Cambridge Audio CXA81 Mk II — Rewarding Power, Refined

Building on the legacy of the multi award-winning CXA81, the new CXA81 Mk II sets a higher benchmark for integrated amplifiers at its price point. Since Cambridge Audio’s first amplifier in 1968, the goal has always been to improve the listening experience without losing the timeless qualities of great sound. CXA81 Mk II continues that tradition, delivering a more sophisticated, poised, and effortless performance.

Raising the Standard

How do you improve on a modern classic? By focusing on the heart of the music. CXA81 Mk II has been re-engineered with carefully selected premium components and an upgraded ESS ES9018K2M DAC. Every part of the signal path has been tuned for transparency, depth, and musical engagement. The result is an amplifier that delivers detail and dynamics beyond expectation.

Your World’s a Stage

The first thing you notice when listening through CXA81 Mk II is the extraordinary level of detail. Instruments, harmonies, and tonal shifts emerge with startling clarity, letting you place every musician precisely in the soundstage. Once you hear your favorite tracks on CXA81 Mk II, there’s no going back.

Effortlessly Musical

At its core lies a custom-designed Class AB amplification stage—blending the warmth and musicality of Class A with the efficiency of Class B. Its short, optimized signal path minimizes coloration, resulting in a detailed, emotionally powerful sound signature.

Power with Authority

Thanks to a robust toroidal transformer, CXA81 Mk II delivers 80 W per channel into 8 Ω (120 W into 4 Ω). Separate power taps feed the left and right channels independently, enhancing stereo separation and creating a vivid, dynamic soundstage capable of handling sudden shifts in music with ease.

Digital Love

CXA81 Mk II’s upgraded DAC circuitry supports hi-res audio up to 32-bit/384 kHz PCM and DSD256 via USB Audio, while optical and coaxial inputs handle 24-bit files with precision. Digital sources are decoded with a balance of accuracy and musicality, ensuring every nuance comes alive.

Connectivity

• 1 × Balanced XLR input
• 4 × RCA analogue inputs
• USB Audio (Profile 2.0, up to 32-bit/384 kHz PCM & DSD256)
• Coaxial and Optical digital inputs
• Bluetooth 4.2 with aptX HD for wireless hi-res streaming
• Dual speaker outputs (A/B) for multi-room playback

Total Control

The minimal aluminium fascia keeps the signal path uncluttered, with intuitive controls and a smooth-action volume knob. A supplied CX Series remote allows seamless control of CXA81 Mk II and other matching components in the series.

Designed for Life

Crafted from aluminium and steel, CXA81 Mk II is built to endure—physically and aesthetically. With elegant, timeless lines and exceptional durability, it’s an amplifier you can live with for decades. Designed with sustainability in mind, its long lifespan maximizes both your listening pleasure and environmental responsibility.