Cambridge Audio Azur 840C CD Player
Out of stock |
Similar in CD Players
- Inputs: Digital Audio (Optical) x 2 Digital Audio (Coaxial) x 2
- Device Type: Player
- Number of Discs: 1
- Outputs: Digital Audio Coaxial x 1 Digital Audio Optical x 1
- Overview
-
Reviews
-
Compare Prices
User ReviewRead All Reviews »
The Ordinary CD Reigns Supreme with the Azur 840c
Pros
Experience a holographic musical soundstage and a realistic detailed performance.
Cons
<p>High-end interconnects and sound system are required.</p>
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
For anyone who wants to expand their listening experience from a CD recording, the Azur 840c played on a good system is for them.
Just when you thought the days were numbered for the plain old compact disc format, the brilliant design of the Cambridge Audio Azur 840c makes the ordinary CD reign supreme once again. The basic concept is to upsample the Redbook CD from its 44.1kHz/16-bit audio into a 384kHz/24-bit high definition sound. When played on a good sound system, the end effect is absolutely staggering.
Out of the box, the Azur 840c makes a great impression, but the best is yet to come over a 100-hour 24/7 burn-in period. During this period it morphs into an incredible holographic sound machine in which the performers appear to be playing live on a huge soundstage. Every instrument detail is captured perfectly and focused within its own space. You can experience the depth of the soundstage by hearing the proper placement of each instrument, particularly with the drums and percussions in the background. Cymbals are heard not as white noise but finely detailed to the point of knowing what part of it was hit by a drum stick. A tambourine literally shimmers in high definition color. A guitar chord reveals how and where the musician struck it, and bass notes are detailed with punch.
The human vocals are hypnotic and mesmerizing for their realistic definition. You would swear the singer is performing live, right in front of you. Spectacular room filling performances by K.D. Lang in Hallelujah, The Calling by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Rod Stewart's The Great American Songbook, Truth and Bones by Heather Nova, The Space Between by Dave Matthews and the arresting harmonies of Robert Plan and Alison Krauss in Raising Sand. Even recordings from the 1960's and '70s were upsampled to sound far superior to any other past CD player that I have used. As an added design bonus, Cambridge Audio included two digital inputs to plug-in additional outside digital sources for the benefit of upsampling these sources for a higher definition. You can link-up your iPod or DVD player, so that no matter what the future holds for digital playback, the Azure 840c can always play an important role.
There is also an intangible musical timing effect from the Azure 840c, where the listener can FEEL a lifelike foot stomping performance by the musicians. An example of that came from Bob Dylan's Modern Times. Dylan has always been noted for having his whole band play together for a one-take studio recording. The Azur captured the driving rhythm of the group's performance to such a realistic point that Modern Times has been elevated near the top of my favorite play list from rarely played. It's these deeper discoveries and holographic presentation in any old CD that makes the Azure 840c a must hear demonstration.
To clearly hear the 840c's detailed and layered instruments within a soundstage reproduction, it's critically important to have high-end interconnects. A trial test of different brands is the best way to find what interconnect matches best to your personal system. For me, the Synergistic Research Alpha Sterlings matched well with my system and gave a rich, warm body to the instuments played. Without the Alpha Sterlings, I did find the Azur 840c to sound a bit on the lean side even though it remained highly detailed. The right interconnects can correct that issue and remove any perceived veiling to open the soundstage wide and make your room completely disappear when the music is playing.
Additional specifications are: Remote Control; Digital Display; Dual Analog Devices AD1955 24-bit DACs; Analog Devices Black Fin ADSP-BF532 32-bit DSP; 2 Pole Fully Differential Linear Phase Bessel filter; 2 Balanced and Unbalanced audio outputs; RS232c port; Infra Red emitter In; Multi-room control bus; 2 Toslink optical digital in and 2 CO-axial digital in; 115v and 230v Voltage Selector; 20Hz-20kHz (+-0.1) frequency response; <0.0005% THD @ 1kHz; >113db S/N ratio, A weighted; Dimensions- 16.9x4.5x14.7 WxHxD and 18.7lbs weight. Available in a dark gray or metallic silver front finish.
Out of the box, the Azur 840c makes a great impression, but the best is yet to come over a 100-hour 24/7 burn-in period. During this period it morphs into an incredible holographic sound machine in which the performers appear to be playing live on a huge soundstage. Every instrument detail is captured perfectly and focused within its own space. You can experience the depth of the soundstage by hearing the proper placement of each instrument, particularly with the drums and percussions in the background. Cymbals are heard not as white noise but finely detailed to the point of knowing what part of it was hit by a drum stick. A tambourine literally shimmers in high definition color. A guitar chord reveals how and where the musician struck it, and bass notes are detailed with punch.
The human vocals are hypnotic and mesmerizing for their realistic definition. You would swear the singer is performing live, right in front of you. Spectacular room filling performances by K.D. Lang in Hallelujah, The Calling by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Rod Stewart's The Great American Songbook, Truth and Bones by Heather Nova, The Space Between by Dave Matthews and the arresting harmonies of Robert Plan and Alison Krauss in Raising Sand. Even recordings from the 1960's and '70s were upsampled to sound far superior to any other past CD player that I have used. As an added design bonus, Cambridge Audio included two digital inputs to plug-in additional outside digital sources for the benefit of upsampling these sources for a higher definition. You can link-up your iPod or DVD player, so that no matter what the future holds for digital playback, the Azure 840c can always play an important role.
There is also an intangible musical timing effect from the Azure 840c, where the listener can FEEL a lifelike foot stomping performance by the musicians. An example of that came from Bob Dylan's Modern Times. Dylan has always been noted for having his whole band play together for a one-take studio recording. The Azur captured the driving rhythm of the group's performance to such a realistic point that Modern Times has been elevated near the top of my favorite play list from rarely played. It's these deeper discoveries and holographic presentation in any old CD that makes the Azure 840c a must hear demonstration.
To clearly hear the 840c's detailed and layered instruments within a soundstage reproduction, it's critically important to have high-end interconnects. A trial test of different brands is the best way to find what interconnect matches best to your personal system. For me, the Synergistic Research Alpha Sterlings matched well with my system and gave a rich, warm body to the instuments played. Without the Alpha Sterlings, I did find the Azur 840c to sound a bit on the lean side even though it remained highly detailed. The right interconnects can correct that issue and remove any perceived veiling to open the soundstage wide and make your room completely disappear when the music is playing.
Additional specifications are: Remote Control; Digital Display; Dual Analog Devices AD1955 24-bit DACs; Analog Devices Black Fin ADSP-BF532 32-bit DSP; 2 Pole Fully Differential Linear Phase Bessel filter; 2 Balanced and Unbalanced audio outputs; RS232c port; Infra Red emitter In; Multi-room control bus; 2 Toslink optical digital in and 2 CO-axial digital in; 115v and 230v Voltage Selector; 20Hz-20kHz (+-0.1) frequency response; <0.0005% THD @ 1kHz; >113db S/N ratio, A weighted; Dimensions- 16.9x4.5x14.7 WxHxD and 18.7lbs weight. Available in a dark gray or metallic silver front finish.
