New Receiver
John from The Villages, FL on 3/27/2023
Excellent sound, fast delivery.
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Cons: Would have been nice if phono connection was at the end rather than in between connection for a tape deck.
0 of 0 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Bruce from Merriam, KS on 3/3/2023
Could not be happier with the AXR85. Mates well with the Klipsch RP 400M speakers. Radio, Bluetooth functions work well. My first Crutchfield purchase and am very impressed. Thank you Crew Crutch!
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2 of 2 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Michael E from CHAMBERSBURG, PA on 2/5/2023
sounds great! plenty of power and looks great too!
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Gregory from Ashburn, VA on 2/4/2023
This is my first Cambridge Audio purchase, and I'm very pleased with it so far. The unit looks good, is very intuitive to use, and it sounds fantastic. I haven't even had to refer to user manual yet because the functions are straightforward and easy to figure out. I'm using it primarily with a Marantz network streamer, and the sound quality is excellent.
Pros: Simple to use, not loaded up with unnecessary features, and sounds great.
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3 of 4 found this helpful
Axr85
Bruce from Greer, SC on 1/22/2023
Bought this because my marantz 2245 is in the repair shop. Has all the features i need, did not want an avr. So far I'm impressed.
Pros: Great sound, have treble and bass on zero, using a pair of advent legacy ll speakers.
Cons: Controls on unit are a little hard to read.
2 of 2 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
John from Mount Juliet, TN on 1/15/2023
Sage at Crutchfield recommended this amp for me and I love it. Plug and play for my new turntable and Bluetooth so I can use spotify to review albums I want on vinyl over my system. Great sound and at 85 amps plenty of power. Very clean sound even at volumes I won't normally be listening to.
Pros: Easy set up; great sound
Cons: None
3 of 3 found this helpful
The Best is yet to come
Joseph from Satsuma, AL on 1/8/2023
I'm proud to be an owner of one of these highly rated receivers. To be totally honest, my daughters' family's house burned Jan 1, 4:30 am so instead of setting up my new listening room in my dining room, it is inhabited by 2 feet deep donated clothes and home goods given to us by a loving, unbelievable community. There are now 8 people and 4 dogs living in my house but it's temporary and what a blessing to have this much time with my 4 granddaughters. As soon as I get it hooked up, I'll write an honest review. My very best to all.
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4 of 5 found this helpful
Vintage sound modern technology
Jeremy from Sharpsville, PA on 1/4/2023
Great receiver with lots of power. Beautiful vintage design and appearance. Cambridge nails it with the sound it produces. It has a warm clear sound that really brings music to life. My only wish is for more input and output options.
Pros: Great sound with beautiful aesthetics.
Cons: Lack of out and in connections
5 of 5 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Jonathan from Studio City, CA on 12/28/2022
For its price-point the Cambridge Audio AXR85 is probably one of the most balanced entry level audiophile integrated, class A/B amplifiers on the market. The sound output is well considered and delivers a warm and comfortable listening experience that leans toward the mid-ranges while retaining presence in both the low and high end that will not fail to please. Whilst the AXR85 does provide Bluetooth connectivity it lacks digital/optical capabilities though these are offered by irs slightly more expensive brother the AXR100.
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2 of 2 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Michael from Santa Clarita, CA on 12/10/2022
Have had the Cambridge Audio AXR85 stereo receiver for a month. Matched it with Klipsch RP-600II speakers. Great set up. The sound is pure and clear. I hear every instrument with clarity. Just got the Pro-ject Automat A1. With all three components are awesome. I'm super satisfied with my choices.
Pros: Great looking receiver.
Cons: None
7 of 7 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Braulio from Richmond, TX on 11/27/2022
0 of 0 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Benjamin from Reston, VA on 11/22/2022
I was in the market for a new stereo receiver or integrated amplifier, and this seemed to fit my needs at a reasonable price. I wanted something with a few analog inputs and Bluetooth. I have a Cambridge Audio CD player that has performed well for close to 10 years, so I was comfortable giving the AXR85 a shot. I've only used it for a few hours, but I'm really happy with the sound and features. It's got plenty of power to drive my speakers (Monitor Audio Silver 6), and it provides a good, neutral sound without having to adjust the bass or treble (to my ear, at least). I'm running a turntable through an external preamp, so I haven't tried the phono input yet, but I will eventually. I also haven't tried the radio yet, but it's a nice option. I was concerned about all the Bluetooth range comments, but I haven't had a problem. As long as I'm in line-of-sight (tested to about 45 ft), it stays connected. The signal does drop out if I go around a corner, but the Bluetooth does all I need. I thought the color would match the silver of my CD player, but it's more of a gray-silver. Not a big deal - it does look nice. I've been a Crutchfield customer for about 20 years, so I trust the products and service they offer. The AXR85 seems to be another great product, and I'll be happy to use it for years to come.
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4 of 4 found this helpful
Very good budget Receiver
Jason from Newark, DE on 11/19/2022
Definitely a Diamond in the rough. I bought this for a family member who has never had any decent gear. She got a Set of B&W 602 -S2. So I said I'd get her the amp nice setup for my sister. I first auditioned for the unit for a couple of days... Let it run overnight and begin to listen. I have a lot of audio so I compared it to a 1500-dollar Musical Fidelity integrated, And the MF did have some better charities but this thing was right up there and sounded fantastic, for only this price. I used a set of Elac's and Kef Speakers... Both sounded great using this receiver. If you in the market for a mid-grade unit, put this at the top of your list.
Pros: Great Sound, good build quality, perfect amount of features. Price, price is so good it's odd.
Cons: It's not for me.
3 of 3 found this helpful
Quality for the price
Dean from Baraboo Wisconsin on 11/16/2022
I have been listening to all kinds of music all my life. From 50s,60s 70s rock to metal. Back in the day I had all Onkyo products. About a year ago I started rebuilding my vinyl collection. I am now 66 years old. I started with a Sony receiver it just did not do the job. After some research I bought the Cambridge Audio AX85. It has plenty of power to drive my Klipsch R620F tower speakers. It has a very full and rich sound. I also like the blue tooth. I am very happy I bought the receiver.
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Cons: None
6 of 7 found this helpful
Great sound
Axr from Gyor on 10/23/2022
Dear Crutchfield! I have such a device, the previous reviews are correct, the sound is very good, the appearance is very good, the operation of the BT leaves something to be desired, but it is less disturbing. However, a question arises: I accidentally connected an RCA cable to the Phono input, not a turntable. Unfortunately, I also changed the amplifier to Phono, as a result of which it switched off with a loud hiss and then switched back on. Does this cause some kind of error in the device, or does the protection (electronics) prevent this and just turn off the device without causing the device to fail? Is it justified to have it checked by a service center after the incident, or is it unnecessary?
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Cons: Bt is not very steely
1 of 2 found this helpful
Great sound, serious Bluetooth issues
James from Greenport, NY on 10/19/2022
I spent a long time researching this receiver - I was looking to upgrade from a cheap 1985 Japanese amplifier so any new product would have been an improvement. In terms of sound and looks, the Cambridge Audio AXR85 did not disappoint. It was easy to set up and immediately gave new life to my LPs. The sound is warm and clear, even when streaming music. And here begins my problem: when streaming the AXR85 skips the first half-second of every track. It's as if the receiver begins playing the track a moment too soon, before it's received all the necessary information. As you can imagine it's incredibly annoying. After noodling with my Spotify settings and running various tests, I spent several weeks going back and forth with support teams at Cambridge Audio (both in the UK and US), Crutchfield, and even Spotify - none of whom had encountered the issue before, nor could they explain why it was happening. Crutchfield even sent me a replacement unit, but the exact same problem persisted. Cambridge Audio suggested I send the unit away to be repaired, but I didn't want to do that and be without a stereo for who knows how long. My 60-day return warranty having now long expired, I had no real choice but to stick it out and just put up with the inconvenience. I generally play vinyl anyway, and use a portable Bose speaker for streaming instead (which has never presented this problem). Still, it's disappointing considering the brand's reputation for quality and the model's price point.
Pros: Great sound, nice looking design.
Cons: Major Bluetooth streaming problems, fiddly button controls, useless remote.
5 of 7 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Robert from Gordonville, PA on 10/17/2022
Very nice sounding receiver. Good power when you need it. Very pleased with my purchase. Shipping was really fast next day delivery.
Pros: Very good quality in every way. Looks and performance is good sounds good with my four speakers klipsch r51ms and my kd 51ms. Very loud and clear. Thanks for your business.
Cons: None
3 of 3 found this helpful
Well worth the money.
Jim from Pikesville, MD on 10/5/2022
Physically the amp is satisfyingly heavy, obviously a decent sized transformer. Use is very straight forward, I didn't need to refer to the manual to get it up and running. Sonicly, it's great. I'm still working on getting everything set to get the most out of it but it already has very impressive sound.
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2 of 2 found this helpful
The Wonkmeisters
Charles from Blue Diamond, NV on 9/2/2022
The sound is definitely worth 5 stars, wow. The problem is the unbelievable, weird complexity of operation. There is a guide of course but it's all so totally un-intuitive that one gets out of patience. The front features 7 small and 8 tiny buttons with puzzling labels. The only intuitive thing is the large and blessedly normal volume knob. Operating the buttons is about as challenging as an entrance exam to Cambridge University, from where this unit purports to hail. And we ordered this for our vacation house, which is mostly rented out to guests on a weekly or monthly basis! For that it's not so a good match. That said, we're keeping it for the sound and sharing the few pointers we can to guests, who should easily be able to access NPR, use the Bluetooth, and operate the dvd that we've attached to it.
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3 of 5 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Stephen from Sinking Spg, PA on 8/20/2022
This is a GREAT Receiver ! Very warm sound and vocals are very clear as I never heard before !!! My vintage vinyl sounds terrific! Nothing in this price range and much higher price receivers can compare to Cambridge Audio.
Pros: Great sound and great Looks! easy to use functions>
Cons: None
7 of 7 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
George from Bristol, VT on 7/1/2022
Sleek, minimal design that feels like it could be a vintage piece but does so much more. For the price, I'm extremely happy with this receiver. This is exactly what I was looking for - a high quality 2.1 system with built in phono pre-amp that doesn't have a million other unnecessary settings for home theater systems. I would definitely recommend this for someone looking to upgrade their setup without breaking the bank. Buying experience through Crutchfield was fantastic as well. Great services offered with purchase and prompt shipping!
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3 of 3 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Bruce from Richmond, VA on 6/7/2022
The AXR85 provides a very musical, mild-mannered sound - perhaps a little to mild on mid-bass. The imaging was good. The FM section performs very cleanly. I particularly like the volume control, which makes uniform changes at all levels as the knob is turned. One peculiarity: the remote controls both the AXR85 and my AXC35 CD player, but only has one power button. It appears that you power up the receiver by double clicking, which momentarily turns on and off the CD player. More clicks can manage other power combinations. I wonder if there is a better way to do this. I did not review the labels because they were not received.
Pros: musical, clean FM, smooth volume control
Cons: manual sometimes a little confusing. It appears that if you want to change one station preset, you must reset all.
3 of 4 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
George from Debary, FL on 5/19/2022
1 of 4 found this helpful
Very disappointed in this
Kevin from Coatesville, PA on 5/18/2022
I wanted to love this receiver. I did plenty of research prior to my purchase and I very rarely submit negative reviews. Upon hooking up this receiver to my Elac debut 2.0 b6.2 speakers I was immediately disappointed. this receiver sounded very constrained. I was using an older CD initially so I paired with Bluetooth to stream Spotify. My room is 12 x 12 feet and I could not move around it without the Bluetooth skipping and breaking up. It also seems like you cannot switch to the Bluetooth output without using the remote. The remote also is not very good. On the positive side, Crutchfield customer support was excellent as usual. They tell you that you can audition things and will have a no hassle return experience and they really mean it. I called in and explained the issue and I had RMA in my e mail in seconds. I also returned the corresponding CD player and will most likely go to the Yamaha SA 501. and CD -303 Thank you Crutchfield for your impeccable customer service. You make these problems painless.
Pros: none
Cons: Bluetooth breaks up terribly. Actually sounds a bit underpowered. The remote is awful
8 of 14 found this helpful
Got One Problem
Willie from Eros, LA on 5/17/2022
My new Cambridge Audio receiver works and sounds great. It has enough of clean power to drive the Klipsch speakers to dangerous levels. But. Sometimes there is a but. The one thing I don't like about it how touchy it is with a Bluetooth signal. My primary form of musical enjoyment is the various radio services( Pandora/Slacker Radio type). With my old receiver (15+years) I could leave my phone in the window charging and still use it to stream the music thru the Bluetooth of the receiver. With the Cambridge Audio receiver I can't do that. There is a large refrigerator between where I like to charge my phone and the receiver. I have to move my phone so the the new receiver can "see" it. It will not pick up the signal from my phone with the frig in between. Where it likes my phone to reside? There is no power there. Can't charge my phone. And extension cords are a tripping hazard. With the old receiver, that was never a problem. It's not worth returning it. But if I had know about this issue, I wouldn't have purchased the Cambridge Audio unit. To many other choices.
Pros: Enough power Clean sound
Cons: Finicky about phone location when using the Bluetooth. It doesn't like anything blocking it view of the phone.
2 of 2 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Los Angeles, CA on 4/15/2022
4 of 26 found this helpful
Great value. Good power.
Crutchfield customer from Woodstock, NY on 3/22/2022
Great bang for the buck. Provides plenty of clean power and is warm. Classic Cambridge. Plenty of hook up options, very versatile. It was a gift for and old friend for the office.
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Cambridge receiver
Peter from Tempe, AZ on 3/16/2022
Full, clear sound. Easy to set up and operate. I hadn't realized what I'd been missing.
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2 of 3 found this helpful
Light on features; very good sound
Steven from Michigan on 3/6/2022
It probably isn't fair to compare the AXR85 to a 1970's-era Marantz, but this is replacing an MR 235, so the comparison is inevitable. I'm driving a pair of ELAC Debut 2.0 6.2 bookshelf speakers and a Polk Audio PSW108 powered subwoofer. APPEARANCE: I prefer old-school, analog interfaces on receivers to modern, digital interfaces. Nonetheless, the AXR's minimalist design is attractive. AUDIO QUALITY: Clear, confident, and precise. A subtle but noticeable reduction in liveliness and depth compared to the Marantz. My tone settings on the Marantz were (B: +4/M: -2/T: 0) for CDs and (T: +4) for vinyl. Midrange is not adjustable on AXR, so I had to increase other frequencies another +2 to get approximately the same sound. The onboard phono stage seems as good as the Marantz. FM reception is excellent with my third-party antenna; AM reception is surprisingly good (read: audible) with the included loop antenna. FEATURES: 3 line-level inputs labeled simply (A1, A2, A3); it's not possible to customize their display names. A single line-out for recording, which should suffice for most users. I wish the tone controls could be set for each source individually. I also wish the feature that lowers the volume at startup could be disabled. Instead, I have had to disable Auto Power Off so at least I can control when that happens. I don't love the cooling fan, but I suspect it's necessary due to the unit's low profile, which I do love. I have
Pros: Clear, confident sound Attractive design Reasonable price
Cons: Controls are basic and can't be customized Audible cooling fan No AC passthrough to power connected devices
8 of 9 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Richard from Scarborough, ME on 2/25/2022
I replaced a NAD7140 receiver I purchased in 1986. The Cambridge Audio unit was highly rated at an affordable price. It was easy to set up and the sound is extremely clear. I heard musical elements that were missing from my previous receiver. Maybe I should have made the purchase sooner! Highly recommended.
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Cons: Buttons on the front are small and the labeling is also. Once you know how to use the receiver, the controls will become second nature.
4 of 4 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Joseph from Salem, MA on 1/20/2022
One hell of a budget audiophile product.Sounds fantastic.Sounds smooth and clear.Very impressed.Glad I bought it.
Pros: Strong on musically for a budget receiver
Cons: none for the price paid for it.
8 of 8 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85 Oustanding
Michael from Jacksonville, FL on 1/20/2022
Excellent integrated amplifier! 85 watts of pure analog hi fidelity sound using my Fluance turntable. Easy to use and setup then I was listening to local Hi-Fi FM stations and reliving the incredible analog record sound of the 60's and 70's! My 30 year old Mirage speakers came alive! Highly recommended!
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9 of 9 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Vicki from Cuyahoga Falls, OH on 1/19/2022
Love the sound and options. Will never regret this investment
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5 of 5 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Reed from Los Angeles, CA on 1/19/2022
Sounds fantastic! Seems to be a great value at this price point. The phono input is decent (miles better than the one built in to my turntable) but I prefer my Schiit Mani to the one in this receiver.
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2 of 2 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
John from Minneapolis, MN on 1/10/2022
I bought it for 2 channel use. Works great- impressed with the sound! Am-Fm comes in better than any receiver I've ever had- and I live in a poor signal area. Love it!
Pros: Excellent radio reception
Cons: Hard to see pilot light
4 of 4 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
William from Haverford, PA on 1/9/2022
Bluetooth didn't work right out the box. The sound coming from Polk L100 speakers was distorted, particularly at the low end. Being returned. Thank you Crutchfield for the return policy.
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6 of 9 found this helpful
Very good, but could be better.
Dawn from Woodbridge on 1/5/2022
I needed a receiver to replace an awesome Rotel set that made it 30 years, and that would power 4 Ohm speakers. This fit the bill and had many good features for the price point, like banana plugs. The sound is very good, and the receiver is visually sleek although you will need a flashlight to read the buttons (especially if in a stereo cabinet) until you just learn where they are. My biggest complaint though is the Bluetooth. Definitely not even close to 30m, even unobstructed from kitchen where iPad/phone are to the living room where the stereo is. For me, it seems like a big step backwards from Airplay, and/or Express to constantly walk over to the stereo to adjust channel/volume. Am sure I could try the remote, but who needs another remote in their lives.
Pros: Quality CA construction / sound 4 Ohm capable Banana plugs Price
Cons: Bluetooth limitations Readability of buttons No Airplay (only matters b/c of Bluetooth limitations)
5 of 7 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Biloxi, MS on 1/4/2022
Great piece of equipment. Great sound, plenty of power, good looking. Operating the Bluetooth setting is not intuitively obvious, but once you figure it out it's ok.
Pros: Good sounding receiver. Good price. Enough power.
Cons: Bluetooth.
1 of 1 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
James from Jackson, MS on 12/29/2021
Here's my background: I've always had Franken-systems- this receiver, that CD player, someone else's turntable. I couldn't afford premium components. My old equipment was wearing out. I wanted a fresh start, but I didn't want to spend huge bucks. I did my homework: read reviews, listened to experts and Cambridge Audio kept coming up. I bought an ARX85 because the bang for the buck was just unbeatable. The power and features of the amp sold it to me. I paired it with a Cambridge Audio AX35 CD player and an Audio-Technica LP-140XP turntable. I have some decent Yamaha bookshelf speakers (I plan to replace soon) and a Sony DVD player which integrated with my television, I now have a respectable system. Here's the fun part- I had not intended to do much with the ARX85's Bluetooth connectivity. Just for fun I decided to see what it sounded like connected to my PC. That was a big WIN. Next I tried my iPhone... Some Skullcandy headphones... It just keeps WINNING. Everything I've tried works, worked the first time and works well. You don't see that every day and, as someone who knows Murphy's Law intimately, you treasure it when it does.
Pros: Works well with everything I've tried Good-looking Exceptionally easy to work with
Cons: None so far
6 of 6 found this helpful
Cambridge AX85 Receiver
Crutchfield customer from Inglewood, CA on 12/29/2021
Was looking for a replacement receiver for an old Rotel receiver I found in the attic of the home I bought in 1993...Finally needed to replace and this was the perfect choice! Plus no one else had these in stock but Crutchfield! Sounds amazing, looks great. Happy, Happy!
Pros: High quality toroidal transformer for great sound...Plenty of power, Blue Tooth capable.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Texarkana, AR on 12/29/2021
Sleek, simple, classic face and great audio!
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Tucson, AZ on 12/28/2021
0 of 0 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Annapolis, MD on 12/28/2021
The AXR85 has replace 2 piers of Audio Equipment. The Sound from all inputs is amazing. Clarity with a bold base sound iOS just what I was looking for.
Pros: Easy to set up and operate
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Gonzales
Harry from Gonzales on 12/27/2021
This is a very clean integrated amplifier it's cleaner than my marantz 5.1 I think it's a great beginner audiophine amplifier I haven't running a pair of emotiva t1 Plus my only regret is I didn't get the 100 but for bookshelf speakers this amplifier would be perfect I hope this helps anybody that's in the beginning stages of audiophile journey
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2 of 2 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Lexington, KY on 12/26/2021
Does what I wanted, I didn't have any bluetooth problems. Solid unit!
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1 of 2 found this helpful
Buy 2 Thank me later
Crutchfield customer from Eugene, OR on 12/25/2021
Outstanding sound, and great service as always from all the fine folks at Crutchfield...Thanks again
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Prescott Valley, AZ on 12/16/2021
Easy purchase system, speedy delivery, system was easy to hook up and thus far is working well. Last system I had was cheaper and proved why since it only lasted 6 months before turning itself off frequently. Spend more on the Cambridge Audio and hope it proves its worth.
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Great customer service!!!
Crutchfield customer from Sacramento, CA on 12/13/2021
Good bang for your buck! All made possible by Ashley! She was knowledgeable and insightful never felt pressured to buy something I didn't need! Will shop again!
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Cape Coral, FL on 12/12/2021
So far this component is working perfect for my zone 2 speakers and hooking it up to my Marantz 8015 was pretty simple... even for me (... who else has the nickname Mr. Poison Hands ? ...:-) :-) ) Crutchfield, as always ... was spot on with their help and information!!
Pros: Works perfect!
Cons: None so far...
0 of 0 found this helpful
Budget Beast
Crutchfield customer from Naperville, IL on 12/6/2021
Wow. After auditioning the Yamaha a-s 301 and Denon6000NE: this Cambridge is a clear winner.
Pros: Plenty of power and great dynamics!
Cons: No digital inputs
2 of 2 found this helpful
Cool budget amp.
Crutchfield customer from Hampton, VA on 12/5/2021
Im a studio engineer, so tracking down amps that don't over color is a task, for a budget price. I have graphite KRK ST8's for monitors, and my only negative about this amp is how thin it is on the bottom end. That being said, when I purchased it, I figured that would be the case because it's outfitted for a sub. So, I added a tight, but boomy 8" aluminum sub that I built.along the lines of the Klipsch 8" sub. I don't like downfiring subs, so I shot this one hard and straight. I adjusted back the output voltage to create a nice soft undertone in the room and then I was was brilliantly happy with this receiver. Bluetooth is short range, but works perfectly. The remote is tight and neat. Looks great in my house which is a retro 60's space, so that was a pleasant plus.
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3 of 4 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Dickinson, TX on 12/4/2021
If you want a simple, clean, functional unit this is the one. Nothin extra, nothing complicated just good audio with Bluetooth.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Great amp for the price point
Crutchfield customer from Carmichael, CA on 12/1/2021
This is an amazing piece of equipment. It's easy to set up and even though it is only 85 watts a side, it definitely is plenty loud for listening. The sound quality is amazing and I don't hear any distortion whether it's played soft or loud. Definitely would recommend this as a good choice for audiophiles.
Pros: Well laid out Easy to set up 85 watts is plenty for listening Very intuitive to use Sound is sublime!
Cons: Speaker connections are a little clunky The remote can be a little finicky Connection for FM antenna was not in package
2 of 3 found this helpful
Great Stereo Receiver
Crutchfield customer from Cypress, TX on 11/29/2021
Great radio, people complain about the Bluetooth but I've experienced no problems. Power my outdoor speakers great they sound amazing.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Late at night, when it is quiet, I can hear the fan noise between trac
David from Newton Center, MA on 11/9/2021
Late at night, when it is quiet, I can hear the fan noise between tracks. The point of purchasing a quality receiver is 1. good sound reproduction; 2. no added noise either to the signal or the environment. The way I see it, including a fan in this device is a serious design flaw both sonically and from a reliability perspective as it adds an unnecessary point of failure. This design with a fan for a relatively low-wattage receiver may have saved money in manufacturing by requiring a smaller heat sink. Perhaps an ultra-quiet fan design could have been used, but clearly, an added cost that the designers did not consider worthwhile. Another design flaw is the layout of keys on the remote, not a deal-breaker like a fan, but an indication that Cambridge Audio design is not what it used to be. The remote layout looks like a repurposed CD remote, with small buttons for volume that should be larger and to the side of the remote, like every other audio remote I've used in the past. In addition, the blue text on black buttons is hard to read in dim light. In the end, the result of these design decisions is that Cambridge Audio has now lost a customer who until this encounter admired the product line and looked forward to purchasing a system designed around Cambridge Audio gear. Now that I have made my purchase and spent a week listening to music and fan noise between tracks, I am returning the receiver and looking for something that does not add noise to my listening
Pros: Elegant visual appeal.
Cons: Elegant visual appeal is only skin deep, fan noise, and a poorly designed remote layout.
13 of 16 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Seminole, FL on 10/17/2021
Very happy with my purchase. It was easy to set up (which was a blessing for me in my 60's). It is also easy to use.
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Perfect for music-focused system
Samuel from Crandon, WI on 10/5/2021
Very high-quality product with plenty of power. I appreciate the lack of clutter after upgrading from an old AV receiver.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Kunkletown, PA on 9/26/2021
hooked it up very easy blue tooth is excilent very happy
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Livermore, CA on 8/31/2021
Love this receiver! Stylish and works great with our Emotiva speakers!
Pros: Easy to set up Looks great Has all the features we're looking for in a receiver
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Overall good product
Crutchfield customer from Waxhaw, NC on 8/23/2021
Unit is used for record player and Bluetooth. Looks good (actually has a little retro look) and does a great job. Only complaint is the small read out of source and buttons on the remote. It is hard to see if you are changing to USB or phono....
Pros: Great looks
Cons: Hard to see the source system
4 of 4 found this helpful
Great amplifier for the price
Timothy S from TAMPA, FL on 8/19/2021
This is a great amplifier. It was easy to setup and I love that it has dual left and right outputs for bi-wiring to my two tower speakers. My only gripe with this product is the lack of a DAC and digital inputs. I'm not sure why people are complaining about the bluetooth connectivity, because bluetooth signal range isn't an issue for me within 30ft from my iphone even between walls.
Pros: Low price High Amps Bi-amp capable
Cons: No DAC
3 of 3 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Kenneth from Napa, CA on 7/11/2021
first of all this sounds great, powering 2 bookshelf Wharfedale Diamond 12.2 speakers in a 15 / 20 large room playing an eclectic choice of music , but the problem is the Bluetooth that is my main source of music now , the Bluetooth only has a range of around 12 -15 ft direct sight and 7 ft on the sides it suppose to have over 30 ft range according to support - I shouldn't have to spend an additional $150 to for it to work as specified
Pros: sounds great , plenty of power
Cons: Bluetooth range not up to par , and haven't been able to play the FM radio yet , could be user error but I have not figured how to connect the piece of wire supplied to the coaxial input
9 of 9 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Guest from RICHMOND, VA on 7/9/2021
I have been very pleased with this receiver so far. I like the look of it and it has a good phono stage. Radio reception is also pretty good. I feel like there is solid power as well. I don't know that you could do much better for this money unless you got lucky and bought something great used.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Montesano, WA on 6/30/2021
2 of 2 found this helpful
A good stereo receiver
Crutchfield customer from West Hartford, CT on 6/27/2021
I needed a basic stereo audio amp, without all of the add-ons for a home theater systems. I originally looked at the AXA35, but for just a bit more, I found this. It's 85 watts per channel, vs 35, and it has AM/FM. The phono input is a plus, too. The sound is quite good thru my bookshelf speakers. Good enough that upgrading the speakers is next. Bass/treble and balance use a menu system, which might bother some users. I'm fine with it though. My only complaint is that you can't use banana plugs, even though Crutchfield describes the speaker connections as taking them.
Pros: Plenty of power Nice clean sound Inputs and features
Cons: Speaker connections won't take banana plugs
7 of 13 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Saint Marys, GA on 6/19/2021
1 of 1 found this helpful
Good, but . . . .
Crutchfield customer from Saint Paul, MN on 6/15/2021
Beautiful sound and construction--no quibbles here. BUT: Very hard to see screen and what is chosen, extremely complicated radio selection and memory usage, AND try and discern the icons on the remote--dark blue on black which you need a searchlight to see and then try and figure out what is going on. Whoever designed the above should try and relate to we simple humans who want it easy. My prior receiver, which finally died (Yamaha) was relatively simple compared to this one.
Pros: Sounds
Cons: See above for details but they are: remote, radio set-up, feature screen.
2 of 2 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Huntsville, AL on 6/10/2021
As advertised. Sounds like my 1976 Kenwood before the pots and caps expired.
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2 of 3 found this helpful
Solid Performer, Simple Feature Set.
JD from Ravenna, OH on 5/22/2021
Nice appearance and well defined sound. Lots of heft to this unit as the transformer and chassis weight is substantial. Basic feature set suffices very well for stereo listening of CDs, vinyl or other inputs. Build quality seems to be very good. I haven't used it with bluetooth yet so I cant comment on that aspect. The AXR85 falls sort on remote capabilities, however imho. It's very hard to read even in medium light never mind low light or dim illumination in the room. Print is very small and some is blue. Unlit blue in low light? Remote control access is limited; for example to tailor the EQ one must use the receivers panel menu button , adjust settings and then return to listening position to access the adjustments. It would be nice if the remote was able to control that. It seems to be also used for Cambridge Audio's CD players because it has transport operation buttons. But really, don't let the remote detract from this solid performer of British design; the AXR85 has plenty of clean power for most listening situations and its solid build and heft harken back to home audios golden era. And back then there where no remotes. Just pure sound enjoyment. This does exactly that. Now if I had just not given away all that vinyl ....
Pros: Solid build, Very Good sounding.
Cons: Remote hard to read and doesn't control EQ
5 of 6 found this helpful
Great sound at a reasonable price!
Crutchfield customer from Ithaca, NY on 4/23/2021
Highly recommended. Plenty of power and I like the clarity of the sound-perfect for analog audio. I have mine hooked up to my vintage Philips 212 turntable and my Natural Sound Yamaha CD player. The receiver pairs well with my Klipsch bookshelf speakers and subwoofer. Bluetooth works well at short distances. The only negatives would be the remote-which doesn't work all that well unless it's directly pointed at the receiver-and the fan, which runs a tad too much for my liking-not a problem except on quieter classical pieces. Overall, a pretty amazing budget receiver for someone who doesn't want to spend thousands for quality sound. Cheers!
Pros: Clarity/neutrality of sound Power Classic look Bluetooth is an added bonus
Cons: Remote control Fan can be a little distracting
5 of 5 found this helpful
Simple Amp and Great Quality
JASON from WESTON, FL on 4/22/2021
This is a simple stereo amp, which is what I bought it for. I use the bluetooth feature quite a bit and it's great. I've never had an issue with range as others have stated, but I don't travel too far from my listening area. I primarily use this to listen to CD's and Vinyl. I have the matching Cambridge AXC35, which sounds fantastic. The internal MM phono stage works well, but I now have a MC cart and using a Vincent PHO-701 external phono stage. This amp matches well with my Klipsche speakers. Very nice build quality for the money. It's heavy and looks like a more expensive amp. Music sounds great and detailed. I highly recommend the AXR85 in this price range for a 2 channel stereo system.
Pros: Plenty of Power at 85 watts 4-ohm capability Toroidal Transformer provides dynamic sound Simple and No Fuss
Cons: None at this price point
2 of 2 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Merrill, WI on 4/19/2021
Simple clean design, sound stage is warm and powerful! Love it! Steve
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0 of 1 found this helpful
Great quality and performance thus far, with a few annoyances.
Crutchfield customer from Chicago, IL on 4/18/2021
Very satisfied with the overall quality and the features. My complaints have been expressed by others: -No printed user manual included. It's online, an inconvenient and impractical approach. -The remote is visually difficult. Blue print on a black background. Really? -I listen to analog radio. A lot. And this receiver is equipped with presets, etc., so that is clearly a feature that is important. But there is no proper FM antenna included.That's not ok.
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5 of 5 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Granby, MA on 4/5/2021
Upgraded to this receiver from the Sony Dtr 190 for my 2 channel system with Klipsch 610f floor standing speakers and Klipsch 41 bookshelf speakers, also added a Polk Audio subwoofer which adds nice deep end punch!! Room is 12 x 12 with some good acoustic treatment. The Sony was a great bargain for $150 but lacked the sound quality that the CA possesses. The Klipsch speakers have a brightness that the Sony receiver seemed to amplify but not the case with the CA receiver. Something about that British sound that really appeals to me!! I've been testing this system at ridiculous sound levels at times and the clarity is freaking amazing!! Some reviewers talk about fan noise and sub-par remote. When the music is cranked I don't hear any fan noise and the remote is fine after you learn the layout. Some people will bitch about anything. This is a fantastic receiver!!! So happy I upgraded to CA AXR85!! Perfect for my Klipsch speakers!!
Pros: Great sound for Klipsch speakers! I've had this amplifier up to approx 85 % and there is no distortion at all!! I'm just amazed at the sound quality and the subwoofer does influence my hearing,
Cons: I've had this receiver for about a month now and cannot thing of any negative things to post.
7 of 7 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Tifton, GA on 3/29/2021
Sound is very good, and fun. Really enjoy the depth of the music. The Bluetooth range is not great.
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2 of 2 found this helpful
Cambridge Awesome
Crutchfield customer from Killeen , TX on 3/29/2021
It is a great product, takes time to learn the multi function buttons. Just hooked it up last night 28 March 2021. Hooked them up to some Polk Audio speakers. This unit is in my bedroom. Replaced a 35 yr. old JVC great receiver. Right channel finally went bad. Love this basic receiver, hooked my Technics cd only player, my tv, my Technics turntable, my stereo vcr, yes & my blu ray player. Sound is great, looks good.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
The audio listening person's receiver
Crutchfield customer from Bar Harbor, ME on 3/28/2021
If you are considering an audio only receiver that will give you the opportunity to listen to music in all formats-vinyl,FM/AM,CD and Digital files via bluetooth this receiver is an incredible bargain. It has plenty of power to drive 4 speakers. We are 60 miles from the closest FM station antenna and were pleasantly surprised at the clarity /number of FM stations we can receive. The clean aesthetics are timeless. The front panel controls are very intuitive and the remote is not cumbersome.Great bang for the buck. I can not imagine spending $400 on an audio receiver and getting better quality!
Pros: Ease of operation Fm reception Clean power range Understated front panel that has what it needs and nothing else
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7 of 7 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Ravena, NY on 3/28/2021
I 'be been wanting to replace my 20 year old Yamaha Av receiver. I wanted to get back to a basic receiver with out all the bells an whistles. I have a large vinyl collection and the axr85 fit the bill for my needs.Set up was quick and easy and so far it has more than met my expectations.Plenty of power for my needs. The blue tooth has worked flawlessly. So far I'm very happy with my purchase and with crutch field.
Pros: quality reciever
Cons: None
1 of 1 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Haiku, HI on 3/24/2021
Great sound. No bells and whistles just like we like it
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2 of 2 found this helpful
Clear and impressive sound
Crutchfield customer from Columbus, OH on 3/23/2021
The first one I ordered had a blown out and distorted right channel. Replacement was easy and Justin did a good job expediting the turn around. It's a good looking unit that is quite loud and clear. It's not complicated to use but the buttons are very small and hard to read on the remote. It's not very intuitive. Buttons on the unit are similar. Pleased with the purchase overall but it took more work to get it settled in than expected.
Pros: Looks, clarity of sound
Cons: remote is not impressive, learning curve to use, build consistency
0 of 0 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Beavercreek, OH on 3/18/2021
I had a 40-year-old plus receiver amplifier it just didn't want to work anymore the old switches would rattle and crackle. I wish I would've got a new one long time ago I'm here in sounds on music that I didn't know existed very clear and very happy with it I would recommend it.
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1 of 2 found this helpful
Dedicated stereo
Crutchfield customer from Carrabelle, FL on 3/16/2021
I am very happy with my Cambridge Audio amp. I replaced an Onkyo home theatre amp that died on me and do not regret it. I am using this amp strictly for Lps, cassettes (yes I still have hundreds), cds and the great tuner that is integrated into this amp. I'm driving 2 sets of B&W floor standing speakers and I'm enjoying music the way I remember it from the 60's and 70's. Although it's only 85 watts that is more than enough for my 20 x 25 living/listening room. Highly recommended! I did have to replace my home theatre amp also - thank goodness for the stimulus $.
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3 of 4 found this helpful
Hands down the best receiver at this price I've ever seen.
Crutchfield customer from Santa Fe, NM on 3/14/2021
I had questions about specifics for using unbalanced speakers (4 & 8 ohm). I called Cambridge USA, they answered the phone on the 2nd ring, switched me immediately to their techie. Minus the details, the techie didn't know the answer. An hour later the engineer (in England) that designed the AXR85 contacted me with the answer. (WOW!!!), that's customer support not seen in decades. And a really nice feature - The amplifier has dampening circuitry, something many home grade amplifiers lack. Dampener circuitry detects speaker activity that is not part of the music and then generates an 180 inverse phase to eliminate that activity - results in sound that is insanely clear. This feature is usually only on studio grade amplifiers, or top end home audio. I am surprised they don't brag about this?
Pros: Excellent FM radios reception The styling is top shelf. Easy to navigate around the controls Outstanding sound quality
Cons: The volume control requires too many revolutions to raise and lower the volume - if you want to call that a flaw?
8 of 9 found this helpful
The Cambridge Audio AXR85 receiver
Crutchfield customer from Bronx, NY on 3/11/2021
The Cambridge Audio AXR85 receiver seems like a quality product. It is stylish and has great sound. It matches up well with my Wharfedale Diamond 225 speakers.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Mystic, CT on 3/11/2021
This receiver and amplifier is everything I had hoped for and it provided all the functions that were on the previous component it was replacing - and it has bluetooth capability. It was installed and operating within a few hours of taking it out of the box and had the power and clarity I was looking for. The shipping container had foam blocks that provided shock isolation for the component and UPS delivered the box without any noticeable marks. A very good value for the price.
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Joel from Johnstown, PA on 3/9/2021
This is a very nice unit with great looks. I purchased it to replace a Yahama AV receiver because I wanted an amp with sound quality more like the tube amp I recently purchased for my other listening room. The idea of "British Sound" appealed to me, so I pulled the trigger. I really like the sound from the AXR85. Paired with my Klipsch R-51Ms and JBL subwoofer, the AXR85 gives me a really sweet listening experience. Some folks have raised concerns about the built-in cooling fan. I listened for hours at a moderate level last night, and not only did the fan never come on, but also the top of the case was only slightly warm. It appears that the fan only operates when the receiver is played at high volume levels for extended periods of time. And if I were to do that, the music would mask the fan's noise - in other words, for me it's a non-issue. I highly recommend this product.
Pros: Low noise floor, clean front panel, built-in phono stage and Bluetooth
Cons: None for me.
2 of 3 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Lynn S from Bandera, TX on 3/5/2021
I was leery of a British made receiver, but it has proven to be very well made. Rear connections are clear and well laid out. It sounds great, and can really crank out the power.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from La Habra, CA on 3/5/2021
This amp is exactly what I wanted. but like other reviewers - I wish the bluetooth had a little bit more range.
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0 of 0 found this helpful
AXR85 - A Great FM Rx/Amp
Crutchfield customer from Minneapolis, MN on 2/10/2021
After several hours of using my new AXR85, I can honestly say the product didn't disappoint me! From the first simple hookup procedures to the final 'tryout' of all its features it performed beyond my expectations. The receiver tuned to all my local/near local FM stations without 'fallout'. The attached phonograph and CD player both performed as I expected them to be. Furthermore, my Bluetooth MP3 player 'hooked' up and provided a clear audio stream of all my digital albums. What more could one want? My only 'con' would be I should have purchased the AXR100. I say this because my speakers are 'high performance' and the added power would be welcome.
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2 of 3 found this helpful
Solid Unit, Very Quiet
Crutchfield customer from Columbus, OH on 2/4/2021
Very nice unit. Signal to noise ratio is unbelievable. So quiet, you can't hear a thing unless there is a signal. Easy to use and set up is not complicated.
Pros: Great Signal to Noise. Ease of use and setup.
Cons: Could use a little more tone control. The Treble or Bass range could be wider.
2 of 2 found this helpful
Perfect for my needs
Crutchfield customer from Towson, MD on 2/1/2021
I have a vintage audio sound system with component 8-Track, Cassette and Turntable. This receiver sounds great and blends in visually. Also, the Bluetooth works like a charm so I've been also listening to my iTunes playlists. Exactly what I wanted.
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2 of 2 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Show Low, AZ on 1/24/2021
1 of 1 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Durham, NC on 1/23/2021
Great receiver, especially for the price. Replaced a relatively ancient NAD 7150 receiver in my basement system, which also consists of a Marantz cd5005, Denon dp37F turntable, and NHT 2.1 speakers. Plenty of power and an equalization that is able to tame the overly bassy/middy speakers with a bit of adjustment. The separation and soundstage with the Marantz CD player is excellent, and also gives good slam and punch. The tuner section works well at capturing my local stations and sounds great too. Bluetooth is good, as is the phono input, although the latter might have somewhat less channel separation and gain than it could. Overall, a super deal and handsome looking to boot.
Pros: Great sound all around, especially for the price. Plenty of power.
Cons: The phono section sounds good, but I wonder if it could be improved with an external phono preamp.
1 of 1 found this helpful
Great dynamics!
Crutchfield customer from Nashville, TN on 1/18/2021
Love it! We upgraded from an older Sherwood amp and I can already hear a massive improvement in the dynamics of our vinyl records. Drums leap out of the mix, and the low end is defined and clear. Plus, the whole unit feels very high quality in its buttons, knob and screen.
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3 of 3 found this helpful
Great addition to my signal chain.
Crutchfield customer from Hales Corners, WI on 1/10/2021
Great addition and upgrade to my signal chain which includes Project Debut Carbon, Kef Q100 pair, and Klipsch r-12sw sub. Well-recorded music on vinyl sounds utterly amazing. The bluetooth works perfect and connects to my iPhone's library with ease. Highly recommend!
Pros: Sound, sound, sound. Bluetooth. Ease of use. Looks great.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Winter Springs, FL on 1/10/2021
This is a nice receiver. Everything works as it should. It has plenty of power and sounds great driving my Focal Chorus 615's. The only downside was the remote control, which arrived D.O.A.
Pros: Robust power output, clean phono pre amp, reliable Bluetooth connectivity, excellent tuner, attractive looks
Cons: Remote control
1 of 1 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Genoa, NV on 1/3/2021
Excellent product to re-invigorate my nearly antique sound system! Exactly as advertised. Even added a new feature (Blue Tooth). We live in a remote area so AM/FM receiver access is a bit lacking using the provided antenna but that's not a fault of the unit.
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Great sound, easy to connect, woks w/ analog equipment
Crutchfield customer from Oakland, CA on 1/3/2021
So wonderful to find a receiver that connects with all my chorded equipment :) the sound is clean and crisp - and it has all the adjustment you need. I have it connected w/ 3 pieces of equipment and 4 speakers. The person I chatted with helped me find exactly what I was looking for. Great service and received in a couple of days!
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0 of 0 found this helpful
quality made easy
Crutchfield customer from Watsonville, CA on 1/3/2021
Easy set up. Quality product so far. Connected instantly to my phone to play music. Also appreciate the service at Crutchfield and speed of delivery.Quality all round.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Appleton, WI on 1/2/2021
Excellent equipment, delivered a day earlier than estimated.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Larry from St Louis, MO on 12/31/2020
Very pleased with this equipment. Quality build, great output and performance. I would make the same decision again.
Pros: Quality of construction outstanding. Performance wonderful
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2 of 2 found this helpful
Very Happy
Crutchfield customer from Madison, WI on 12/30/2020
My brother bought this receiver for me for Christmas. I'm no audio file, but it sounds great, is easy to use, and has lots of cool features. I really like it and am glad to have it. It's also very sturdy and I'm guessing will last a long time.
Pros: Great Sound Easy to use Lots of cool features Looks good Sturdy
Cons: Turns off after being left not playing for a while Needs a lot of space between it and whatever sits on top of it (my CD player) to vent
0 of 0 found this helpful
Great value
Crutchfield customer from Raleigh, NC on 12/30/2020
We've been delighted with this receiver. Purchased in part because of the analog turntable input, it pushes out strong clean sound from all of our equipment.
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2 of 2 found this helpful
Jorge F Robles
Crutchfield customer from El Centro, CA on 12/29/2020
Excellent quality, I really think is the best choice for me. We were able to provide very good sound to 2 different areas in our Office.
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Rio Grande, PR on 12/29/2020
Problem with blue boot
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6 of 14 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from The Villages, FL on 12/28/2020
Great receiver, the thing I like the best is you can hook up 4 speakers and a sub woofer
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Worth the money
Crutchfield customer from Omaha, NE on 12/21/2020
Great amp. Does what it needs to do and works flawlessly. I dislike some of the issues with pairing bluetooth, but other than that it's good for the price.
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2 of 2 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from El Paso, TX on 12/19/2020
1 of 1 found this helpful
Nice Receiver
Will from Philadelphia, PA on 12/15/2020
Bought this to replace a 20 year old integrated amp and this unit does not disappoint. Nice sound at an affordable price. I especially like the blue tooth connectivity so I can connect my phone.
Pros: Great Price. Nice Sounding Receiver. Blue Tooth connectivity is great.
Cons: none
2 of 2 found this helpful
Love this reciever!!
Crutchfield customer from BROOKFIELD, WI on 12/8/2020
I've only had the axr85 for a little over a week and, so far, I'm very impressed. I have it powering a pair of B&W 607's and, wow, does this amp deliver. I'm not opening this up full throttle for a little bit longer but so far it takes everything I can throw at it: Coultrane, Melodie Gardot, The Verve, Black Keys ... . Everything comes out sounding clear at any level. I did push the system today with a live version of Enter Sandman on TIDAL that caused the axr85 fan to kick on and I think it was the best recorded Metallica I've ever heard out of any system I've ever owned. I was grinning from ear to ear. I absolutely do not regret this purchase and think most people will be very happy with the axr85 when paired with a pair of appropriately matched happiness inducing speakers! For details: I listen to music via TIDAL and Spotify. I also listen to vinyl using an Uturn Orbit with a grado black stylus (acrylic platter ). The built in phono amp of the axr85 produces a clean sound that grabs everything you would want to hear. Enjoy!!!
Pros: Great power. Clean look. Nice phono sound.
Cons: Would be nice if it was able to hook up to wifi.
10 of 11 found this helpful
Close to excellent
Crutchfield customer from Minneapolis, MN on 11/9/2020
This is a very nice receiver, although the bluetooth connection gets dropped or briefly interrupted (very briefly) at times, especially from my laptop when I'm doing something unrelated with the laptop. In addition, the receiver's fan can be a bit annoying, although it's not really evident when music is playing, only between or after songs. I'll live with it because it's an upgrade from my old receiver, but I have not yet decided whether it's excellent or merely pretty good.
Pros: Good power, clear sound, easy connectivity.
Cons: Fan can seem too loud, and bluetooth signal clicks on and off at times if source is being used for something else.
5 of 6 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Minneapolis, MN on 11/1/2020
The receiver is everything I had hoped it would be! Compatible with my old components, easy to hook them to receiver, sound quality great. Nice features. Haven't tried the Bluetooth feature yet, but plan to. Very satisfied with the unit. Crutchfield customer service was excellent, delivery time was amazingly fast, product very well packaged. Very happy!
Pros: Good quality. Reasonable price.
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Excellent bang for the buck!
Todd from Olympia, WA on 10/31/2020
I paired this with a set of Definitive Technology 9040....efficient speakers...and there is more then enough power to make them sing. Not a lot of bells and whistles so easy to set up and operate. Sound is clean and powerful...haven't heard the fan like others have mentioned. Remote is hard to see in the dark but once you get it down it is fine. Bluetooth paired very fast with my iPad as I use pandora and have numerous genres of music I listen to. Does have auto shutoff which I thought was cool....especially after listening to a disc.
Pros: Great power for the size, clean control panel, easy to pair with Bluetooth
Cons: Remote is hard to see
2 of 2 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Arlington, VT on 10/25/2020
Replaced my vintage amp and love the clean sound and Bluetooth is handy!
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Chehalis
Tom from Chehalis on 10/22/2020
I haven't purchased stereo gear in many moons when I decided to pull the trigger on a comparatively inexpensive receiver and speakers for my family room. I was simply shopping for a 2 channel stereo receiver with good FM reception and Blue Tooth capability. After reading many reviews and contacting Crutchfield, I settled upon the Cambridge AXR85. I live as far away from Crutchfield as possible (in the continental US) and two days after my order was placed, I was hooking up my gear. Upon first inspection, the receiver appeared to be of fine craftsmanship. The sound quality is very good for the money. The more volume, the better it sounds. I am happy with the purchase. I only wish it had a loop for adding an equalizer, which I have left over from an old NAD unit. My only complaint of the Brits is the remote. What's up with the dark blue lettering on small black buttons? I will go blind trying to read the buttons on it. This receiver, paired with the ELAC Debut 20 B6.2 speakers, is a nice set-up for an old guy not wanting to break the bank. Crutchfield is the real deal for audio components.
Pros: Nice sound Simplistic Nice aesthetics
Cons: Remote is hard to read Phone must be fairly close for Blue Tooth input without cutting out.
4 of 4 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Madison, WI on 10/13/2020
As I needed a receiver primarily for a turn table I didn't need lots of extras and this Cambridge receiver is doing a great job. I have a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC connected with four vintage tower speakers and it is delivering all the power I need. Although I wasn't looking for anything with Bluetooth I find I use it way more than I thought simply because it keeps connected to my device without annoying disconnects. I do not use the AM/FM tuner much but I have this unit setup in my basement and it has no problem picking up all my local stations clearly.
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4 of 5 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Mason, MI on 10/12/2020
Simple, straight forward stereo receiver. I was not interested in the home theater, surround sound experience, so this fit my needs perfectly.
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3 of 3 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Milford Center, OH on 10/11/2020
My Onkyo receiver lost a channel and I had to replace it. I used it for my work computer and personal entertainment. I wanted high-quality sound that didn't break the bank. The Cambridge didn't disappoint. A perfect companion to my Cerwin Vaga AT 8's. I would highly recommend the receiver!
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2 of 3 found this helpful
New receiver
Crutchfield customer from Reseda, CA on 10/4/2020
Love the simplicity of this powerful unit! Clean crisp amazing sound. I could not be happier with this recommendation from the gang at crutchfield!!
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3 of 3 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Westover, MD on 10/2/2020
Works well. Brings in weak and fringe FM & AM stations that I listen to. Controls on the front easy to use. Satisfied. Much better sound than the old Sherwood that had failed.
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2 of 2 found this helpful
A very successful upgrade.
Neil from Grand Rapids, MI on 9/27/2020
The AXR85 replaced a late 80s Harmon Kardon that coughed, wheezed, and breathed its last a few months ago. My system is a dedicated two-channel one, for vinyl, CD and streaming music. I focused on this Cambridge unit after going down the rabbit hole of printed reviews and YouTube videos. I had two concerns about it before I pulled the trigger, the quality of the built-in Bluetooth dongle and the phono preamp. The Bluetooth unit is a little disappointing for range and sound, but I already owned an Audioengine B-1 receiver (also purchased from Crutchfield), so problem solved. Using the AB-1, my Qobuz subscription sounds brilliant through the AXR85. The phono preamp turned out to be no concern at all. My LPs sound dynamic, detailed and fully satisfying. My Fluance RT85 turntable has never sounded better. Bottom line, I liked the Harmon Kardon, I love the Cambridge Audio.
Pros: Detailed, dynamic, completely absorbing soundstage. Phone preamp is impressive. Easy to hook up and use and attractive to look at.
Cons: The Bluetooth dongle is only so-so. The remote could be designed better, but I don't use it anyway. The promised cable labels weren't included.
6 of 7 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Thompsons Stn, TN on 9/21/2020
Super easy set-up. Simple, powerful, easy to use stereo amp. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars, is the bluethooth coverage area, could use a bit of a bump. I use my iPhone for music. Once you move the device more than about 10 feet away, your going to loose connection completely, or get a fair amount of interference.
Pros: Super easy set-up. Enough power for a good set of stereo speakers
Cons: Bluetooth range is a bit limited
2 of 2 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Raeford, NC on 9/16/2020
0 of 1 found this helpful
Why no owners manual??
Crutchfield customer from Georgetown, KY on 9/13/2020
I was looking for an affordably priced stereo receiver for casual music listening in my living room. Wanted my money to go toward good audio performance and not fancy features. Using it to power a pair of bookshelf speakers (Paradigm Atoms). This unit fits the bill perfectly and my Atoms never sounded better. You would be hard pressed to find a better bang for the buck stereo receiver with this kind of build quality and performance. The only reason I give it four instead of five stars is because there was no owners manual included with the unit.......shame.
Pros: Excellent bang for the buck.
Cons: No owners manual.
3 of 4 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Jeffrey from BIXBY, OK on 9/12/2020
Great sounding receiver. Plenty of power to drive my B&W 607's. I am listening to CD's and a classical radio station I like. Also the Bluetooth feature is quite good. Overall a best by for my den. Great recommendation by the Crutchfield salesperson.
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3 of 3 found this helpful
Clean
Crutchfield customer from Berne, IN on 9/11/2020
I'm running some Pioneer bs22lr's in a medium sized b.r. with the Cambridge AXR85.. its great! Momma likes the sound. WAF , I'll add some small-ish full range towers soon. This is a sweet sounding receiver, great reception. Thanks Crutchfield, great service.
Pros: Clean, clean, clean.
Cons: Nope, none yet.
1 of 1 found this helpful
Mixed, some good, some bad, no ugly
Crutchfield customer from Columbus, GA on 9/11/2020
It is a very basic unit, for the price. It seems to be well made, but it is basically 1980's-level technology. No surround, loudness, equilizer, only 4 inputs (including phono). It does have Bluetooth and a 1/8" input on the panel. On the plus side, the layout is clean, the controls are easy to master, the sound is generally good given the limited adjustments, and the FM reception is good. Also the speaker outputs are versatile (wire or banana plugs) and the FM antenna input is 75 Ohm, which matches my system. The negatives are the limitations noted above. Also, the very minimal remote has more than half of its functions dedicated to compatible Cambridge systems (I assume CD player, others?), and the buttons for this unit are miniscule. All in all, it works as advertised, it produces decent sound, and I am learning to live without surround. I suspect it will work well for a long time.
Pros: Decent clarity sound, clean layout, simple controls
Cons: Limited inputs, no surround or equalizer, minimal remote controls
3 of 12 found this helpful
Well worth it
Crutchfield customer from Pearl River, NY on 9/7/2020
Great receiver, plenty of power and sounds great with my Polk audio bookshelf speakers. I mostly use it with my turntable, and it sounds great. Was supposed to include some cable labels but they weren't anywhere to be found. Great product.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Man Cave stereo system!
Crutchfield customer from Westfield, IN on 9/6/2020
Building my retirement Man cave in the basement of our new home and decided I wanted to rebuild my stereo system and eventually adding a turn table back into the mix. The Cambridge AXR85 has all the power I need and plus the phono input, but it also has blue tooth so I can listen/stream Pandora when I like!! Eventually will add a CD player as well since I have kept my many CD's over the years. I combined this receiver with a pair of Polk Audio Si200's...Amazing!!! Crutchfield came through for on all the above as now is not an easy time to find Stereo equipment due to Covid-19. And they do it at a great price!! And their shipping if freaky fast!!
Pros: Clean and fresh look and simple to operate. Phono input and preamp. Quality features like 5-way connection posts for speakers! Blue tooth is a huge plus!!
Cons: 85 watts of power might not be quite enough for some folks, but it is perfect for my application!
5 of 5 found this helpful
Great unit with remote issues
Crutchfield customer from Marietta, GA on 9/3/2020
I really like the sound and the styling of this receiver. Installation was easy and I like the direct single cable hookup to my subwoofer. I gave it a 4 because I am having some issues with the remote not working properly. It can take up to 4 or 5 presses of the on/off button to turn unit on but only once to turn it off. Am also having a similar problem with the volume level adjustment buttons.
Pros: Styling, sound quality, choosing inputs
Cons: Remote Control unit issues
2 of 2 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Richmond, VA on 9/3/2020
I couldn't be happier.Great value for money.
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0 of 1 found this helpful
AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Salem, IN on 8/25/2020
Has more than enough power for my Goldenear Triton 7's. Be aware, however, there is a fan inside. If you listen at low levels it shouldn't be an issue. The fan probably won't kick on. At higher listening levels it will kick on and possibly annoy some people. Overall I like my AXR85 and would recommend it.
Pros: Enough power for most speakers.
Cons: Fan might be annoying for some people.
5 of 6 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Los Angeles, CA on 8/24/2020
I was looking for a receiver for my vintage turntable. The Cambridge Audio AXR85 fit my need perfectly and delivers all the retro and current features that I need. I highly recommend the Crutchfield experience.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Cookeville, TN on 8/23/2020
Set up with a Pioneer PLX-1000 turntable and Elac B6.2 speakers. Sounds fantastic. Easy to set up and the Bluetooth connects quickly and sounds great. Very happy!
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1 of 1 found this helpful
Great receiver and CD player
MIke from Waverly Hall, GA on 8/23/2020
I was going to purchase a Cambridge integrated amp but with the quarantine, they were on back order. I decided to get the AXR85 receiver instead. I have a small listening room and this with my Pioneer SP 22-lr fills the room. I also got the Cambridge CD player. One remote controls both. I especially love the Bluetooth feature. only reason for 4 stars is that the first receiver had a short. Crutchfield sent a replacement right away.
Pros: Great look and plenary of power for my 12X15 room. Love the upside down labels on the back. Phono pre-amp works great with my Turntable.
Cons: None
0 of 0 found this helpful
Love It.
Crutchfield customer from Mount Pleasant, SC on 7/26/2020
Really great tuner. Auto off feature and Bluetooth really extended the greatness for us. Thank you very much! Love Crutchfield.
Pros: Auto off Sound Simplicity Crutchfield support
Cons: Short Bluetooth range through walls.
2 of 3 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from North Pekin, IL on 7/24/2020
After doing some research, I decided on this model to replace and older NAD receiver that is pretty potent. I was a bit worried about how well it would match with my speakers, but it seems to pair very well. The sound is very natural and three dimensional, and I can push it hard with no signs of strain. It runs nice and cool, unlike my older NAD, which could almost double as a space heater. The design is classy, although the display is a bit hard to read from a distance. Being a bit old school, I don't need a lot of bells and whistles, I just want good solid performance, which this does deliver. The only real downside is the remote, it feels cheap and isn't really laid out very well. Other than that, a good solid piece.
Pros: Solidly built, good sound, plenty of clean volume.
Cons: Lackluster remote Display could be larger to make it easier to read from a distance.
7 of 7 found this helpful
Great Receiver from Cambridge
Crutchfield customer from Irvine, CA on 7/24/2020
I am using this receiver as an amplifier for my Dac Majic Plus and the speakers I am using are Polk RTI-A7. The sound is crystal clear and precise. The price is less than 1/2 of what you would pay for a Cambridge amplifier CX81.
Pros: Great Sound, good price
Cons: None since the price is very reasonable
3 of 3 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Clearwater, FL on 7/14/2020
LOVE ALL OF IT AND DRUMMER WAS A GREAT HELP IN FINDING ME THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT.
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0 of 1 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Silvis, IL on 7/4/2020
Put the Onkyo receiver just purchased to shame. Had to replace my Fisher due to channel failure but after 35 years cant complain. This receiver has great sound and plenty of power. Pretty straight and simple to use.
Pros: Easy operation and set up. Turn able sounds great.
Cons: None
4 of 4 found this helpful
Sets a high floor for quality/cost
Crutchfield customer from Seattle, WA on 5/20/2020
Applies to both 85/100 ... This is a pretty good looking unit that does everything you need at a reasonable cost. Decent power, phono pre, and Bluetooth connectivity. None of those are perfect, but it's a great floor to start with.
Pros: Relatively affordable, good quality amplification, decent phono pre, Bluetooth, good looking
Cons: No aptX, but aptX might just be lipstick on a pig considering the low ceiling for Bluetooth quality
1 of 2 found this helpful
Great performance and blessed simplicity
Ross from Wheaton, IL on 5/11/2020
I needed to boost the power driving my new Polk Audion RTI A7 tower speakers without breaking the bank, and loved the distinctive, clean and functional look of this receiver. It does what a stereo receiver should do without excessive bells and whistles, which too often have gone unused in previously owned receivers. This creates incredibly clean sound from my CD player and turntable at all volume levels. The Bluetooth paired easily and works very well with my iPhone.
Pros: Simple and intuitive setup, clean powerful sound
Cons: brushed aluminum color may not match other components
8 of 10 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Rochester, MN on 5/8/2020
Sounds great, easy set up. Has all the power I need. Very happy with this purchase.
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3 of 4 found this helpful
Cambridge Audio AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Mandeville, LA on 4/24/2020
Great product. Had problem with remote not working. Called Crutchfield and send me a replacement.
Pros: Clean sound at low and high volume.
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2 of 4 found this helpful
Great Modern Upgrade
Crutchfield customer from Janesville, WI on 4/21/2020
I purchased this to replace my beloved 31 year old Yamaha. I was interested in blue tooth capabilities and wanted a good sound stage for vinyl. The Cambridge, though far less powerful than my Yamaha, provides very full sound and my turntable never sounded better. Great purchase, great service, fast shipping and actual people to answer the phone when seeking advice. I have used Crutchfield since the early 80's when tattered catalogs made their way through class in high school as my friends and I ogled over Alpine head units and Alphasonic amps. Good stuff!
Pros: Build quality, sound quality, phono stage
Cons: Could use more power but that's on me.
6 of 8 found this helpful
AXR85
Crutchfield customer from Greenfield, IN on 4/7/2020
Awesome true power transfer and resulting sound rendition.
Pros: Very realistic sound reproduction
Cons: None
1 of 7 found this helpful
Great piece!
Crutchfield customer from Muncie, IN on 3/30/2020
Great value for the money! Sounds amazing, built in Bluetooth and phono amp. Can't go wrong for the money.
Pros: Amazing sound, simple to hookup Bluetooth.
Cons: No optical inputs.
3 of 7 found this helpful
SUPERB STEREO RECEIVER!
Crutchfield customer from Milton, DE on 3/28/2020
Highly recommend this receiver and Cambridge Audio equipment. I bought the Cambridge Audio AXR85 Receiver after several days of research to replace my 38-year old Mitsubishi DA-R25, 60 watt/channel, receiver that recently broke. The AXR85 receiver is the heart of my sound system that includes a 1982 Mitsubishi DP-EC8 turntable with Boston Acoustics MC-1 cartridge (2.5 mv output), Sony C69ES CD player, Klipsch Heresy II speakers and MTX PSW101B powered 60 watt subwoofer. The receiver sound quality is outstanding in all modes, has strong FM reception, user-friendly functions and works well with my analog components. Note: The User Manual needs to be downloaded from Crutchfield or Cambridge.
Pros: Sound quality, powerful amplifier, 3.5 mm input jack, and attractive box at a fair price.
Cons: Bluetooth range is weak when transmission device is moving or more than 15 feet away.
10 of 11 found this helpful
A studio winner!
Crutchfield customer from Jasper, GA on 2/19/2020
As Described, perfect for my situation.Fills my 16x20 studio with great vibes.
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