Cambridge Audio CXA61 Integrated Amplifier Review

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We always liked the look of the previous CX series in how they used a slightly tapered front panel and a solid front foot, which makes the unit look like it is floating in the air above your shelf. This design continues in the new CX models with a color update to a sleek looking Lunar Grey color. The front panel is clearly laid out. In the center you’ll see a display with the source selection buttons. Analog inputs are on the left and digital on the right. Right in the center is the speaker selector button which gives you a choice of A, B, or A&B. The front side also includes a headphone output and a mini-plug audio input on the left. The previous models in the CX series had tone controls, and we were a little displeased to not find them on the new CX line up. Cambridge Audio made the decision to put every dollar towards the best possible sound quality, which certainly came true when we did our listening tests.

If you switch things around a lot you know it can be really frustrating to lean over the back of an amp trying to read the connections upside down. Cambridge Audio cleverly prints the labels for everything both right side up and upside down, a great touch! Fit and finish on the CXA61 is just first class. One thing that really jumps out is the quality of the binding posts which are top rate and can handle a large spade lug. Cambridge Audio designs and engineers all of the products in the UK. Production of everything has been at the same Asian factory for almost 25 years instead of just going with the lowest offshore bid. This philosophy has resulted in very consistent, great build quality for over two decades.

The connection possibilities on the CXA61 will cover a lot of situations. You have 4 rear analog RCA inputs, a front mini plug analog input, 2 Toslink digital inputs, a coax digital input, and even a USB input. The older series required a separate, optional adapter for Bluetooth, but it is built into the CXA61. We like the fact it also has preamp outs and a subwoofer output. here are two sets of triggers on the back, an external IR input, and an RS232 connection for home control systems. You can even lift the ground on the USB input in case your computer might cause some hum, pretty neat! If you are looking at the CXA81 in comparison, it adds a set of balanced audio inputs,and gives up the front panel mini analog input. The DAC used in the CXA61 is an ESS Sabre ES9010 K2M. That is a lot of letters, but this is a high performance, audiophile level DAC capable of Hi Res Audio, even up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD256 quality when using the USB input from a computer. This is one area where the CXA81 does exceed the CXA61 in performance. Its DAC is also an ESS Sabre32 DAC, but in the next level up in the ESS series. If a lot of your audio is in the form of digital files, you might want to consider the CXA81 for $300 more. We feel the better DAC offers more dynamic sound, a slightly quieter background, and just a better sense of musical involvement.

We connected it up to our best selling pair of bookshelf speakers, the Klipsch RP600M speakers- which by the way is just a magical speaker for the money. Our source was a Sonos Port with it’s digital output going into the CXA61 Coax digital input. This amp felt like the perfect match for these speakers as it drove them extremely well. As you might imagine, the Klipsch speakers have the ability to rock the house, which could easily be done with the CXA61 driving them, but they also maintained a really full sound when we turned the volume way down. These bookshelf speakers can get down pretty low and the bass was full and fast using the CXA61. Stereo imaging was spot on with a wide and deep soundstage. Paired with just about any speakers that are somewhat easy to drive, the CXA61 will perform way beyond what you would expect for what it sells for.

The CXA61 has enough inputs to satisfy ust about any system we can think of. With its great build quality, it should give you decades of great sound. If you are looking for an amp in the $1000 range and down, the CXA61 should be on your list. It is definitely worth saving up for if you are thinking in the $500-$900 price point as most people keep their integrated amps for 10+ years.