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Cambridge Audio AZUR 851N (Black) is rated
out of
5 by
82.
Cambridge Audio AZUR 851N (Black)
Network Music Player/Streamer
£1,199
Our price history:
£1,299
from 11/01/22 to 06/04/22
SAVE£100
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Ts&Cs apply - see our delivery page.
For delivery of in-store only deals, please contact your local store for more details.
Ts&Cs apply - see our delivery page.
Richer Sounds exclusive model.
18 months 0% Interest Free Credit is available on this product. Available from our stores by appointment, phone or video call or from our telesales team - please call for details. Terms and conditions apply. Subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. Click here for more info. Offer excludes Clearance, Refurbished and Open Box products. Not in conjunction with any other offer, except the FREE next working day or nominated day delivery offer.
Make the most of your wireless streamer. View our hottest deals on interconnects.
Putting sound quality first
As Cambridge's range-topping network music payer you'd expect the Azur 851N to be pretty special under the lid, and that's exactly what it is! The highest quality sound comes from the use of audiophile quality components and tireless research and testing. As an 8-series design, the 851N uses a substantial toroidal power transformer at its centre. This enables clean, effortless power to be supplied to the other components, allowing them to give their best. High quality Analogue Devices AD1955 DACs (Digital to Analogue Convertors) are configured in dual-mono mode, ensuring maximum channel separation and precise sound-staging.
Fully equipped for High Resolution Audio
At the heart of the 851N is a brand new Zander processor that facilitates 24-bit/192kHz file high resolution streaming from most methods - even Wi-Fi. On top of this, the 851N is compatible with a huge range of high resolution files, including ALAC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, WMA, MP3, AAC, HE AAC, AAC+ and OGG Vorbis. The USB audio input also enables streaming of up to 24-bit/192kHz audio and even supports DSD streams from your computer. Originally designed for SACD players, DSD (Direct Stream Digital) encoded music files offer the same detailed, transparent sound as other high resolution file formats, giving you even greater choice of listening.
AFT2 Up-Sampling for the ultimate detail and least jitter
The Cambridge 851N improves sound quality still further with an Anagram Technologies AFT2 24 bit/384 kHz up-sampling circuit. ATF (Adaptive Time Filtering) up-sampling 'stretches' the music to give the highest resolution possible. Up-sampling sound gives a smoother, more relaxed sound quality with added detail. You'll also notice enhanced depth of sound and a more natural quality without the "edge" that can afflict digital music. You'll hear every detail, including every deep breath, squeaky chair and flutter of sheet music; in short, it's like being there for real! AFT2 even aids native 24-bit/192kHz recordings with a faster sampling rate for even less jitter.
What is ATF Upsampling Technology? Click here to learn more.
Connect to Internet radio and Spotify Connect
In addition to supporting over 20,000, easy to access Internet radio stations, the Azur 851N is also compatible with the most popular music streaming services. Spotify is the world's most popular streaming service and the Azur 851N has Spotify Connect integrated into it (Spotify Premium account required). If you subscribe to Spotify Premium, you can control the Cambridge with the powerful Spotify Connect app on your phone or tablet. Should you prefer other music services, the 851N also supports Napster, BBC iPlayer for radio, Aupeo! Pandora and Rhapsody.
AirPlay and optional Bluetooth
In addition to comprehensive streaming capabilities over LAN, Wi-Fi and USB, the 851N is also compatible with Apple's AirPlay streaming. Use it with your iPhone, iPad PC or Mac and wireless stream your iTunes library or other compatible music services. Connect up the optional BT100 dongle and you'll be able to stream your music from any smartphone, tablet or other device with Bluetooth built-in.
Built-in digital pre-amp - just add active speakers!
If you're seeking quality hi-fi from a minimal system then the built-in digital pre-amp will appeal. Simply add active speakers via the digital or analogue outputs and you'll be able to control the volume and balance via the Azur 851N.
Fully connected, including XLR balanced sockets and 5 USBs
When it comes to connectivity the 851N lives up to its 8-series 'reference' billing. The highlight is the fitment of XLR balanced sockets. When used with a compatible amplifier, such as the matching Cambridge Audio 851A, these connections give the ultimate link possible, with greatly improved resistance to interference. There are also AES/EBU balanced digital input/output sockets for the ultimate digital connections. Added to this there are no fewer than five USB interfaces! The front-mounted socket is ideal for connecting temporary devices such as USB media sticks. At the back, three interfaces take care of more permanently connected media devices plus the optional Bluetooth dongle port. A Type B asynchronous USB input is provided for the direct connection of your PC or Mac. This makes the ideal connection for hooking up your computer as it will effectively 'control' the PC's output for the best sound quality possible. This greatly reduces jitter and gives the highest quality sound possible from your computer audio. Finally, both optical and coaxial digital sockets are provided for both inputs (x2) and outputs. This lets you connect up other digital components and take advantage of the quality DAC built into the 851N.
Intuitive app interface and colour display
With a free Apple/Android app you have effortless control over the radio stations with the comfort of your iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad or Android device. The app also seamlessly manages all your streaming content and is, in effect, a very user friendly way of bringing together and controlling all your digital sources. Boasting a new colour screen, it's now possible to display album art on the player. This makes it a pleasure to browse for albums and artists by whichever control system you use.
Full metal casing with extensive damping
Using a full metal casing, with rounded edges, doesn't just look and feel good, it helps the sound, too. The case is rigid and well damped, meaning that it won't resonate unhelpfully. The thick aluminium front panel looks the part and also acts as a shield against electrical interference from sources such as dimmers and RF devices. All these details combine to create a network player that not only looks stylish but also offers exceptional resistance to both mechanical and electrical interference.
A first-rate performer in every respect, the flagship Cambridge Azur 851N network player is the audiophile's choice of streamer.
Smart Features
Apple AirPlay
Yes
Smartphone control
Yes
Connectivity
Audio Inputs
6 (AES/EBU, coaxial x 2, optical x 2, USB)
Audio Outputs
4 (coaxial, optical, balanced XLR, unbalanced RCA)
Bluetooth
Optional - BT100
Pre Output
Digital pre amp
USB
4
USB Input
1
Wi-Fi Built In
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
XLR Balanced Outputs
Yes
XLR Inputs
AES/EBU Balanced
Audio
High Resolution Audio
Yes
Features
Text Display
Yes
Tuner Radio
Internet
Energy Consumption
Power Consumption - Standby
1
Dimensions
Dimensions WxHxD (mm)
430 x 115 x 360
Weight
Weight (KG)
8
Accessories
Remote Control
Yes
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Canopus from
A sound revelation
First of all I can only base this review on my own experiences, reviews of this nature will always be subjective.
I purchased this at the start of the month. It is the first major Hi-Fi purchase in twenty years, the driving force being that my old system had largely become obsolete since all my music is now on a networked hard drive.
I was looking for something that would act as a streamer, a DAC for the other digital sources (TV and DVD player) and can be used as a pre-amp to feed my ageing power amps. This fulfills those tasks admirably. The system sounded pretty good before but there is now even more clarity. There was pretty good detail before but now you can hear more character in vocals and instruments. backing singers are part of the main act. It has even tightened up the bass and you can make out nuances of how the musician is playing. I can scarcely believe the old P500 power amps (yes, more Cambridge Audio but I have no blind brand loyalty, they're still made in china) and Mission 734i speakers (so hardly a high-end kit in the grand scheme of things) are capable of reproducing such sound. I think to get any noticeable improvement over this machines capabilities you are getting into the realms of needing a bespoke listening room, not the compromise of a family/living room.
The only downside I am aware of is the unit may not be compatible with some streaming services but that really doesn't bother me.
Date published: 2022-01-17
Rated 5 out of
5
by
roberth from
Excellent service and a great product
I purchased the Azur 851n which works a treat, easy to set up and sounds just great, so much better than my old Pioneer N50 in terms of sound quality and ease of use..
Richar Sounds gave me a delivery date that was achieved and informed me of when it would arrive in advance so no hanging around at home. So I am one happy customer.
Date published: 2022-01-07
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Anonymous from
Exceptional customer service!
I recently exchanged my Cambridge Audio cxn network streamer (after reading its glowing reviews…it didn’t have the wow factor I was after), to an Azure851n. The 851n was delivered the day after the purchase and the cxn picked up at the same time. The sales advisor was both informative and helpful. No hard selling just honest equipment information to help me buy the right piece.
Date published: 2021-08-18
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Graham Loyley from
Azur 851n paired with Monitor Audio 100 Gold 5G
Auditioned and bought today, the two components together was to my ears well matched. Got it home connected to my Yamaha AS-701 and Dali zensor 5's and it brought out detail i had not heard before. Prior to adding the 851n there was a little colouration but once connected wow the soundstage was huge and had me in HiFi heaven. Starting to wonder just how good it's going to be when i bring the MA 100 Gold 5G home. Thanks Dave at the Nottingham branch plus all the staff there
Date published: 2021-04-20
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Tom27365 from
Really intuitive
Easy setup, good quality build, fantastic connectivity, upscaling is great. The DAC is brilliant when coupled to my CXUHD fantastic detailed sound.
Date published: 2021-03-11
Rated 4 out of
5
by
GarethJH from
So far, so very good
A big step up in sound quality and features from the CA Stream Magic it replaced. It's used for a mixture of Internet Radio, Spotify and streaming FLAC files. It has performed flawlessy so far. Very easy to set up and use too. The Spotify support is proving so popular in our house that I now have to share the hi-fi...
Date published: 2021-03-08
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Andrew26 from
Fabulous Network player, Magic features
In my second week of using the Azur 851N Network player and the more I use it the more I love it. I researched for 12 months prior to purchase and as that was mostly during the lockdown I was unable to demo in store. I read as many reviews as i could, spoke to people, read articles, watched videos. I was naturally drawn to Cambridge as had their products before and been very happy but did consider several others before deciding on the Azur.
It does everything I could want from a streamer, has Spotify connect built in (and Tidal Qobuz) and although I do wish it had Amazon Unlimited HD also built in, but by using USB A connection from my computer to USB B on the 851N Amazon HD is played perfectly. Two optical and two coaxial connections means you can easily connect CD transport, DAP if you want, TV sound and all those play so well .
The internet radio streaming is great so many choices built in (20000 ?) and the ability to add other stations with the name and the URL of the station. It has 20 pre-sets which you can radio stations to or add sources.
The overall quality of the sound is fantastic and the feature set is brilliant , the build quality like the Azur 851A amplifier I have it paired with is superb .
Like always the price and service from Richer Sounds and especially Felix in telesales was second to none. I would not buy from anybody else.
I truly would recommend this to anybody that's looking for a network Streamer in this price range
Date published: 2021-03-07
Rated 5 out of
5
by
npfcruz from
If you love sound music and HiFi no hesitations !
Pure sound and vibe! Get this and sign a high definition streaming service like Tidal or Qobuz...enjo! You’re life changes! Pure pleasure you won’t regret!
Date published: 2021-01-31
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