Cambridge Audio AXC35 CD Player

A Full CD Player, and a Transport If You Want One

The AXC35 is a complete CD player. A Wolfson WM8524 converter and a two-pole Butterworth filter sit inside, feeding a pair of analog line outputs. Plug it into any amplifier and it works on its own.

It also carries a coaxial digital output. That single socket is what lets the AXC35 grow with you. Feed an outside DAC from it and the player becomes a transport, with the disc data leaving untouched. That is unusual at this price.

Gapless playback is built in. Live albums and continuous mixes run without the small silence that older players drop between tracks, which matters more on some records than any specification does.

Where the Wolfson Converter Lands

Distortion measures under 0.006% at 1kHz at full level, and under 0.01% ten decibels down. Signal-to-noise is better than 95dB A-weighted. Crosstalk is quoted at under -98dB at 1kHz, and under -95dB at 20kHz.

Frequency response runs 20Hz to 20kHz within 0.4dB. Analog output impedance is under 50 ohms, so it drives a long interconnect without trouble. The digital output holds the 75-ohm S/PDIF standard.

The case is 430mm wide, 305 deep and 75 tall, and weighs 4.3kg. Power draw peaks at 15 watts and falls under half a watt on standby. It is styled to match the AXA35 amplifier.

What Reviewers Are Saying

What Hi-Fi? walked the back panel: "Around the back, aside from the line outputs and AC power cable, a coax digital output (for input to a separate DAC or digital recording machine) completes the list of connections."

On where it sits in the range, the same review is blunt about what the extra money buys: "The inclusion of coax is the main difference between the AXC35 and the cheaper AXC25."

Who Is This CD Player Best For?

• You want one box that just plays discs — the Wolfson converter and analog outputs are already inside, so it connects to any amplifier with a spare line input and needs nothing else.
• You expect to upgrade later — the coaxial digital output turns the AXC35 into a transport the day you add a converter, so the player keeps earning its place instead of being replaced.
• You listen to live and continuous albums — gapless playback keeps one track running into the next, which is the difference between hearing a concert and hearing a track list.
• You own an AXA35 or similar — the dimensions, finish and remote are matched across the AX series, so the pair looks and behaves like one system.
• You want a long cable run — output impedance under 50 ohms means the analog outputs stay comfortable driving an interconnect across a room rather than across a shelf. Browse our interconnect cables for a run that stays clean.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

For the simple route, run the analog outputs to any line input on your amplifier. That uses the converter inside the player, and it is all most systems ever need.

For the other route, run a coaxial cable to a DAC or to an amplifier with a digital input. The disc data then leaves the AXC35 unconverted, and your converter does the work.

Pairs Well With

Building around the AXC35? Here are some great companions:

• Integrated Amplifier: The natural partner — see our Integrated Amplifiers.
• DAC: For the day you use the coaxial output — see our Digital to Analog Converters.
• Interconnects: A clean run from the analog outputs — see our Interconnect Cables.
• Bookshelf Speakers: Finish the system — see our Bookshelf Speakers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it have a converter built in?

Yes. A Wolfson WM8524 with a two-pole Butterworth filter, feeding analog line outputs, so the AXC35 works with any amplifier on its own.

Can I use it with an external DAC?

Yes. The coaxial digital output sends the disc data straight out, so the player doubles as a transport whenever you add a converter.

What does it measure?

Under 0.006% distortion at 1kHz, better than 95dB signal-to-noise A-weighted, and 20Hz to 20kHz within 0.4dB.

Does it play gapless?

Yes. Gapless playback is built in, so continuous and live albums run without a pause dropped between tracks.

How big is it, and what does it draw?

430 by 305 by 75mm and 4.3kg, taking up to 15 watts in use and under half a watt on standby.

What is the warranty?

Two years from the date of purchase, covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.

See It in Action

Forever Analog comes back to a modern player after years away:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about CD players, adding a converter later, or matching a player to your amplifier? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.