![]() It scared me less than the first oneand liked me more.Īfter a few days of breaking in the second Azur 851A by streaming electronic dance music, I played Japanese Koto Classics (LP, Nonesuch Explorer Series H-72008). After a few stressful intimate moments with the Reset button, I called John Bevier at Audio Plus Services, Cambridge Audio's US distributor, who sent me another Azur 851A. Again the 851A flashed "DC ERROR! DC ERROR!" Fearful for my privates, I shut it down again. Everything looked pretty okay, so I turned the volume up a smidge, to ≨2, and suddenly the volume went full throttle (≠0), instigating crashing sounds and insanely pumping cones. I checked all of my connections, including to AC, turned the volume down to ≩3, and powered up the 851A again, this time using a variac. Sitting on the floor, hyperventilating, I checked the manual for troubleshooting tips and discovered explanations of the CAP5 Fiveway protection system. Holy Moley! What have I done? I groped frantically for the Standby switch and stared at that pretty blue display. īOOM! BOOM! Hey!! OMG! What the.? A loud popping sound was followed by the cones of my DeVore Fidelity Orangutan O/93 speakers came jumping out like Miley's tongue. It was early afternoon I was very revved to hear Jean-Yves Thibaudet playing Satie. I selected Source 1, and pushed Play on my CD player. I hooked up the Azur 851A, switched it on, and pushed the front-panel button that toggles the amp between Standby to Onwhich caused the rectangular display to glow a beautiful shade of soft gray-blue. For two of the inputs, a choice of RCA or balanced XLR inputs is provided. The mains switch is on the rear panel, as are two sets of speaker terminals (A and B, selectable via the front panel), an infrared emitter input, an RS232C port for external control in a custom installation, preamp out, and record in and out. ![]() In Program, the gain can be trimmed for each source, which permits the user to bring all inputs up to the level of the highest gain source, or vice versa. In addition to the tone controls, which can be switched out of the signal path, there are a headphone jack, seven source buttons nameable by the user, a smooth-as-a-kitten volume control, and a Mode button that lets the user shuttle between Volume, Balance, and Program modes. The Azur 851A's front panel is dominated by an attractive blue display with adjustable brightness. The result is a smooth and linear transition between the two key operating modes, class-A and -B." ( Hallucination publicitaire?) "Class XD (crossover displacement), gives the benefits of pure class-A operation at low levels and eliminates the distortion associated with conventional class-B operation as the fragile audio signal passes through the zero crossing point from transistor to transistor. On their website, Cambridge Audio describes the Azur 851A ($1900) as their "Flagship Integrated Class XD Amplifier," and that it provides "120 watts per channel of Class XD amplification" from "an acoustically damped full metal chassis." Class XD is Cambridge's "proprietary amplifier circuit design," which they say "offers superior sound quality currently available from existing amplifier configurations. In short, I want a cornerstone on which I can build a high-quality high-end system that should retain its usefulness and resale valueand that I should enjoyfor decades to come.Ĭambridge Audio's Azur 851A might just be that type of integrated amp. Then, when everything else is in place, I can choose a different ampthe one that makes the most magic with the speakers I've chosen. That way, I can take my time and figure out which speakers I'd like in my room. Provide a good solid-state amplifier of medium to high power, but don't go crazy with the cost. ![]() That way, I can add a DAC, server, phono stage, or Bluetooth, of any quality level, any time I choose. Make sure the volume, balance, and tone controls are durable and degrade the sound as little as possible. Give me at least four balanced and single-ended inputs. Make sure this line stage has appropriate gain, and high input and low output impedances. The more integrated amps I review, the more I want to tell manufacturers: Please, skip the DAC, omit the phono stage, lose the Bluetoothjust give me the best sound quality, and the most vivid, most transparent line stage and control center (with pre-out) you can design.
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