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Cambridge Audio AZUR 851C (Black)
Upsampling CD Player/DAC/Pre-Amp
Out of stock
In-Store Clearance Item
Open Box Guide Price
(11 available across all stores)
£844.95
Refurbished Guide Price
(6 available across all stores)
£794.95
Remember, these are clearance items and therefore condition and accessories/promo items supplied may vary. Please call/email the store to check the price/stock/condition and reserve your clearance bargain. Unfortunately due to costs, and size, TVs can’t be mail ordered from store, or transferred between stores.
ALL CLEARANCE ITEMS ARE FULLY GUARANTEED FOR 12 MONTHS. Please note that extended guarantees are not available on these products.
Richer Sounds exclusive model.
Fantastic bundle offers also available here
Fantastic bundle offers also available here
"The newcomer is a rich and sophisticated sounding machine that delivers remarkable tonal depth from a good recording." Hi-Fi Choice Magazine.
The highest quality CD performance
If you've a treasured collection of CDs and are keen to keep increasing your collection, the Cambridge Audio 851C will get the very best out of the format. At the heart of the 851C is a 32-bit Analog Devices Black Fin DSP (Digital Signal Processor). This feeds two of its AD1955 24-bit DACs in dual differential formation, each handling just one channel for excellent stereo imaging. What you hear is an exceptionally unforced, natural sound. Instruments and vocals 'breath' with emotion and depth, the sound has colour, texture and fluidity for an uncanny a sense of realism.
AFT2 audio upsampling
The 851C also has an Anagram Technologies AFT2 24 bit/384 kHz up-sampling circuit. Up-sampling conventional CDs 'stretches' the format to give the highest resolution possible. It also aids standard 24-bit/192kHz recordings with a faster sampling rate for less jitter. Up-sampling gives a smoother, more relaxed sound quality with added detail. You'll also notice enhanced depth and a more natural quality without the 'edge' that can afflict digital music. You'll hear every detail, including the odd cough, squeaky chair and flutter of sheet music; in short, it's like being there for real!
Tailored sound
As we all prefer slightly different nuances of sound quality, the 851C comes with Cambridge Audio's triple filter system. Select from Linear Phase, Minimal Phase or Steep modes and you can subtly alter the sound quality. You might even find certain types of music sound better with a particular filter engaged.
A DAC for all your digital sources
The Cambridge Audio 851C not only has digital outputs but also comes with four digital inputs. What this means is that you can connect up sources via a choice of optical/coaxial for inputs 1 and 2 and XLR or USB. So pretty much any digital source with a digital output can have its sound improved by being connected into the 851C.
Digital pre-amp functionality
The Cambridge Audio 851C is not just a top quality CD player and DAC; it's also an impressive digital pre-amplifier too! Use digital inputs 1 and 2 to connect up your Blu-ray player, games console or any other source with a digital output and use the pre-amp to select the source and alter the volume/balance. Connect your PC or media device by USB, as well. Once processed, the signal is ready to go straight into a power amp or active speakers - making for a, very high quality minimalist system.
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, so it won't resonant unhelpfully. The thick aluminium front panel acts as a shield against electrical interference from sources such as dimmers and RF devices. All these details combine to create a hi-fi component that not only looks stylish but also offers exceptional resistance to both mechanical and electrical interference.
Reinvigorate not just your entire CD collection but also all your digital sources - the Cambridge Audio 851C is a powerful tonic for a tired system.
Richer Sounds exclusive model.
Fantastic bundle offers also available here
Fantastic bundle offers also available here
"The newcomer is a rich and sophisticated sounding machine that delivers remarkable tonal depth from a good recording." Hi-Fi Choice Magazine.
The highest quality CD performance
If you've a treasured collection of CDs and are keen to keep increasing your collection, the Cambridge Audio 851C will get the very best out of the format. At the heart of the 851C is a 32-bit Analog Devices Black Fin DSP (Digital Signal Processor). This feeds two of its AD1955 24-bit DACs in dual differential formation, each handling just one channel for excellent stereo imaging. What you hear is an exceptionally unforced, natural sound. Instruments and vocals 'breath' with emotion and depth, the sound has colour, texture and fluidity for an uncanny a sense of realism.
AFT2 audio upsampling
The 851C also has an Anagram Technologies AFT2 24 bit/384 kHz up-sampling circuit. Up-sampling conventional CDs 'stretches' the format to give the highest resolution possible. It also aids standard 24-bit/192kHz recordings with a faster sampling rate for less jitter. Up-sampling gives a smoother, more relaxed sound quality with added detail. You'll also notice enhanced depth and a more natural quality without the 'edge' that can afflict digital music. You'll hear every detail, including the odd cough, squeaky chair and flutter of sheet music; in short, it's like being there for real!
Tailored sound
As we all prefer slightly different nuances of sound quality, the 851C comes with Cambridge Audio's triple filter system. Select from Linear Phase, Minimal Phase or Steep modes and you can subtly alter the sound quality. You might even find certain types of music sound better with a particular filter engaged.
A DAC for all your digital sources
The Cambridge Audio 851C not only has digital outputs but also comes with four digital inputs. What this means is that you can connect up sources via a choice of optical/coaxial for inputs 1 and 2 and XLR or USB. So pretty much any digital source with a digital output can have its sound improved by being connected into the 851C.
Digital pre-amp functionality
The Cambridge Audio 851C is not just a top quality CD player and DAC; it's also an impressive digital pre-amplifier too! Use digital inputs 1 and 2 to connect up your Blu-ray player, games console or any other source with a digital output and use the pre-amp to select the source and alter the volume/balance. Connect your PC or media device by USB, as well. Once processed, the signal is ready to go straight into a power amp or active speakers - making for a, very high quality minimalist system.
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, so it won't resonant unhelpfully. The thick aluminium front panel acts as a shield against electrical interference from sources such as dimmers and RF devices. All these details combine to create a hi-fi component that not only looks stylish but also offers exceptional resistance to both mechanical and electrical interference.
Reinvigorate not just your entire CD collection but also all your digital sources - the Cambridge Audio 851C is a powerful tonic for a tired system.
Brand
Cambridge Audio
Colour
Black
Cd Memory
Yes
Remote Control
yes
Cd Text
No
Cd Number Of Discs
1
Cdrw Playback Compatible
Yes
Dimensions WxDxH (mm)
430 x 360 x 115
Weight (KG)
10
Power Consumption - Standby
1
USB
Yes
XLR Balanced Outputs
Yes
Coaxial Digital Input
Yes
Optical Digital Input
Yes
Gapless Playback
Yes
Optical Digital Output
yes
Coaxial Digital Output
yes
Rated 5 out of
5
by
TimRr from
Beautifully clear and precise sound
Bought this a couple of weeks ago, and loving rediscovering my CD collection. A very clear and precise sound, great for classical music, especially solo piano and other solo instruments (Bach cello suites a revelation). Good for jazz too, but perhaps a touch clinical for rock, you can almost hear too much detail. But where detail is what you want it’s fantastic
Date published: 2020-07-29
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Anonymous from
Excellent music definition
Previously had an azur cd player 12 years ago and amazed at the improvement in this one.
Excellent definition of notes yet a mellow and non clinical sound
Date published: 2019-10-25
Rated 5 out of
5
by
olivierrof from
Step to heaven with the sound
I purchased this item 10 days ago,paired with Cambridge Azur 851A amplifier-very detailed sound and the bass is just amazing. Everything sounds as if it was a fresh recording, I am rediscovering my music collection(Spacesynth; Italo Disco; Depeche Mode; Erasure etc...) I am completely flabbargasted and astounded by this purchase. Definitely highly recommended! Just go for it you won't regret it!
Date published: 2019-08-10
Rated 5 out of
5
by
martin59 from
Beautiful design,beautifully built.
Bought the 851c to go with the 851a amp & what a brilliant combination they make,it is so solidly built just like the amp too,& I love the fact it displays the track titles for the length of the whole song on cd's supporting cd text and what a difference in sound quality,both drive my rubicon's superbly.
Date published: 2019-06-25
Rated 5 out of
5
by
doc m from
excellent
have had the 851 C a couple of weeks now does everything it says on the tin it couples well with my 851 A and monitor audio silver 500 speakers thanks to Dylan at York branch
Date published: 2018-12-16
Rated 5 out of
5
by
steves68 from
Amazing .
Had Cambridge audio 651A and 651C changed my amp to the 851A and monitor silver 200 speakers . I was hovering over the 851C making a difference to this setup but on buying I actually got to listen to both one after other . And the answer is I was astonished by the difference Queens doing alright sounded beautiful piano and Freddie mercury voice at the start . I quickly went to all my fave cds and played them all and can't get over how good they sound. I can only imagine the rest of the features perform as well.but not fully tried yet. I cannot fault any of the 851 Azur series . Also having the 851 N In the set up.
Date published: 2018-12-11
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Corelli from
Crystal clear sound
I had thought that my previous Phillips CD player (which eventually succumbed to old age) was good: now when I listen to my collection - predominantly classical and jazz - I can hear detail which had previously been hidden. On one track I can now actually hear one of the string players taking a breath!
Date published: 2018-12-09
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Nvj1000 from
Lovely sounding top end CD player
I received this from Richersounds two months ago and it is a lovely machine - matches my other CambridgevAudio azur components brilliantly and ives lovely sound via 840A amplifier and Castle speakers.
Date published: 2018-10-31
In-Store Clearance Item
Open Box Guide Price
(11 available across all stores)
£844.95
Refurbished Guide Price
(6 available across all stores)
£794.95
Remember, these are clearance items and therefore condition and accessories/promo items supplied may vary. Please call/email the store to check the price/stock/condition and reserve your clearance bargain. Unfortunately due to costs, and size, TVs can’t be mail ordered from store, or transferred between stores.
ALL CLEARANCE ITEMS ARE FULLY GUARANTEED FOR 12 MONTHS. Please note that extended guarantees are not available on these products.