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Cambridge Audio Azur 840A review
Cambridge Audio breaks new ground with an entirely new class of amplifier in the shape of the 840A which marks the zenith of Cambridge Audio's critically acclaimed Azur line-up.
Embracing Cambridge Audio's patent pending proprietary Class XD technology, the 840A brings together the quality of Class A amplification, the power economy of Class B designs, and most amazingly of all, avoids many of the distortion pitfalls inherent in Class AB designs.
Completely separate pre-amp and power amp toroidal transformers and circuits make the 840A effectively a pre and power amplifier combination in one chassis
Another enormous benefit is its ability to integrate seamlessly with a home cinema system. Fixed level inputs allow the 840A to provide the front channel amplification to systems which use an AV receiver. The receiver continues to provide centre and rear amplification.
In addition to this innovative technology, the 840A uses an extremely sophisticated resistor ladder and relay attenuator for volume control and the same high quality relay switches for input selection. This enables high isolation between inputs, very accurate channel balance and leaves the amplifier completely free from the distortion associated with conventional semiconductor switching and volume control.
As with all Azur products, the foundation of the Azur 840A's strength is a bespoke chassis. This comprises an incredibly thick 7mm front panel and extruded side panels, both fashioned from aluminium, which combine with a 2mm formed steel base plate and specially designed vibration absorbing feet. The result is an ultra rigid, low resonance, acoustically dampened platform for the electronics to sit in.
Subject of many in-depth reviews in the hi-fi and specialist electronics press, the 840A recently won Hi-Fi Choice's coveted amplifier 'Ultimate Group Test' beating competitors almost three times the price!
Features:
Patent pending proprietary Class XD technology.
Oversized low flux toroidal transformers
120 watts per channel (8 ohms)
200 watts per channel (4 ohms)
Completely separate pre-amp and power amp toroidal transformers and circuits make the 840A effectively a pre and power amplifier combination in one chassis
8 audio inputs - including 1 with balanced connections
Sophisticated resistor ladder and relay based attenuator for volume/balance control
Two pairs of very high current output transistors per channel
Twin rectifiers and separate transformer taps for dual mono operation of the left and right power amplifiers
RS232 port, IR emitter In and Control Bus In/Out for seamless integration with custom install systems
A-BUS / Incognito Ready connections compatible with Cambridge Audio's new Incognito multi-room keypads or other A-BUS compatible keypads allow the 840A to form the hub of a simple but highly effective 3 zone multi-room system
Fixed level inputs allow the 840A to provide the front channel amplification when integrated with home cinema systems that use an AV processor
Cambridge Audio proprietary CAP5 protection system
Nameable inputs, backlit LCD screen
Extruded aluminium side panels and solid aluminium front panel plus an ultra rigid, acoustically dampened chassis
Navigator style Azur remote control which also controls Azur CD players plus the Apple Universal Dock
Available in silver or black
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