Cambridge Audio CXA 61 Integrated Amplifier with CXC CD Transport
So yeah, Cambridge Audio has released its newly revamped CX Series 2, a major update to its CX range of hi-fi components.
I was equally excited and scared to do this review. Excited because I love seeing amazing products go through an evolution. Scared because it hasn’t been very long since my lovely wife got me the CXA60 Integrated Amplifier 2 years ago and here I am drooling over its successor. I’m admittedly smitten with my CXA60 and paired with the CXN v2 Network Streamer my living room set up has never sounded better. And now, for better or worse I’m about to blow that all up as I have the opportunity to run a direct A/B comparison between the CXA60 and CXA61.
Introduction
The original CXA60 is pretty spectacular. It’s been belting out music for the past two years and has become my reference amplifier for any speaker that comes my way. The original CX series is far from long in the tooth however and Cambridge Audio has never been known to rest on their laurels, so updates to the line were inevitable. From the range, the new CXA61 (USD $999.00) and CXA81 ($1299.00) integrated amplifiers have been fully ‘reimagined, reengineered and reinvigorated for 2019.” In particular, the CXA61—the subject of this review—has seen some major hardware updates. The CXN V2 and CXC have undergone cosmetic changes only.
Design
Cambridge has opted for a more elevated approach to the CX design. They have favored evolution over revolution and I’m glad to see that the overall look of the new components hasn’t changed. The range retains the same striking floating design however the casework feels decidedly more upmarket. The rounded buttons that adorned the metal face no longer protrude and are flush with the facia. The black buttons in the center strip are flat as well and protrude by a hair.
Speaking of buttons, SOME BUTTONS ARE MISSING on the CXA61! Two of which are a bit of deal-breaker for me. They’ve gone and removed the Mute, Balance, Bass and Treble. Seriously???? C’mon guys! I know it’s typically more ‘HiFi’ to not have tone controls, but this guy prefers to have them. Because of the missing tone controls, the ‘Direct’ button has understandably been removed. From a design perspective, the removal of the excess buttons does make for a cleaner face. But damn.
The other big change is the color. Cambridge has opted for a single-color line-up for the CX Series. It’s as if they’ve mixed the black and silver finishes to create a new color. Called Lunar Grey the new color looks essentially the same as Apple’s Space Gray. It’s a beautiful finish and coupled with the elevated cosmetics the results are very striking.
Just for fun, Cambridge might want to consider including stickers along with the CX Series so some of us Apple users can cover up the Apple Logo and pretend we’re using Cambridge Laptops. I know I’d do it!
On the inside, the older CXA60’s DAC has been replaced with a cutting-edge ESS Sabre ES9010K2M, and there’s now (nestled in on the back of the unit) a USB B input compatible with sources up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD256 in quality. Additionally, aptX HD Bluetooth is now integrated (maybe they read my review?), allowing you to stream wireless audio up to 24-bit 48kHz quality. The integration of Bluetooth aptX HD is amazing, as a purchase of a separate Bluetooth dongle was required for my older CXA60 and it was such a pain to it connect to most of the time that I stopped trying. Connection to Bluetooth on the CXA 61 is pain-free and rock solid. I’ve only had to connect once and the CXA61 remembers every time I startup.