Cambridge Audio CXA61 is rated
out of
5 by
6.
Cambridge Audio CXA61
Stereo Amplifier
In-store Clearance item
Open Box Guide Price
(1 available across all stores)
£509.000000
Last brand new price
£699.000000
SAVE£190
Refurbished Guide Price
(1 available across all stores)
£479.000000
Last brand new price
£699.000000
SAVE£220
”The CXA61 takes top honours for another year.” ’What Hi-Fi?’ 2022 award-winner.
The perfect balance of features and sound quality
Just as with its award-winning predecessors, the CXA61 puts sound quality first. The 60 watt amp delivers a smooth, yet detailed sound that’s at home with a vast expanse of music genres. A built-in ESS DAC (Digital to Analogue Convertor) means you get the best from your digital, as well as analogue sources. Thanks to standard Bluetooth, you can now stream music in top quality aptX HD. All this, plus the Lunar Grey CXA61 looks more stylish than ever.
DAC for digital
Featuring a built-in, reference standard ESS Sabre ES9010K2M DAC, the CXA61 works wonders with your digital audio and video sources. With two optical digital inputs and one coaxial, you can connect up to three digital sources, such as a games console, TV and a CD transport – the Cambridge Audio CXC makes the perfect match.
Stream wireless music via Bluetooth
Now a standard fitment, Bluetooth offers simple, wireless music streaming from your mobile, tablet or laptop. The Bluetooth receiver is compatible with aptX HD, giving the highest quality sound possible from Bluetooth, right up to 24bit/48kHz. You also get the benefit of the sound passing through the ESS Sabre DAC, meaning precise, detailed sound from all your streamed music.
Now you can enjoy USB audio, with Hi-Res sound
New to the CXA61 is an asynchronous USB input with Hi-Res handling for the best in computer audio. You can connect up to your laptop, PC or server and stream Hi-Res music, right up to studio-quality 32bit/384kHz and DSD256. As well as improving the sound over your computer’s soundcard, the asynchronous ‘direct control’ link also greatly reduces jitter, for lower distortion and more precise audio.
Analogue audio – including front socket
The Cambridge CXA61 also has four line level inputs - enough for all your analogue sources. A pre-amp output is also fitted – ideal for power amp upgrades. There's a 3.5mm front-mounted input, perfect for connecting an MP3 player or smartphone for quick and convenient playback. Other handy connections include an RCA subwoofer output, headphone socket and connections for two pairs of speakers.
Connected for installs
A wide range of control sockets make the CXA61 ideal as part of a more complex home installation. RS-232C, IR input, trigger in/out sockets and Control Bus RCA phonos mean the CXA61 is more than happy to work with a wide range home automation control systems.
Vibration resistant casing
With rigid, metal construction and low-resonance design, the casing helps shield the player from both mechanical and electrical interference, helping to improve clarity and reduce background noise. Isolating feet help adsorb vibration for a further reduction in distortion.
Sleek new finish
The CXA61 is part of the refreshed CX-Series 2. The distinctive tear-drop profile gives the CXA61 a contemporary look and makes it the ideal partner for the CXC CD transport, CXN V2 network player and also a great match for the Cambridge Audio AX range. The Lunar Grey front panel contrasts with the black top and sides and blends well with both black and silver separates.
Don’t choose between an amp with features and sound quality. With the Cambridge Audio CXA61 you can have it all.
The perfect balance of features and sound quality
Just as with its award-winning predecessors, the CXA61 puts sound quality first. The 60 watt amp delivers a smooth, yet detailed sound that’s at home with a vast expanse of music genres. A built-in ESS DAC (Digital to Analogue Convertor) means you get the best from your digital, as well as analogue sources. Thanks to standard Bluetooth, you can now stream music in top quality aptX HD. All this, plus the Lunar Grey CXA61 looks more stylish than ever.
DAC for digital
Featuring a built-in, reference standard ESS Sabre ES9010K2M DAC, the CXA61 works wonders with your digital audio and video sources. With two optical digital inputs and one coaxial, you can connect up to three digital sources, such as a games console, TV and a CD transport – the Cambridge Audio CXC makes the perfect match.
Stream wireless music via Bluetooth
Now a standard fitment, Bluetooth offers simple, wireless music streaming from your mobile, tablet or laptop. The Bluetooth receiver is compatible with aptX HD, giving the highest quality sound possible from Bluetooth, right up to 24bit/48kHz. You also get the benefit of the sound passing through the ESS Sabre DAC, meaning precise, detailed sound from all your streamed music.
Now you can enjoy USB audio, with Hi-Res sound
New to the CXA61 is an asynchronous USB input with Hi-Res handling for the best in computer audio. You can connect up to your laptop, PC or server and stream Hi-Res music, right up to studio-quality 32bit/384kHz and DSD256. As well as improving the sound over your computer’s soundcard, the asynchronous ‘direct control’ link also greatly reduces jitter, for lower distortion and more precise audio.
Analogue audio – including front socket
The Cambridge CXA61 also has four line level inputs - enough for all your analogue sources. A pre-amp output is also fitted – ideal for power amp upgrades. There's a 3.5mm front-mounted input, perfect for connecting an MP3 player or smartphone for quick and convenient playback. Other handy connections include an RCA subwoofer output, headphone socket and connections for two pairs of speakers.
Connected for installs
A wide range of control sockets make the CXA61 ideal as part of a more complex home installation. RS-232C, IR input, trigger in/out sockets and Control Bus RCA phonos mean the CXA61 is more than happy to work with a wide range home automation control systems.
Vibration resistant casing
With rigid, metal construction and low-resonance design, the casing helps shield the player from both mechanical and electrical interference, helping to improve clarity and reduce background noise. Isolating feet help adsorb vibration for a further reduction in distortion.
Sleek new finish
The CXA61 is part of the refreshed CX-Series 2. The distinctive tear-drop profile gives the CXA61 a contemporary look and makes it the ideal partner for the CXC CD transport, CXN V2 network player and also a great match for the Cambridge Audio AX range. The Lunar Grey front panel contrasts with the black top and sides and blends well with both black and silver separates.
Don’t choose between an amp with features and sound quality. With the Cambridge Audio CXA61 you can have it all.
Connectivity
Analogue RCA Inputs
4
Audio Outputs
Yes - Combined with pre-output
Bluetooth
Yes
Coaxial Digital Inputs
1
Coaxial Inputs
1
Headphone Output
Yes
AUX Front Input
Yes - 3.5mm
Optical Digital Inputs
2
Pre Output
Yes
Speaker Sets
2
Speaker Sets FILTER
x 2
Sub Output
Yes
Sub Output
Yes
USB Input
Yes (1)
General
Manufacturer's Warranty
2 years
Audio
Frequency Response (Hz)
5 - 60,000
High Resolution Audio
Yes
Power Output
60 x 2
Power Output - Watts per CH
60 - 99
Energy Consumption
Power Consumption - Normal Use (W)
600
Power Consumption - Standby
0.5
Dimensions
Dimensions WxHxD (mm)
430 x 115 x 351
Weight
Weight (KG)
8.3
Accessories
Remote Control
Yes
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Shawdio from
CXA61 Review
I’d been pondering this purchase for a while then finally made the decision. No regrets. Out of the box working in minutes. Looks absolutely beautiful and sounds fantastic. I was smiling ear to ear as the sound filled the lounge at just quarter volume. Love Cambridge Audio.
Date published: 2022-11-28
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Bothydeweller from
Complimentary
Still getting used to the improvement in sound to my existing cxnv2, the amp improved the clarity of my Roon system as well as the BBC channels that I habitually listen to. I have a Rel sub attached to the amp having a dedicated output for this on the amp is very useful.
Date published: 2022-04-07
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Ringer from
Good all round performer
Recently purchased the CXA61 to replace a nearly 20 year old amp and to partner my CXU Universal disc player. Still learning it's characteristics but impressions so far have been very good with all my sources: TV, Blu-Ray, CD, FLAC, vinyl and cassette. If I could make changes I would swap the 3.5mm headphone socket for a 1/4" jack version, and include a binding post to ground my vinyl pickup/preamp
Date published: 2021-09-03
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Anonymous from
Very easy to live with all rounder
I bought this integrated DAC amp mainly as the basis for my 2.1 TV audio system. I find multi-channel tv sound fatiguing, and much prefer stereo ( with or without a sub).
I feed optical Toslink digital audio signal straight from the smart TV to the CXA amp, using Harbeth PS3 speakers either side of the screen.
The sound is completely neutral, voices are natural and realistic, very articulate, lacking the bass bloom which has bothered me with lesser amps. I found no need for a sub, although the CXA allows for this.
Used for music, the presentation is again very neutral, although I would say more suited to vocal and acoustic instruments than EDM!
Very well built, it loses a star for the feeble 3.5mm headphone socket. I use headphones a lot, and this amp need a proper full-sized headphone socket. I predict this mini socket will give up the ghost pretty quickly (hopefully when still under warranty) due to the normal mechanical stresses of plugging and unplugging full size headphones and cables while using an adapter.
Date published: 2021-06-01
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Alf Tupper from
Far exceeded my expectations
Bought this as an integrated amp in a holiday home. This is really good, and suddenly I know what soundstage and separation mean. Very tight bottom end, wonderful instrument detail such that I now hear items in the music I didn't know were there. I've listened to Van the Man since the 70's, this amp makes the delivery - even over bluetooth - scarily real and detailed. So much so I'm now going to buy a CA dac (streamer?) for home.
Exceptional.
Date published: 2020-08-30
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Steve D from
Mind Blowing!
I bought this amp along with a CXN v2 and have subsequently added the CXC CD transport which I've now complemented with a pair of Kef LS50s and Chord clear way speaker cable.
The amp itself is beautifully made and looks fantastic in Lunar grey. It feels like a premium product and in addition it was very easy to set up, even for a relative novice like me.
Now as for the sound (oh that wonderful sound) - I'm no audiofile but from a personal perspective this is without doubt the best sounding system I've heard; worth the cost for the grin factor alone - the clarity, stereo separation without ever missing a beat is something to behold - the music is no longer coming form the speaker(s) it's all around you, it's pure unadulterated musical joy. Minutes suddenly become hours listening, old music becomes new again; it's like I've been listening to music from outside the room and all of a sudden I'm now in that room - mind blowing.
Having tried numerous other options and configurations in the past, including a Naim Muso 2..Literally nothing has compared to this set-up. The CXA61 is an absolutely fantastic investment and trust me - you will not be disappointed!
Date published: 2020-01-23
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