Cambridge Audio AXR85-85 Watt Separate HiFi Stereo Reciever Featuring Built-In Phono Stage FM/AM Radio and Bluetooth 5.0 - Lunar Grey

Product Information

Use either the Volume Up/Down buttons on the remote control, or the Volume control on the front panel of your unit to change the volume level. The newly selected level will be indicated briefly on the front display. The speaker terminals will need to have the round pips removed before you can insert a banana plug into them. Select the Tuner source using the FM/AM button on the front of the unit, or directly by pressing the FM or AM buttons on the remote.

Under the display, there’s a row of four buttons, each corresponding to the relevant analogue input on the rear. A volume dial and menu button are on the right, while a 6.35mm headphone output and 3.5mm auxiliary input sandwich the amp’s infrared receiver on the left. Of course, there are still stereo receivers out there — you even buy a vintage stereo receiver— and they're the ideal solution for people who want to create a classic stereo hi-fi system. You get a stereo receiver, hook it up with a set of passive bookshelf speakers, and from there you can either stream audio to the receiver or hook up an analog source, like a turntable or CD player. There’s a shortage of high-quality hi-fi electronics at the budget end of the market, so it’s good to see Cambridge Audio produce an amplifier with the musicality and all-round appeal of the AXA35. The sound characteristics are of course described by the manufacturer in the tried and tested manner as rather neutral, but with a certain independence, the “Great British Sound”, which is understood as the most important trademark.

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When Auto mode has been selected, press the reverse ‘Skip/Scan’ button to scroll down through the station frequencies or press the forward ‘Skip/Scan’ button to scroll up through the station frequencies. IMPORTANT: Presets are stored separately for each waveband, meaning that there are 15 preset slots available for FM stations, and 15 preset slots available for AM stations.

If your turntable does have a built-in Phono stage or you are using an external version, you should connect to any of the other analogue inputs, as the 'Phono' input may produce an unwanted distortion. We experiment with both the amplifier’s phono stage and its headphone output and we’re pleased to report the sound stays consistent with the same bold character traits shining through. It’s easy for a manufacturer to take its eye off the ball here, but credit to Cambridge Audio for making sure there’s no sacrifice. The new Cambridge Audio AXR100D can also integrate digital sources directly, as it has an integrated D/A converter and both one coaxial and two optical S/PDIF interfaces are available.

Absolutely amazing wonderful amplifier from Cambridge Audio

Naturally for a receiver, the 85-watt AXR85 has FM/AM tuners, which is bolstered by a built-in Bluetooth receiver, three analogue RCA inputs, a phono stage and a 3.5mm aux input. Recording, subwoofer and 6.3mm headphone outputs are correct and present too. More uniquely at this price, the AXR85 boasts two zones for driving two pairs of speakers simultaneously.

The diagram below shows how to connect the AXR to an active subwoofer via the LFE/Sub input on the subwoofer. A powerful, fully equipped amp pairs with a quality tuner to deliver a stereo receiver with true hi-fi credentials – the Cambridge Audio AXR85 delivers it all. Consult the instructions of the Bluetooth device to connect to AXR. When successfully connected the display will show your device name.A Marantz PM6006 UK Edition will get you greater subtlety and refinement and it can also be partnered with more expensive speakers. Perhaps not surprising considering it is a little more expensive – and it started life a fair chunk more expensive. The tuner will stop at the first strong signal it finds. To move to another station simply press the reverse or forward ‘Skip/Scan’ button again. First, I’ll go over the things both product ranges have in common. With four models in each lineup, I thought it was pretty neat that Cambridge Audio decided to give both series the same cosmetic appearance, so you can easily mix and match them. All eight products come in a new lunar gray finish and have a floating look from the front. All of the amplifiers and the receivers use their classic toroidal power transformer for better sound.