REVIEW SHOP SHARE LEARN
Cambridge Audio A3i
Cambridge Audio A3i
MSRP: $ 530.00

More Integrated Amplifiers from Cambridge Audio >>
Search AudioReview forums for the Cambridge Audio A3i >>
   
Popular Integrated Amplifiers
more...
Top Ranked Products from Cambridge Audio.
D100
Rated:
Azur 340C
Rated:
- 640A v2 - Integrated Amplifier
Rated:
more...
 |  Sorted by Latest Review |  Sort by Best Rating >> |  Sort by Worst Rating >> |  View All >>
Rating
Reviewed by:
jpramas
(Audio Enthusiast)

Review Date
September 5, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.40 of 5, 5.00 votes

Rate this review?

Review 1 of 31

Price Paid:  $310.00

Summary:
I got this int amp over the NAD C 350, largely because it was $100 cheaper (and probably more since the NAD lacks a phono stage and I would've had to buy a phono preamp, too), but I'm extremely happy with it so far. This heavy little black box has power to burn. Even without bi-wiring, my Triangle Titus 202s sing. Excellent bass, clear mids and highs. Almost never turn the volume above "4." Can hear the speakers nicely in every room in my 900 sq. ft. apartment. My system: Cambridge Audio A3i NAD 521i CD player Denon DP-7F turntable/Ortofon X1-MCP cartridge (that someone threw out in the trash in my old apartment building!) Triangle Electroacoustique Titus 202 bookshelf speakers [and don't even get me started on that cable nonsense, who cares what cables I have, electrons do what they always do no matter what &*^%&*%^ cables I have. . .]

Strengths:
no remote, prevents laziness

Weaknesses:
not expandable, no extra input jacks for additional amps, etc.


Would you like to Comment?
Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Rating
Reviewed by:
Mr Blobby
(Casual Listener)

Review Date
December 14, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.25 of 5, 4.00 votes

Rate this review?

Review 2 of 31

Price Paid:  $120.00 from richer sounds

Summary:
Amazing

Strengths:
Blue lights,power,

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
none


Would you like to Comment?
Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Rating
Reviewed by:
bert
(Audio Enthusiast)

Review Date
August 20, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Rate this review?

Review 3 of 31

Price Paid:  $400.00

Summary:
Like to share with all the Cambridge Audio owners that are thinking of upgrading. I have Cambridge Audio CD4SE and A3i, these are very well reviewed here with a Gale 4i speakers. I have gone auditioned for a newer speakers such and settled for the Mission 773e. Gorgeous speakers but need time to run in.. during the run-in I noticed everything seemed to be harsh and bright. Took away all the music I enjoyed. Then it started to settle in. During this time I was introduced to "Musical Fidelity X-10D" which the salesman said will definitely take away all the hardhness and brightness. To cut the story short, the X-10D really change the sound of my whole system to better. After couple of weeks and tried an A/B , with and without the X-10D, and the difference is significant. Without the X-10D everything sound so thin, with them , you have soundstage, smoothness and body in the music (the tube sound). The salesman guaranteed the improvement of money back guarantee ( which is not practice in my country).

For those that want a better sound but limited budget, go ahead and get the X-10D , you can hear the difference, of course on my humble system that has been highly rated here.
Get them fast coz MF are no longer manufacturing them.



Would you like to Comment?
Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Rating
Reviewed by:
Brad Warwick
(Audio Enthusiast)

Review Date
January 10, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Rate this review?

Review 4 of 31

Price Paid:  $120.00 from Richer Sounds, Birmingham

Summary:
This amp is a seriously impressive piece of kit! I purchased it for £80 from Richer Sounds. They were selling them dirt cheap before Christmas because it is now a discontinued model. However, dont let that put you off. I have tested virtually every amp in the sub £300 budget amp arena, and nothing comes close to the Cambridge A3i.

As soon as its cool blue led lights up it simply puts the music first. Bass is taught and deep, treble and midrange are nicely balanced. Infact its dynamic range is truly unvelivable. This means the A3i rocks with virtually anything you care to throw at it; whether it be rock, classical, instrumental or dance. With any familiar song you play through the A3i you will notice new sounds sunddenly appear in your ears. The detail is astonishing. In fact I have not witnessed an amp with better grace and detail even in the £400-£500 price bracket.

Features wise, the A3i is jammed packed full of them. Gold plated phonos and binding posts, 4 line ins, tape loop and a quality phono stage which can be swithed to line level if desired. Iside the black box lies some very flashy kit. Fancy led's, high quality capacitors and a hefty power supply wait for the signal. And boy do they capatilise!

Build quality is top notch. A classic cambridge aluminium facia is present and everything seems to be put together to a high standard, regardless of the fact that it's made in the far east.

Overall this is a must have amp. Audition now!!

Strengths:
Top quality construction, Great warm and involving sound. Amazing features for the price!

Weaknesses:
No Remote Control

Similar Products Used:
Cambridge A500, A4, A1, A1 Mk3 SE, Nad C320, C340, Marantz PM4000, Denon 255Uk, Rotel RA 931 MkII


Would you like to Comment?
Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Rating
Reviewed by:
Harrell
(Audiophile)

Review Date
January 7, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
3.40 of 5, 5.00 votes

Rate this review?

Review 5 of 31

Price Paid:  $160.00 from Here used

Summary:
Wonderful intergrated..Very transparent,sonic bliss..

Strengths:
Sonics

Weaknesses:
Slight brassy

Similar Products Used:
Mclntosh Kenwood Pioneer many others


Would you like to Comment?
Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Next 5 Reviews >>

Company Pages

Audio & Video company review pages. Browse product user reviews, compare prices, top ranked products, and compare specs by manufacturer.

Bowers Wilkins Reviews
Bowers & Wilkins
NAD Reviews
NAD
Marantz Reviews Marantz
Denon Reviews
Denon
Klipsch Reviews
Klipsch
Sony Reviews
Sony
Yamaha Reviews
Yamaha
Rotel Reviews
ROTEL
McIntosh Reviews
McIntosh
Bose Reviews
Bose
Polk Reviews
Polk Audio
Paradigm Reviews
Paradigm
Onkyo Reviews
Onkyo
JBL Reviews
JBL
KEF Reviews
KEF
Pioneer Lens Reviews
Pioneer
Harman Kardon Lens Reviews
Harman-Kardon
Panasonic Reviews
Panasonic
Press and News
Submit News & Press...
Audio and Video News & Press Releases.

Latest and Greatest

Best Floorstanding Speakers Under $1000

So many to choose from! Lets us boil it down. How to Choose a Floorstanding Speaker that fits you:

AudioREVIEW's Budget Audiophile Holiday Guide

Give someone the gift of hi-fi. Or make the step yourself. Let us point the way...

Moscode 402Au OLT stereo power amplifier Review

George is adamant about the fact that the Moscode 402Au is not just a tube gain stage slapped onto a solid-state power amplifier; rather, it is a tube amplifier with a MOSFET output stage.

Lowther’s DX-65 driver in the Teresonic Magus XR Review

A new driver from Lowther is real news. A new five inch driver is even rarer news, so it was with great anticipation that I waited on this pair of speakers to arrive.

Aune Mini Headphone DAC User Review

The unit arrived from China well packed and everything seem to be in place. No external abuse by the carriers. The only problem was the power supply it came with. The box came with a cheap step-down converter.

Reviews and Featured Articles
Expert hi-fi audio reviews, blogs, and audio articles.