RESUME The AXR 100 D is a sound investment if you looking in this market. Complete, well equipped with inputs and options, it plays well and certainly offers a lot of fun on a not too expensive set of speakers on the cable or with a digital source.

PLUS POINTS Ample amount of presets Huge output power Good internal dac Phono input, analog and digital inputs Easy to operate after setting DAB + in order not to depend on the cable operator MINUSES Remote control could be more robust Text difficult to read on the front Like m usually no manual in the box No antenna included for DAB + In a lot of ambient light, the AB does not always work stable

Cambridge Audio is already an old brand with roots in England. This time, a very affordable receiver was chosen from the large product range: the Cambridge Audio AXR 100 D with a generous amount of inputs and outputs, with enough power to drive modern speakers, but just as easily your Wharfedale Denton or Celestion Ditton from the years’ 80 gives a second life. Provided they still work properly, the cone edges are still smooth and all units still work.

Are you receiving me? In our world of high-end audio, we sometimes forget that there is a large group of consumers who do not lie awake at all of separate amplifiers, digital / analog converters, tuners and so on. Consumers who are looking for a solution as was the norm in the past: a receiver that can do everything and where you only need to connect a few speakers and, if necessary, a source. With FM, nowadays DAB +, a bit of strong power, input for the old record player that is regularly removed from the attic, a headphone connection for the late hours and luckily Bluetooth for the (grand) children.

In short, it must be possible to do everything, be easy to operate, affordable and forget about the whole surround thing for a while. These consumers often go to the large retail chains where fancy receivers with unusable bells and whistles of various plumage are hidden among the white goods. It is more sensible to go to an audio specialist and buy a device that may better meet the needs. Where more explanation is given and service still means something. At such stores you will find Cambridge Audio, a brand that understands consumer needs and makes equipment at competitive, if not more competitive prices than what is available from media giants.

Cambridge Audio AXR 100 D Let’s start with the look. The AXR 110 D has a front in Luna Gray, say a little dark gray. On that front panel one large controller and rows of push buttons. Push buttons to select presets, enter the menu or activate an input. There is also a headphone output and an AUX input on the front. A display shows what you are doing or which station is playing. No blinding light from LEDs or the display, Cambridge Audio keeps things in check.

The inputs you can choose from are FM or DAB + for the radio stations, Bluetooth, three analog inputs, a record player input for MM cartridges, two optical digital inputs and one coaxial digital input. Room enough for most applications and the digital inputs are nice for a streamer or the TV.

At the rear where the inputs can be found there are double speaker connections, a tape out and an output for an active subwoofer . Plus the antenna bus and the connection for the mains voltage. You operate the AXR 100 D simple on the front panel or with a supplied remote control. If it had been up to me I would have put white, larger letters on the front panel, for someone my age or higher, black against gray is difficult to read. Gray and black look nice, is not optimal functionally. Also what’s weird is that you 15 presents for FM and 15 for DAB +, but the remote control does not go beyond 8, the last You can choose 2 plus 5 extra on the front panel or on the remote with skip / scan. Nice that per band 15 preferences are laying. Useful for older listeners and colored speakers in particular is the present tone control for low and high tones. Finally, the software in the device can be updated via a USB bus.

I’m going Don’t tire the reader with an endless list of specifications, but a few things may be essential:

Output Power: 100 Watts per channel at 8 Ohm Subwoofer output: under 200 Hz, coupled with volume control Digital Inputs: PCM to 24 bit / 192 kHz Tuner: FM and DAB + with RDS Phono: MM 2-6 mV about 47 kOhm Antenna input: coax 75 Ohm Bluetooth: 5.0 A2DP / AVRCP with SBC Dimensions: 430 x 110 x 340 mm Weight: 8.1 kg Stand-by power: