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Cambridge Audio Debuts Azur 840C Up-Sampling CD Player at What Hi-Fi? Sound & Vision Show (13/11/2006)

Suggested retail price - £750 inc VAT

The 840C marks the zenith of Cambridge Audio's critically acclaimed Azur line up. Like all Azur products, the 840C promises unseen levels of performance and engineering excellence to the price points in question. But rather than redefining expectations in the entry-level market, the arena most often associated with Cambridge Audio, the company will reinvigorate the mid-end price sector.

Key features:

¥ Adaptive Time Filtering (ATF) asynchronous up-sampling technology converting 16-bit 44.1 kHz CD data to 24-bit 384kHz ¥ 32-bit Analog Devices Black Fin DSP ¥ Dual differential DAC configuration using high-end Analog Devices AD1955 DACs ¥ Fully differential anti-aliasing topology based on linear phase Bessel filters ¥ DC servo circuitry with no capacitors in the signal path ¥ Two digital inputs allowing up-sampling and playback of other sources ¥ Digital outputs allow recording of up-sampled audio ¥ Control Bus In/Out, IR emitter in and RS232 for easy multi-room compatibility ¥ Extruded aluminium side panels and solid aluminium front panel plus an ultra rigid, acoustically dampened chassis ¥ Navigator style Azur remote control which also controls Azur amplifiers ¥ Available in silver or black

The 840C embraces a raft of proprietary technologies including ATF (Adaptive Time Filtering) asynchronous up-sampling technology which has been developed in conjunction with Anagram Technologies of Switzerland. This system intelligently interpolates 16-bit/44.1kHz CD data to 24- bit/384kHz data, through the use of a 32-bit Analog Devices Black Fin DSP (digital signal processor). This in turn feeds two 24-bit/384kHz DACs from the same company in dual differential formation.

Unlike other products based on standard sample rate converters which effectively just draw a straight line 'between the dots', the 840C employs a process that involves process involves a proprietary polynomial curve fitting algorithm which ensures that the interpolated data smoothly fits between the original data points.

Each DAC handles just one channel for excellent stereo imaging, operating fully in differential mode for exceptionally low distortion and noise. Fully differential anti-aliasing filters based on a Bessell linear phase topology follow featuring a flat group delay characteristic for amazing timing.

Both unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR outputs are fitted. Two digital inputs are also provided which even allow the up-sampling and playback of other sources such as a DVD player via the Azur 840C. In addition, a recording digital output can even allow bit-for-bit data or upsampled data at 48, 96 or 192 kHz to be recorded by a suitable device.

A Control Bus In/Out, an IR emitter in connection and an RS232 port are provided for easy multiroom connectivity. The RS232 protocol enables a two-way interface with third party home automation touchscreens.

As with all Azur products, the foundation of the 840C's excellence is a bespoke chassis. This comprises an incredibly thick 7mm front panel and extruded side panels, both fashioned from aluminium, which combines with a 2mm formed steel base plate and specially designed vibration absorbing feet. The result is an ultra rigid, low resonance, acoustically dampened platform for the electronics to sit in.

The 840C is available in either silver or black and comes with the latest, slim-line navigator style Azur remote handset.

www.cambridge-audio.com