As someone who used to own a Cambridge Audio 851W power amp and 851N DAC and streamer, I can vouch for how good they are, and what an absolute bargain the 851 series represents. Audiophile snobs may dismiss them at their own disadvantage. In terms of taming the midrange, a Cayin iDAC6 MKII, with built in tubes, has a very natural and lush sound. I am currently using it with a Denon PMA-A110 and you can tell that compared to the DENON built in USB DAC, it adds a little of that lushness. It may well be a good partner for the 851A/W and I wish I could try it out. Interestingly, I partnerd my 851w with a pair of Monitor Audio Platinum 200, and the vocal reproduction of Sia singing an acoustic version of Chandalier, genuinely gave goose bumps. It was the most realistic reproduction of a female vocalist you could have, without actually having Sia singing in front of you. It was magical, and I very much regret ever selling both the 851s and PL200s. You can also pick the 851 up on the used market for bargain prices. I'd choose a used 851 over an equivalent priced new amp all day long.
I've owned an Azur 851A and several other Cambridge pieces over the years. When they're working they're very good. The problem is that they're unreliable and difficult to get repaired. Cambridge is part of The Audio Partnership. Julian Richer, of Richer Sounds, bought up a lot of reputable brand names that had gone bust. He then put the brand names on equipment made cheaply in the far East. If you look at the 851A it has flimsy fibreglass boards which flex with speaker vibration. The solder cracks and you get faults. Richer won't release circuit diagrams or any service manuals, insisting that you send units to their Salford depot. Once there, their guys just want to replace whole boards rather than identify failed resistors, coils or capacitors etc. A cheap component causes a massive repair cost.
Hi from Portugal. Here in my system, i have this same CA 851A, powering some Focal Electra 926 floorstanding speakers. By it's side, i also have the older CA 640A V2, and side by side, by comparing both of them working to the same speakers, although the 851A has twice the power output in the specifications, the 640 drives the Electras with more ease and dynamics. I consider the 851A to be an analyctical sounding amplifier, without much warmth and little emotiona, when compared with the more tube sounding signature of the 640A V2. Soundstage are equaly large and deep, but the textures from the 640 are better rendered, more full of everything, and voices are more realistic. Can't say if my investment with the 851A was a wise one, once the older 640A V2, is better in everything i play on it. Another "issue" that i found out with this 851A is the volume knob scale. In order for me to get some output level for some decent listening out of my Electras 926, i must level it above the 65% to 75%, and only then, my loudspeakers do drive with proper scale. On the other hand, with the 640A V2, if i level the volume know above 30% to 50%, it's already too loud. This is something i can't understand. Wish you all the great things and, congratulations for your set.
My Cambrige Azur 851N + 651W sound amazing, and the price was so low, with discounts, when I've bought it (about 2 years ago, about 1800 euro for all). I can not imagine what more can I want in music with this setup :D I use it with Canton reference 7k and REL t/7x. Subwoofer is needed, as the bass is so detailed, biting, that you need to add some meat to it :) It is important to notice, that we've listened few devices for 5-10 x price, but 851N + 651W were unbeatable!
I'm going from a Krell S 300i to this Amp. My Krell needs to be serviced, but they don't have the parts. I'll give an update of what I think. I like more of a warm sound but the speakers I'm using are from the Klipsch Reference line which I don't think will be an issue of getting a warm sound.
I'm so early, HD version is not even out yet :) Do you experience less bass than with the SA20 for example? I auditioned the 851A once and had the feeling that it is pretty lean sounding.
The 851A is hands down more powerful than the SA20. At lower volumes the SA20 can keep up when it comes to bass extension but not in terms of speed. The louder it gets the more obvious the difference in power becomes. Comparing the midrange the SA20 is fuller than the 851A. The 851A has a very neutral midrange and treble. Some might love its neutrality and laid backness, some might want more warmth. So it depends on taste as always. Paired with the DAC mentioned I love the transient speed of my Vela powered by the 851A. That is what I enjoy about the 851A’s midrange and treble performance. Furthermore its tonal neutrality
In my experience the 851A is highly sensitive to the quality of the source. In my case: mediocre DAC ➡️ mediocre sound. Great DAC ➡️ Great sound. Overall I think the Vela sounds better when powered by the 851A with a great source attached to it while I would choose the SA20 over the 851A when paired with the Focal Aria 906
@@DigitalPhilosophers with my trusty old KEF Ls50's, which delivery great bass in my small room (listening to them right now with my Rega Elex-r). I'd really like to go for the 851A but I am unsure because of the bass output.
Hi, on some forums I read that the 851N as well as the CXN in comparison to various Marantz players like for example the NA8005 or the ND8006 have a little less bass deep and is also less extended in the high fraquency. For your experience this is true ?
I would love to hear the better DAC in the Audiolab Omnia and the better amp in the Quad Artera Solus. Furthermore I am looking forward to try Naims Uniti Star and the Roksan Attessa Streaming Amplifier and trying Dirac within the NAD M10v2. There is a lot of gear I would like to experience soon. I guess I will have the chance to try only half of it or less
I’ve got the 851n and the one thing I don’t like about it is the main knob. It has about a 3-4mm slop in it when turning. I’m wondering if the 851a has the same feel or is the volume knob tight?
You get more resolution and texture with this one. The A1 gives you sweeter mids and highs. The A1 pronounces the mids a little bit more than the 851A does.
As someone who used to own a Cambridge Audio 851W power amp and 851N DAC and streamer, I can vouch for how good they are, and what an absolute bargain the 851 series represents. Audiophile snobs may dismiss them at their own disadvantage. In terms of taming the midrange, a Cayin iDAC6 MKII, with built in tubes, has a very natural and lush sound. I am currently using it with a Denon PMA-A110 and you can tell that compared to the DENON built in USB DAC, it adds a little of that lushness. It may well be a good partner for the 851A/W and I wish I could try it out. Interestingly, I partnerd my 851w with a pair of Monitor Audio Platinum 200, and the vocal reproduction of Sia singing an acoustic version of Chandalier, genuinely gave goose bumps. It was the most realistic reproduction of a female vocalist you could have, without actually having Sia singing in front of you. It was magical, and I very much regret ever selling both the 851s and PL200s. You can also pick the 851 up on the used market for bargain prices. I'd choose a used 851 over an equivalent priced new amp all day long.
I've owned an Azur 851A and several other Cambridge pieces over the years. When they're working they're very good. The problem is that they're unreliable and difficult to get repaired. Cambridge is part of The Audio Partnership. Julian Richer, of Richer Sounds, bought up a lot of reputable brand names that had gone bust. He then put the brand names on equipment made cheaply in the far East. If you look at the 851A it has flimsy fibreglass boards which flex with speaker vibration. The solder cracks and you get faults. Richer won't release circuit diagrams or any service manuals, insisting that you send units to their Salford depot. Once there, their guys just want to replace whole boards rather than identify failed resistors, coils or capacitors etc. A cheap component causes a massive repair cost.
Hi from Portugal. Here in my system, i have this same CA 851A, powering some Focal Electra 926 floorstanding speakers. By it's side, i also have the older CA 640A V2, and side by side, by comparing both of them working to the same speakers, although the 851A has twice the power output in the specifications, the 640 drives the Electras with more ease and dynamics. I consider the 851A to be an analyctical sounding amplifier, without much warmth and little emotiona, when compared with the more tube sounding signature of the 640A V2. Soundstage are equaly large and deep, but the textures from the 640 are better rendered, more full of everything, and voices are more realistic. Can't say if my investment with the 851A was a wise one, once the older 640A V2, is better in everything i play on it. Another "issue" that i found out with this 851A is the volume knob scale. In order for me to get some output level for some decent listening out of my Electras 926, i must level it above the 65% to 75%, and only then, my loudspeakers do drive with proper scale. On the other hand, with the 640A V2, if i level the volume know above 30% to 50%, it's already too loud. This is something i can't understand. Wish you all the great things and, congratulations for your set.
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience
Please try roksan k3, they are generally in competition with eachother during the time period.
Amazing amplifier!
My Cambrige Azur 851N + 651W sound amazing, and the price was so low, with discounts, when I've bought it (about 2 years ago, about 1800 euro for all). I can not imagine what more can I want in music with this setup :D I use it with Canton reference 7k and REL t/7x. Subwoofer is needed, as the bass is so detailed, biting, that you need to add some meat to it :)
It is important to notice, that we've listened few devices for 5-10 x price, but 851N + 651W were unbeatable!
I'm going from a Krell S 300i to this Amp. My Krell needs to be serviced, but they don't have the parts. I'll give an update of what I think. I like more of a warm sound but the speakers I'm using are from the Klipsch Reference line which I don't think will be an issue of getting a warm sound.
Keep me updated
I'm so early, HD version is not even out yet :)
Do you experience less bass than with the SA20 for example? I auditioned the 851A once and had the feeling that it is pretty lean sounding.
The 851A is hands down more powerful than the SA20. At lower volumes the SA20 can keep up when it comes to bass extension but not in terms of speed. The louder it gets the more obvious the difference in power becomes. Comparing the midrange the SA20 is fuller than the 851A. The 851A has a very neutral midrange and treble. Some might love its neutrality and laid backness, some might want more warmth. So it depends on taste as always. Paired with the DAC mentioned I love the transient speed of my Vela powered by the 851A. That is what I enjoy about the 851A’s midrange and treble performance. Furthermore its tonal neutrality
In my experience the 851A is highly sensitive to the quality of the source. In my case: mediocre DAC ➡️ mediocre sound. Great DAC ➡️ Great sound. Overall I think the Vela sounds better when powered by the 851A with a great source attached to it while I would choose the SA20 over the 851A when paired with the Focal Aria 906
Which speakers did you hear the 851A with?
@@DigitalPhilosophers with my trusty old KEF Ls50's, which delivery great bass in my small room (listening to them right now with my Rega Elex-r). I'd really like to go for the 851A but I am unsure because of the bass output.
@@georgedomse The bass output of the 851A is the last thing to doubt about it
Hi, on some forums I read that the 851N as well as the CXN in comparison to various Marantz players like for example the NA8005 or the ND8006 have a little less bass deep and is also less extended in the high fraquency. For your experience this is true ?
What's the next amplifier on the list and which one/s are you holding on to for the near future?
I would love to hear the better DAC in the Audiolab Omnia and the better amp in the Quad Artera Solus. Furthermore I am looking forward to try Naims Uniti Star and the Roksan Attessa Streaming Amplifier and trying Dirac within the NAD M10v2. There is a lot of gear I would like to experience soon. I guess I will have the chance to try only half of it or less
I’ve got the 851n and the one thing I don’t like about it is the main knob. It has about a 3-4mm slop in it when turning. I’m wondering if the 851a has the same feel or is the volume knob tight?
My 851A‘s vol knob was flawless in terms of build quality
2024 I still have my AZUR 851N and it rocks, I know people with newer streamers and I would trade it for the azur.
Great review.
Zooming in on the DAC, you call it "the most important thing" and "the game changer" but (I think) you don't tell us what DAC it is ?
1:50
@@sdrtcacgnrjrc It's a Pro-Ject dac box s2+.
You are right. I should have mentioned the model name when I praised the converter so much.
George Dömse is right! It is the Pro-Ject DAC Box S2+
@@DigitalPhilosophers+ @George Dömse - thanks!
You should be aware that the volume controller rotary encoder has a design flaw. After a few years it’s not working anymore.
Thanks for your videos
How will you compare this amp to the Sugden A21 ?
Thanks again
I listen to music and watch films at low to mid volumes. In my use cases I would go with the Sugden. Everything sounds so dense and lush 🤤
Thanks
How it compares to smsl vmv a1 in terms of resolution, texture and mid and highs ?
You get more resolution and texture with this one. The A1 gives you sweeter mids and highs. The A1 pronounces the mids a little bit more than the 851A does.