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expired Posted by perpetualcoldbrew • Mar 23, 2023
expired Posted by perpetualcoldbrew • Mar 23, 2023

Cambridge Audio CXA61 Stereo Two-Channel Amplifier w/ Bluetooth & Built-in DAC

+ Free Shipping

$599

$1,099

45% off
Amazon
137 Comments 54,556 Views
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Deal Details
Update: This popular deal is still available.

World Wide Stereo via Amazon has Cambridge Audio CXA61 Stereo Two-Channel Amplifier w/ Bluetooth & Built-in DAC for $599. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member perpetualcoldbrew for finding this deal.

Includes:
  • Integrated amplifier
  • 6' AC power cord
  • Remote control
  • 3 "AAA" batteries
  • Bluetooth antenna
  • 39" mono-RCA control cable
  • Quick Start Guide
Features:
  • 60 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms (90 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms)
  • 4-ohm capability allows use with a wide range of speakers
  • THD: 0.02% (20-20,000 Hz at 80% of rated power)
  • Built-in high-performance ESS Sabre SE9010K2M DAC
  • Toroidal power transformer for low noise and high-current output
  • Bluetooth wireless connectivity for streaming music from compatible smartphones, tablets, and computers
  • aptX HD encoding provides high-quality music streaming from compatible devices
  • Class AB amplifier design
  • Full-metal casework with thick, brushed aluminum front panel and acoustically damped chassis for enhanced resonance control
  • Remote included

Editor's Notes

Written by SubZero5 | Staff
  • About this deal:
  • About this product:
    • Rating of 4.6 from 55 Amazon customer reviews.
  • About this store:
  • Additional Note:

Original Post

Product Info
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Product Info
Community Notes
About the Poster
Update: This popular deal is still available.

World Wide Stereo via Amazon has Cambridge Audio CXA61 Stereo Two-Channel Amplifier w/ Bluetooth & Built-in DAC for $599. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member perpetualcoldbrew for finding this deal.

Includes:
  • Integrated amplifier
  • 6' AC power cord
  • Remote control
  • 3 "AAA" batteries
  • Bluetooth antenna
  • 39" mono-RCA control cable
  • Quick Start Guide
Features:
  • 60 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms (90 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms)
  • 4-ohm capability allows use with a wide range of speakers
  • THD: 0.02% (20-20,000 Hz at 80% of rated power)
  • Built-in high-performance ESS Sabre SE9010K2M DAC
  • Toroidal power transformer for low noise and high-current output
  • Bluetooth wireless connectivity for streaming music from compatible smartphones, tablets, and computers
  • aptX HD encoding provides high-quality music streaming from compatible devices
  • Class AB amplifier design
  • Full-metal casework with thick, brushed aluminum front panel and acoustically damped chassis for enhanced resonance control
  • Remote included

Editor's Notes

Written by SubZero5 | Staff
  • About this deal:
  • About this product:
    • Rating of 4.6 from 55 Amazon customer reviews.
  • About this store:
  • Additional Note:

Original Post

Community Voting

Deal Score
+63
Good Deal
Visit Amazon

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Top Comments

ernestryles
42 Posts
10 Reputation
60 watts per channel at 8 ohms is not "Really weak". That's 120 watts per channel at 4 ohms. That will comfortably drive most 4 ohm speakers.
Tardcore
385 Posts
204 Reputation
if you're concerned about the "low" wattage, do yourself a solid and read up on watts vs current.

wattage is a term that gets abused by marketing. A good amp provides strong current.

the best analogy I have heard is that if you imagine power as water running through a hose, wattage is the rate at which water goes through the hose and current is the size of the hose.

Not sure if that analogy is 100% apt but it gives you a good picture of how wattage can be misleading.

Here's a good explanation from Paul McGowan of PS Audio on the topic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfNoGVahHKg
intence01
2423 Posts
839 Reputation
Don't apologize, was a solid deal and no need to resurrect the original post after such a long time

136 Comments

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Original Poster
Pro
Mar 23, 2023
140 Posts
Joined Jul 2021
Mar 23, 2023
perpetualcoldbrew
Mar 23, 2023
Original Poster
Pro
140 Posts
Mar 24, 2023
2,423 Posts
Joined Aug 2007
Mar 24, 2023
intence01
Mar 24, 2023
2,423 Posts
Quote from perpetualcoldbrew :
i wasn't sure how to resurrect the expired deal: https://slickdeals.net/f/16445869-cambridge-audio-cxa61-stereo-two-channel-amplifier-w-bluetooth-built-in-dac-599-free-shipping

apologies for reposting.
Don't apologize, was a solid deal and no need to resurrect the original post after such a long time
Pro
Mar 24, 2023
1,646 Posts
Joined Feb 2006
Mar 24, 2023
anarchist
Pro
Mar 24, 2023
1,646 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank anarchist

Quote from perpetualcoldbrew :
i wasn't sure how to resurrect the expired deal: https://slickdeals.net/f/16445869-cambridge-audio-cxa61-stereo-two-channel-amplifier-w-bluetooth-built-in-dac-599-free-shipping

apologies for reposting.
If the thread is over a week old with no new comments in the past couple days, it thread is considered inactive. So this thread would no longer be considered a repost. Peace
1
Mar 24, 2023
213 Posts
Joined Dec 2018

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users.

Mar 24, 2023
42 Posts
Joined Sep 2012
Mar 24, 2023
ernestryles
Mar 24, 2023
42 Posts
Quote from darth_fader :
This is a really odd combination - great DAC hooked up to a really weak amp. This would only be good (IMO) for someone who has music stockpiled in lossless format and is looking for the best reproduction possible on really small speakers - maybe the office of an audiophile? I'd be curious to know who's using this, and how?

I just don't see much point in this unless the music you like isn't available via MQA on Tidal.
60 watts per channel at 8 ohms is not "Really weak". That's 120 watts per channel at 4 ohms. That will comfortably drive most 4 ohm speakers.
1
Mar 24, 2023
385 Posts
Joined Nov 2010
Mar 24, 2023
Tardcore
Mar 24, 2023
385 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Tardcore

if you're concerned about the "low" wattage, do yourself a solid and read up on watts vs current.

wattage is a term that gets abused by marketing. A good amp provides strong current.

the best analogy I have heard is that if you imagine power as water running through a hose, wattage is the rate at which water goes through the hose and current is the size of the hose.

Not sure if that analogy is 100% apt but it gives you a good picture of how wattage can be misleading.

Here's a good explanation from Paul McGowan of PS Audio on the topic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfNoGVahHKg
1
3
Mar 24, 2023
622 Posts
Joined Mar 2009
Mar 24, 2023
sd2515
Mar 24, 2023
622 Posts
Here's a very recent review: https://youtu.be/8s5zny7FiHw
1
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Original Poster
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Mar 24, 2023
140 Posts
Joined Jul 2021
Mar 24, 2023
perpetualcoldbrew
Mar 24, 2023
Original Poster
Pro
140 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank perpetualcoldbrew

Quote from darth_fader :
This is a really odd combination - great DAC hooked up to a really weak amp. This would only be good (IMO) for someone who has music stockpiled in lossless format and is looking for the best reproduction possible on really small speakers - maybe the office of an audiophile? I'd be curious to know who's using this, and how?

I just don't see much point in this unless the music you like isn't available via MQA on Tidal.
i'm using the CXA61 in my small to mid-sized living room, I never turn the knob past 45%, it's more than loud enough of an amp for me. Losing out on extra headroom/dynamics doesn't concern me much. Using 6 ohm and 87 dB sensitivity speakers. I was considering the CXA81 but it's over double the price.
1
Mar 24, 2023
21,470 Posts
Joined Nov 2007
Mar 24, 2023
Buckeyefan 1
Mar 24, 2023
21,470 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Buckeyefan 1

Quote from darth_fader :
This is a really odd combination - great DAC hooked up to a really weak amp. This would only be good (IMO) for someone who has music stockpiled in lossless format and is looking for the best reproduction possible on really small speakers - maybe the office of an audiophile? I'd be curious to know who's using this, and how?

I just don't see much point in this unless the music you like isn't available via MQA on Tidal.
We used to drive huge floor standing 15" 3 way speakers in college with 30 and 40 watt per channel receivers for hours. They were made much better in the day and could handle the heat output of the class AB amp. It's not the size of the speakers, but the sensitivity and impedance. 60 wpc can drive a 94dB 8 ohm speaker all day long. If it's well designed with excellent heat management, and rated for 4 ohms, can outperform multichannel 100 watt receivers all day long. Your amp only needs to work as hard as your speaker requires.
1
Mar 24, 2023
990 Posts
Joined May 2007

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users.

Mar 24, 2023
1,307 Posts
Joined Oct 2008
Mar 24, 2023
chickdr
Mar 24, 2023
1,307 Posts
Smackdown of that poster! 60 watts is not "weak" depending on how efficient the 60 watts are....
Mar 24, 2023
157 Posts
Joined Oct 2010
Mar 24, 2023
unclesam89
Mar 24, 2023
157 Posts
I own it since the last deal, hard to beat at this price point. Odd comment above as I'd read that the weakest link on the spec sheet is the DAC not power.
Mar 24, 2023
5 Posts
Joined Jul 2021
Mar 24, 2023
ShrewdArm210
Mar 24, 2023
5 Posts
Is it powerful enough for Monoprice 365T? Thanks!
Mar 24, 2023
1,231 Posts
Joined Jul 2015
Mar 24, 2023
arooni
Mar 24, 2023
1,231 Posts
Want to make a jump to a receiver someday from my current smartphone => bluetooth speakers setup to a receiver like this + passive speakers, but curious:

1. How do you hook it up so you can watch TV as well as listen to music without the TV on?
2. How do you set it up so you can play music on it without degrading the quality via bluetooth? i.e. stream music via tidal/spotify. I have no records or CDs and don't want to own them.
3. Are there amplifier/DACs that allow remote playback adjustment via iOS or Android apps (again without losing fidelity via bluetooth signal compression)?
3. Is there a way to remotely adjust volume on a same smartphone ?

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Mar 24, 2023
391 Posts
Joined Apr 2019
Mar 24, 2023
Ajax77
Mar 24, 2023
391 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Ajax77

Quote from PNUCKLE :
Most modestly priced bookshelf speakers range from 6OHM to 8OHM, hence this amp is technically a little low on power. I have my Studio 530 JBL's hooked up to an XPA200 Emotiva and think its weak at 150W RMS per channel.
Apart from the previous post of watts Vs current, even is you go just by watts, when comparing this 60w amp to a 120w one, you would only gain about 3db, which is very little.
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