SoundsGreat? Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 Hi, as it relates to your Klipsch speakers (mine are Forte IIs), can anyone relate a comparison between Cambridge Audio's AX (entry) and CX (higher) level lines for an amp? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivernuggets Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 @willland I'm 95% sure Bill will know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoundsGreat? Posted January 15, 2021 Author Share Posted January 15, 2021 I know this is a hard question to answer, but how much will a newbie like myself notice a difference when I can't A/B compare the two? I wish I could compare listening myself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivernuggets Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 Trying to improve my audio memory is ongoing. I'll remember the reasons why I liked this over that, but if you introduce a new piece of gear I've never heard it's hard for me to compare it to my memory of past gear. Memory gets clouded by preference and bias. Best way is to have both pieces at the same time for a shootout. Does Cambridge Audio have a 30 day return on new items? If so, order both and return one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wetowne Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 I can't offer an opinion as to comparisons but I can tell you that my little AXA25 sounds great with my Heresy 1s. I think it was money well spent and I didn't have to spend much. Very detailed yet smooth sounding and more than enough power for efficient speakers. I prefer tubes but still find the axa25 enjoyable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoundsGreat? Posted January 15, 2021 Author Share Posted January 15, 2021 Thanks, Rivernuggets. I'm actually contemplating buying the CXA60 in the garage sale area. I had been planning on the cheaper AXR85 line, but the used CXA60 isn't that much more. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivernuggets Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 After doing a fair amount of A/Bing I like the Emotiva PT-100 paired with an ATI AT602 or AT1202 with my Chorus IIs (similar to your Forte IIs). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoundsGreat? Posted January 15, 2021 Author Share Posted January 15, 2021 1 minute ago, wetowne said: I can't offer an opinion as to comparisons but I can tell you that my little AXA25 sounds great with my Heresy 1s. I think it was money well spent and I didn't have to spend much. Very detailed yet smooth sounding and more than enough power for efficient speakers. I prefer tubes but still find the axa25 enjoyable. Thanks! Appreciate it. My only concerns have really been the "brightness" people describe with Cambridge Audio, as my rooms are pretty bad with windows and wall asymmetry. I have Forte IIs that should be easy to drive, but I also have Infinity R263 in a different room, and I think I need enough power to be able to drive those in the future in case I make any AV changes. That's why I'm leaning toward more than the 25. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoundsGreat? Posted January 15, 2021 Author Share Posted January 15, 2021 1 minute ago, Rivernuggets said: After doing a fair amount of A/Bing I like the Emotiva PT-100 paired with an ATI AT602 or AT1202 with my Chorus IIs (similar to your Forte IIs). Was Cambridge and/or Marantz included in those A/Bs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivernuggets Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 4 minutes ago, SoundsGreat? said: I'm actually contemplating buying the CXA60 in the garage sale area. The seller Rich is great to deal with. If you decide to pull the trigger, buy with confidence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoundsGreat? Posted January 15, 2021 Author Share Posted January 15, 2021 Just now, Rivernuggets said: The seller Rich is great to deal with. If you decide to pull the trigger, buy with confidence. Thanks! Very helpful to hear. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivernuggets Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 1 minute ago, SoundsGreat? said: Was Cambridge and/or Marantz included in those A/Bs? It was one of those slim Marantz HT receivers. Did not compare with Cambridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 56 minutes ago, Rivernuggets said: @willland I'm 95% sure Bill will know. Thanks for the vote of confidence but I do not know. My experience with Cambridge Audio includes integrated amps the 540A, 640A v2, CD player 640C, 840C, and universal player 751BD. What I can say is they were all mostly trouble free and sounded great with my Klipsch speakers. With all that said, I would shoot for either the CXA60 or the CXA80 with your Forte IIs. If either of these previous generation integrated amps are still available NOS and priced right, then consider one. 51 minutes ago, SoundsGreat? said: Thanks, Rivernuggets. I'm actually contemplating buying the CXA60 in the garage sale area. I had been planning on the cheaper AXR85 line, but the used CXA60 isn't that much more. A very good idea. A couple of very nice features both of these possess are stereo pre-outs and a subwoofer pre-out. Bill 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivernuggets Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 52 minutes ago, SoundsGreat? said: My only concerns have really been the "brightness" people describe with Cambridge Audio, as my rooms are pretty bad with windows and wall asymmetry. I've read a lot on this forum about room treatments and acoustic paneling. Many have posted here how it was one of the best improvements to their system. I look forward to doing it some day. It takes some experimenting which I haven't set aside time to do yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubo Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 Specs on it are OK CXA60 Integral DAC, would expect better SN Maybe everyone measures a little differently If the price is right, drive it for six months and if you don't like it, sell it I've picked up 5 AVRs that are great performers for around $60 total The reality is that 15 year old AVRs have little resale value, no matter how good they sound. I would check CL and local resale shops too Even a Little basic 1995 SONY D565 I picked up is in the ball park spec wise $14 Even has a great tuner section. Phono input, no DAC Basic tone controls and bass boost button I did pay $20 for a stock remote, Sony has their own multi unit remotes too new. I bought it for my daughter who I'm trying to ween off of earbuds, using it in my basement for now. I blow them out with a compressor, check the solder joints and caps for leaks, and spray cleaner into the dials and buttons, miracles frequently occur https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/sony/str-d565.shtml CXA60 Detailed Specifications Power output 60W RMS into 8 Ohms 90W RMS into 4 Ohms DAC Wolfson WM8740 Frequency Response <5Hz – 60kHz +/-1dB THD (unweighted) <0.002% 1kHz at 80% of rated power <0.02% 20Hz – 20kHz at 80% of rated power Max power consumption 600W Standby power consumption <0.5W Analogue audio inputs 4 x RCA, 1 x 3.5mm MP3 input (front panel) Digital audio inputs 1 x S/PDIF coaxial, 2 x TOSLINK optical, Bluetooth via BT100 (not supplied) Compatibility TOSLINK optical: 16-24 bit, 32-192kHz (using high quality TOSLINK optical cable) S/PDIF coaxial: Linear PCM 16-24 bit, 32-192kHz BT100 Bluetooth receiver: A2DP plus aptX Outputs Speakers A+B, 3.5mm Headphone, Preamp Output, Subwoofer Output Headphone output THD: 0.002% (1kHz signal, 1V input, volume set to 1V HP output, 80kHz bandwidth, into 32Ohm load) S/N: dependent on volume pot position. Typically better than 95dBr Frequency response @ +/- 1dB: <10Hz to >90kHz Dimensions (H x W x D) 115 x 430 x 341mm (4.5 x 16.9 x 13.4”) Weight 8.3kg (18.3lbs) https://techsupport.cambridgeaudio.com/hc/en-us/article_attachments/202201712/CXA60_Technical_Specifications.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 1 hour ago, SoundsGreat? said: My only concerns have really been the "brightness" people describe with Cambridge Audio Don't mistake "brightness" with analytical and neutral. My experience with CA has been spot on neutral sound signature in just about every room I have demoed them in. My family room is the largest and it can be a bit "bright" with 500 sq ft of ceramic tile, 10 to 12ft ceilings, and many hard surfaces, but has been noticeably tamed with thick long drapes, area rugs, and fluffy pillows. On the other hand, in my master bedroom where my CA rig resides, no brightness at all with a nice neutral to warmish presentation. Bill 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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