Cambridge Audio CXA81 MK II Integrated Stereo Amplifier

So what’s new?

The inspiration for the CXA81 Mk II came from the possibilities offered by the ESS ES9018K2M SABRE32 DAC and an injection of new talent into their London workshop, who asked the question “why not?”.

With a new DAC, new thinking, ten new op amps, and a whole lot of listening, Cambridge Audio has delivered the focus the CX Series was looking for: the CXA81 Mk II.

Your World’s a Stage

What hits you first when you hear familiar music through CXA81 Mk II is just how detailed everything sounds. You’ll pick up instruments, subtle shifts in tone, and harmonies you’ve previously missed. Close your eyes, and you’ll be able to place every musician on the soundstage.

Once you’ve heard the amazing CXA81 Mk II, there’s no turning back.

Effortlessly Musical

At the centre of the CXA81 Mk II lies a Class AB power amplifier stage with optimised capacitor values. It takes the musicality of Class A and blends it with the efficiency of Class B. The amp’s short signal path is efficient, leaving little opportunity for interference. The result is detailed sound that connects you to the raw power of your music.

Loud Quiet Loud

Thanks to a chunky toroidal transformer, the CXA81 Mk II delivers a generous 80 watts of power per channel. Dual taps into the left and right of the amplification board mean that, in effect, each channel has its own power supply, resulting in a vivid soundstage.

Dynamic shifts in music—like loud then quiet passages—are handled with ease.

Get the Message

Designed to bring your digital music to life, the CXA81 Mk features the upgraded ESS ES9018K2M DAC (digital analogue converter) in its dedicated circuitry. This means that digital audio files, up to a heady 24-bit/384kHz or DSD256, are unpacked, with every subtle detail delivered in full. The CXA81 Mk II combines unparalleled accuracy with vivid musicality, doing so beautifully.

Get Connected

CXA81 Mk II has connectivity covered. As well as digital optical, coaxial, and USB audio (from computers), it features stereo RCA inputs, balanced XLR sockets, and wireless high-res connectivity via Bluetooth aptX HD—perfect for the Alva turntables. You can even connect a second set of speakers to hear your music in another room.

Total Control

Designed to work with carefully matched kits of comparable quality, the CXA81 Mk II isn’t festooned with switches and dials—to keep the signal path clear. Its minimal aluminium fascia has a power button, input selectors, and a beautifully smooth volume control. It’s supplied with a CX Series remote control, which you can use with other products in the series.

Designed for Life

With elegant, minimalistic lines crafted from aluminium and steel, the CXA81 Mk II will endure physically and aesthetically. There should be no reason to change an amplifier for many years, if at all. Making products that last is just one of the ways that we can minimise our impact on the planet and maximise your listening pleasure.