Cambridge Audio A1 Integrated Amplifier
When you think of true budget hi-fi, you think of Cambridge Audio. For years now Cambridge Audio have been manufacturing and selling pieces of hi-fi such as the A1 integrated amplifier by the lorry load. The A1 Intregrated Amplifier is a true a budget classic, well made and with a sound quality that puts many amplifiers at more than twice the price to shame.
Available almost exclusively through Richer Sounds in the UK, the A1 originally sold for just under £100, fifteen years in and you can still pick one of these gems up for under £80. For an extra £20 pounds, you can be the proud owner of an A1 Special Edition, purposely designed for the UK audiophile with improved circuitry and torroidial transformer for a cleaner power supply.
The A1 comes with four line inputs, a moving magnet phono pre-amp can purchased for an extra £20. A tape monitor is also included and there are treble, bass and balance controls but that is it.
Sound quality of the A1 mk3 SE is quite detailed and warm but never harsh and bass is quite tight and rythmic. Only when you compare it against superior integrated amplifiers such as the Audiolab 8000A can the imaging and soundstage start to sound a little muddy and confused but this a sub £100 amplifier. I used about 6 years with a couple of TDL Nucleus 1 Loudspeakers to amplify a computer soundcard with great success. I now use it to drive the surround speakers in a 5.1 surround sound system using a pair of Eltax Silverstone 110 bookshelf speakers..
At 30 watts per channel into 8 oms, the Cambridge Audio A1 may not be the most powerful amplifier in the world but ideal for a starter budget system or for use in a secondary system in a small room. The Cambridge Audio A1 is probably best matched with a speakers who have a sensitivity in the region of 86-90db due to the power output.
In short a true classic budget design that should impress even the most demanding of ears.
This entry was posted on Tuesday November 1st, 2005 at 5:42 PM and is filed under Amplifiers, Classic. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response.
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8 Responses to Cambridge Audio A1 Integrated Amplifier
Alex Says:
April 23rd, 2009 at 2:33 PM
This amp is a classic. Lovely sound, simple design and my one is still going strong after the best part of 10 years. It's only let me down a couple of times, through overheating at house parties, but it's not really meant to be on full volume for six hours with poor ventilation.
What a beaut.
Austin coll Says:
May 16th, 2009 at 11:02 AM
I have an A1mk3 & need a moving magnet pre-amp to engage the turntable. Where can I get one? I am in The Netherlands & can only order online/mail-order.
Rich Says:
May 19th, 2009 at 8:37 PM
i have this amplifier, its running 2 squire xl 120 pa speakers (massive disco speakers), is this a good idea? it seams fine at the moment.
Dave Says:
September 25th, 2009 at 6:45 AM
I bought my CA A1 Mk3 about 3 years ago as my first proper hi fi gear. Love the sound, and had it hooked up to a Denon DCD 695 CD with B&W DM 601s. A lovely warm sound and brilliant value. I have since replaced the CA with a Rega Mira 3 amp (though not got rid of the CA A1 amp.).
I am now thinking of getting a CA 340 C or perhaps even a 640C to hook up to the A1 and B&W speakers. While upgrade the speakers for the Rega Amp.
Luca Says:
November 13th, 2009 at 10:24 PM
This amp has a nice crisp and warm sound compered with other solid state amplifiers. I think cambridge audio A1 MK3 SE is far better than the Nad C320 and considering it's price, this amp is a real bargain. Hook it with two second hand vintage Kef speaker (coda) and the sound is brilliant! Strongly suggested for budget oriented customers.
Joel Says:
April 16th, 2010 at 12:08 AM
I have my cambridge audio a1 amp working on a vintage pair of (1985) wharfedale 306 amp speakers.
Alistair Says:
May 14th, 2010 at 2:06 PM
Cambridge Audio A1 Mk3 - driving a pair of Tannoy Cheviots with NAD C545BEE Cd player. With sensitive speakers you don't need a lot of power. Sounds good to me 10 years on.
Sickaudio Says:
May 27th, 2010 at 7:23 PM
I'm going to get A1 Mk3 in few days from now :) preaty exited i suppose :)