Entry Amplifier: Cambridge Audio AXA35 Review

even after 200 hours,, below 800hz is muddled,, not defined,,, below average,,, but onkyo 9110 excels in bass definition below 800hz,,, ,but,, above 2khz onkyo is too jangly and harsh.. typical of japan mfrs

How do you think this amp compares to denon pma-600 ne

Amazing review! Thanks

Unconscious bias can be so damaging. Back in the early 1980s (I think) mum would be sent a massive Littlewoods catalogue twice a year, similar to the better known Freemans catalogue, basically buying anything and everything and repaying weekly through an account. Once I’d finished studying the photographic skills used to present ladies’ undies (ahem), I’d move onto cameras, hifi and other tech. Amongst all the gear from the big household names, Sony, Panasonic etc was some hifi bling from an outfit called Marantz. I’d never heard of them, the designs then looked a bit, well, tacky for the time, and I assumed they were some bunch of lightweights created to sell stereo equipment on the never-never. Im currently looking for a new turntable, no doubt a new amp will follow. Marantz? We’ll see…

I just smashed up my Azur 840C and it felt so good to see bits fly off it with each hammer blow. I have spent years being patient with it and repairing its many faults, but the appalling build quality finally tipped me over the edge. The silly magnetic disc clamp is hilariously bad and I discovered the use of self-tapping screws had been used going into machine threaded holes. I've had it since new - that's how the Chinese factory built it! How hard can it be to make a reliable means of simply getting a disc into a box?

Still loving my Arcam Alphas.

I noticed on the back of the amplifier that is was 230v. Another video I watched stated that running 240v through a 230v amp will significantlly reduce its lifespan and that we should use a stepdown transformer on them. do you have an opinion on this?

I’d be interested to hear how it compares to the smsl ao200. It also seems to have rave reviews and is around the same price

A first class review and in easy to understand terms. Cambridge now one to consider as i been a NAD amp man for years and in the makret for a new amp.

The plastic faceplate wrecks the appeal for me.

Excellent review. Seems to be a very good amplifier. It wouldn’t worry anything from Rega though.

Thanks so much for your superb review. Do you think the AXA35 will pair well with Mission LX2's? My present amp is a Marantz PM5005. Chord speak cables and QED interconnects. Thanks

@abritishaudiophile7314 or anyone - it would be nice to know How does it compare to SMSL A300?

Great review. I agree 100% with your Cambridge bias so don't beat yourself up! I think what saves them here is that the actual guts of the amplifier circuit are designed by TI/National Semiconductor. The LM3886 is a remarkably good sounding bit of silicon. Its quasi complementary output stage is asymmetrical and adds H2 which is partly responsible for the warm tones you describe. Cambridge has just added the power supply and input switching so let's not give them too much credit 😂😂😂

Would you recommend the AXA35 instead of the Alva Duo? I just want to listen to my vinyl via headphones. What do you think? It’s almost identical in price tag.

Found your channel recently; I love you saying "I don't get blown away... besides, I hate that term"; you and me both! There is far too much use of hyperbolic expressions these days.

I heard a Cambridge Audio device about 12 years ago... it was an amplifier with a built-in CD player that my roommate had bought new from a pawn shop...when the CD player was playing, you could hear the mechanism in the speakers! This is where I decided never to buy a Cambridge Audio device... Your review made me realize that I had a prejudice against this brand...

Most audio guys are fools... 😆👎

Recently purchased this amplifier and running it with a Bluesound Node (3rd gen) and PSB Imagine XBs. I'm very happy with the results! I am considering getting the Acoustic Energy AE100 mk. 2 as per Tarun's suggestion ...just to try and please the "synergy Gods". I am concerned , however, about the 6 ohm(speaker) and 8 ohm (amp) mismatch. Cambridge Audio seems pretty clear that only 8 ohm speakers should be run with this amp. Is this something I need to be concerned about if I do go ahead with the AE100s? Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions.

First class review - It might be a bit of an audiophile OCD question... how does the sound of this amp compare to another amp listed in the best bargains in your review - the NAD C316 Bee V2?

Excellent review, I found your comments so interesting I will short list this for consideration.

Dear British Audiophile, I have a small problem and I am sure you can help me: I paired the cambridge axa35 with Dali Spektor 1 speakers that have 6 ohm impedance, but the user manual of cambridge axa35 says I should use only 8 ohm speakers, because otherwise it could result in the amplifier overheating which could damage the unit in the long run. I am puzzled here, because my dali speakers sound so beautiful paired with cambridge that I don't really want to replace them. I am asking because you yourself paired the amplifier with dali minuet, which have the impedance of 4 ohms (as far as I know), and some other reviewers also advertise the amp with dali spektor 2 speakers (6 ohm speakers). Is my pairing really a problem? Thank you for your kind reply in advance. Alexander

hello , you say that the axa 35 is better than many more expensive amplifiers, is the axa35 better or in the same league with rega brio

How's the phono on the axa35?

Hi Tarun
I enjoy your reviews and commentary so much.
I just bought this today at a good hifi shop in Newtown Sydney ✨👍

I bought Monoblocks. Each has 125 watts RMS. Can I connect to this as a pre amp?

But Cambridge audio don’t recommend that you use speakers with less than 8 ohms? The Acoustic energy is 6 ohms. Still a good idea?

Can I connect power subwoofer possible or not

I drive a pair of Dynaudio Emit 10's with this amp and they sound fantastic! very musical and defined

Is review leaves me thinking how similar this amp is to the classic NAD 3020. On paper, lacking grunt, and presence, but in practice, able to drive quite difficult speakers and shockingly good performance. Is the Axa 35 another qiant-slaying British amplifier that will be considered a classic?

Super surprised! Especially with the small filter caps, even my music hall a15.3 has a 5000 mf per speaker 50 watts per channel. That it can still produce and handle dynamics swings like that, without distortion or clipping.

Mindblowing

I guess you choose to pair axa35 with a100mk2 because they had a good synergy but could the same total money spent on a cheap chinese classe D amp (70 pounds) + 500 pounds speakers sound better ?

I bought it. Your review was one of those which helped me to pull the trigger.. As as mid income man, this purchase is far the best in decades for me in terms of price performance ratio. This device is unbetable. Thank You.

Would this amp be enough to power JBL's towers Stage A180 on a medium sized room?

Tarun I've watched many of your reviews and this one might be my favorite. I've had a bit of a moment after purchasing and listening to the 35. I feel a bit of a fool because I have spent thousands and years. And this little amp absolutely thrills me.
It really has been something of Revelation and I'm reconsidering many of my past decisions and perhaps selling a whole bunch of equipment. Outstanding work ! and I do not say that lightly.

I've never owned a Cambridge product either and your comments about how you ignored it as an audio file reflected how I thought as well.
I purchase a pre-owned one and I'll say it is a wonderful integrated amp for the money. Is there anything that's better for the money than this? I don't think so.

I think this amp should work with a lot of " U " shaped sonic signature modest sensitivity loudspeakers! Think I'll give her a whirl ma self

Many years ago bought a naim 42.5 110 combo had a linn lp12 front end absolutely hated the result never had another naim amp went to valves maybe a solid state amp demo is called for after hearing what this little Cambridge can do?

Hmmm ive just bought a Denon pma800 Why? It was on sale at £415 now im going for my ears testing Why? because it sounds stupidly good . Yes it has faults but foot tapping was never this good for sub 500 . Difficult to compare the two but on listening the Denon for my taste won hansomely .
If you get chance Tarun have a listen .

Cambridge Audio, Mordaunt Short, and others are part of the Audio Partnership. CA might be a UK company, but the gear is made in the Far East not the UK. No screening of the power supply, not the CA of the 1970's

I just love your reviews! Thank you!

I recently bought a pair of Dali Spektor 2, do you think this would be a good match for them? Or should I perhaps save a bit more for something like a Rotel A11 Tribute?

Although I've been listening to music for decades, I never really got into audiophile equipment until now, so I'm still discovering a lot of new things...
I think I like to hear a clear, detailed and "natural" sound on acoustic instruments, with good separation. I'm not a fan of strong boomy bass (but I do like to listen to the details of a good double bass solo on a jazz record). Not sure if that that puts me in the analytical sound signature spectrum or perhaps on a more balanced one...
So not sure if the AXA35 being on the warm side is the best for me, although you say it has a good level of detail, so maybe it is?

Unfortunately, listening to audiophile gear in person is mostly not an option for me, so I need to rely on online reviews such as yours! (thank you again for your service!)

Hi Tarun
I really enjoy your video reviews.
A couple of questions.
Would a Cambridge Audio AXA35 be a good match with the Acoustic Energy 100 mkii
Or... The Iota VXNP3 with the Acoustic Audio AE1 active speaker be better ?
I would appreciate your views .
Other speakers that you would recommend with the Cambridge, or pre amp for AE1 would also be appreciated.
Thanks, Zak

Appreciate reviews of more affordable gear. Proves you don't need to spend a fortune to get good sound.

I simply love your reviews❣👏🏻😃 The way you express yourself in a positv english way! (I am Swiss… 😅)

Guess what has 600va a raft of new caps...the odd resister here and there..huge \amount of capacitance on the ..PSU...quality volume control...panel deadening etc etc and shows all the Cambridge amps up ?????...regards..Mick

My 9010 onkyo amp 230 gbp sounds xcellent with my gyrodek 5 grand and tannoy turnburys 8 grand... Yes its this good.. I have valve amps etc... May try it with FM 3001 Chinese clone 350gbp.. A clone of a 30 000 euro Swiss amp from 30 yrs ago... Supposed t b xcellent

Ah Cardiff, Richer Sounds in Cowbridge Rd, and a Cambridge Audio amp. That's where I got mine too (they never ever gave me a free RS mug😉, although I still have the CA cables), and still have the amplifier... and use it 😁! It's the A1 Mk2 SE and this has a real 2mm thick aluminium front. I've always been happy with it tbh although the bass can be pretty punchy, with the bass knob full up, it has to come from a bass heavy track🎶. If the music has little bass, there isn't a thing I can do about it further. So I guess you recommend? 😉

Compared to the IOTA SA3???

Great review,very professional and has no BS.