STEREO AMPLIFIERS

Despite the arrival of some fine new amps, it is these old favourites, backed by decades of amplification know-how, that still lead the way

Cambridge Audio CXA81

₹1,47,900

It’s one thing to pull off four Best Buy Awards in a row (as a number of products this year have), but to secure a fourth successive Product of the Year gong in any category is no ordinary feat. Then again, the Cambridge Audio CXA81 is no ordinary amplifier.

Part of the reason for the CXA81’s continued dominance is that a few years ago Cambridge’s engineers upgraded this amp’s signal path and the capacitors in both the pre and power sections. They also slotted in a superior ESS Sabre ES9016K2M DAC and an improved USB input that supports audio of up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD256 quality. An aptX HD Bluetooth receiver allows direct streaming at up to 24-bit/384kHz.

On the analogue side there are four RCA ins and a balanced XLR, while the coaxial input will handle files up to 24-bit/192kHz. Its pair of Toslink optical connections take that up to 96kHz.

The CXA81 also has outputs for a pre-amplifier and subwoofer, as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack and space for two pairs of speakers.

There are many Cambridge Audio hallmarks here that make this amp broadly comparable with its predecessor, the CXA80 – but the difference is sound quality is marked. From the opening bars of whatever piece of music we select, we are greeted with the same powerful yet punchy, dynamic and astonishingly detailed presentation.

Confidence is key to the CXA81’s performance, the amp hammering out staccato rhythmic patterns with assured conviction, snapping in time and allowing its expert handling of alternately loud and soft beats to lock in a groove.

Above it, a full-bodied and expressive midrange deals out melodies that are given space to soar, yet still sound definitively part of a musical whole.