended internally and deliver the same power either way, so it is worth reading the maker's own wording rather than assuming.
DAC and Digital Music
The Cambridge CXA81 II'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 Mk II is the
ESS Sabre ES9018K2M, and supports resolutions up to
24-bit, 384KHZ.
Cambridge CXA81 II Pros and Cons
Drawn from the published figures on this page, not from listening.
- ✓80 watts per channel into 8 ohms, 120 into 4.
- ✓Signal-to-noise ratio of 105dB, so the amplifier itself should be inaudible between tracks.
- ✓5 analogue inputs, enough for a full rack of sources.
- ✓Built-in DAC handling 24-bit / 384 and DSD, so a TV, computer or streamer can connect digitally with nothing in between.
- ✓Digital inputs cover 2 optical, 1 coaxial and USB.
- ✓Bluetooth (AptX HD,AptX) for playing straight from a phone.
- ✓Pre-outs (Stereo RCA, Sub) leave room to add a power amplifier or an active subwoofer later.
- ✓A and B speaker terminals, for a second pair or for bi-wiring.
- ✓Balanced XLR inputs, worth having on a long cable run.
- ✓Headphone output (3.5mm).
- ✓Detachable mains lead (IEC 3-prong).
- Nothing the published specs count against it.
Cambridge CXA81 II External Dimensions and Weight
Cambridge CXA81 II 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 CXA81 II 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
Cambridge CXA81 II - Top View
Cambridge CXA81 II - Side View
What's in the Box of Cambridge CXA81 II?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of CXA81 Mk II:
- Integrated amplifier
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Remote control
- 3 -inchAAA-inch batteries
- Bluetooth antenna
- 39-inch mono-RCA control cable
- Quick Start Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
- Online Registration Card
User's Manual
For more information about how to setup, use and maintain the Cambridge Audio CXA81 Mk II, use the direct link below to download the official manual document:
Download User Manual for Cambridge CXA81 II
Official Product Page
Official manufacturer's product page for the Cambridge Audio CXA81 Mk II Integrated Amplifier can be found below:
Official Product Page for Cambridge CXA81 II
Warranty
2 Yr (3 Yr registered) of parts warranty and 2 Yr (3Yr registered) of labor warranty is generally provided for the Cambridge CXA81 II by the manufacturer.
Cambridge CXA81 II Lifestyle
| General |
| Brand |
Cambridge Audio |
| Full Model Name |
Cambridge Audio CXA81 Mk II |
| Release Date |
May 2024 |
| 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 ES9018K2M |
| Bluetooth |
Yes |
| WiFi |
|
| Ecosystem |
| Apple AirPlay |
No |
| Apple AirPlay2 |
No |
| DTS Play-Fi |
No |
| Chromecast built-in |
No |
| Roon |
Tested |
| 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 Type-B input for connecting a computer |
| 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) |
| OTHER |
| Parts Warranty |
2 Yr (3 Yr registered) |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Yr (3Yr registered) |