The amplifier in my system has been the Arcam FMJ19, an excellent piece of kit, but limited to analogue inputs only. What was required was something that sounded as good or better, capable of handling HDMI, digital and analogue inputs, to get away from having to select the input required on the TV and then the right one on the amp.

The Arcam SR250 AV receiver fitted the bill perfectly, but was/is a tad expensive, so looked at other options. With my more than satisfactory experience with the Cambridge Audio azur 752BD, I decided to look at Cambridges AV amps, CXR120 and CXR200.

The reviews on these AV amps were promising and with it’s extra facilities, I went with the CXR200 which I was able to obtain for a very good price.

The CXR200 is being used in 2.1 mode with KEF Q300 speakers and the Q400b sub, the sound and ease of use is everything I hoped for, listening at low volumes when you don’t want to keep the neighbours awake the clarity is astonishing, you forget it is at a very low volume, this clarity continues right through to ground shaking volumes.

The CXR200 has fulfilled all the criteria and then some I had for replacing the former amp, as good as that was, I also have the option, if I so desire, to go to a full surround sound system.

Update,

After using and listening to the CXR200 for over a week now it only adds to the suspicion that reviews in magazines are 90% tosh and comments about the “sound” should be treated with robust scepticism and lashings of salt.

The only criticism I have so far is the lack of detail in the supplied instructions, but getting more familiar with the operation of the CXR200 (I have the time) this is becoming less of a problem. But in several months time it would be nice to have something to help jog the old memory.

The AM & FM radio performance is the only aspect I have not tried so far, mainly due to the inconvenience and cost of getting suitable arial feeds into the CXR200’s location.