Is the new CXA81 really a step up?

craig808

I've got the CXA80 and I agree with What HiFi's review...it's really good and does many things extremely well. But then it seems like it can't harness all that extra power over the smaller CXA60 and just falls short of the mark.
Now I'm reading that with the new CXA81, Cambridge Audio have really upped their game. Has anyone on here had both and can tell me what your thoughts are please?

mattyp

I’ve not had both but owned a CXA81 for about a week and so far really happy with it. Been running an Arcam A85 and P85 combo for about 15 years and the CXA81 certainly doesn’t seem to be struggling for power and control compared to them, it’s tight and punchy up to head crushing volume!

richardS

I have the CX81 (for a week) which is a replacement for a very aged AudioLab 8000A. All I can say is "Wow". I cannot stop playing it. Sound stage is vast and base is as tight as a tight thing....but then I never tried the CXA80 so...my comment is probably not very useful.....  But....i just wanted to say how very, very happy I am with the CXA81!

3rdignis

Without hearing any of the hifi commented on.

I think changing to the replacement model will not bring huge benefits but will probably be a similar sound signature.

Moving forward 10-15 years or increasing budget 2-3 fold, with carefull consideration should see results.

Different categories of hifi show different price performance curves.