Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I got the Cambridge Audio 640 v2 range (Amplifier, CD player, DAB radio) together with the Bowers & Wilkins 684 speakers, cables, delivery, and Danish taxes (*sigh*) for almost 15000 DKK (ca. 2000 eur, 3000 usd).

It was the best system for that money that I could find, after having visited quite a few stores here in Copenhagen with CDs I know well (containing mostly classical music), and having spent quite a bit of time listening, also with friends. I did find better systems, but the cheapest of those was 6000 DKK (800 eur, 1200 usd) more expensive, which exceeded my budget.

What I can say is that I am exceedingly happy with this system. I've had no problems whatsoever, and with the music I tend to play on it, and in my room, the system simply sounds superb!

At the same time, I feel that there are such large differences between systems, and in particular, that there are such dependencies on the music one tends to listen to, that anyone who considers buying a system should forget all they've read, and go out and listen to many types of systems themselves, figure out what they get for what price, and figure out what kind of price and performance make sense for *them*.

However, that said, I have been a bit disappointed not with the sound, but the usability of the products. With 3 boxes (Amp, CD player, DAB radio), I got 3 remote controls, where I would have preferred one. For the CD player, seeking (continuous forward or backward), isn't nearly as nice to use as on the el-cheapo Sony I bought over 10 years ago. The blue power leds are switched on both on standby and when they're actually switched on (different intensities, though, but couldn't they be SWITCHED OFF when I put the system on standby?). And then there are completely useless features such as *dimming* the lights from the remote control. Please take a few lessons from Apple regarding simplicity, and easy of use, would you?

But concerning the sound, I am totally totally totally satisfied. As I said, I selected this system on sound, and *cough* price. When it comes to that, it's as simple as that: I got the very best system I could find for a price I could live with. And my music collection lives like it has never lived before. I love this system.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Hi, I just bought Cambridge Audio 840A & Cambridge Audio 840C from this store : http://stores.ebay.com.au/Perfect-Sound-Audio a few weeks ago, this shop offer good price with good product & service. I am very satisfied with the product performance, it’s value for money and high quality of product. It's highly recommended product.

Price Paid:  $250.00 from Richer Sounds, UK

Summary:
The Azur 640C V.2 is a pretty good player for the price. Build quality (at least from feel and weight) is good. The player's remote is great for the price and operationally the player is good.

The sound is laid back but with fair rhythmic integrity. It has a really nice tone and will play any genre of music well. The midrange is its best talent. I found its focus was lacking, the bass power and control isn't great, the treble isn't detailed enough for me and can be splashy and soft at times. Dynamic resolve isn't as good as the magazines reviews suggest. The soundstage isn't very wide at all.

However, how much can you expect for a budget player. I think in the right system with an owner who appreciates its laid back sound I think it will be a good player.

Unfortunately, I found it boring and ended up having a system playing background music and not holding my interest in music that normally really connects with me.

Strengths:
Natural Tone, Great remote control, Midrange.

Weaknesses:
Bass focus, treble, soundstaging.

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Price Paid:  $569.00 from Uptown Audio

Summary:
I need to preface this review by saying I have the 640C v.2. It is the second generation of the product described in the previous reviews. Secondly the dropscreen prompting a model year did not give 2007 as an option. So I indicated 2006 which is incorrect.

Getting down to the nuts and bolts this is a great CD player. After a burn-in of about 150 hours it produces a very smooth and laid back sound. It does not suffer from being overly bright. It will not create the magic of making bad CDs sound good however. Good CDs will sound better than ever which is a satisfactory goal.

So far I would say the classical music in my collection has shown the most improvement in presentation. Crummy low budget jazz stuff still suffers. Popular music like Lyle Lovett sounds surprisingly good.

Strengths:
Very refined and smooth sound

Weaknesses:
Long burn-in

Price Paid:  $549.00 from Audio Advisor

Summary:
Arrived defective out of the box. Both the salespeople and friends in the business have told me that the ribbon connectors are flimsy and often break in transit.

Error messages common regardless of quality of the CD inserted.

Strengths:
Looks, remote control, connections.

Weaknesses:
Build quality

Similar Products Used:
Samsung CD/DVD player, Hitachi (Denon) CD changer