Sample Test - Cambridge Audio CXA61 integrated amplifier

We have received the brand new Cambridge Audio CXA61 integrated amplifier. It's more than an integrated amp though. There is also a dac on board! So we test the analog inputs with our Metrum Acoustics Pavane and compare it the integrated dac. This way we know how capable the amp ánd the dac are.

Samples are made with:
- DPA 4015A microphones
- Grace Design M108
- Grimm Cables
- Vmix - Lossless recording

[CarlosPerez-eber]

I been using the CXA81 now for over a year. I’m and have been trying various intergrated amps from $ 1500 - $5000 for comparison. I’m always impressed with its performance. Also the DAC is surprisingly good.

[nycbass]

Thanks for the sound test, I appreciate it.been wanting to hear what this brands sound signature was.

[BucksMusicJourney]

Het gaat natuurlijk om de versterker, maar ik blijf verliefd op die speakers. Wat een eargasm.

[Johnsalad]

Wow, you have the best recording sound of this amp.

[papabear]

Digital! Brought out all the flaws of streaming. Metallic sounding

[vibesahead]

I have this CX61 together with LS50 original speakers (the little difference between those and the new Meta is not worth the more money for me) speakercable Audioqauest Rocket 11 and a subwoofer SVS 1000 Pro and this is heaven for me. It sounds even better than a few numbers her above.

[windwalker]

U make quality recordings! Unlike many Hifi advocates with phone microphones! They miss the whole point. Btw does the sopra sound good at lower volumes? I know most of focals studio monitor don't.

[JohnSmith-zlrz]

this recording using the internal DAC of the CXA61?

[lmikek]

A lot of body is lost when going to the digital input

[higobatman]

What is the difference between this Cambridge and the Marantz PM7000N? And near the end of Adele's song there was a hiss. Is that hiss from the power grid?

[ВладимирПохилько-пе]

It wood be very interesting to see any test a Hegel amplifier or another Hegel product. Wood be it ? ...Sorry for my english
Thanks

[jeremiferialoez]

Creo que las grabaciones de Adele suenan horrible en cualquier amplificador. No se puede hacer mucho con canciones con rangos comprimidos.

[theflyingdutchman]

De muziek keuze van de auteur vind ik persoonlijk brrr . Verder leuk gedaan .

[dipaqshah]

which speakers you have used in this video ?

[bearclaw]

Thanks for dusting off 'History Repeating'!

[jpmcTensr]

what happend if I connect my DAC to this AMP?

[Philear]

Zou in deze combinatie met de sopra een paar honderd euro er bij tellen en voor de cxa 81 gaan.
Met iets meer vermogen lijk je mij iets meer uit de sopra te halen.

[williamliu]

does the transformer in your cxa61 hum?

[stuartlee]

I always use R Dean Taylor's greatest hits, as the ultimate test, it's raucous, and finds out a poor system in minutes..

[frostycanada]

Hello team AlphaAudio, I really do appreciate when you test affordable HIFI, and thank you for making this test available.

I though the Cambridge sounded decent with the Jacques Loussier track, but the whole thing fell apart with the Adele song - terrible.

The sound of Adele voice was like if she was singing out of her nose, and the guitar strings, symbols sounded buzzy, thin, and unnatural.

I went back and listened to your M33 and Yamaha S2200 review/test and the whole Adele song sounded much, much better through both setups.

I have no doubt that your recording setup of the Cambridge was accurate, but would it be the internal DAC of the CXA 61 that is the weak link here?

Would there be any possibility of redoing this test using the Metrum DAC as source and go back between Metrum and Cambridge internal DAC or maybe test it agains a Hegel H95 or Parasound Newclassic 200?

It would be interesting to hear what a better DAC could do with Cambridge.

Take care and stay safe,
Brian