Azur 851A

Flagship Integrated class XD amplifier

The ultimate in amplification and built without compromise, the 851 is our finest integrated amplifier. It possesses incredible power, finesse and astonishingly low distortion. In its design we assessed every component for sonic excellence and revised, reviewed and optimised the signal path for minimal distortion. Thousands of hours were spent testing and tweaking, the result is an amplifier like you’ve never heard before.

旗舰级集成 XD 级放大器

851 系列秉持毫不妥协的制造标准，获得终极放大能力，是我们最优质的集成放大器。它具备无与伦比的功率、纤细和令人吃惊的低失真。在其设计中，我们评定每个组件的声音优越性，并修正、复查和优化信号通路以实现最小失真。我们花费了数千个小时进行测试和调整，结果得到您以前从未听到过的一款放大器。

SOUND QUALITY

Nothing prepares you for the sound quality of our 851A. Rated at 120 Watts per channel and built with a fastidious attention to detail, it presents your music with astounding depth and incredible clarity. The precision volume control provides remarkable stereo separation, while the overall effect is to give your music collection a new lease of life.

音质

没有任何其他产品能比我们 851A 的音质更适合您。每个通道的额定功率为 120 瓦，在制造时极为注重细节，从而为您呈现具有惊人深度和清晰度的音乐。总体效果是让您的音乐精选集重获新生。

CONNECTIVITY

We built the 851A without sonic compromise, and that’s true of the connectivity too. Nine RCA inputs cater for regular analogue inputs, while for high end components there are two sets of balanced XLR inputs. We’ve added a pre-out for connecting to a subwoofer or power amp, while two sets of speaker terminals allow for bi-wiring or running additional speakers in a second location. Finally, Control Bus inputs allow the linking of compatible Cambridge Audio products for easy control from one remote.

连通性

我们在制造 851A 时不牺牲声音性能，同时也兼顾连通性。九个 RCA 输入满足常规模拟输入的需求，而对于高端组件，我们提供了两组平衡 XLR 输入。我们增加一个前置输出，用于连接到低音炮或功率放大器，而两组扬声器端子用于双线分音或在第二个位置运行额外的扬声器。最后，通过控制总线输入可连接兼容的 Cambridge Audio 产品，以便于从一个远程地点轻松控制。

Rather than use Class A or Class AB amplifier designs, we developed a novel and unique new design called Class XD, which combines the sonic purity of Class A and the efficiency of Class AB for the best possible result. For more info on this patented technology click here.

The primary toroidal transformer provides unrestricted power to the dual mono amplification blocks. It’s a true audiophile transformer that will operate without distortion and with no buzz, interference or hum. While a second, smaller toroidal transformer takes care of pre-amplification processes. For more information on toroidal transformers and why we use them view the videos below.

XD 级 + 两个变压器

我们不使用 A 或 AB 级放大器设计，而是开发了一种被称为 XD 级的新颖而独特的新设计，它将 A 级的声音纯度和 AB 级的效率结合在一起，实现尽可能最好的结果。有关此专利技术的更多信息，请单击 此处。.

主环形变压器为两个单声道放大块提供不受限制的功率。它是真正的发烧级变压器，在运行时无失真、嗡嗡声、干扰和杂声。而第二个较小的环形变压器负责前置放大处理。如需了解环形变压器的更多信息以及我们使用它们的原因，请观看下面的视频。

POWER OUTPUT
120W RMS into 8 Ohms 200W RMS into 4 Ohms

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 x balanced XLR, 8 x RCA inputs

AUDIO OUTPUTS
Preamp output Record output

FREQUENCY RESPONSE
10 Hz - 50 kHz +/- 1 dB

S/N RATIO (REF 1W)
> 93 dB (ref 1W/8 Ohm)

INPUT IMPEDANCE
Inputs 1 and 2 (balanced) 20 kOhm, Inputs 1-7 unbalanced 20 kOhm Rec Input 20 kOhm

POWER AMP DAMPING FACTOR
> 110 at 1 kHz

MAX. POWER CONSUMPTION
800W

MIN. POWER CONSUMPTION
Active (no signal) 70W

STANDBY POWER CONSUMPTION
Standby < 0.5W

TONE CONTROL
Shelving type Max bass boost/cut +/- 10 dB at 10 Hz Max treble boost/cut +/- 7.5 dB at 20 kHz

COLOUR
Silver or black

DIMENSIONS (WXHXD)
430 x 115 x 385mm (16.9 x 4.5 x 15.2”)

WEIGHT
15.0Kg (33lbs)

Cambridge Audio Azur 851A review by  WHAT HI-FI

Our Verdict 

For scale and power, not to mention build and style, the Azur 851A is hard to beat

For Good

Solidly built, smartly turned out

Clear display

Array of inputs

Big, powerful sound

Against 

Lacks organisation and poise when really pushed

Reviewed on 7th December 2012

“The finest-sounding components Cambridge Audio has ever made.” That was the claim when the flagship Cambridge Audio 851 Series broke cover at the start of the year. It’s been a long time coming but we’ve finally got our hands on (and ears around) the Azur 851 amplifer, so we can see if the company’s hype is justified.

If not quite a departure, it’s certainly a foot in a new direction for the British hi-fi stalwart.

Previously preoccupied with the budget market, Cambridge Audio has made a habit of being as reliable as a Swiss timepiece when it comes to delivering great-value hi-fi separates for not a lot of cash. Cambridge Audio kit is as much of a rite-of-passage for any music lover as the prerequisite trip to Richer Sounds.

The 851A amplifier – and its partner, the 851C CD player – sell for £1200 a piece and are the products of two years of R&D at the company’s London HQ.

Cambridge Audio 851A: Tech specs

The Azur 851A develops Cambridge Audio’s proprietary Class XD power supply and delivers a hefty 120 watts of power per channel. Two toroidal transformers are used, one each for the preamp and power amp sections; the 851A is effectively a pre- and power-amp combination in one box.

Cambridge Audio 851A

Round the back you’ll find a healthy selection of inputs: two sets of balanced XLR inputs, seven RCA line inputs, tape loops and preamp outputs. There are control bus and IR connections too, while the twin speaker terminals make it easy to biwire your speakers. You can also plug in Cambridge Audio's iD100 iPod/iPad dock, although you'll need to add a DAC between it and the amp.

We have no issue with build quality or design here. The 851A looks workmanlike but immaculate in silver or black, and the full-metal chassis feels solidly built, with high-grade components from the speaker terminals to the control knobs.

The large front-panel display is clear and useful, and there’s the option of renaming any of the inputs. There’s a brand new remote control, too: it’s comfortable and satisfying to use, and can also control your iOS device through the iD100 dock.

Cambridge Audio 851A

Cambridge Audio 851A: Sound quality

We get down to business and take a listen to one of our favourite and, handily, most testing albums of recent years, Radiohead’s In Rainbows.

There are intricate drums, atmospheric vocals (with at times tricky-to-decipher lyrics) and plenty of dynamic highs and lows. And for that ‘just like being there’ listening experience, the Cambridge Audio delivers in spades.

Huge scale and power is relayed as required, that mighty power output showing its hand, and there’s plenty of deep, good-quality bass.

James Blake’s I Never Learnt To Share shows the 851A is no balls-out oaf, however, with impressive transparency across the sonic spectrum and a clean and clear treble.

The track builds to a noise crescendo, and while there’s no issue with dynamics, it’s not quite as controlled and organised as some rivals, and we strain to pick out finer details.

Switch to some hi-res classical music and again, when really pushed, you can spot this occasional lack of poise.

Cambridge Audio 851A

Cambridge Audio 851A: Verdict

But if it’s room-filling sound with impressive clarity, weight and bags of power, then the Cambridge Audio Azur 851A should be on your list.