Cambridge Azur 651 A/C

[FLima]

Hello!

Does anyone has this set or has demo it? How does it sound? With which speackers would it be a good pairing?

In amplifier speaking, is it worth to extend the budget to reach a Arcam A19 or a Audiolab 8200A?

And about the cd transport... It is expected to be noticed significant improvements from 351c to 651c?

In advance... thank you all for your contributions! *drinks*

 

[matthewpiano]

Are you aware that Cambridge are set to launch new CX series components? I'd be inclined to wait for these as they offer much greater flexibility in features than the Azur models. More info here: http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/products/cx-series

 

[FLima]

Are you aware that Cambridge are set to launch new CX series components?  I'd be inclined to wait for these as they offer much greater flexibility in features than the Azur models. More info here: http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/products/cx-series

I'm aware of the upcoming CX series... But instead of peaking up the new models I will try to grab a good deal of the older ones! I have done some googling about it and the CX models even thought being beautiful they aren't very gentle with prices!!

But in what kind of flexibility were you talking about?

 

[peterpiper]

I found the Azur 651a amp dissappointing and returned it the next day, not punchy enough, just a thought, you may like it though. I like the Azur cd players though

 

[FLima]

I found the Azur 651a amp dissappointing and returned it the next day, not punchy enough, just a thought,  you may like it though.  I like the Azur cd players though?

 

By your signature I see you have a rotel 10. Price compared it would perform worse than 651a... Can you describe me what kept on rotel?

 

[radiorog]

I preferred the sound of the 351a over the 651a.

I auditioned the two CD players quite extensively. The sound signature is the same, the difference is the 651c has better imaging and separation. They are both excellent players. Natural sounding, fantastic bass, a real upgrade from the previous 650c models. You would be happy with either I am sure, but the 651c is slightly better.

 

[FLima]

I preferred the sound of the 351a over the 651a.

I auditioned the two CD players quite extensively. The sound signature is the same, the difference is the 651c has better imaging and separation. They are both excellent players. Natural sounding, fantastic bass, a real upgrade from the previous 650c models. You would be happy with either I am sure, but the 651c is slightly better.

What differences did you find on 351a and 651a perform? Was it a matter of quality VS price, ou simple prefr the sound performance?

 

[radiorog]

Simply the sound. I listened to the 351a for a couple of hours. I think it is possibly the best bang for buck amp I have heard, but it was in a small room so maybe all the finer details of the music were enhanced? I only heard the 651a for ten minutes, but both amps with my own speakers, and the 651a was in a larger and noisier room, so it is possibly unfair to judge too much, but I could not hear the bass like I could in the 351a, and it wasn't as warm sounding. I like my amps to sound quite natural tonaly, ie:the closer to it sounding like the band is in the room the better, and not too high pitched, and I found the 351 didn't sound as bright. But like I said, I didn't really give the 651a the listening space it deserved. But there was no wow factor for me.

 

[peterpiper]

but I could not hear the bass like I could in the 351a, and it wasn't as warm sounding. I like my amps to sound quite natural tonaly, ie:the closer to it sounding like the band is in the room the better, and not too high pitched, and I found the 351 didn't sound as bright. But like I said, I didn't really give the 651a the listening space it deserved. But there was no wow factor for me.

My experience with the 651a too

 

[FLima]

but I could not hear the bass like I could in the 351a, and it wasn't as warm sounding. I like my amps to sound quite natural tonaly, ie:the closer to it sounding like the band is in the room the better, and not too high pitched, and I found the 351 didn't sound as bright. But like I said, I didn't really give the 651a the listening space it deserved. But there was no wow factor for me.

My experience with the 651a too

Ok, thank you for sharing your experience! I was looking for it...

It's very interesting you both have enjoyed more the powerless amp. I suppose (probably wrong) that a powerfull amp will deliver a richer sound, and obviously an open bass.

Is it possibel that could be due to a paring amp-speaker issue?

However, its good news... the 351a is almost half of the price!

 

[FLima]

Does anyone else have any kind of exprience with this amp or cd player?

 

[Jame5]

651a is great value for money at the moment. I cannot comment on the CDP but given the quality of CA's separate DACs I'm guessing it's highly capable.

 

[matthewpiano]

Are you aware that Cambridge are set to launch new CX series components? I'd be inclined to wait for these as they offer much greater flexibility in features than the Azur models. More info here: http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/products/cx-series

I'm aware of the upcoming CX series... But instead of peaking up the new models I will try to grab a good deal of the older ones! I have done some googling about it and the CX models even thought being beautiful they aren't very gentle with prices!!

But in what kind of flexibility were you talking about?

I'm primarily referring to the digital connectivity which is only limited to a USB input on the 651A but much more extensive on the CX-A60 and CX-A80 models. I'm also hoping that Cambridge will have moved their sound quality forward with the new CX models. I've owned several Cambridge amps and would agree with the consensus here that in some ways the 351A is more satisfying than the 651A. However, the only Cambridge amp I ever really loved was the 740A I had a few years ago. I'd like to see them go back to making something of that performance level, though it still wouldn't compete with my Rega Brio-R.