Cambridge Audio AXR100

A powerful receiver to build your system around

I've always loved Cambridge Audio receivers — they provide plenty of power and a handy array of connections, plus the brushed aluminum front plate projects an understated elegance. The beefy toroidal transformer inside the AXR100 is the foundation for the receiver's 100 watts per channel of clean power — plenty to drive a pair of Aeromax 6 towers, or just about any other speakers you like.

Digital and analog connections

You'll find plenty of inputs for just about any component you want to connect to the AXR100. There are two Toslink optical digital inputs on the back panel (my favorite way to hook up my TV), and one coaxial digital input, which is ideal for connecting a CD transport like the Cambridge CXC.

Analog music lovers have plenty to work with, too. There's a dedicated phono stage for connecting a turntable with moving magnet cartridge, and three more RCA inputs for your other components. If you want to use your mobile device as a source, a 3.5mm aux input is conveniently located on the front panel. And built-in Bluetooth® makes it easy to stream music wirelessly from a compatible phone, tablet, or laptop.

The AXR100 features a stereo "record out" output on the back panel, and a mono RCA output lets you hook up a powered subwoofer, to provide some extra low-frequency punch. Two sets of binding posts give you the flexibility to set up A and B speaker pairs, and a front-panel selector makes switching between them easy.