When is a CD player
more than a CD player? When it’s designed to be an outboard D/A converter
complete with integral CD drive. This is Cambridge Audio’s Azur 851C, its best
player to date and one that combines its most sophisticated DAC design with USB
and legacy digital audio inputs. The partnering 851A amplifier is just as
slick, employing the latest version of the company’s proprietary Class XD
technology to comfortably exceed its 120W specification. So while the 851C
DAC/player brings a quiet composure to the party, the 851A is a wolf in sheep’s
clothing, a muscular amp that grips the speakers and serves up tight, powerful
and extended bass. In the 851C and 851A you’re getting cutting-edge technology
for substantially less than high-end prices. Add the best speakers you can
afford and this two-channel system will deliver a taste of hi-fi heaven.
Detailed
Specifications 851A
Power
Output: 120W RMS into 8 Ω/ 200W RMS into 4 Ω
THD
(unweighted): < 0.001% 1 kHz at 80%
of rated power; < 0.01% 20 Hz - 20 kHz at 80% of rated power
Audio Inputs: 2 sets of balanced XLR, 8 further RCA inputs
Audio Outputs: Preamp output, Record output
Frequency
Response: 10 Hz - 50 kHz ±1 dB
S/N
Ratio (ref 1W/8 Ω): > 93 dB
Input Impedances
Inputs
1 and 2 (balanced): 20 kΩ
Inputs
1-7 (unbalanced): 20 kΩ
Rec
Input: 20 kΩ
Power Amp Damping
Factor: > 110 at 1 kHz
Max. Power
Consumption: 800 W
Minimum Power
Consumption: 70 W Active (no signal)
Standby Power
Consumption: <0 .5w=".5w" p="p">
Controls: Shelving type
Max bass
boost/cut ±10 dB at 10 Hz
Max treble boost/cut
±7.5 dB at 20 kHz
Dimensions (H x W x
D): 115 x 430 x 385 mm (4.5 x 16.9 x
15.2”)
Weight: 15.0 kg (33 lbs)
Detailed
Specifications 851 C
D/A Converter: Dual Analog Devices AD1955 24 bit DACs
Digital Filter:
Analog Devices Black
Fin ADSP-BF532 32 bit DSP performing 2nd;
Generation ATF2
up-sampling to 24-bit/384 kHz;
Linear Phase,
Minimum phase or Steep modes.
Analogue
Filter: 2 Pole Fully Differential Linear
Phase Bessel filter
Digital
Input 1: S/PDIF 75 Ω or Toslink optical
Digital
Input 2: S/PDIF 75 Ω or Toslink optical
AES/EBU
Input: XLR balanced 110 Ω per phase
USB Audio
Input: USB Type B conforming to Audio
profile 1.0 or USB Audio profile 2.0 (user 1.0 or USB Audio profile 2.0 (user
selectable)
Analogue Audio
Outputs: Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA
analogue audio outputs
Compatibility:
USB 1.0 16-24 bit,
32-96 kHz;
USB 2.0 16-24 bit,
32-192 kHz;
Toslink 16-24 bit,
32-96 kHz;
S/PDIF and AES/EBU
16-24 bits 32-192 kHz;
CD playback is
intrinsically limited to 16-bits 44.1 kHz
Standby Power
Consumption: <0 .5=".5" p="p" w="w">
Dimensions (H x W x
D): 115 x 430 x 360 mm (4.5 x 16.9 x
14.7”)
Weight: 10kg (22lbs)