Although some brands are abandoning the compact format out of disenchantment with certain markets, the British continue to believe in it, as Cambridge proves today with the MXW70 power amplifier.
In a chassis with identical dimensions to those of the DACMAGIC 200 (399 €) and the MXN10 network player (399 €), the MXW70 power amplifier brings a breath of fresh air to loudspeakers thanks to a power output of 70 watts per channel at 8 ohms in class D, rising to 2 x 125 W at 4 ohms and 250 W at 8 ohms in bridged mode (for those wishing to use one amp per channel).
Priced higher than the more conventional AXA25 and AX135 chassis, the MXW70 is the only pure power amp in the British manufacturer’s range, and therefore has no volume control. For this, you need to connect it either to an analog preamplifier from another brand -since Cambridge doesn’t offer one-, or to a DAC with digital volume control, which is of course offered by the DACMAGIC 200, but also by competitors such as the Eversolo DMP-A6 streamer.
On the rear panel, the MXW70 features a small mains socket that doesn’t allow connection to an IEC power cord, deemed unnecessary since the amp uses a switching power supply (SMPS). The panel also features two pairs of speaker terminals for use with banana or fork-ended cables, and a pair of RCA and XLR inputs, the latter being the only way to switch the amp to mono (simply changed with a small switch next to the terminals).
Available from today, the Cambridge MXW70 is offered exclusively in Lunar Grey at a price of 599 €.
13/06/2025
