New Cambridge Audio Amp Rocks!

Cambridge Audio EXA 100 howl.link/y5kt... (affiliate)
Best Amps of 2024 • YES! Amps of the Year ...
Best Speakers of 2024 • IT'S HERE! Best Speake...
Best DACS of 2024 • It's Here! Cheap Audio...

[@timbacchus]

I love your site because I am an audiophile and because you do not mention news or politics. Amen

[@adsph]

Looks like another winner for Cambridge. Thanks for covering it Randy.

[@Firebottleman]

The EXA line is the new version of their AZUR line. I've owned the AZUR 851A, and it was a beast! Thanks for the video Randy. Happy Holidays!

[@proverbialmind_spread9421]

Keeping the cost down on the amp by not having a phono preamp. Cambridge sells phono preamps so it makes sense. Grab an Alva Solo or Duo depending on your cartridge choice. Speaking of which, would love to see you cover more turntable and cartridge options.

[@ThatAnalogDigital]

And using logic based components that can’t be fixed. It’s a throw away device unfortunately.

[@CommanderGinyu]

There’s no phone stage because they 1) sell their own 2) their flagship turntable has a phono built in

[@marksilgalis9400]

Technivorm Mochamaster… the last drip coffee machine you will ever buy. >

[@WS-nv6cp]

+1 a great coffee maker

[@EskWIRED]

I use a vacuum pot made in the 1920s. It makes a very clean cup and uses no filters. That being said, I have heard nothing but great things about the Technivorm. Apparently, they are very careful to deliver the water at the correct temperature.

[@fubartotale3389]

You took my comment, 100% agree!

[@ginom407]

Cambridge is Killing It!

[@crimlarksSteve]

Definitely!

[@ThatAnalogDigital]

@@ginom407 killing it with planned obsolescence, unfortunately.

[@Moebius-m2c]

@@ThatAnalogDigital ???

[@ThatAnalogDigital]

@@Moebius-m2c what’s the question?

[@MrSpaceship]

Indeed

[@paulrobinson3649]

Add the Grateful Dead to that list and you've got the core of my record collection.

[@mikecampbell5856]

What does a Dead Head say when the drugs wear off? "Where's all that crappy music coming from?" Just kidding. Old 70s joke.

[@geoffseyon3264]

Randy, I appreciate your stating that this would work well with the Super Linton’s, everyone’s aspirational speaker. Now we have the aspirational amp to go with it. Thanks!

[@Guy-ns1hk]

Just got he Criton 1TDX with superior crossover kit. I'm wondering which amp would work best with those?

[@bpalpha]

Cool speakers. Let us know what you think of them once built.

[@MrSpaceship]

Right On! Cambridge is on it. Thanks Cheap Audio Man!

[@WireHedd]

LOL'd at the Grand Funk Railroad but yeah, I listen to them still. Awesome video Randy, thanks bud.

[@DeMorcan]

When I first heard Grand Funk, Brownsville Station was the lead in band. One of the songs BS played was Smoking in the Boys room, which later made them into a main band at concerts.

[@bpalpha]

I run both an A & B set of stereo speakers off my Denon receiver. I am wondering how many others make use of the B channel option? Anyone else running two sets of stereo speakers? I have JBL E30s on my A channel and a pair of Boston Acoustics VR940s on B. It's working out great thus far.

[@mr.b4444]

I have two sets of speakers hooked up to my Rotel RA 1592 MkII. A pair of Magnepan LRS+ on channel A and a pair of Emotiva Airmotive T2+ on channel B. It's nice to have the option to switch. I listen to mostly straight ahead jazz and piano trios etc which the LRS+ are perfect for but the Emotiva T2 sound better for some contemporary music and light rock. There are many choices for good amps out there but because they didn't have the A&B speaker option I couldn't bother with them.

[@BobbyTwoTimes]

Cut this man some slack! He has brought so many cheap items to our attention. 100 videos on SMSL and Douk Audio will not keep me watching. Keep up the good work, Randy!

[@janulik9535]

Randy, now when you are also at this price level I really you put your hands on naim staff. To my ears this is really something special. However my experience was kind of like the one of "2channel listening" guy(you can find review of naim 5si). First impresion is that the amp is doing nothyng more than plaing music as it is supposed to be. But then almost everybody I know comes to conclusion tha this is simply fantastic amplifier. Me being you I would go for model xs3 insted of nait5, yes the rpice is high. In europe it is 2700 EUR for analog only and naim is not bang for bug staff but at the end everybody understands where is the value added. It plays the rock music like nothing elese there. Guitars and drums sound fantastic. Well thats enaugh to say.....Have a nice day

[@lespaul667]

Any Naim amp combination would blow the doors off of anything in this video. If you’ve heard a Naim rig, you know what I mean. 😂

[@AverageUser1040]

Trying to decide between this or the Rotel 1572/1552 combo for my Criton 1TD-Xs 🤔

[@randalllawkin]

You ever try the different coffees from H.E.B? Its awesome i like the San Antonio brew

[@michaelruggiero8284]

I love Cambridge Audio! ❤️ I'm Still rocking xr100 cheap is no longer cheap

[@mbvx7]

Randy, do you like NAIM? Uniti Star, Supernait 3 ?

[@MikeMargolis-j8f]

My only experience with Cambridge I suppose should be taken with a grain of salt, but it wasn't positive: bought a CXUHD Ultra HD Blu-ray player (essentially an Oppo UDP-203) for around $800, and it developed a strange ticking/grinding noise when playing only DVDs, which was weird out of the gate. This noise was heard clearly from our seating distance of 11 or 12 feet, and because it was driving me nuts, I sent it in for repair under warranty. After sending it in THREE times for them to attempt repair - including swapping out the drive for a brand new one - they said they just couldn't find the problem or duplicate it. Once back in the house, we tried everything - from adding cushioning underneath the unit on our glass shelf for stability to putting something on top of it to perhaps even out the weight. We even tried bringing it upstairs to our bedroom to test it up there on a TV shelf with a different surface, but it made the noise up there too. I just gave up and put it into storage, replacing it with a Panasonic DP-UB9000 (which had issues of its own). 🙄

[@peterferrier5833]

There was a time when many integrated amps were just a basic amp with no additional extras. And many purists still believe that less is more. If you look at the edge, no controls apart from a volume control. So that is the ethos. Trying hard to keep the quality high and then saving money on the build by not having a built in phono pre amp. Also, at that price, C A think that you would be better off having a separate phono stage. Then every component has a similar quality. Most but not all built phone stages are just entry level with no adjustments. If you're in to high end audio, it's nice to have some kind of control. Gain, impedance etc. this is especially true with moving coil cartridges. My phone stages has adjustments which I find very useful.

[@ExPsycHo]

What about just the new streamer?? The Exn..., do you test it?? Thanks for your videos, I like your style 👍👍👍

[@Feliciano12v]

I may believer of less is more. If someone wants a turntable, they could go external and buy a preamp for it. Likely to be better as well compared to a built-in.

[@Brian_Romska]

Very nice, thanks Randy!

[@robertwoodward9231]

The 35 has a nice phono stage.

[@nidoaudioyvideoEcuador]

Fandy, their turntable already has a phono preamp and they also have the alva duo phono preamp as a sepatare device...

[@NeilBlanchard]

Nice integrated amp! If they had a power amp input (next the the preamp outs) with a jumper - then you could insert an external EQ unit in the signal path.

[@TriAmpMyFi]

. True, but fortunately EQ's can be inserted into the signal path prior to the preamplifier as well.👍 Acid Jazz, Funk & Brass🔈🔉🔊

[@dazza1976]

Maybe they don't include phono stages in their integrated amps as they sell their own, separate phono stages.

[@asrarul12]

@@dazza1976 Their Alva ST and TT include their best phonestage as a pre-amp.

[@dazza1976]

@@asrarul12 Those are turntables, not integrated amps.

[@auskip07]

why would they color the sound on the lower end models but the higher end be more neutral?

[@ewoutbuhler5217]

I guess because the high-end buyers are more purists, who like the (simplified) idea of playing back the music "as the artists intended". Probably they have more expensive LS and perhaps some room treatment as well. If you are on a tighter budget, don't have a very big room and just want your audio to sound "fat" the amp that helps that a bit might be more popular. This also explains the popularity of the vintage receivers, they generally have this V-shape curve frequency response that makes the sound much warmer. It does not matter, the only person who has to like the sound of your setup, is you!

[@GeirRssaak]

I hope Randy can review some coffee from Brazil and Colombia

[@ryanschipp8513]

Slick-looking piece of kit. I'm willing to bet the outlaw audio rr2160 for half the price is a much better value. Just missing HDMI

[@mr.b4444]

Yes, I have the RR2160 Mkii and it is a great amp. But it was a little under powered to run Magnepan LRS+ sio I tried a couple of other amps like the Advance Paris A10. I finally settled with a Rotel RA1592 MkII which is perfect for my needs. The Rotel RA1572 would be in the same price range as this Cambridge but also no HDMI. It would be nice to know if this Cambridge is a high current amp but I doubt it based on the specs. Also Cambridge has that "British" sound which is kind of on the dull side. But it depends on your listening tastes. For a media player for FLAC files I use a Cambridge Azure 851N and the DAC in the Rotel sounds better.

[@ryanschipp8513]

@mr.b4444 Advanced Paris wasn't cutting it?

[@mr.b4444]

@@ryanschipp8513 Nope, the Advance Paris A10 lacks a bit with bass. LRS+ are inefficient speakers and the A10 sounded like the bass was almost missing. Had to use a REL TZero mkiii subwoofer with the A10 where I normally would not. The A10 sounded a bit better with the Emotivas but still much less bass than with the Outlaw. The upper mid range and highs sounded pretty nice though.

[@allenbrixey1122]

Pair together some cheap systems. Wiim ultra as a pre amp, Emotiva A2 amp. Budget floorstanders and sub.

[@masterxyr]

"slaps on the bottom end". now that can't not be an innuendo, can it? :D

[@thecat6062]

Get yourself a Moccamaster 79112 coffee maker. A1 terrific

[@mansolomd]

Drip coffee is drip coffee is drip coffee. Just get a $20 Mr coffee. It’s about the beans. Pour over is the way to go if you don’t have an expresso machine.

[@1969PCP]

Would have considered this amplifier if it had phono. Guess I will stick with my Roksan for now...

[@williambaker3912]

They left off the phono stage because they want you to buy their phono stage. I had a Cambridge phono stage and it was wonderful. I did sell it when I bought a new integrated (McIntosh MA 352) that has a really good phono stage built in. Besides, I started listening to CDs and streaming more anyway. Just saying.

[@danielking1850]

They sell phone preamps also is why no phone stage I'm guessing.

[@GoranG-v9r]

Ive had cambridge audio since 2018... everyone asks whats that brand...! LOL Surround system is - Azur 751R (7.2 Receiver) + Azur 751 BD (BlueRay) with Paradigm Reference 30th Anniversary Inspiration's + Rel T/7x + Monitor audio Silver Centre + Definitive Technology UIW RSS III In-Wall Bipolar Loudspeaker, OMG movies and 2 channel are both awesome... Stereo system - Azur 851C (CD/preamp) + Azur 851N (Streamer/pre-amp) + Azur 851W (Power Amp) with Monitor Audio Studio 20SE's + Rel T/5x, Absolute Magic.... Have been recommending Cambridge to anyone that asks...

[@jerrywinter3103]

@cheapaudioman I love that coffee maker, I have the same one. Can't go wrong with 14 cups

[@gdwlaw5549]

An amplifier that you can't get on amazon? We cannot ignore the awful working conditions at Amazon. Merry Xmas to all the amazon workers on strike.

[@ДмитрийРыбкин-т6е]

Разница 1000$ , можно купить две cxa 81 , вход на наушники 6мм

[@scottbaylor6215]

I think they left off the phone stage in favor of better digital components. Cambridge also includes a good phono stage with their Alva TT2. But, that said, I wish it had a phone stage also in it.

[@affreuxgalopin]

Parasound 275 V.2 + passive pré😊

[@GeirRssaak]

I hope Santa can save Randy!

[@ANNussbaum13]

Please look at the topping pa5 2 plus.

[@mhpt74]

Your taste in audio is better than your coffee taste 😂😂😂😂

[@mhpt74]

All kidding aside, thank you for your great reviews! (Maybe one of those italian hifi companies can show some appreciation and send some nicley roasted italian coffee beans!)

[@OGNewb]

Ho ho ho, y’all.

[@waynedoherty7758]

Would rather have phono than a second set of speaker outs 🤔

[@seano218]

Would rather have I2S input or a better DAC than 2nd set of speakers and still have a seperate phono pre amp because seperates sound better anyway.

[@tedroybal5231]

Please! Just get better coffee!!! A coffee company sponsor would solve this. "Let's grab a cup of coffee!"

[@sounddoctor5decades]

the only issue with Cambridge is that every item I've bought of theirs has been utterly UNRELIABLE, their stuff just breaks. I want to believe, I've tried, but unreliable stuff is a deal breaker for me...

[@mr.b4444]

I'm sort of seeing that myself. I've had the Cambridge Azure 851N media player for a bit over years now and it crashes every now and then and restarts. They do firmware updates on their products fairly often. The unit has never completely died but it costs too much to have those kind of issues.

[@ltmund]

Some people don't need a phono stage. Some already have a better/favourite Phono stage. Phono stages cost money. They'd rather see that money spent on sound/build quality.

[@ThatAnalogDigital]

Some people are digital source users.

[@ltmund]

@ThatAnalogDigital Exactly

[@seano218]

Wow! Do you guys watch TV from the loft? You'd think someone with as many audio review videos and such a big name in the community would at least know something about TV mounting height...

[@stevenmkordis5676]

FYI: I have yet again been "somehow" unsubscribed from your channel, therefore not getting notifications. This is the third time. I don't know what KZbin is doing.

[@andrewoberle8288]

I wonder what it feels like to shop in the 6000$ dollar range,

[@colinmaynard2879]

Great 🤗🤣

[@s.daniel9224]

The same as shopping for 400.

[@gking1338]

Cambridge Hi - Hi May sound good but has anybody noticed how many referb machines on e-bay and hundreds of You Tube Videos on repairing these machines, Stay Clear of this Brand.

[@AlexSquared]

how can we trust your opinion on ANYTHING when you drink folgers?!?! lmao

[@AverageUser1040]

cheapcoffeeman

[@小貝-u5z]

Cambridge Audio の3年前に買ったCDプレイヤー、もう壊れたけどな。たまにしか使わなかったのに。 もう買わない。

[@MohsinWadee]

It's not so much expensive as it is overpriced. That's my beef with this amplifier. Had they given the CXA81 Mk2 a HDMI port nobody would give the EXA100 a second look. There is merit to this amplifier, but an equal amount of marketing and opportunism. Colour me cynical. This should be a $1400 amplifier, not a $2100 one. BTW it's casing is exactly the same size as the CXA81Mk2 and is hardly different.

[@pauljakubowski4322]

Are John Darko's reviews better because he brews fancier coffee?

[@blinkingmanchannel]

LMFAO

[@cheapaudioman]

Thank you so much!

[@seano218]

​@cheapaudioman just like everyone else, you only respond to money.

[@danielwalsh8168]

​@@seano218 I think it's nice that Randy always acknowledges and expresses gratitude for donations - we should all be so poised to appreciate others and the kindness they show us.

[@herbward5240]

Inflation and greed is rampant. Even in the cheapaudioman channel. Perhaps a channel name change or perhaps a new second channel? How about the not so cheap audioman channel ?

[@proverbialmind_spread9421]

@herbward5240 how about you just stop watching and you won't feel the need to whine in the comments...?

[@herbward5240]

@ The name of Randy’s channel is misleading. Given that you have a proverbial mind, don’t you agree?

[@proverbialmind_spread9421]

@@herbward5240 no...I don't agree

[@ThatAnalogDigital]

Come on man. Just stop. How about a career change so you can stop complaining about things you can’t or won’t buy.

[@herbward5240]

@@ThatAnalogDigital I’m retired. Randy’s channel is about high value audio gear. And much of it is quite good for the money. You guys need to acquire a sense of humor. After 53 years in the consumer electronics industry, at least I have one.

[@buckaroobonsi555]

They ran out of money or room! That is why it does not have phono. They sell a seperate phono stage and do not want to canablize sales. The MBA's that wwork for Cambridge audio must be older than dirt with business models like that! They sell a turn table and it has a built in phono stage. So basicly they are douche bags and have the same type of MBA's working at Cambridge Audio that work for the likes of Fiat/Stalantis! Cambridge audio builds products for themselves and for their die hard loyal customers not for the average customer that might stumble upon their products. That is why I will never own anything they make. I am not intersted in owning nothing but Camridge Audio products. I never want to be that guy that has his entire system made up with seperates all from the same company!

[@reserva120]

Sell the Porsche- buy a new coffee machine!!:)