Cambridge Audio EXA100 integrated amplifier
100 W/8 Ω, 155 W/4 Ω · min load 4 Ω · class AB · HDMI ARC, BT, USB DAC, DAC, network, pre-out, sub-out, HT bypass, headphones · current: good; drive: strong; neutral (spec.); speakers ≥ 86.6 dB/W; drives hard loads · room 15–35 m² · upper
Instalment: Buy now, pay later: 0-0-10 at our expense
prices and stock as of 2026-11-05
Audiomania expert verdict
The Evo flagship: 100 W/8 Ω, 155 W/4 Ω with a big toroid, an ES9018K2M DAC, XLR, HDMI ARC, HT-Bypass and the whole streaming set (Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Roon Ready). One box for TV, network and a large room, open-plan included. Neutral delivery; those after “punch” are pointed to the Arcam A25 or Hegel, and vinyl needs an external phono stage. AI draft, under review
Ask about Cambridge Audio EXA100
Will it suit your amplifier or room, what else to buy, what to compare with.
In brief
Best if you are looking for:
- a TV over HDMI ARC and an HT-Bypass input — stereo “cinema” with one amp, plus a subwoofer output AI draft, under review
- complete streaming: Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Roon Ready, aptX HD Bluetooth AI draft, under review
- large and open-plan rooms: 100/155 W and a big toroid — “quite enough power” for 18 m² + 80 m² of open space AI draft, under review
- a balanced (XLR) source and an ES9018K2M DAC up to 32/384, DSD256 over USB-B AI draft, under review
- a neutral, balanced delivery with Heco Aurora 700 or Radiotehnika Sigma 1.02 — “an excellent solution” AI draft, under review
Keep in mind:
- no phono stage — vinyl needs an external one (e.g. Radiotehnika PH001) AI draft, under review
- no Direct mode: the DAC is bypassed only by using the analogue inputs (XLR/RCA) AI draft, under review
- for dynamics and bass control the specialists rank the Arcam Radia A25 (damping 300, class G) and Hegel H150/H190 higher — audition them side by side if you want “punch” AI draft, under review
- the damping factor is unpublished (≈ 160 per a specialist); Russian services only via Chromecast/AirPlay/Bluetooth AI draft, under review
Product DNA
L176%A structured sound passport: every value carries a source and a confidence.
- Current capability
- good (4/8 Ω = 1.55)calculated0.75
- Drive class
- strongcalculated0.75
- Sound character
- neutralAudiomania specialist0.5
- Speaker fit
- speakers from 86.6 dB/W, at least 4 Ω; rooms up to 80 m² at 88 dB/Wcalculated0.75
- Drives difficult loads
- yescalculated0.75
- Use scenarios
- ideal: Home stereo, TV sound, Multiroom wireless; good: Home cinema front pair, Open-plan room, Loud listening, Background listening; acceptable: Rooms under 12 m², Vinyl system, Quiet evening listeningcalculated0.5
- Optimal room area
- 15–35 m² (12–60)Audiomania specialist0.5
- Tier
- uppercalculated1
- What else you need
- speaker cable, interconnect, phono stagecalculated1
Sound profile
The profile appears after an Audiomania expert audition.
Sound character
No audition or professional review yet — below are only facts from the specs and calculations.
Technical reference
- Output power
- 100 W / 8 Ω, 155 W / 4 Ωspec sheet1
- Topology
- class ABmanufacturer0.75
- Current capability
- good (4/8 Ω = 1.55)calculated0.75
- Drive class
- strongcalculated0.75
- Speaker fit
- speakers from 86.6 dB/W, at least 4 Ω; rooms up to 80 m² at 88 dB/Wcalculated0.75
Use scenarios
Suits:
- TV over HDMI ARC and stereo “cinema” with HT-Bypass and a sub AI draft, under review
- network streaming and multiroom (Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Roon) AI draft, under review
- large and open-plan rooms, demanding speakers AI draft, under review
- a balanced XLR source AI draft, under review
Less suited to:
- vinyl without an external phono stage AI draft, under review
- those after “punch” or a warm delivery — Arcam A25 / Unico Primo AI draft, under review
- small rooms under 12 m² — more power than needed AI draft, under review
Technologies and construction
ESS ES9018K2M DAC, 32/384 and DSD256
What it is: USB B, optical and coaxial inputs; PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD256.
Practical benefit: PC and CD transport without an external DAC; bypass via the analogue inputs (no Direct mode).
HDMI ARC and HT-Bypass
What it is: An HDMI ARC input for the TV; a By-Pass input for AV-processor integration (per a specialist).
Practical benefit: “It has both HDMI and By-Pass” — one amp for music and stereo cinema.
Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Spotify / TIDAL Connect, Roon Ready
What it is: Built-in streamer: Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Roon Ready; aptX HD Bluetooth.
Practical benefit: Streamer and multiroom without a separate box; Russian services by casting from a phone (Chromecast/AirPlay/Bluetooth). AI draft, under review
Balanced XLR and RCA inputs
What it is: A balanced XLR input and an RCA pair.
Practical benefit: Balanced sources (streamers, DACs) over XLR; analogue inputs bypass the internal DAC.
Toroidal transformer and reinforced chassis
What it is: 100 W/8 Ω, 155 W/4 Ω; reinforced chassis and a toroidal transformer (1200 W per a buyer).
Practical benefit: “Stable operation into practically any load” (specialist).
Pre Out, Sub Out, 6.3 mm headphones; Evo design
What it is: Pre and sub RCA outputs, a 6.3 mm headphone jack; an aluminium Evo-design chassis in Lunar Grey.
Practical benefit: A sub and an external power amp connect directly; headphones without a separate amp.
Which speakers it drives
- Speaker fit
- speakers from 86.6 dB/W, at least 4 Ω; rooms up to 80 m² at 88 dB/Wcalculated0.75
- Current capability
- good (4/8 Ω = 1.55)calculated0.75
- Drives difficult loads
- yescalculated0.75
- Minimum load
- 4 Ωcalculated0.5
- Proven speaker pairings
- neutral, slightly bright — Evidence: Radiotehnika Sigma 1.02 (neutral, energetic; 18 + 80 m²) — “quite enough”; Heco Aurora 700 (20 m²) — “an excellent solution”; for DALI Concept 6 the specialist preferred the bassier HegelAudiomania specialist0.5
- Output power
- 100 W / 8 Ω, 155 W / 4 Ωspec sheet1
Suitable speakers in stock
124,990 RUB · in stock
Why
Radiotehnika Sigma 1.02: 6 Ω nominal — Cambridge Audio EXA100 is rated for loads from 4 Ω, compatible. Cambridge Audio EXA100 delivers ≈132 W into 6 Ω against a 45–75 W practice band for Radiotehnika Sigma 1.02 in 25 m² — the headroom that gives bass control and low-volume detail.
132,990 RUB · in stock
Why
Radiotehnika Gamma 3.02: 4 Ω nominal — Cambridge Audio EXA100 is rated for loads from 4 Ω, compatible. Cambridge Audio EXA100 delivers ≈110 W into 8 Ω against a 40–67 W practice band for Radiotehnika Gamma 3.02 in 25 m² — the headroom that gives bass control and low-volume detail.
61,990 RUB · in stock
Why
Radiotehnika Sigma 1.01: 8 Ω nominal — Cambridge Audio EXA100 is rated for loads from 4 Ω, compatible. Cambridge Audio EXA100 delivers ≈110 W into 8 Ω; the practice band for Radiotehnika Sigma 1.01 in 25 m² at an average level is 42–70 W. Adequate.
- KEF Q750 floorstanding speakersadequate
99,000 RUB · in stock
Why
KEF Q750: 8 Ω nominal — Cambridge Audio EXA100 is rated for loads from 4 Ω, compatible. Cambridge Audio EXA100 delivers ≈110 W into 8 Ω; the practice band for KEF Q750 in 25 m² at an average level is 50–84 W. Adequate.
Which sources connect
- Inputs
- XLR line, RCA line, USB-B (DAC), HDMI ARC, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth receive, AirPlay, Chromecast, Wi-Fi, Ethernet
- Outputs
- Pre Out, Sub Out, 6.3 mm headphone, speaker outputs
49,880 RUB · in stock
Why
Audiolab D7 → Cambridge Audio EXA100: via balanced XLR.
39,525 RUB · in stock
Why
iFi audio ZEN Stream → Cambridge Audio EXA100: via the coaxial digital input.
12,282 RUB · in stock
Why
Premiera SX1 Pro → Cambridge Audio EXA100: via analogue RCA (or digitally: optical).
Recommended right now
over the 45-product sampleIn-stock, current models only; refreshed with prices (2026-11-05). Not indexed.
124,990 RUB · in stock
Why
Radiotehnika Sigma 1.02: 6 Ω nominal — Cambridge Audio EXA100 is rated for loads from 4 Ω, compatible. Cambridge Audio EXA100 delivers ≈132 W into 6 Ω against a 45–75 W practice band for Radiotehnika Sigma 1.02 in 25 m² — the headroom that gives bass control and low-volume detail.
132,990 RUB · in stock
Why
Radiotehnika Gamma 3.02: 4 Ω nominal — Cambridge Audio EXA100 is rated for loads from 4 Ω, compatible. Cambridge Audio EXA100 delivers ≈110 W into 8 Ω against a 40–67 W practice band for Radiotehnika Gamma 3.02 in 25 m² — the headroom that gives bass control and low-volume detail.
61,990 RUB · in stock
Why
Radiotehnika Sigma 1.01: 8 Ω nominal — Cambridge Audio EXA100 is rated for loads from 4 Ω, compatible. Cambridge Audio EXA100 delivers ≈110 W into 8 Ω; the practice band for Radiotehnika Sigma 1.01 in 25 m² at an average level is 42–70 W. Adequate.
- KEF Q750 floorstanding speakersadequate
99,000 RUB · in stock
Why
KEF Q750: 8 Ω nominal — Cambridge Audio EXA100 is rated for loads from 4 Ω, compatible. Cambridge Audio EXA100 delivers ≈110 W into 8 Ω; the practice band for KEF Q750 in 25 m² at an average level is 50–84 W. Adequate.
rules version 1.0.0+c1.0.0
Audiomania ready systems
Assembled by the rules from in-stock products around this model; prices as of 2026-11-05.
No in-stock system fits these budgets — try the system builder.
Comparison with similar models
How it differs from NAD C3050 integrated amplifier
The sound difference is not confirmed by sources — specs only.
Cambridge Audio EXA100 and NAD C3050 are the same tier; they differ in character and in the figures below.
Full comparison →
Specifications
Main
- Output power
- 100 W / 8 Ω, 155 W / 4 Ω
- Power rating conditions
- THD, %: 0.002
- Topology
- class ABmanufacturer
- Damping factor
- 160Audiomania specialist
- Minimum load
- 4 Ωcalculated
- A/B switch
- no
- DAC
- chip: ESS ES9018K2M; PCM up to: 32/384; DSD up to: DSD256; no: MQA
- Main in (HT bypass)
- yesAudiomania specialist
- Direct mode
- noAudiomania specialist
- Display
- Цветной дисплей на передней панели (серия Evo)manufacturer
Construction
- Finishes
- Lunar Grey
Connection
- Speaker output pairs
- 1
- Inputs
- XLR line, RCA line, USB-B (DAC), HDMI ARC, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth receive, AirPlay, Chromecast, Wi-Fi, Ethernet
- Outputs
- Pre Out, Sub Out, 6.3 mm headphone, speaker outputs
- Phono input
- no: MM, MC
- HDMI ARC
- ARC
- USB audio input
- USB-B
- Bluetooth
- receive; codecs: aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC; no: transmit
- Network
- Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Roon Ready; AirPlay: 2; app: StreamMagic; no: HEOS, DLNA, NAS (SMB)
- Pre Out
- yes
- Sub Out
- mono
- Rec Out
- no
- Headphone output
- jack: 6.3 mm
- Remote
- IR remotemanufacturer
Dimensions
- Dimensions (W×H×D)
- 430 × 115 × 341 mm
Weight
- Weight
- 9.2 kg
Box contents
- Warranty
- 36 months
Documents
FAQ
›Is there HDMI ARC and an HT-Bypass input for home cinema?
›Is there a Direct mode or a way to bypass the DAC?
›Why a 1200 W transformer for a 100 W output?
›What is the damping factor? EXA100 or Arcam Radia A25?
›EXA100 or Denon PMA-1700NE for Heco Aurora 700 in 20 m²?
›Does it suit DALI Concept 6 (18 m², 70s–80s rock, blues, jazz) when a Marantz PM5005 feels weak?
›Is there enough power for an open-plan or large room?
›Can I connect a turntable?
›How do I play Yandex Music or VK Music?
›Can I connect a centre channel?
Customer reviews
No customer reviews yet. Be the first owner to share your experience.
Audiomania expert opinion
An Audiomania specialist explains the 1200 W transformer behind a 100 W output as “a bet on musicality, not economy”: “stable operation into practically any load”. In the Sigma 1.02 thread a colleague confirmed: “quite enough power” for an 18 m² alcove opening into 80 m². AI draft, under review[3]
The character is neutral and even-handed: against the Denon PMA-1700 for Heco Aurora 700 the EXA100 is “an excellent solution”, yet the hybrid Unico Primo “will be warmer and more musical for jazz and blues” and the Arcam Radia A25 is “more dynamic with better bass control”. The choice depends on what you miss today. AI draft, under review[3]