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