At the same price point, there isn't anything that can touch this amp for sonic refinement. Why anyone would bother with anything else for the same money I cannot understand - well, maybe perhaps the Yamaha AX492 if you're looking for more features, a remote, more power and a harder edged sound (for techno and rock).
Inside, it's all quality components, don't let the Made in China tag fool ya. Cambridge designers know what is really needed for maximum performance - no corners cut with this baby. Go open one up and be impressed with the quality parts used.

One damn blinking great low-priced integrated amplifier that can take a lot of upgrading of its accompanying components.

When most people start out building a mid-fi system, brands like NAD, Rotel, Pioneer, Marantz tend to come to mind for low-cost integrated amps. Well, people should start listening to what Cambridge Audio has to offer AFTER listening to all these other brands at the same price point.
The A3i offers audiophile quality refinement at a joke price.

The soundstaging is wide, holographic. Treble and mids are sooooooooooo smooth . Bass is nicely detailed, not middly muddled as can be with cheap amps.

One store I auditioned the unit even used two of these for bi-amping.



Cons: no remote, no headphone socket, no free T-shirt

Pros: no problem with my wallet, my ears are just so nicely massaged



PS. What I don't git is why this brand costs so much less in Asia!!!!!!!!!! Grrrrrrrrr......

This amp cost £199 and was worth the money, despite a few tweaks that could be given here and there. It gives such a pure sound - drawn out notes especially sound brilliant. The detail is certainly there too - I heard new noises in every song I listened to after buying it. The only critisisms I would have of it are that sometimes when listening to dance music you require a louder bass (but not deeper - the REALLY deep bass is brilliantly captured) and that there is no headphone socket, which is annoying. Other than this, this amplifier is recommended to anyone with a budget under £300.

Incredible value for money. I bought this amp after auditioning several other integrateds costing twice as much. Almost gives me as much pleasure as my reference set up of Krell amplification.

I've had my A3i for around a year now - i love it! It subsituted my old NAD 3130 and it sure was a great investment.
The very discreet look - the black box, simple knobs and a one blue led - should not fool you. Even though the amp is very cheap it sure delivers excellent sounds.

The soundscape is very precise and rather wide. The bass is distinct and precise, middle tone is warm and the treble is also quite good - yet this is the only thing I could want better. This might be because of my speakers.

Only major thing the amp lacks is a headphone socket, but I'll live without it.

Besides my A3i I've have a Cambridge TRAC1 discplayer (I believe it is called CD4 outside Europe!?) and a pair of classic Dali-104 speakers. Wired up with DanAcoustic signal cables and Rega speaker wires. A cheap - yet very powerful - setup, in my oppinion.

I have owned the A3i for over one year. This unit seems to convey the greater part of the musical message, regardless of source. (It makes FM radio sound good!) Overall, this is a great amplifier, and an incredible bargain! If a redesign should occur, add a headphone jack, keep the phono board, and lose the tone controls. Keep up the good work, Cambridge Audio!!

Like all the other reviews so far I have to say that Cambridge Audio has produced a sonically refined amplifier which is as good as it gets in it'sprice range & beyond. I traded-in a Luxman A 312 and even my brother commented
on how open & dynamic it sounded - very smooth & articulate. Teamed up with their excellent & very capable CD4SE cd player & you have a setup that really
brings the music to life. (again keeping in mind what your paying).
Presently they are connected to a pair of B&W CD1SE's and I can only say that
while certainly not perfect they are musically very satisfying.I can without
hesitation recommend this amplifier as a first class winner - and it's true you
will find yourself going through your CD collection so you can really HEAR what
you've been missing!

Definitely five stars at this price. You give up some conveniences (remote, headphone jack) for clean, detailed audiophile sound that's head and shoulders above any similarly priced mass-market receiver. A real joy.

What a pleasant suprise of an amplifier. I got one of these as a loaner until my Audio Refinement Complete came in and I almost didn't want to give it up. A very smooth delivery of sound with perfect amounts of detail and yes deep soundstaging. This amplifer when pushed does break up a small bit, but will play at a good level and not lose its focus. I left it on for a couple of days and the magic got better and better. This amplifier definately sounds better when running on the hot side. The only thing I didn't like were the binding posts but they can be upgraded with little effort. This company is making some great affordable products and they deserve a serious audition. This integrated amplifier and the upper end CD player makes Rotel look silly in their efforts to compete. Audition this amplifier even if you want to spend more money. Impressive and enjoyable.

I really don't understand all the hype surrounding this amp. I purchased one new from AudioAdvisor, & after a full week of breakin I settled in to enjoy my favorite Sarah Brightman CD. I was immediately unhappy. I had a Musical Fidelity X-A1 a while back & on it her voice was lush, full & soothing, filling the soundstage with a powerful presence. Through the Cambridge her voice fell back into the soundstage, overpowered by the accompanying instrunments. Add to that a slight shrillness to her voice, and this became a CD I did not want to listen to. I then put a NAD 312 into my system & while it was not up to the M.F. X-A1 presentation, it was a hell of a lot more enjoyable than the Cambridge. If this is what so called detail does to music, you can have it. It is on it's way back to AudioAdvisor (Thank G-d for their liberal retuen policy).