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Why this one
Excellent condition - light signs of use, no obvious issues
Fully tested - all applicable functions verified working
80W Class AB power with ESS Sabre DAC and aptX HD Bluetooth built in.
Includes original box and manual - everything needed for a clean setup.
Condition: Excellent
This Hi-Fi amplifier is in excellent condition. It has passed our 8-point functional test, with 1 item(s) not applicable to this unit. Note: The amplifier is in fantastic condition. Everything works as it should and it sounds great. There are next to no surface marks or scratches. Comes complete in its original box with the manual. Please review all photos carefully, as they provide an accurate representation of the cosmetic condition of the product.
What's included
Cambridge Audio CXA81 (Silver)
Manuals
Original Box
About this model
The Cambridge Audio CXA81 is an 80W-per-channel Class AB integrated stereo amplifier (rising to 120W into 4 ohms) built around a symmetrical left/right channel layout with a toroidal transformer. At its heart sits an ESS Sabre DAC supporting PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD256 via USB, making it equally capable as a pure analogue amp or a high-resolution digital hub. Connectivity is unusually broad for its class: four RCA analogue inputs, a balanced XLR input, coaxial and two Toslink optical digital inputs, a USB Type-B port, and Bluetooth 4.2 with aptX HD. Outputs cover a 3.5mm headphone jack, a preamp output, a subwoofer output, and binding posts for two pairs of speakers. The CXA81 is Roon Tested and takes a deliberately minimalist approach - there are no bass or treble tone controls and no built-in phono stage - keeping the signal path clean and the sound character faithful to the source.
A great opportunity to own a Cambridge Audio CXA81 at this price point.
At US$915, this CXA81 is a bit ambitious versus the recent used market: it sits above the US$822 75th percentile and well clear of the US$748 median, so I’d want either exceptional condition or extras to justify it. It’s not wildly out of line, but it’s not the easy-buy zone either.
That said, the CXA81 is a genuinely strong integrated: clean, punchy, and detailed with enough current to drive a lot of real-world speakers well. If this one is a tidy original-owner piece with the remote, box, and no issues, it can still make sense for someone who wants a settled, well-liked amp and values a straightforward, high-quality backbone.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Cambridge Audio emerged from the innovative spirit of 1960s Britain, founded in Cambridge, United Kingdom, by a group of young engineers who spun off from Cambridge Consulting Group. Established in 1968, the brand launched with the groundbreaking P40 integrated amplifier—the first to employ a toroidal transformer, setting a new standard for dynamic power delivery in hi-fi design that endures in high-end gear today. This heritage of British engineering excellence propelled decades of award-winning products, navigating ownership changes including a revival under entrepreneur Vince Adams and acquisition in 1994 by Julian Richer and James Johnson-Flint of Richer Sounds.
The brand excels across core hi-fi categories, renowned for integrated amplifiers like the iconic A1 and P-series, alongside streaming DACs, network players, turntables, and all-in-one systems that prioritize pure analogue warmth and digital precision. Speakers, headphones, and cables round out a cohesive ecosystem, emphasizing accessible high performance without excess frills.
Positioned firmly in the mid-tier market, Cambridge Audio delivers premium British sound—detailed, rhythmic, and uncolored—at prices that democratize quality for discerning buyers. Free from corporate bloat, it holds a reputation for reliability and value, appealing to enthusiasts seeking sophisticated hi-fi that punches above its weight rather than chasing ultra-high-end esoterica.
See all Cambridge Audio listings on RADAR.
