Hi-Fi World – September 2019

CAMBRIDGE

AUDIO AX C35

£299.99

EXCELLENT - extremely

capable.

VALUE – keenly priced.

VERDICT

A bargain-priced CD spinner

that has a toe-tapping quality

to it.

FOR

• price


• build quality


• ease of use

AGAINST

• unsophisticated

CAMBRIDGE

AUDIO AX A35

£299.99

OUTSTANDING - amongst

the best.

VALUE - keenly priced.

VERDICT

A fine amplifier at a bargain

price. Modest power output

but with suitable 'speakers

sufficient.

FOR

• detail


• smooth midrange


• tone controls


• price

AGAINST

• not the most powerful

Cambridge Audio

+44 (0)20 7940 2200

http://www.cambridgeaudio.com

http://www.hi-fiworld.co.uk SEPTEMBER 201 9 HI-FI WORLD 29

REVIEW

The Cambridge Audio AX A35 amplifier

produced 40 Watts into 8 Ohms

under test, and 50 Watts into 4 Ohms

• a small increase due to limited power
  supply regulation. It will go loud with
  loudspeakers of 86dB sensitivity and
  above but not party levels. With an
  output impedance of 0.12 Ohms and
  damping factor of 68 the A35 exerts good
  bass control.
  The headphone output gave 18V
  maximum, likely linked to the loudspeaker
  output without attenuation; only 2V is
  needed here.
  Distortion levels were low all round,
  across the frequency band and at low
  and high powers. Distortion at full output
  (-1dB) measured 0.002% in the midband.
  At high frequencies (10kHz) this rose to
  a still-low 0.02%, at 1 Watt and at full
  output.
  Frequency response was wide,
  extending from 7Hz to 69kHz (-1dB limits)
  as our analysis shows. The tone controls
  have 10dB lift and cut (large), with a
  useful if subjectively obvious lowest
  setting of +/-2dB.
  The phono stage was accurately
  RIAA equalised, so flat in response. A
  built-in warp filter cuts low bass below
  40Hz, giving -13dB attenuation at 5Hz


• enough to suppress loudspeaker cone
  flap. With high sensitivity, adequate
  overload (27mV) and low noise the MM
  phono stage worked well in measured
  terms.
  Frequency response of the
  Cambridge Audio AX C35 CD player

measured flat from 4Hz to 21.7kHz our

convolved impulse response shows, a

standard and expected result from CD.

Distortion at peak output (0dB FS)

measured 0.005% and at -60dB a slightly

mediocre 0.3%, a little above the usual

0.22% due to noise. As a result EIAJ

Dynamic Range was on the low side at

97dB, where 100dB is expected. Output

was the usual 2.1V fixed – there is no

volume control.

The AX C35 gave a fair result but it

does not get the best from CD. NK

AX A35 AMPLIFIER

Power 40 Watts

CD/tuner/aux.

Frequency response 7Hz-69kHz

Separation 94dB

Noise (IEC A wtd) -101dB

Distortion (1W, 10kHz) 0.02%

Sensitivity 300mV

Damping factor 68

Phono (LP)

Frequency response 40Hz-20kHz

Separation 68dB

Noise -83dB

Distortion 0.05%

Sensitivity 3mV

Overload 27mV

AX C35 CD PLAYER

Frequency response 4Hz- 21.7kHz

Distortion ( -60dB) 0.3%

Separation 98dB

Dynamic range 97dB

Noise -105dB

Output 2.1V

MEASURED PERFORMANCE

FREQUENCY RESPONSE AMP

DISTORTION AMP

£

£

side to side – same cables, same
loudspeakers and same set-up – and
the Cambridge just about won the
day. That said, it was a close-run
listening session and at times I
preferred the Marantz’s fluidity.
I would not write the
Cambridge CD spinner off however.
It may not have the warmest sound
but there’s plenty of detail on offer.
Playing New Order’s ‘Bizarre Love
Triangle’ Gillian Gilbert’s keyboard
work crackled while Stephen
Morris’s drums had a real thump to

them. The only thing lacking was the

propulsive thrust of Peter Hook’s

bass lines. But overall the tune held

together and kept my feet tapping.

There was also depth to the

sound, music being projected with

height and width – something that

brought out the balanced nature of

the Q Acoustics loudspeakers.

In the final analysis there’s

a lot to praise about these new

Cambridge units. Both are well-

engineered and handsome looking

• and at £299.99 each are quite a

bargain in today’s marketplace.

CONCLUSION

The new AX C35 CD player and AX

A35 amplifier offer remarkable value

for money. Yes, the CD player could

possess a little more refinement but

at the price it is hard to criticise.

The AX A35 amplifier, however,

ticks all the boxes. Pair it with a

sensitive set of loudspeakers (due

to its limited power output) and

you’ll get a smooth, detailed and

entertaining sound.

AX C35 CD player with electrical digital output at left, analogue outputs and 'calculator'

mains input socket (right) – unlike the AX A35 amplifier that uses an IEC mains input.

FREQUENCY RESPONSE CD