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Cambridge Audio Azur 540A

Cambridge Audio Azur 540A
9 reviews    (35 views/week)   4.22 of 5
MSRP: $ 379.00

Description:50W/channel into 8 Ohms, 80W/channel into 4 Ohms, protection system with no sound quality degrading active circuitry added into the signal path, second set of speaker outputs, optional MM phono, headphone output, standby function, bypassable tone controls, low-resonance and acoustically damped chassis, all-metal casework with a solid aluminium front panel, slim-line Azur remote control with aluminium top panel

 
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Rating
Reviewed by:

benlg

(AudioPhile)

Review Date
May 3, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

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Review 1 of 9

Price Paid:  $450.00 from AudioAdvisor

Summary:
I am using the 540A with a pair of Mordaunt Short 902. The amp has a warm and smooth sound which matches very well with my slightly forward speakers. The treble can be a little better, very unforgiving and can sound scratchy and muffled with bad recordings. But it sounds absolutely fantastic with good ones. The sound is very dynamic with a clear midrange and deep, tight bass. Nice deep impact and punch on the low end. Besides music the amp sounds amazing specifically with DVDs, it really brings out the wide resolution and detail when watching a movie. In this price range Ive directly compared the 540A with Onkyo's A-9555. The Onkyo has a cleaner and very clear treble that sounds fantastic with vocals. But the bass is not as dynamic and deep like the 540A.. plus it matched better with my slightly bright speakers. Both are very good amps I would recommend if you are looking at amps around the $500 mark.

Strengths:
Nice deep punch to the bass
Clear mids and excellent stereo imaging
Looks good in black with cool blue LEDs

Weaknesses:
Can sound harsh or bright with bad recordings
No LED on the volume knob

Similar Products Used:
Pioneer, Onkyo, Marantz, Rotel, Parasound


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Rating
Reviewed by:

mgoorevich

(AudioPhile)

Review Date
April 18, 2008

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 3.00 votes

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Review 2 of 9

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I purchased this amp for the home use. Mainly to listen to the music CD's. I have PMC DB1 monitors connected to it.
I am professional audio engineer and own my studio equiped with Pro monitors (mainly active) Genelec and Mackie HR824.
What can I say about Cabridge Audio 540A?
It's not transparent. It's too bight at 10-12 Khz. It doesn't provide deep bass and not well on sub frequencies either. Listening to this amp may be fatiquing if listening for a long time. I would not recommend this amp to those who is looking for the nutral sound. For me it colours the sound on some british, may be even tube alike manier.
The strong point is a very good stereo image and solid mid impression. Very sillent! Looks OK but not professional (but it's not intended to be).
There is a "learing curve" of a week for internal components to fit the speakers parameters.
After this week the sound remained still detailed but less bright. Although I am very confident that it boosts frequencies above 10 KHz.
It's fine for home but not for critical listeners or professionals.

Strengths:
Cheap. Cambridge Audio let you think it's trully british. Ha-ha. Very detailed sound. Powerful.

Weaknesses:
Too bright! Poorness of solid lows (80-250Hz). Smeared subs. Heavy and ugly remote control.

Similar Products Used:
Mackie HR824, Genelec1031A, Even TR6A
Those are all active speakers but in conjunction with their internal amp it 's a fair comparisson to overall sound.


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Rating
Reviewed by:

magisterludi

(AudioPhile)

Review Date
April 2, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

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Review 3 of 9

Price Paid:  $225.00 from used

Summary:
Used this in a 2nd system with a pair of Wharfedale Emerald speakers and was
always more than pleased. Incredably natural and smooth sound, but never lacked for details. provided a nice 3D soundfield where the music was mostly free from the speakers. Could listen to that setup for hours, never fatiguing as some of the lower priced amps can be in this range. The bass is deep and rich and the highs although slightly rolled off are natural and not harsh.
It has 6 or 7 RCA inputs ; A/B speaker option; and preamp out. Certainly powerfull enough to drive 86dB effient speakers.
Has to be a best buy option for those on a budget. I highly recommend an audition if you are in the <$500 range.

Strengths:
Low price, good with any type of music, beep bass and very harmonious midrange.

Weaknesses:
Has those plastic protection tabs on the speaker terminals that the Brits seem to think are necessay.

Similar Products Used:
Rotel, Nad, Onkyo, Sony. It sounded better than any of these that I tried


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Rating
Reviewed by:

Walker

(Audio Enthusiast)

Review Date
December 28, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 6.00 votes

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Review 4 of 9

Price Paid:  $0.00 from internet

Summary:
This is a great amplifier. Pleasant and clean sound and enough power to drive my B&W DM 603 S2 speakers with ease. At first I was not crazy about it but after replacing my NAD cd-player for a CA 540C Azur it all came together. Sounds terrific with all types of music. Warning: badly recorded cd's sound even worse.

Strengths:
Sound, price and looks

Weaknesses:
None


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Rating
Reviewed by:

Levike

(AudioPhile)

Review Date
February 13, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 6.00 votes

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Review 5 of 9

Price Paid:  $380.00 from Online

Summary:
Here is my follow up on this amp Well I used it for more then 50 hours and all I can say is that it has become better in any way. Sounds better, it's more defined. Excellent sound for this amount of money

Strengths:
Excellent Sound Best Sound For The Price

Weaknesses:
None Yeah the back of the unit is a little weak, but how many times are u going to unplug stuff, only once or twice

Similar Products Used:
HK


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