Just another Chinese receiver
This is truly an uninspired product that can be bested sonically by a Lepai TI2020. Certainly by an old Audiolab 8000a which one can purchase used for the price of this. None of the character of that old Cambridge product comes through in this tin sounding, sterile and dull receiver. It is merely a switch box with a Chinese amp circuit that is commonplace. I guess my expectations were too high. The sad thing is, I was going to audition the CXA81 for another room. Based on this amp? Not a chance. For $200-300, a Yamaha anything should exceed the performance of this. Heck, my kids Sherwood RX 4109 does and those knock around for $50-$100.
What I find most appalling is the phono stage, here Cambridge has succeeded in creating one that makes phono sound uninspired and dull. Much like a compressed mp3. Granted my impressions were informed using an LP12 and then Systemdek IIx, so flaws in the phono stage might have sounded even more exagerated. It likely would sound better if hooked up to a 1970's bsr changer, which sonically is this piece of kit's equal. This is not for someone who enjoys music for it's own sake, but someone who merely enjoys low level background sound on tiny table top audio engine like speakers.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Refurbished