After releasing the high-end Edge series last year, it looks like Cambridge Audio is going back to their low-cost, high-performance roots with a new line of affordable audio equipment. It’s called the AX series, and it consists of four components ranging between $349 and $499.
From Cambridge Audio:
Today Cambridge Audio introduces the AX series, a brand new range of hi-fi separates. Designed and engineered in the UK, AX has something to offer every music lover, hitting the perfect balance between performance and affordability.
Consisting of a CD player, an integrated amplifier and two stereo receivers, the AX range takes design and innovation cues from Cambridge Audio’s CX and Edge hi-fi ranges. Like those award-winning products, it uses the company’s 50-plus years of audio engineering expertise to deliver what Cambridge Audio has dubbed its “Great British Sound”, a pure, unfiltered audio experience reflecting the artist’s intentions – nothing added, nothing taken away.
The AXC and AXA ranges will be available from Cambridge Audio and Amazon from mid June 2019. The AXR range will be available from July 2019.
Here’s a breakdown of the components and their prices:
AXC35 CD player – $349 Analog RCA output, remote control and coaxial digital audio output to allow use as a CD transport…plays home-recorded CD-R, CD-RW and CD-ROM discs with MP3 and WMA files.
AXA35 integrated amplifier – $349 Power output of 35W, four analog RCA inputs, single RCA output, USB port for adding a Bluetooth receiver, 3.5mm auxiliary stereo input on the front panel, remote control, phono stage input, and 6.3mm headphone output.
AXR85 stereo receiver – $399 85W receiver can drive two stereo speaker zones, has three analog RCA inputs, a phono stage input, rec, and subwoofer outputs, plus a 3.5mm auxiliary input and 6.3mm headphone output up front. It comes with an FM/AM tuner and built-in Bluetooth receiver for wireless streaming.
AXR100 stereo receiver – $499 Similar to AXR85, adds digital inputs (two optical and one coaxial) and increases power output to 100W.
It looks like the AX Series sits between the ultra-affordable Topaz line and Mid-Range CX Series. If their performance is anywhere near the CXA60 I reviewed earlier this year, they should be quite the value.
Click for more info and pics: https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/usa/en/products/ax
I’m an audio writer who started as a young audio salesman/consumer electronics professional back in the late 90s. That’s where I discovered the magic of 2-Channel sound. My thirst for great sound has led me on a delightful music quest that continues today.
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