News

Cambridge Audio Offers Azur 640H Hard Disk Music Server (23/11/2005)

Hard disk music server powered by proprietary AudioFile technology £600

The Cambridge Audio Azur 640H hard disk music server is the first competitively priced 'rip and burn' solution combining the ultimate convenience of digital audio with audiophile standards of music reproduction. It utilises components from the Azur 640C - widely regarded as the world's finest budget CD player - matched to a capacious 160Gb professional standard hard drive and a high speed CD burner.

Key features:

¥ 160Gb hard disk - enough space for 30,000 compressed songs ¥ Playback music from Mac(tm)/PC using iTunes(tm) or Windows(tm) Media Player ¥ Share music between Mac/PC via wired or wireless network ¥ Audiophile quality CD player featuring Wolfson WM8740 DAC ¥ Incredibly easy artist, album, track information via freedb(tm) web-based look-up ¥ CD re-writer ¥ Solid aluminum front panel and acoustically damped chassis and all-metal casework ¥ All new navigator style Azur remote control ¥ Available in silver or black

The 640H uses AudioFile(tm) - a suite of proprietary embedded software developed to manage storage, transfer and playback of music in a real hi-fi environment. AudioFile technology leverages Cambridge Audio's expertise in delivering superior hi-fi quality output, storing content in an innovative way to optimise the delivery of content. Unlike a PC or widely available music streamers, AudioFile is designed as a hi-fi separate and offers instant start-up and shut-down. It uses an audiophile grade DAC (digital to analogue converter) not a soundcard to infinitely superior effect.

With the 640H, an entire music collection can be managed in one place. The vast 160Gb hard drive is capable of storing over 3,000 uncompressed or 30,000 compressed songs and connection with another 640H will double the capacity and allow units to seamlessly access each other's content. Music files can be shared between Mac or PC via a wired or wireless network and played back using iTunes(tm) or Windows Media Player(tm). Content can also be exchanged with portable music devices via the front or rear mounted USB 2.0 ports. Content from such devices is automatically integrated into the 640H's library for easy access.

Control of the system is gained using the clear LCD or AudioFile's comprehensive on-screen display through a TV using the intuitive navigator style Azur remote control. Fast, indexing using AudioFile's web-based look-up feature means you can automatically assign artist, album and track information to your entire collection. It also allows the creation of playlists. The 640H has a CD burner so that compilations can be produced for home or in-car use. Finally, on-board internet radio enables access to many international radio stations.

All this technology is housed on Cambridge Audio's now customary low resonance, acoustically damped chassis, which takes in a thick aluminium front panel and is available in either silver or black.

www.cambridge-audio.com