Cambridge Audio CXA81 Integrated Amplifier. A Video Review.

Their terms were simple. Be brutally honest.

And if I’m being honest, I fully expected to not like it. At the time of delivery, I was neck deep reviewing the Audiolab 9000a, both versions of the Roksan Attessa, and the Mission 778x. The one trait all of them shared was their lack of any tone control. The Cambridge CXA81 is no different, and I assumed that while it was going to be a quality bit of hi-fi kit, it wouldn’t be for me.

And like most times when I assume something. I’m usually wrong.

As the title states, this amp sits in the Goldilocks zone where, to my ears, the sonic signature is just right.