Review: Cambridge Audio AXA35 stereo integrated amp
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ต.ค. 2024
- For more info read my CNET Cambridge Audio AXA35 review. www.cnet.com/n...
My Klipsch RP 5000F CNET review www.cnet.com/n...
NAD C 316BEEv2 nadelectronics...
Schiit Modi, www.schiit.com...
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Excelent, i would choose the nad for its rating 4 ohms. This nice Cambridge says in the faq the following. The AXA35 is only rated to be used with 8 Ohm speakers and we would not recommend using it with 4 or 6 Ohm speakers.
Using the AXA35 with 4 or 6 Ohm speakers could result in the amplifier overheating, which in the long run could damage the unit.
Sorry, I may have screwed up and deleted my previous comments.
In any case I want to report that last night, 12/23/2021, I woke up in the middle of the night from a bad dream and went to my study to relax and listen to my Cambridge AXA35 feeding a pair of Pioneer SP BS22LR speakers (No longer on the market). I used my Bluetooth adaptor to feed music from my iPad and chose the Dave Brubeck Quartet for some cool jazz. The music transported me from the terrible times we are living in, back to 1960. I felt that I was back in Greenwich Village, in a small club, while the quartet played. The reproduction was beyond beautiful, and it was an amazing experience where everything jelled. I am glad I got the AXA35.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!
Love the sensible build quality in all Cambridge Audio products. I have one of their phono amps which was reasonably priced and the build quality again was top notch.
What about those people saying all the front buttons went dead?
Its a great amp! I bought a second hand AXA35 to replace my not so often used Cambridge Audio Topaz AM10 and the difference in sound quality between the two amps is night and day. The AXA35 really hit alot of sweets spots in my ear that the AM10 just could not even tickle. My only gripe with this amp is that it just falls a little short on power but that's it. I would wish for a total of 45watts per channel on this as an entry level amp which in my view would be an phenomenal pocket of reserve for the more expressive moments. The next choice is the CX range for the extra power which in turn jumps to 60watts per channel so with that in mind I think asking for 45w pc on the AXA series is not too much of an unfair or ill balanced request nevertheless I am totally stoked with this amp and love every bit of the dynamism this amp produces especially when using my PC an Hi-Res music running through an Topping E30 dac and on into the AXA35. Top marks!
The difference between 35w and 45w is 1 db , barely recognizable by trained ear
Being a fan of NAD and Bjorn Eric Edvardsen, I was planning to replace my NAD C315BEE with C316BEE v2 but I saw and watch your review and others' reviews too. And yesterday, I finally bought Cambridge Audio AXA35. Thanks Steve!
And how do you like it? What speakers are you matching with the CA?
For anyone in the future who sees this. The 315 and 316 are basically the same amp. The difference is the new low power standby circuit.
I've had an NAD 320BEE for 10+ years.... absolutely love that little guy.
i had 2 of those,damn sounds powerful than 50 watter..one i gave away to a niece and the other to my sister..im using Primare and Roksan amps now but respect to NADs value for money and SQ.
Thanks for this review Steve.
Based on this and other positive reviews I picked up a used model for $330Cdn. A steal! The phono input is WAY better than the old Denon receiver I was using. Bass is tighter and musically so much more enjoyable. Seems to pair well with some older Paradigm Mini Monitors. Now have a Schiit Modi+ on the way to complement the amp for some Hi-Res streaming.
I am in the process of offloading all the surround components in the system to go back to my 2 channel roots. For me simpler quality components are the way to go and this amp shows you don't have to take out a second mortgage to achieve a satisfying hifi experience.
Recommend this integrated amp since I just bought one largely based on this recommendation. I just got tired of messing around with 30 and 40 year old receivers and amplifiers that always seem to have something wrong with them. I mostly listen to vinyl and this amp sounds great playing through my Klipsch Heresy 1 speakers. If you're tired of experimenting with vintage gear this is a very good choice and at the right price.
I know exactly what you're talking about. I had a store in my hometown. Used to sell vintage gear and records. There's always something ready to fail on these old electronics. Even so, that's all I've been using for the last 10 years. I've finally sold all of my "legacy" equipment and I'm ready to unbox something after a long time. I'm thinking about marrying this integrated with a pair of Klipsch 600m. Any thoughts regarding the results I might achieve? The same as you, I mainly listen to vinyl and those equipment are somewhat affordable here in Brazil...
@@madeira-de-vento I'm sure the speakers you have and this amp would serve your purpose very well although I haven't heard those speakers. I don't know how available they are in Brazil but if you could find a pair of Klipsch heresy ones you would be very happy also. I know the RPM 600 have a good reputation.
@@BartholomewSmutz Thanks for the prompt feedback!
Thanks Steve i just bought this amp in 2021, theres not a bad review on it anywhere. Im going to pair it with Zen Blue to stream, and Klipsh 600
Did you like it? :)
@@parada Love it
CA Axa35 purchased today! Thanks for your input on my decision!
That USB port may be there to power the Schiit Modi, which is such an obvious DAC to pair with this Amp.
getting the axr85. very excitedd. finially upgrading from my yamaha htr 5790 surround reciever I had as a child in my parents house. excited to have something a step up
I switched from AXR100 to CXA81 and CXN V2 as my source connected by XLR cables.
The result is phenomenal.
At this price point between AXR100 , AXR85 and AXA35 I strongly recommend AXR85 best balance between price and function.
IMO
Is your Cambridge setup still working for you? Thinking about getting the CXN V2, I've heard the sound is really good.
@@andrehbAs I mentioned before, I am really satisfied with its sound quality and highly recommend it.
@@ramin3080Good to know, thanks
TBF simple is always better so I would go with the 35 maybe even the axa25
I own the Cambridge CXA60 amp and the CXC transport. Such a great combo and incredible value considering the excellent sound and versatility. BTW that USB port may accommodate the optional BT100 BT antenna assuming there’s a BT source selection button.
I have the CXA80 and I love it. Great amps.
it's to power a DAC i think
Are you using an outboard DAC, or the internal DAC of the CXA60?
@@andrewfurst5711 I’ve a Schiit Modi Multibit. Much better to my ears.
After I watched the review I bought this integrated amp and separate DAC as what you recommended. Thanks for making up my mind. :)
This is really the only good review of this Cambridge axa35 on the tube. Thank you. Great work. I cant afford the new Rega IO. Im hoping that this axa35 is going to be the solution.
I'm thinking along the same lines. I wonder if the IO is better?
@@spellacy29 yes it is. All day
Fantastic timing. I just picked up a C 316BEE to weeks ago. "ArGh!!!!" Totally agree about modularity. I hate those "all-in-one" pieces of gear. "Easy" is rarely "better". 😉📻✌
The NAD is still a fantastic amp don't despair :) Just because Steve preferred the Cambridge doesn't mean that you will feel the same. I used to own that 316bee, its a kick ass little amp.
@@mag-wp6yt Thanks for sharing your opinion. I was "kind-da" squawking a bit just because Steve has always been touting that NAD amp. I actually like it a lot and got it really cheaply. Plus, it's kind of a "stop over" amp until I can save up for a Freya+ and Aegir. I bought a pair of the Zu Dirty Weekend speakers recently and am really looking forward to giving them a good "work out". I picked up the NAD to get them off o my AV receiver. Definitely an improvement. I appreciate your perspective though. Cheers!
I hope your enjoying the NAD. I am going to buy Either this AXA 35 or the NAD 316BEE. i didn't know about this amp until Steve reviewed it. The thing is my Elac bookshelves are 6 ohm speakers. The axa35 does not recommend anything under 8ohm. I might be forced to get the NAD and that's certainly not a bad thing. Any suggestions or comments on your NAD before i pull the trigger this week? Id really like to know. Thx Frank :)
Hola Frank ¿Por cuál amplificador te decidiste?
I use the AXA25 version. I use it to power my Klipsch Heresy speakers from the 70's. The Cambridge AXA25 and the Klipsch Heresy in an amazing combo.
Having a pair of heresy 4s, ordered my axa25 yesterday 🤞
Hi Steve it’s grate to see you endorse a British product we do make some of the best hifi in the World hear as do you in the USA ps 1st to comment in the uk 🇬🇧
We don't necessarily spell the best though
Nicholas Rigg What the fuck is your problem if all you have to do is pick fault with other people you’re a waste of space
Tut, tut, language. ;-)
Seriously, though: There is a fine line between a national bias in which products one chooses to review (acceptable IMO if it is not excessive -- how many German products does WhatHIFI review?), and a national bias in the actual reviews. Steve fails on neither account.
Christopher Brown hi CHRIS sorry yes Germany make som Mitty fine products and always has but if I was to list all the country’s that-do it wold take all day. Ps the ass ole I used bad language is a troll
I was under the impression this was made in china
Steve I would like see a review from you on
Atoll Electronics and Arcam components.
Thanks for all those reviews over the years.
Just ordered the AXA 35 + Mission LX3 mkii. My ifi Zen blue dac its waiting to pair with them 😄
Hey man, I’m also thinking of doing this but with some Q acoustics probably. Do you think the ifi Zen DAC is good enough or it needs an external like the Schiit Modi 3?
Hey! I recently modified my audio setup Monitoraudio + bluesound node 2i. I highly recommend the bluesound
I have bought 2 Cambridge audio amps... Azur 840A and a little Sonata AR30. Sound good but both developed the volume control fault, that rendered them worthless. I did the research and ended up repairing the 840 ,replacing (upgrading to Fujitsu) all the relays in the volume resistor ladder (there is something like 30 of them, so it wasn't cheap) The original Omron relays employed by CA was an error since those relays are specified as not suitable for application. I also needed to remove and recondition the rotary selector. The Sonata is in the landfill. I wouldn't risk buying another CA product with the relay/resistor ladder volume control... Not sure if this amp does or not, but soon will because a mate just bought one.
Wow. I'm stunned. I thought the NAD was the obvious way to go, for the price. Thanks so much Steve - now I feel compelled to purchase some new electronics. I should have avoided this video on that basis alone. Kind Regards, Matt, Brooklyn, NY.
reminds me of the time I switched from a Yamaha to a Tandberg..... Yamaha had quite a bit more power on paper however the Tandberg had "it" / more umph.
Yup, I heard a comparison back in 1976 between a 100w Pioneer receiver and a 40w Tandberg receiver and the difference was night and day - in favor of the Tandberg. My guess is that the Tandberg had a much better damping factor and greater dynamic headroom. Then again, it's possible that it was the exact opposite - the Tandberg had a "warm" sloppy bass where the Pioneer was better engineered. It's too late now to do an objective comparison, unfortunately.
Now Cambridge Audio is offering the AXR85 - which has all the same features as the AXA35, plus a tuner, subwoofer output and over double the power at 85w RMS. Best of all? It's only $50 more! Help me understand, for only $50 more - why would anyone NOT purchase the AXR85 over the AXA35?
I'm sure someone would have said it already but the cambridge is a class D not class AB. I have one and I love it. love the review thank you for your work
Thanks for your review and comparison- just bought one today.😊
The only thing that I don't like is no pre-out for easy sub integration but for some reason it has a rec out. Almost perfect.
I wrote a similar comment right after I saw the back of the unit. Frankly, I don't care how good it sounds. I just looked at their website and they seem to have a distinctly anti-customer approach to their offerings. It looks like least expensive preamp they offer with analog inputs is $4k. So they are willing to make a $100 mini integrated amp, which I can understand not having much in the way of inputs and outputs, but they won't sell you an analog input preamp for less than the price of a used car. I am very turned off by this company.
I went to a dealer today to buy a pair of speakers and an amp. I got the Dali Oberon 5 and tested them with a Nad c316 and the axa35. Well after one hour with some of my favourite CDs I brought the Cambridge Audio home. It sounds sweeter and more mature, the Nad is more exciting but I could tell my 45 year old ears would get tired pretty soon. Thank you Mr. Guttenberg!
Nuno
Are you considering the axc35 too?
@@CM-dw3gh no, I bought a Marantz CD6006. It sounds marvelous.
@@nunofernandes4501 the only cd6006 I can see to buy now is B stock from hyperfi. Its £229. The cd6005 is even cheaper and believe it has the same DAC chip
@@CM-dw3gh the 6006 was discontinued but for that price it's a good deal. I bought mine for €422 and still think it was worth every cent. The new 6007 costs 500.
@@nunofernandes4501 would you buy b stock though? It's like 2nd hand as far as I can tell.
Your channel is such a breath of fresh air! Thanks!
Steve, you & I know these amps have to get out of bed very early to compete with NAD. Although curious, I'll just keep enjoying mine.
I tried both with Kef Q350s. I didn’t like the NAD. It sounded aggressive to me. The AXA35 sounds more laid back and complex.
I Have the Kef Q150 and the sound with the NAD is more detailed , and less agrresive because the less amount of bass of the kef´s 150 i think that i don´t tried the sound of the AXA35
Such a svelte looking amp. Sounds very nice. I like the sound of the AXA35 as soon as I pressed that power button which I can’t say for many amps to be honest and I have a few. Yes many amps take time to grow on your ears but the AXA35 for me stayed nice even when the novelty wore off much like a good wife. I have a Fiio K11 dac which is a good match for this amp. The K11 is a neutral sounding dac. I’m matching my AXA35 with Wharfedale 12.2 which are also on the neutral side. Elac Debut 6.2 would be another good choice for this amp with the more analytical nature of that speaker this amp would produce quite a balanced end sound.
I have a lot of Cambridge Audio equipment Including the 851N Streamer, and 851A Integrated Amp. . I find their equipment t to be well made and have a full, and neutral sound.
My two 24 year old avi s2000mi integrated amplifiers biamped together, kick the Cambridge amplifiers, naim, cyrus, amplifiers into to the dust I'm afraid. They are hardly never ever on sale on the used 2nd hand market, they are as rare as hens teeth. Between the two of them together biamped, there is 350 Watts into 4 ohms and 750 Watts into 1 ohm, and 38 amps of current.
The 316-V2 gained a phono stage, it would be nice if you had that and could compare phono to phono against the Cambridge?
I agree with you that the integrated amps should not be putting in a DAC. I understand that people may want to get an all-in-one box, but the DAC is always the weak point and will soon be replaced by a better DAC anyway. Your money is better spent buying an external DAC; even an inexpensive one will outperform a cheapie built-in.
Thanks, the Axa 35 is one im interested in buying
Nice hifi to get started. In the day I had a NAD 312.
Kraftwerk re-issues sound amazing.
Steve please tell us.
How the AXA35 compares to the Denon PMA 600ne. 😁
Buy a tube amp if you want high quality
I purchased one of these - manufacturer refurbished- a couple of months ago and I am very happy with it. I also bought the AXC 35 CD player. What seems strange to me is that the CD player does have a coaxial out, but there is no coax input on the amp. No big deal to me, but a bit strange.
Maybe because the amp has no built in DAC.
When the tone is so different between amps, it seems that a comparison of their frequency response is in order.
A freq response graph shows you how loud an amp plays at each frequency but the graph does not show you what the amp sounds like at those frequencies.
@@dreamdiction That statement sounds wise, and would be if you left off the last three words.
Measuring implies you know some engineering...
@@edwardallenthree A frequency response graph shows you how loud an amp plays at each frequency but the graph tells you NOTHING about the quality of reproduction at any of the frequencies shown on the graph.
🙄 yes because as any audiophile knows measurements and frequency reaponce charts are what any buying choice should be based on.
Get real ive got a croft phono integrated and its one of the worst measuring solid state amps on the market, sure sounds like heaven though.
How does it compares to Denon PMA-600NE?
I bought both of those to test, and found the Cambridge truly superior to the Denon. I was certain it would be the other way around, but once I heard the Cambridge there was no contest. I hooked both up to my Elac Debut 2.0 speakers. The Cambridge sounds elegant and spacious and very detailed. The Denon, to my surprise, sounded kind of pedestrian. I have an old mid-level Denon receiver and didn’t hear a big difference with the PMA-600NE. In addition, the build quality of the Cambridge is FAR superior. It’s heavy, with a huge power supply, a QUALITY power cord that isn’t permanently connected like the Denon. And it’s simple. If you don’t need digital inputs, I wouldn’t hesitate. Oh, and not only is the Cambridge $100 cheaper...if you buy the AXA-35 on the official Cambridge eBay store, which I did, you only pay $229. Maybe the best audio bargain around.
@@pattersonforbes4032 this is EXACTLY what I needed to hear I have the B6.2 and the topping E30 dac and was wanting this amp and was debating between the two thank you so much
@@hvskyline1368 That’s awesome. Enjoy!
@@pattersonforbes4032 I will for sure
@@pattersonforbes4032 Hola. tengo las mismos altavoces, era lo que necesitaba saber. Puedes decirme si en la salida pre out del Cambridge se puede conectar un subwoofer activo. Gracias.
Hi Steve, i've just seen your klipsch rp600m + nad c316bee v2 combo before this. Would you reccomend the Cambridge combo better?
Steve are you planning to review the AXR100? do you know if that one is also a Class A/B amp?
To summarize, there is a significant tonality difference totally obscured when demonstrated in a TouTube video.
And, the reviewer can reliably identify 128 kbps AAC and lossless audio, as shown in this video.
How does it make you feel?
Didja try different power cables?
Was it properly burned-in before the evaluation?
What if the NAD has Mpingo discs strategically placed on the cabinet with Tiptoes under its feet?
I recently bought the Cambridge AXA25 integrated amplifier and use it with a pair of ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 speakers for computer use. The little Cambridge 25 watt amp only cost $225 delivered, and I think the combination with the Andrew Jones designed speakers is great. The only thing I do not like is the automatic power on-off energy saving device. Let me turn it on and off myself. I don't like extra gadgets like that. What if it breaks? Otherwise, the sound is great without the hard solid state sound of typical home theater amps. Please review this little amp. A review of their expensive mono-block amps would be interesting as well. I would like to see what is inside their designs that makes them so different from the pack.
You can disable the auto turn off. While the unit is on, press and hold the power button until you see the LED flash 5 times. 5 times and it means the auto power off is disabled. If you press and hold again for a total of 10 flashes, then that means the auto turn off is enabled again.
@@svtcontour Thanks for the tip. :)
@@BanBiofuels Anytime my friend. I actually find the info not in the manual for this model but in one of the high end models and I was like what if they did the same and just didnt document it. Boom it works hah. BTW I hated that feature too! Stupid stuff. Glad it stays on now :)
Would love an updated tour and walk through your room. Reasoning, thoughts and stories behind what you bought and why :)
Hey Steve, I was on the fence about a CD transport and I saw where you recommended the Cambridge CXC transport (on C-net) so I bought one....and I love it. Much thanks! Works great with the Modi 3 (another recommended piece)!
Awesome!
I notice you said that the axa35 was better than the nad and you mentioned that the nad was your long term reference. My confusion is that it seems like you label the mk2 as being interchangeable with the first version. The nad v1 and v2 sound different from each other.
And that's why I run an older NAD C325bee! Because budget NADS after that are NOT as warm or punchy. The C316 is lean by comparison! Previous Cambridges have also been on the lean/clean/thin side of the continuum.
The 325 is a price point above the 316 though. I've owned the 326bee beside the 316bee and sure it is definitely weightier in the bass department but has nothing to do with the newer models being interior, it's just a higher spec amp.
A good video and baught the Cambridge based on this review
I have Cambridge ob both systems an A500 on the main and a Topaz AM1 on the second, the A500 was new old stock never played when I got it and sounds powerful and creamy smooth and the Topaz is too good to be true for what I paid.
🤪👍All I needed to know is when you said that maybe it's your new reference that sealed the deal for me😜👌
My wife gave me the Cambridge AXA25 and it sounds awesome, 25 WPC is very powerful.
I like it as well! Some reviewers don't even mention it when talking about the line.
@@losriosprofundos2113 I also now have the AXA35, they sound the same, just the AXA35 has a little more power, Remote and Phono input.
Both are great.
Dang was about to jump on NAD 316bee for my office to pair with my Klipsch R-51M bookshelfs....until I saw this (I wont even think about the RP-600M). Now do I go with NAD that might have a little for low end for the bookshelf speakers and much better THD rating....or do I go for the Cambridge AXA25/35 with higher THD, lower price and now a Audiophiliac Endorsement? Like listening to the snake to eat the apple or not. LOL Thanks for any further thoughts Steve....would like to buy soon unless want to sell me your NAD if that convinced. :) LOL
What amp did you choose?
Hey Steve! How does this amp perform as compared to the Onkyo A-9110 you recently praised?
The 5V USB out is very thoughtful imho.. Can be used to provide clean linear power to an external dac or a portable source.
It's a service port. 🤦
I've had a vintage sound system compoused with Kenwood LS series speakers and Integrated Amplifier Pioneer SA-7600 II, them I could buy a system than modern with Psb imagine Xb and Cambridge Audio AXA35, nowadays I love this combination but sometimes I used both with my DAP Lotoo Pawn Gold it's amazing natural sound.
How do you think the NAD 3020 sounds compared to the Cambridge audio AXA35?
did you switch ?
Will the Cambridge power the Triangle BRO3?
I have those Triangle's too and wonder will this Cambridge power it too
@raygu1818 it did a great job. Just don't expect concert levels.
It's a question of one's taste in sound. I have the Nad and i love his sound. I listen cassette tapes, cd, sacd and vinyl and it sounds great.
I Have The Nad Too in complement with legendary KEF Q 150 Speakers and the sound is AWESOME
Just a suggestion Steve but why don't you review a UK amplifier that's been around for nearly 20 years and relatively unchanged apart from a phono stage. The Sonneteer Alabaster.
Hi Steve, I’m from Italy. Can I use ELAC Debut 5.2 with a Cambridge axa 25?
sure you can, in stereo only
Hey Steve, I bought the Cambridge CXC CD Transport per your great recommendation. I teamed it with the Schiit Modi 3 and it's really great sounding.. very 3D with my Tube Depot Tube Cube 7, 3.5 wpc SET and Zu Omen Mk ii DW's.
Now, I'm looking to do some streaming and have no experience. I've read a favorable review or two on Cartridges CXC V2 Streamer and was hoping you'd review it and/or compare/review some other streamers.
As you can see in my post I have the same transport and DAC but with a Tube Depot 8 watt kit amp and back loaded horns. I bet your system sounds sweet!
@@lynnpoole7830 The Zu's really make it all happen .. 97 db 1w/m sensitivity. Really a full sound.. better even than my vintage Sherwood S 5000 ii. Tomorrow I get back my restored Conrad Johnson PV5 Preamp so I'm anxious to hear the results..
I'm wary of the stated specs on this amp -
sometimes you have to tame bright electronics/sources you already have and don't want to change your speakers because they are good (ex. KEF LS50)... in those cases a warm tube pre/amp is ideal.
What does accurate mean? Can you truly say? I mean accurate to what and to whom and to which recording. Nah man just get something that sounds good to you. The axa35 sounds good to me.
Hey Steve. I've heard it said "the more power the better". This amp does not have an impressive power rating but you are very high on this amp! Can you share your thoughts on my quote above? I'm new to the hobby and eager to learn. Thanks!
More power isn't always better. Keep researching.
assuming like the Topaz series there is a 80 w version coming, it's on my short list along with Yamaha ( silver required. )
The C 316BEE V2 indicates a damping factor of >200 while the Cambridge AXA35 is >50. How much of an issue might this be in practical terms?
My NAD 3020B gave up on me and i stumbled over the Cambridge n i buy one
Hey Steve how would you compare the Cambridge to the denon pma600?
You should review Roksan amp, new or vintage! And be amazed!
Your description of the sound reminds me of that of my vintage Sony receiver, str 6050.
Also its modern tidy looks appeals to me. Will definitely give this one a try.
I'm truly torn between these two integrated amps! NAD c316bee v2 and the Cambridge Audio axa35.
Both seem quality.
Update: I ended up buying the Cambridge audio axa35!
@@johnniziurski6434 how do you feel about that choice? I was in the same situation. The Cambridge all around a better bet by far for me.
@@briang530 my gear is still breaking in. The NAD amp seemed very lively when I listened to it in the store, and my AXA35 seems very laid back. I'm hoping things open up a little more music wise with the speakers and amp as I hear that there is a break in period.
@@johnniziurski6434 I think you've nailed the equation. For me having speakers on the lively side called for a more laid back amp. I can absolutely see why a more bright and energetic amp might be appealing tho.
@@briang530 I liked how the NAD amp sounded in store but I didn't want to spend the extra $100 at that time. The CA amp is fine but it's kind of boring at low volumes. My stuff is new and probably needs to break in.
Please make another video and explain how to use it. Front and back.
i disagree and missing many aspects of a good amp....i owned both and NAD 316beev2 and AXA35 ,NAD has more clarity and punch..AXA doesn't provide that audiophile quality, it just sounds like other cheaper Amps to me..bass and trouble controls do not separate vocal and music, if increased they make listening more worst than normal..in fact, increase in trouble settings, it sounds vocal more hiss..those controls are useless..i used B&W 607 with both AMPs.If you just want to listen in lower volume with mid level trouble and bass control and does not matter dynamics..then this is ok.I think on this price point, they should have spent more on audio than chassis.bcs it looks more strong at outside.
Agree
Agree
Til the cows come home. I haven't heard that for a while hehe looks a decent amp I've heard Cambridge are a little bright tho
It's time to test the IOTAVX SA3 class a/b amplifier. Cambridge may be good, this one is better!
Given that it's 40% more expensive, I'd sure hope it is better than the Cambridge 35.
@@Monkeyseemonkey79 You get also more inputs, and digital inputs as well. Sound quallity is very impressive! I had for 2 weeks, the Cambridge cxa 60, 5 star rating whathifi. Its good, but when you have heard the Iota vx, you don't go back to the cambridge😁
@Eder 120v If you got the chance to try one, there is no way back. Highly recommended!🙂
Nah man when you heard the Croft Phono Integrated you cant go back. Iota's a joke, sounds like a mid 90's denon avr, the cheap one. No color, no timbre and certainly no sense of reality to the sound.
Steve, when describing an amp that is Class AB it would be a really good thing to say how far it is biased. 1/4 a watt is very different from, say 4 watts. I know this is not actually a simple question, inasmuch it is not easy to give a straight answer. One amplifier designer said to me it was "approximately 13 watts"! But hey this is important.
Great!!! Thanks for sharing. Elac uni fi ub5 can be a good match?
Hi, i have question for You. Can I connect old Vienna Acoustic Bach 6ohm to AXA35?
"12 o'clock" on a bass (or other tone) knob doesn't necessarily correspond to "flat." When one amp sounds "thicker" or "richer" -- or, for that matter, "more detailed" -- than another of similar specs, I suspect there's some "tone stack" gimmickry or some such in play. I'm just sayin', let's not forget the original PS Audio Sprout, with its built-in 70 Hz bass boost...
You clearly dont know what you are talking about
@@hambo1147 -- Thanks for sharing your opinion, but 50+ years of involvement with home and pro audio, a good deal of it professionally, says I do.
Hi Steve, love your honesty. I recently bought this amp and have tried a couple of sets of speakers with it. Did you notice a somewhat elevated top end in the 6 to 9 kilohertz range?
Have you used the tone control? It one of the best things about this amp. Just the right amount of refinement to treble and bass for different recordings. I am usually in the 0 to +4 on treble and 0 to +2 on bass ranges. It's great to be able to find that sweet spot with a quick tweak on the remote.
@Boneseyy L I found the tone controls needed a finer adjustment ability. Too heavy-handed for me.
@Boneseyy L The amp is ok, but the 6 to 9 K treble rise is a fatiguing coloration for me. Just a heads up, folks. I sent it back.
Great review! Anyone have a comparison about how the Cambridge stacks up to another budget amp like the IOTAVX SA3????
Is it better than Onkyo A-9110?
So the Denon PMA600NE is replaced by the NAD or the Cambridge?
I auditioned Cambridge amps result hifi wallpaper they left me cold each to their own I suppose. I opted for Naim.
I picked one of these up having had the older model without the phono stage about nine years ago and sounds the same as I seem to remember however I noticed a little issue with it and was wondering if anybody else had the same behavior.
So the issue is when I am changing the volume with the remote and the motorized potentiometer is activated there is a very slight low level buzzing coming through either speakers or headphones. It seems to happen on all inputs and it only happens when that motorized action is occurring. I don't seem to notice it when music is playing or let's say a signal is being passed through only when there is no signal of any kind.
I'm inclined to think it's not really an issue because again it doesn't interfere with music and if I simply turn the knob by hand which I do 70% of the time it doesn't do it, again it only does it when you use the remote and the motor of the pot turns the knob.
i am thinking of buying the axa35. currently run an arcam Alpha 9 cd player with cardas everything thru to a 1976 rotel rx 102 mk2. jamo 807's. sound is awesome, imaging etc etc. given how good the old rotels sound, how far up the ladder does the axa35 sit in comparison ?
Ok.After using them both for some weeks going back and forth I made up my mind. C316bee stays, CA goes away. With a good set up , A SACD Sony and Harbeth shl5, Nad sounds more ' expensive '. Better timbre, instruments are more real , more 3D and is less fatiguing .CA can be forward and this warmth initially after a while makes everything sounds same in the mix. Don't know but I lost interest. Nad can sound exactly as Steve says.Hard, edgy, flat, lean..but just change ac polarity ! Is crucial here. Actually nad c316 sounds warmer than a Marantz sometimes.Not creamy, less artificially warm than CA , but instruments are richer , more believable .CA has this 'metallic' color and looses composed.. I prefer the Nad's articulation and tonality.
You are using a $300 dollar amp with £3000 dollar speakers???
@@michaelgoron4226 bahahahahahahaha! Was thinkin the same thing... lol!
Would love your thoughts on the Audiolab 6000a and Cyrus One HD.
Sign me on both of those.
No link for the Nad featured why?
Some years ago I bought the Cambridge Azur 640A that absolutely everyone admired but this amp had such a cheap touch it was already suspicious before even connect it. And listening was a huge disappointment especially because I bought it full price and I relied on good critics everywhere. The volume knob had this lack of left channel when it was at low position exactly like on a very cheap plastic radio, it was supposed to be able to drive any loudspeaker and concurred with brands like NAD or Rotel but really it didn’t match and certainly wasn’t the best choice for the Quad 11L. I don’t think I want to rely on Cambridge Audio anymore. Any good japanese brand will do
Hello and thank you for your great reviews! I would like to ask, if for the double price here in Greece, Musical Fidelity M2si (800€) sounds better than Cambridge AXA35 (400€). My speakers are Sonus Faber Lumina II (4 ohm 86dB). Thank you in advance!
What are the output devices? Mosfet or bipolar?
I want to emphasis a comment by Bill D about 4 hrs ago - the rating of ' power' by companies > rated at 80 % , whaat crap is this ? I saw somewhere Denon ( Denon ! supposed to be a ' good' company ) mentioned 10 % distortion. are You freakin kidding me --
10 % distortion rating / rating at 80 % power. utter crap. back in the day, early '70's they would make a point of listing distortion > 20 - 20,000 hz both channels driven at .00.... and now it's this bogus crap ? ps well, that's 'only advertising' it's how does it actually work but geeze.
I bought one 3 weeks ago.
But it let me down after a right channel failure.
Was my first Cambridge Audio amp.
now i have to wait 6 weeks for a replacement.
I replaced this crap...with a Rotel A10
@@EA-58 how is the rotel? in my country is the same price..
@@benegesserit9838 i love it
Gracias por tu informe, me gustaria conocer tu opinion para el amplificador cambridge axa 25, muchas gracias.
I have tried a number of class D amps and the NAD being a class D, I am not surprised. To me a (quality) class AB amp does sound noticeably better. I am willing to bet your old analog class AB NAD would sound comparable to the Cambridge. Class D amps work very well for the bass frequencies (sub amps) but performance typically degrades as the frequencies rise.
MultiCyclist the c316 is definitely AB, it may be the only AB NAD amp currently in production
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Yes you are correct, it's class AB rather than class D. My mistake. Well, I guess that elevates the Cambridge Audio AXA35 even higher.
@@multicyclist The NAD M32 is a class D amplifier, but it was recently reviewed by Stereophile magazine and rated into their class A of the Recommended Components, being one of the best amplifiers in the world currently. Class D can sound amazing if given proper implementation.
@@raffiequler7510 Thanks for pointing that out. Yes, that is a great amp by the reviews I have read. It is a cutting edge design implementation of Cambridge's Class D design. The NAD M32 is a true digital amp (not just Class D) that amplifies entirely in the digital domain, converting to analog at the speaker terminals. I haven't tried the NAD M32 or any other of the latest gear and haven't ruled out future advances in class D technology. Kudos to NAD but I would not pay $4000 for a 150 watt 2 channel class D amp. As with all digital (software-based) silicon chip technologies, amps with this or near this audio quality will be a dime a dozen in the near future. I'll wait for a better value proposition. It is technically possible for a class D amp to excel but as I stated earlier based on my sampling none of those did. There is little in common with the implementation of the NAD M32 vs the hundreds of models of inferior designs of class D implementations from other manufacturers. In terms of linearity, class D excels over most analog power amplifiers. However, in most past class D implementations, high-frequency audio quality suffered. The alure of class D to manufactures is that it is much cheaper to produce so it is easy to predict most manufacturers will be replacing class AB designs with class D designs in the future. Most have already done in thier low-end commodity units where audio quality is secondary to price. They really have no choice if they want to remain competitive price-wise and there have been considerable R&D investments into Class D by many manufacturers at this time.
Hey Steve,
do you know the (outdated model) Cambridge Audio AM10, which is just a touch cheaper?
Which one is more musical in your opinion?
Thank you
Mmm...Cambridge! Looking good!