Cambridge Audio has announced the upgrade of it’s CXA81 integrated amplifier to Mk II version.
The inspiration for the CXA81 Mk II is said to have come from the possibilities offered by the ESS ES9018K2M SABRE32 DAC chip.
Cambridge’s engineers have fine-tuned and refined the sound – introducing ten new components into the circuit in the process. The announced result is greater clarity and musicality.
The combination of Class AB amplification with a robust toroidal transformer promises detail and power to drive the most demanding speakers. The 80W per channel at 8 ohms gives it authority, revealing the emotions and nuances contained in the music.
RCA and XLR inputs for analog sources are complemented by TOSLINK, Coaxial, and USB audio digital connections. Bluetooth aptX HD is also integrated.
The Cambridge Audio CXA81 Mk II will be available from May, priced at £999 / €1199 / $1199.
Specifications
| POWER OUTPUT @ 8 OHMS | 80W |
| AMPLIFICATION | Class AB |
| DAC | ESS SABRE ES9018K2M |
| FREQUENCY RESPONSE | <5Hz– 60kHz +/-1dB |
| ANALOGUE RCA INPUTS | 4 |
| BALANCED XLR INPUT | 1 |
| TOSLINK INPUT | 2 (16/24bit 32-96kHz) |
| S/PDIF INPUT | 1 (16/24bit 32-192kHz) |
| ASYNCHRONOUS USB INPUT | 1 ( Audio profile 1.0/2.0 (default 2.0), up to 32bit 384kHz PCM, up to DSD256 or DoP256) |
| BLUETOOTH INTEGRATED | Yes (4.2 A2DP/AVRCP supporting up to aptX HD 24bit 48kHz) |
| SPEAKER OUTPUTS | A+B |
| PREAMP OUTPUT | Yes |
| HEADPHONE OUTPUT | 3.5mm |
| SUBWOOFER OUTPUT | Yes |
| ROON TESTED | Yes |
| DSD PLAYBACK | DSD256 |
| PCM NATIVE PLAYBACK | 16-24Bit |
| RS232 CONTROL | Yes |
| THD (UNWEIGHTED) | <0.002% 1kHz at 80% of rated power <0.02% 20Hz – 20kHz at 80% of rated power |
| INPUT SENSITIVITY | Input A1-A4 (unbalanced) 370mV RMS |
| INPUT IMPEDANCES | Input A1 (balanced) 50 kOhm | Input A1-A4 (unbalanced) 43 kOhm |
| POWER AMP DAMPING FACTOR | >110 at 1kHz |
| MAX POWER CONSUMPTION | 750W |
| STANDBY POWER CONSUMPTION | <0.5W |
| DIMENSIONS (W X H X D) | 430 x 115 x 341mm (16.9 x 4.5 x 13.4″) |
| WEIGHT | 8.7kg (19.1lbs) |