Cambridge Audio AXR100 100-Watt Stereo Receiver with Bluetooth | Built-in Phono Stage, 3.5mm Input, AM/FM with RDS

My old integrated stereo went out before I was ready to drop the $2k on my dream stereo, I saw some great reviews of this unit & Cambridge brand - I had some points + gift cards so I decided to pull the trigger. I don't regret this purchase at all.Mostly this is used for watching TV by my wife & kids via optical from my Samsung tv via Apple TV. I use it for hifi with my record player, cassette deck, or via iTunes. My high efficiency speakers make this unit seem like a beast, we've never turned it's volume above -60db.Quality build! I really love some of the subtle features like the input labeling which is print above & below each connection, genius.

Product arrived in perfect condition, though the box was substantially damaged and punctured in shipping. Connected to one pair of Klipsch RF7 speakers via banana plugs, nothing else. Connecting to Bluetooth took a few minutes only because I could not see the microscopic Bluetooth symbol next to the PHONO label on the same button. Connectivity and sound quality via Bluetooth / iPad is excellent. At this point, that is the only source I've tried. With all controls at nominal (no boost to bass or treble) the sound is superb with all music I've tried. For comparison, at -40dB, the sound level is plenty for a good size room. At -30dB, it's quite loud though still smooth and warm. By -20dB, the sound is VERY loud but still perfectly accurate and enjoyable. If my math is correct, -20dB should be about 1W to each speaker. Some credit to Klipsch for such high efficiency and pleasantness at modest power levels. Thank you, Cambridge, for an excellent product!

For decades I used a Dynaco Pat 4 pre amp, which I assembled, and an SAE XXX1 100 watt amp. This was a great combination for 70's and it lasted until now. But "Time Marches On" as Willy Nelson sings. Receivers today can do amazing things. There is a lot out there to choose from so selecting the right one is not easy.My criteria was simple; power to drive 6 speakers, FM AM ,extraordinary sound quality, ease of operation blue tooth, and a dedicated phono connection. I did not need a home theater tv setup. The Cambridge AXR meets all these requirements. But statistics alone cannot tell the full story. When I assemble the system, pressed the power button and started to listen to Mendelshon's Hebrides Overture I felt like the orchestra was in my studio. The sound was spectacular. Clean, sharp, zero distortion at any volume, bass that was real rather than boosted. The same is true no matter what type of music is played. My old system was very good but the AXR 100 operates at an entirely new level.

I decided to finally upgrade from my Class D powered setup inspired by an awesome Record Player gifted to me by my wife. I decided I needed something with a little more oomf to fill the room. I had a set of fairly bright Fluance SX6 bookshelves and was looking for something that was a little more on the laid back side. I am primarily a Jazz and Classical listener with the occasional dip into classic rock and classic R&B. I tend to like a warmer, controlled sound and I'm not afraid to admit that I find overly clinical equipment to get a bit boring and I don't feel it captures the emotion in the music, but I can understand why it's desirable to some.That all being said, the Cambridge AXR100 seemed to check all of the boxes. It had enough power, plenty of inputs, a built in DAC and a Phono Stage. I have my Fluance RT81 (into the phono stage, with the Fluance stage bypassed) and a Wiim Pro Plus feeding the unit through Optical SPDIF set to 192/24. The unit is weighty for its size, metal construction and feels like a classic piece of quality audio hardware.My family and I have put this thing through its paces. Fed with high resolution music (primarily Qobuz and Amazon HD,) it presents a fairly wide soundstage with a balanced sound and for a receiver known to be "laid back" still preserves a lot of detail, without getting screechy or crunchy in the treble. The bass is smooth and clean and when, on a good holiday party evening, we pumped some Aerosmith through it, we also learned that this thing could give you a little kick in the pants with the bass.The internal crossover is set to 200hz, so it took a little fine tuning with our Monoprice Slim 10" sub, but I think I have a pretty balanced transition to the bottom. I'm not a bass-head, but it was comfortably powerful. An adjustable crossover would have been nice to preserve some of the power being sent to the speakers by not having to have them run full range, but I don't think I've come close in needing any more juice.Trying out the phono stage was a pleasant surprise as well. It is very capable and offers a clean and much louder presentation than I expected. It handled both pristine and well loved vinyl admirably. It grounds the record player well and ground hum is never an issue. Miles Davis' Kind of Blue, mono, sounds phenomenal. Having played in jazz bands, it really does a great job of presenting a realistic portrayal of the instruments, sounding quite frequently like they were in the room with me. I like to run my Herbie Mann's Brazil, Bossa Nova and Blues stereo LP through my systems, not just because I love the album, but because that jazz flute can really tax those tweeters and in a lesser system, you get a lot of ear piercing crunch. I am pleased to say, that while Herbie still hits some dog whistle worthy highs, they sound impressive, not just loud. Now I jokingly worry that he might break some of my wine glasses. Ella Fitzgerald and Mel Torme put up a good challenge in midrange clarity and control, and both sounded wonderfully at home on the Cambridge.The AXR100 also does a great job with rock, pop and R&B. It's sufficiently punchy when needed, giving some good physical thump to Zeppelin's Moby Dick and enveloped the room with the semi-ethereal guitar in Metallica's Enter Sandman. It seems to shine in the details with cleaner high resolution recordings, such as Roundabout by Yes, playing fast, lean and razor sharp as the tune switches constant gears. It's quite the surprise then that it also maintains the smooth and relaxed vocals of Otis Redding while he's Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay.Finally, classical music seems well balanced and full. Nearly everything I threw at it repeatedly allowed me to stop focusing on the hardware and just enjoy the music. I decided to have a bit of fun with the Zimmer Live in Prague through Qobuz. Not exactly classical music, but orchestral nonetheless. It's a great mix of his best scores in a very impressive concert. The Cambridge handled the transition from jazzy Ms. Daisy to raucous Sherlock Holmes with aplomb, giving me a sense of light and airy presentation with a sudden jolt of powerful earthy presence. It's a fun recording and listening on the Cambridge made it all the more exciting.So, overall is it perfect? No, a manual crossover would be nice, the laid back sound isn't for everyone, but most importantly, the remote control is horrible. The layout is fine enough, but it is not backlit and the blue colored font they chose on the dark grey buttons in nearly unreadable. As it is also setup for their CD player, I believe Cambridge would have been better off minimizing the buttons on this remote and then including the more universal remote with their CD player. In the dark or a dimmly lit room, the remote is almost impossible to use and you have to use your phone to read the buttons. In the long run, there aren't a lot of buttons you'll need, so I'm sure muscle memory will kick in, but if I already have my phone out, a connected remote app would have been a good feature. The buttons are also quite mushy and don't feel nearly as premium as the unit itself. The IR blaster is also terrible. Repeatedly I find myself moving the remote through the air like Luke battling Darth Vader while just trying to line up the signal. It's like playing a bad game of lazer tag at times trying to turn up the volume. Their remote division and audio divisions are clearly separate entities, but maybe that's a good thing.In the end, I would highly recommend the Cambridge AXR100. It is an overall excellent performer with classy and unobtrusive looks and a very regal British sense of style with some good old rebellious fun to be had when the lights go down. Bravo Cambridge!

After doing a lot of online research in purchasing a new amplifier or receiver I noticed that the Cambridge AXR series was getting more than its share of accolades. Videos by Andrew Robinson, Zero Fidelity and a British Audiophile led me to purchase an AXR-100 six weeks ago which I paired with a pair of Klipsch RP-600m II monitors and a Klipsch SPL-120 subwoofer.After over 100 hours of listening I am very happy with my decision. Paired with my speakers the receiver produces an accurate sound with a hint of warmth that makes listening for long periods a pleasure. The receiver makes quality recordings sound wonderful while coloring poor quality recordings enough to make them enjoyable too. I stream my music utilizing an LG smart TV and the built in DAC is solid. My only complaint is that it doesn’t offer USB connectivity. However, I have had no issues with fan noise as other reviews have complained of. The choice of HIFI gear is entirely subjective. If you are looking for a receiver or amplifier for under $1,000 and like to listen to all types of music for hours on end, I would highly recommend this receiver.