Cambridge Audio CXA81 MKII Integrated Amplifier - Lunar Gray

Cambridge Rebuilt the CXA81 Around a Better DAC

The CXA81 Mk II replaces an amplifier Cambridge Audio sold for years, and the headline change is inside. It is a Class AB design rated at 80 watts RMS into 8 ohms, rising to 120 watts RMS into 4 ohms. The chassis is finished in Lunar Gray.

One Balanced Input, and Somewhere to Put a Subwoofer

Analog sources get a balanced XLR input plus four RCA line inputs. There is no phono input, so a turntable needs an outboard phono stage. On the digital side you get one coaxial input, two optical inputs, USB audio, and Bluetooth with aptX HD.

A preamp output feeds a power amplifier, and a subwoofer output feeds a sub. Two sets of speaker terminals let you run A, B, or both from a front-panel button, and headphones use a 3.5mm jack. It weighs 8.7kg and measures 430mm wide. The remote, batteries, power cable, control bus cable and Bluetooth antenna are in the box.

What the New DAC Will and Won't Accept

Conversion runs through an ESS Sabre ES9018K2M. Over USB the amplifier accepts up to 24-bit 384kHz PCM, and DSD256. The USB input runs asynchronously and defaults to USB Audio Class 2.0, so a modern laptop needs no driver on most systems.

The other digital inputs stop lower. Coaxial takes 16 or 24-bit from 32 to 192kHz. Optical stops at 96kHz. Bluetooth is version 4.2, carrying SBC, aptX and aptX HD up to 24-bit 48kHz. If you own hi-res files, USB is the input to use.

Quiet Enough to Hear What the Recording Holds

Signal-to-noise measures better than 105dB at full power. Distortion stays under 0.002% at 1kHz at 80 percent of rated power. Bandwidth runs from below 5Hz to 60kHz within 1dB. Input sensitivity is 370mV RMS.

Two details matter in use. The subwoofer output carries a low-pass filter at roughly 2.3kHz, so it is voiced for a sub rather than a second full-range amp. The headphone output is rated for loads between 8 and 600 ohms. Standby draw is 0.5W.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Ed Selley gave it 9 out of 10 and a Best Buy in AVForums, June 22, 2024. It "combines strong connectivity with a truly excellent amplifier section to deliver some of the best performance going at the price point."

Becky Roberts reviewed it for What Hi-Fi? on July 11, 2025, scoring five for build and five for features against four for sound. Her pros list reads "Big, spacious, authoritative sound", "Decent DAC" and "Generous feature set", and she rated the DAC upgrade a clear success.

Selley is blunt about the gaps. His cons run "No phono stage or HDMI ARC" and, on the color, "Neither black nor silver and doesn't always match with either" — a fair warning worth weighing if every other box in your rack is one or the other.

Who Is This Integrated Amplifier Best For?

• You have a balanced source — the XLR input is rare at this level, and it is there alongside four RCA line inputs.
• Your music lives on a laptop or a NAS — the USB input takes 24-bit 384kHz PCM and DSD256 through the ES9018K2M DAC.
• You want a subwoofer in a two-channel system — a dedicated sub output with its own low-pass filter saves you a crossover.
• You run two pairs of speakers — A/B terminals and a front-panel button cover a second room or a second pair in the same one.
• If you play vinyl, budget for a phono stage — the CXA81 Mk II has no phono input. Cambridge's own Alva Duo MM/MC phono preamplifier handles both cartridge types and comes in the same Lunar Gray finish.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Speakers go to the A terminals, and a second pair to B if you have one. A balanced source goes to the XLR input; CD players, streamers and a phono stage fill the four RCA inputs. A TV or CD transport goes to optical or coaxial, and a computer to USB.

Pair a phone over Bluetooth for casual listening. If you add a subwoofer, the dedicated output is already filtered for it, and the preamp output is there if you ever outgrow the power section.

After that it is one button for the speakers and one knob for volume.

Pairs Well With

Building around the CXA81 Mk II? Here are some good companions:

• Speakers: 80 watts suits a capable standmount pair — see our Bookshelf Speakers.
• Subwoofer: The filtered sub output is waiting — see our Subwoofers.
• Interconnects: Feed that balanced input properly — see our Interconnect Cables.
• Headphones: The 3.5mm output drives 8 to 600 ohm loads — see our Headphones.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much power does the CXA81 Mk II deliver?

80 watts RMS per channel into 8 ohms, and 120 watts RMS per channel into 4 ohms, from a Class AB output stage. That is enough for most standmounts and a good many floorstanders, though very inefficient speakers will ask for more.

Can I connect a turntable directly?

Through a separate phono preamplifier, feeding one of the RCA line inputs.

Which input should I use for hi-res files?

USB. It accepts up to 24-bit 384kHz PCM and DSD256, and runs asynchronously in USB Audio Class 2.0 by default. Coaxial tops out at 192kHz and optical at 96kHz, so neither will pass your highest-resolution files.

Can it drive two pairs of speakers?

Yes. There are two sets of terminals, and a front-panel button steps through speaker A, speaker B, or both together. Running both pairs at once lowers the load the amplifier sees, so check your speakers’ impedance first.

Is it covered by a warranty?

Yes. Cambridge Audio covers the CXA81 Mk II for two years, parts and labor, when it is bought from an authorised dealer. Registering the amplifier with Cambridge Audio keeps the paperwork in one place.

What comes in the box?

The amplifier, a power cable, the remote control with three AAA batteries, a control bus cable, the Bluetooth antenna, and the quick start and safety guides.

See It in Action

Legendary Tech walks through the Mk II's features, DAC and Bluetooth:

Taps Das lived with the original and explains what changed for the Mk II:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about integrated amplifiers, DACs, or adding a subwoofer to a two-channel system? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.