Cambridge AXA35

A musical budget amplifier with all-round appeal

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C ambridge Audio has recently been making waves with a new premium-priced EX range, not to mention dominating the music streamer market with an armful of fivestar players across the price spectrum.

But the brand's entry-level range of hi-fi separates, the AX range - consisting of two CD players, two stereo amplifiers and two network receivers, all under IL-is still going strong.

The Cambridge Audio AXA35 is the more expensive of the two AX-series integrated amplifiers; it offers 35W per channel and is positioned at the budget end of the market. It originally launched in 2019, but rising costs across the industry mean it now sits at a stillaffordable ₹51,000.

Out of the box, it looks understated and reasonably elegant for an affordable amplifier. The dark grey finish that Cambridge has adopted for most of its hi-fi products (including the step-up CX and premium EX ranges) looks stylish and helps add a sense of purpose.

At just over 8cm tall, this is quite a slender hi-fi separate. This, combined with a minimalist front panel, makes a rival amplifier such as the Marantz PM6007 look rather fussy and messy in comparison.

Floating design

From the front, it looks as though the AXA35 is floating. It's an effective illusion created by a thin plastic wedge running under the front edge, which lifts up the chassis and is set back just enough to blend into its own shadow.