The Edge A is an integrated amplifier with built-in DAC by Cambridge Audio that delivers 100 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 200 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms. It was released in September 2018. It is a 2-channel design using a Class XA output stage. A minimum impedance of 4 ohms makes it compatible with a wide range of loudspeakers. It has a built-in DAC, so you can play digital sources directly with no separate DAC unit needed. The Cambridge Audio Edge A has an MSRP of $6,499.
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 Edge A is rated at 100 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:
- 100 watts into 8-ohms (3 Hz-80 kHz) at 0.02%
- 200 watts into 4-ohms
- 4-ohms Min Impedance (allows compatibility with a wide range of loudspeakers)
- 103dB Signal to Noise Ratio
How loud will 100 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 Edge A?
100 W into 8 ohms, 200 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 Edge A 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 Edge A 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 Edge A Amplifier good for?
An essential deciding factor is the size of the room in which you intend to employ the Cambridge Audio Edge A 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 | Poor |
| Mid-size Room | Good |
| Large Room | Good |
| Very Large Room | Average |
Inputs and Outputs
Besides the performance specs of the Cambridge Audio Edge A, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers.
Cambridge Audio Edge A has total of 3 Analog inputs .
Cambridge Audio Edge A Back View (Click the image for the larger version)
Inputs
- Total Number of Analog Inputs: 3
- 2 Optical Digital Input
- 1 Coaxial Digital Input
- USB Input:
- USB-B(Connect to your PC for playback of stored files)
- HDMI Input (ARC)
Outputs
- Speaker Outputs
- Stereo RCA, XLR Preamp Outputs
- Balanced XLR Output
- 3.5mm Headphone Output
Bluetooth Connectivity
Cambridge Audio Edge A features built-in Bluetooth 4.1 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 Edge A supports the following Bluetooth Codecs when used with supported devices:
Phono Input
Cambridge Audio Edge A doesn't have a phono input so in order to play your vinyl albums, Cambridge Audio Edge A 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 Edge A has Stereo RCA preamp outputs which can be used to connect to a powered subwoofer via an RCA cable ( as long as your sub supports this connection).
Check our
Powered Subwoofers page to find a subwoofer that will work with Cambridge Audio Edge A amp and your speakers.
Balanced connections
Cambridge Audio Edge A has balanced XLR connections on both its input and its output. 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 Audio Edge A's built-in DAC allows the connection of digital sources directly, eliminating the need for an external DAC.
Cambridge Audio Edge A External Dimensions and Weight
Cambridge Audio Edge A has external dimensions of (H x W x D) 5-15/16inch x 18-1/8inch x 15-15/16inch (151.0mm x 461.0mm x 405.0mm ). The unit weighs
24.41 kg (53.7 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 Edge A is approximately 1867.1cm2 / 289.4inch2.
- Width: 461.0mm (18-1/8")
- Height: 151.0mm (5-15/16")
- Depth: 405.0mm (15-15/16")
- Weight: 24.41 kg (53.7 lbs)
- Base Surface Area: ~1867.1cm2 / 289.4inch2
- Volume: ~28.2 liter / 7.4 gallon
What's in the Box of Cambridge Audio Edge A?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Edge A:
- Integrated amplifier
- 5-feet AC power cord
- Remote control
- 3 AAA batteries
- Bluetooth antenna
- Mono-minijack cable
- User Manual
Official Product Page
Official manufacturer's product page for the Cambridge Audio Edge A Integrated Amplifier can be found below:
Official Product Page for Cambridge Audio Edge A
Warranty
2 Yrs/5 Yrs registered of parts warranty and 2 Yrs/5 Yrs registered of labor warranty is generally provided for the Cambridge Audio Edge A by the manufacturer.
Cambridge Audio Edge A Lifestyle
| General |
| Brand |
Cambridge Audio |
| Full Model Name |
Cambridge Audio Edge A |
| Release Date |
September 2018 |
| Amplifier Type |
Integrated Amplifier |
| Number of Channels |
2 |
| Amp Class |
Class XA |
| 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 |
200 watts |
| Frequency Bandwidth |
3 Hz-80 kHz |
| THD |
0.02% |
| Minimum Impedance |
4 |
| Signal to Noise Ratio |
103 dB |
| Digital Music |
| Built-in DAC |
Yes |
| 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 |
3 |
| 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, XLR |
| Balanced XLR Output |
Yes |
| Pre-out / Main-in Loop |
No |
| Headphone Output |
3.5mm |
| Removable Power Cord |
IEC 3-prong |
| PHYSICAL SPECS |
| Height |
151.0mm (5-15/16") |
| Width |
461.0mm (18-1/8") |
| Depth |
405.0mm (15-15/16") |
| Weight |
24.41 kg (53.7 lbs) |
| OTHER |
| Parts Warranty |
2 Yrs/5 Yrs registered |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Yrs/5 Yrs registered |