Cambridge Audio MXW70 Amplfier: Begun, the Half-Width Chassis Wars Have

Cambridge Audio just joined the half-width rebellion — and they didn’t bring peace. The new MXW70 power amp is a shot fired in the Class D wars, aimed squarely at WiiM, NAD, Bluesound, Marantz, and SMSL. If you thought the compact amp game was settled, Cambridge just rewrote their own script. Half the width, none of the fluff, and all of the firepower.

Designed to lock arms with the MXN10 streamer (which quietly gained digital preamp chops while no one was looking), the Cambridge Audio MXW70 forms a stealth hi-fi strike team — slim enough to disappear on a shelf, strong enough to make full-size amps sweat. Fully controlled through the StreamMagic app, this system doesn’t beg for attention. It earns it.

Cambridge didn’t just build another Class D amp. They built a compact insurgent — efficient, sharp, and ready to destabilize an overcrowded empire of lookalikes. Begun, the half-width chassis wars have.

Cambridge Audio MXW70 Declares War on Bulky Amps with 70W of Half-Width, Full-Power Class D Muscle

Cambridge Audio’s new MXW70 power amplifier is here to make your full-sized amp nervous. This half-width heavyweight pairs perfectly with the award-winning MXN10 streamer (read our review), but it’s just as happy slipping quietly into any system where space is tight and sound matters.

Despite its compact 215mm-wide chassis, the MXW70 delivers 70 watts per channel into 8 Ohms — and if you really want to go rogue, flick the switch and it becomes a 250 watt mono amp, perfect for bi-amping or cinematic chaos. That’s thanks to Hypex NCORE Class D amplification, which Cambridge’s engineers have tuned with all the precision and musicality the brand’s been known for since the original P40 in 1968. It’s efficient, powerful, and — unlike some rivals — doesn’t sound like a science experiment.

Connectivity? You’ve got it. RCA and studio-grade XLR inputs mean the MXW70 plays nice with just about anything, whether you’re building a refined stereo system or integrating it into a more complex setup. Standard 4mm banana plug sockets with binding posts ensure easy speaker hookup. And for modern convenience, there’s a 12V trigger input and pass-through — plus a USB adapter cable for seamless auto on/off with the MXN10 via the StreamMagic app. Fire up your streamer and the MXW70 comes to life too, no fumbling required.

Stack it with the DacMagic 200M DAC and you’ve got a slick, compact, high-res powerhouse with a physical volume knob, headphone output, and a full suite of digital inputs — all finished in Cambridge’s Lunar Grey aluminum shell that looks more like boutique gear than budget gear.

Key Features – Cambridge Audio MXW70 Power Amplifier

• 2 x 70W (8 Ohms) / 2 x 125W (4 Ohms) stereo power output
• Bridgeable to 250W (8 Ohms) mono output
• Hypex NCORE Class D amplification, custom-tuned by Cambridge Audio for clarity, efficiency, and musicality
• RCA and balanced XLR inputs for easy integration into hi-fi or studio-style setups
• 4mm banana plug-compatible binding posts for secure speaker connections
• Compact half-width casework matches MXN10 streamer and DacMagic 200M DAC
• 12V trigger input and pass-through for automatic power control
• USB power adapter cable included for seamless pairing with MXN10 digital preamp mode
• Premium Lunar Grey all-metal chassis — minimalist, solid, and built to disappear (until the music starts)

The Bottom Line

The Cambridge Audio MXW70 hits the half-width battlefield with real substance — 70W per channel (8 ohms), bridgeable to 250W in mono, Hypex NCORE Class D power tuned for musicality, and full-range connectivity with RCA and balanced XLR inputs.

It’s compact, refined, and engineered for serious performance in a stealthy footprint. Yes, Eversolo, Marantz, and WiiM cram all this into one chassis because space is tight and convenience rules. But splitting the components often means less compromise—better thermal management, cleaner signal paths, and ultimately, superior sound where it actually matters.

And let’s not pretend this fight is easy. Cambridge is stepping into a crowded arena, with WiiM launching a full-blown offensive — the Amp Ultra, Amp Pro, Ultra Network Player, and Vibelink are stacked with features, aggressively priced, and backed by the best-in-class control app that gets updated like clockwork. That’s WiiM’s real superpower: the app experience is fast, intuitive, and constantly evolving.

As for those touchscreens on the new WiiM units? Nice to look at up close, but not the game-changer some make them out to be. If you’re over 40 and your gear sits across the room, you’re using your phone or tablet anyway — not squinting at a 4″ UI from ten feet away.

Where the MXW70 might land a decisive blow is in the one area where Cambridge consistently delivers: sound. If this amp carries the brand’s warm, articulate, and balanced house sound — the one that plays so well with Q Acoustics, KEF, Wharfedale, Spendor, Acoustic Energy, and other revealing speakers — it might be the best sonic value in the sub-$600 half-width space.

In short: Cambridge isn’t trying to out-feature WiiM — they’re aiming to out-sound them. If you value musicality over specs-for-specs-sake, the MXW70 might be your next move.

Price & Availability

Whether you’re sliding it into a minimalist rack, tucking it into a desktop setup, or pairing it with the MXN10 for a space-saving streaming rig, the Cambridge Audio MXW70 proves you don’t need a full-sized amp to bring serious hi-fi heat. Priced at $599 / £499 / €599, it’s not just compact — it’s calculated.

Available starting July 2025 at cambridgeaudio.com and authorized retailers.

Related Reading:

• WiiM Amp Ultra: The Sonos Slayer Born From The Ultra And Amp Pro?
• Fear And Loathing In Class D Amplifiers: What $130 To $50K Actually Buys You
• The Empire Burns At One Watt: Class D Is The Fire
• Cambridge Audio Streamers Get Amazon Music, 7-Band EQ — And Finally Catch Up With Qobuz Connect On The Way
• Cambridge Audio MXN10 Network Player: Review