John Darko
Cambridge Audio has announced a second version of its CXA81 integrated amplifier. The MKII model promises 80wpc but into how many Ohms the press release doesn’t say into 8 Ohms (now confirmed by Cambridge). No mind. The revised Class A/B amplifier circuit is juiced by a large toroidal transformer with two sets of speaker binding posts on the back panel: two different loudspeaker sets can be driven alternately or simultaneously. Less common is a dedicated subwoofer output that leaves the pre-amplifier outputs free for an outboard power amplifier should the upgrade itch strike.
The DAC circuit in the CXA81 MKII is new and is built around an ESS ES9018K2M chip. We can feed that DAC via one of five digital inputs: 2 x TOSLINK, coaxial, USB and aptX HD Bluetooth. To the latter one could pair the Bluetooth output of Cambridge’s Alva TT2 turntable for a wireless vinyl experience. Heresy, I know.
If you’d prefer to use a hard-wired analogue connection, four single-ended inputs and a set of balanced XLR inputs show up on the rear. A 3.5mm front panel headphone socket rounds out the feature set with the infra-red remote control presumably an optional extra (as per the CXN100).
The CXA81 MKII goes on sale in May for £999, €1199 or $1199.
And don’t for a moment think we didn’t notice the blister-packed original CD of Spiritualized’s Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space in the press shots.
Further information: Cambridge Audio
