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Cambridge Audio
Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII
$1199Cheaper
Best Integrated Amplifiers · head-to-head
Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII vs McIntosh MA252
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII is cheaper at $1199. Every spec and price links to its source.
McIntosh
McIntosh MA252
$5000
Which is better: the Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII or McIntosh MA252?
The Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII is the cheaper at $1199. The Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII | McIntosh MA252 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $1199 | $5000 |
| Brand | Cambridge Audio | McIntosh |
| Released | — | — |
| Power per channel8 ohm (W) | 80 | 100 |
| Power per channel4 ohm (W) | 120 | 160 |
| Amplifier class | AB | tube-hybrid |
| Thd percent | 0.02 | 0.03 |
| Snr (dB) | 105 | 97 |
| Built in dac | Yes | No |
| Phono stage | none | MM |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Analog inputs | 5 | 3 |
| Digital inputs | 4 | 0 |
| Headphone output | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (kg) | 8.68 | 12.7 |
Sources — Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII: cambridgeaudio.com (verified 2026-07-13). McIntosh MA252: mcintoshlabs.com (verified 2026-07-13).
What's the difference between the Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII and McIntosh MA252?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (11 of 12). Matching specs are omitted.
- Power per channel8 ohm (W): Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII 80 vs McIntosh MA252 100
- Power per channel4 ohm (W): Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII 120 vs McIntosh MA252 160
- Amplifier class: Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII AB vs McIntosh MA252 tube-hybrid
- Thd percent: Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII 0.02 vs McIntosh MA252 0.03
- Snr (dB): Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII 105 vs McIntosh MA252 97
- Built in dac: Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII true vs McIntosh MA252 false
- Phono stage: Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII none vs McIntosh MA252 MM
- Bluetooth: Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII true vs McIntosh MA252 false
- Analog inputs: Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII 5 vs McIntosh MA252 3
- Digital inputs: Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII 4 vs McIntosh MA252 0
- Weight (kg): Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII 8.68 vs McIntosh MA252 12.7
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII
Only What Hi-Fi, among whitelisted testers, ran a genuine hands-on review of this exact model; SoundGuys, TechRadar and others had none. It praises big, clear, authoritative sound, a decent DAC and a generous feature set, but faults muted rhythmic drive, ultimately judging it beaten by the rival Arcam A15. (1 sourced review.)
Praised: Big, spacious, authoritative sound with gains in clarity, detail and openness; Decent DAC; improved digital circuitry (new ESS SABRE32 chip); Generous feature set (balanced XLR, aptX HD Bluetooth, sub and pre-out).
Flagged: Lacks rhythmic drive and cohesion versus its predecessor; Beaten for outright expression by the class-leading Arcam A15; Bluetooth noticeably cruder and less detailed than wired inputs.
McIntosh MA252
No sourced tester review yet.