New Cambridge Audio Azur 840C CD Player Might Start British Invasion

[Russ L]

Just listened to and purchased a Cambridge Audio Azur 840C Cd player. It has innovative new technologies for CD data conversion including one for reducing jitter (as low as Benchmark DAC1) and upsamples 16-bit/44.1kHz CD data to 24-bit/384kHz data. Uses parts from Analog Devices and software fron Anagram Technologies of Switzerland. Did a straight comparison with other dedicated CD players in its price range($1799CAN or $1299US) and the music from the Azur was alive and present while the others seemed flat in comparison. For example the Stevie Ray Vaughn-like guitar work of The Los Lonely Boys seemed to circle in front of me in the room 8O . Backed up by a solid power supply (for its price range) it played quite large. This player might not get the press in Canada and the US as other products might so give it a listen and see if you agree with me. :T -Russ

[PewterTA]

I *almost* purchased this, but without hearing it, I didn't want to spend the money on it, so I settled for the 640c V2 (which I had the V1)...

Now after hearing this, it makes me wish I had coughed up the money for the 840c!

[Ovation]

My "dream two channel" system (defined as something I could afford in the real world--the one I can't would be called the "ultimate two channel") is an 840A and 840C combo with a pair of Paradigm Reference 100s. I have a 540D DVD/CD/DVD-A player and I love it (it was purchased as my dedicated CD player after auditioning several players in its price range--and up to twice its range, which is how much more I'd have had to spend to get a better sound). For now, and the foreseeable future, a dedicated two channel rig is not an option (no space for it and limited funds--next purchase will be an HDTV), but if I were in the market for a reasonably affordable two channel rig, I'd be buying my "dream rig".

[Chris D]

Yes, from what I've heard, this is quite the CD player. Wish I could afford one.

[gostan]

I had the CA840C in for a 30 day demo last fall. It is really fabulous sounding at its' price point. IMO, better than the lesser priced, but much reviewed Rega Apollo. And, the CA has a wonderful additional benefit of a DAC output for use with your ipod or other streaming music devices. I did not end up keeping the CA as I was looking for a replacement for my Cary 303/300 and ended up getting too good of a deal on an Esoteric SA-60 - that I could not possibly refuse.

[JonMarsh]

Nice looking unit, Russ, and the Digital input is a big plus- I expect you'll really enjoy it! Would be great in a system using a Hard drive based music server for the routine one's and zero's.

~jon