100 W Class AB integrated stereo amplifier
The Cambridge Audio EXA100 is the integrated amplifier of the EX Series, the result of three years of development and tuning at the brand's London headquarters. It delivers 100 W RMS per channel into 8 ohms and 155 W RMS into 4 ohms in Class AB and uses technology derived from the Edge M monobloc power amplifier, the company's flagship, to drive even high-end speakers with ease.
Power comes from a shielded, quiet toroidal transformer, a choice Cambridge Audio traces back to its 1968 P40, flanked by large heat sinks and a reservoir capacitor selected to guarantee current delivery and bass control. The four-layer printed circuit board reduces interference.
ESS DAC and digital inputs, including HDMI eARC
The digital section uses the ESS ES9018K2M SABRE32 converter. The asynchronous USB Type B input accepts signals up to 24-bit/384 kHz and DSD256 in USB Audio Class 2; there are also two TOSLINK optical inputs (up to 24-bit/96 kHz), one coaxial (up to 24-bit/192 kHz) and an eARC-compatible HDMI ARC input for television sound, with PCM up to 24-bit/192 kHz.
Bluetooth 5.0 supports the SBC, aptX and aptX HD codecs for wireless streaming from smartphones and computers.
Analogue connections and power amp mode
The analogue inputs are four RCA pairs and one balanced XLR pair. On the output side there are two sets of speaker terminals, for two rooms or for bi-wiring, an RCA pre-out, an RCA subwoofer output and a headphone socket. An RS232 control port is also fitted.
Power Amp Mode turns the EXA100 into a power amplifier to pair with an external preamplifier, in a stereo or multichannel system. The CAP (Cambridge Audio Protection) system monitors power and temperature in real time to protect both amplifier and speakers.
Build, dimensions and accessories
The front panel is milled aluminium, with a knurled volume knob; the finish is Lunar Grey. The stated figures: distortion below 0.002% at 1 kHz (at 80% of rated power, into 8 ohms), frequency response from below 3 Hz to above 40 kHz within ±1 dB, signal-to-noise ratio above 91 dB referred to 1 W, damping factor above 160.
It measures 430 x 115 x 341 mm (width, height, depth) and weighs 12.8 kg; maximum power consumption is 1,200 W, standby consumption below 0.5 W. Supplied: remote control, power cords, safety guide, welcome letter and registration card.
