A Review of the Cambridge AXA 35 Integrated Amplifier

johnda

johnda

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Cambridge Audio AXA 35

A Review By

John Dangelo

I finally took a plunge on a new integrated amplifier after years of using Yamaha receivers. I never had any problems with the Yamahas but was very interested the AXA 35 by Cambridge Audio and purchased it from Crutchfield.

The package was delivered to my door only a day and a half after I ordered it, which is a new record for me! The amp was double packed and the packing was as solid as a rock. After some knife work the inner package was revealed and there were three documents, the most important one was a quick start guide. Along with the amplifier, there was a power cord and a remote which uses very small GP batteries.

The quick start manual had instructions on how to get a full owner's manual and I recommend that you download a copy for yourself. Here are the instructions from Cambridge:

“To get the best performance from your

AXA35/AXC35 please read the online

manual. For more information

visit our website”

http://techsupport.cambridgeaudio.com

The AXA 35 is a compact integrated amplifier 3.3” High, 16.9” wide, and 13.2” deep. It weighs 12.3 pounds. There are four line inputs, one dedicated phono input and one line output. It only feeds one pair of speakers. It puts out 35 watts per channel into 8 ohm impedance speakers at very low distortion from 20-20K . There is a front display that gives you the source, and as you adjust the power it is also indicated there. Adjustments such as bass and treble can also show, but they are controlled by the remote. The front panel also has four buttons for the sources including the phonograph, and a large volume control. I used the remote for all functions because I have a mobility problem. The amplifier has an unusual base. It gives you the impression that it is floating above the shelf by about an inch, very interesting!

The AXA 35 costs $350.

The AXA 35 is like a slim 5'2” guy you meet at a tennis match and he then beats your brains out !

My current system configuration is now:

Unit Input

Audio Engine B1 Bluetooth adaptor. (A1)

Sony SDHR HD am/fm tuner. (A2)

Denon CD Player. (A3)

Denon DP300F Turntable (Phono)

Pioneer BS 22 LR Speakers, 6 ohms impedance


OK, that's the system and it is dependent on the Cambridge amplifier, so how does it sound?

In a word “Beautiful!”

When I first turned on the system I used bluetooth and tuned to Linn Classical in Edinburgh Scotland. As I listened, I said to myself “Now this sounds like a true British amplifier!” The sound was open, clean, and mesmerizing. It reminded me of great gear from my past.

The amplifier's design offices are located in London UK, and it is constructed in China. My study is only 11x12 so the 35 clean watts per channel were plenty for my listening. I could see this amp working with Klipsch LaScalas or other high efficiency 8 ohm impedance speakers perfectly.

One point; the amp's volume indicator uses -Db as the display so it reads inversely from our percentage displays. The highest power display is zero and the numbers go up as the volume is reduced. I found that in my study -40,-50 Db was fine for me.

The next day I decided to play some vinyl. I have a good number of albums, around 100, that I treated well and quite a few were from the Musical Heritage Society; the two albums I chose were:

MHS 1596

Concerto for Harp and Orchestra by Francois Adrien Boieldieu

Concerto No 6 for Harp and Orchestra by Johann Krumpholz

Performed by Lily Laskine and the Jean-Francois Chamber Orchestra


MHS 3775

Serge Rachmaninoff

Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini Op. 43

Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-Flat Minor Op.36

Performed by Martha Naset and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra


All I can say is that after two solid hours of listening I was totally captivated. I could envision their fingers plucking at the strings or hitting the keys and the music took me out from my study into another realm. That is all I need from my system.


Happy holidays to everybody in our gang. I wish you love, laughter and good health.

Johnd
 
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Update on the AXA35 and the Geminids meteor shower.

This is one beautiful sounding amp, with the right sources and speakers.

Right now, I am in my study after being outside in 44 degrees of weather with the wind picking up. I was properly dressed including wearing a watch cap. I counted about a dozen meteorites before I called it a night at 3am. Getting back inside, walker and all, with a hot cup of tea in my hands and siting down in my study, I listened to the AXA35 via the web WKSU feeding classical music as I warmed back up. I banged my hand on something out on the deck in the darkness and it bled unknown to me!

OK, here's the good news... I absolutely love this amp. I have it matched up with a pair of 6 Ohm rated Pioneer SP BS22LR speakers. I was concerned about the 8 Ohm rating on the amp and the 6 Ohm rating on the speakers and fitfully checked around the web for info. There was a report from Stereophile where the impendence of the BS22's was described in detail, and the speaker is above 8 Ohms throughout much of its range, so I felt I didn't need to go hunting for anything else.

My son-in-law and my daughter came over yesterday, birthday cake in hand, to celebrate my birthday which is today. Yay! 84 and still ticking! The girls left the house to put gas in our car, and Rich and I decided to do some quality listening. He is a musician and composer and really knows his stuff. I put good old Copeland's "Billly the Kid" on my Denon DP300f turntable with Grado Green cartridge and we listened at a good volume. Rich LOVED what he heard, and I was very happy with the clarity and punch.

Tonight, as I warmed back up, I used my Bluetooth adaptor, an Audio Machine B2, and listened to WKSU on the web with the door closed so I would not wake up my wife. The music was beautiful, but a slight bit less crystal-clear than the turntable.

My study is 10x11 so filling it with sound is an easy process, but if the AXA35 is going to be used in a good-sized room higher efficiency speakers may be needed, around 89 db and up to keep the amp from being overstressed. And to be safe, get 8 Ohm rated speakers.

Love that amp! OK gang, it is 3:45 am and time to get back under the covers, after bandaging up my hand.:music:
 
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Update:
Yesterday I was listening to Linn Classical in Scotland via the Audio Engine B2 Bluetooth adaptor and I had the volume up to -30 Db. The sound “hardened”, difficult to really describe this effect as it was very subtle.

I have a feeling that AXA35 Cambridge amplifier rated at 35watts per channel at 8 ohms impedance feeding the Pioneer SP BS22 LR speakers rated at 6 ohms impedance may have reached the point where the impedance mismatch may have made itself felt.

I think a more efficient speaker rated at 8 ohms might be in my future, we’ll just have to see.
 
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this amp. I bought one 6 months ago to use in my bedroom, and it has been great for my needs. I primarily use it for VERY low level listening as I drift off to sleep, or occasionally for listening to NPR as I'm getting ready in the morning. My source is an Apple Airport Express, streaming either Spotify or the local NPR feed from my iPhone. I'm using it to power a pair of Paradigm Mini Monitor v.3 speakers, which are rated as "compatible with 8 ohms."

For comparison, I also have a NAD C328, which has more features and sounds a bit more muscular to the best of my memory, but it's also a much more expensive integrated. The NAD is also in the shop for warranty service, where it's been waiting on parts for > 9 months.
 
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Ouch! 9 months...I think that might have something to do with the solid-state transducer shortage. (Not sure if I am wording it correctly). Thanks for commenting, it helps me to hear how other folks are enjoying it. I would like to hear how it sounds with the Cambridge Audio SX 60 speakers..
 
Hi gang,
6:15 am and it’s time to get up!

I just finished listening to Philip Glass’ Violin Concerto, Prelude and Dance from Akahanten-Company.

Absolutely mesmerizing! The Pioneer BS22’s and the Cambridge AXA 35 amp proved to be a combo with this piece that rips your heart out. :)
 
Sounds like you have found a great combo with your Cambridge amp and Pioneer speakers! Congratulations!!
 
Thanks! For those who have not purchased speakers yet, the BS 22 LR Pioneer speakers are not for sale (New) any longer. Pioneer has left the market. Check out the Cambridge SX50 and SX60 speakers as an alternative.
 
johnda said:
I would like to hear how it sounds with the Cambridge Audio SX 60 speakers..
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Last weekend, I pulled my AXA35 out of my bedroom and used it in my living room system to drive a pair of PSB Imagine X2T tower speakers. In a direct A/B comparison with the NAD C356BEE that I typically use in that system, the little AXA was very comparable to my ear, only losing a slight amount of presence in the upper midrange. However, I had to really focus to notice the change, and could be just as happy with either amp in this application. It's a great value.
 
Thanks for your comments! My study is 10’x11’, and has hardwood floors. I use it as my study/listening room, and spare bedroom. There is no heavily stuffed furniture. As you enter, on the South wall to your left, there is a long wall closet with folding doors. The West wall has a large computer desk with a printer to the right of the desk, and the window. On the north wall is an end table to the left, a Futon, and a corner cabinet with hi-fi gear. On the East wall is a large dresser with a full- length mirror and turntable .

The reason I am describing this room is to give everybody a feeling of the acoustics the room has. I would call the room hard or live. This is no place for Klipsch speakers nor large speakers. My Pioneer SP BS22 LR speakers fit well.

The Cambridge SX-60 speakers would be the largest I would use here. Wharfedale Diamonds or KEF bookshelf speakers would also be good here. In the past I have used Polk Monitor 30’ and Dayton B652 Airs and they did well.

The thing to be aware of here is that the volume you use is very sensitive to room conditions.

The other morning I woke up very early and slipped into my study for some listening. Ella Fitzgerald sang her heart out and the AXA35 amp presented her as standing in front of me. The clarity was as good as I ever heard and her voice was clear as a bell. I followed Ella with Dave Brubeck and his band playing “Take Five” and other Jazz numbers.

I felt like I was sitting in a club in Manhattan listening to them. However, If I tweaked the volume up, I began to get listener fatigue, so for this room, I needed to be careful where the setting is.

However, In the living room, which is much larger and with a rug and plush furniture, the sound never gets hard there.

gotta go, gang, snow coming!
 
Cambridge AXA 35 had the loudest fan I ever heard in an amp. I couldn't stand it and returned. Audition before buying. Maybe you won't be bothered by it.
 
johnda said:
There’s a fan?! I have never heard it. No heat problems either. Sorry you had a problem.
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The AXA 35 does not have a fan, he's likely referring to either the AXR85 or the AXR100, both of which do.

No fan here:
20191110.jpg
 
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My AXR fan only comes on when needed. Which means when the amp is hot. Which means it’s loud. Which means I can’t hear the fan normally. Good review
 
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