Cambridge Audio Azur 851A Integrated Class XD Amplifier - Black

This amp has a big but smooth sound. In fact, it was described in the Stereophile review as "sounding like a modest man's Pass Lab amp." I would agree with that. I am doubtful that there is an amp out there with this much power that sounds as good as this one for the same relatively modest price. The two XLR inputs have really been nice to have, too.

The amplifier worked fine except it would not recognize the remote. The remote was not the problem as I had another identical remote from the matching CD player. The amp would not operate with either. It worked fine manually but, for this kind of money, this was unacceptable. Back it went. Still waiting for my refund 1 1/2 weeks later.

This is worth the money- just the exquisite depth of the sound, the clarity and being able to hear every instrument and note- it's like you're in the studio with the musician (or onstage for live stuff).

Great sounding amp with plenty of power. Love the tone controls for those times you need it.

Let this warm up for about 10 minutes before playing anything and you’ll thank yourself. Great full and detailed sound with s great low end.

As I previously owned the Azur 640C CD player and upgraded to the Azur 650C, I thought I'd make fellow consumers and audiophiles aware of some serious problems regarding the Cambridge Audio company. While the actual sound quality of previous CD player models -- bass response, spatial separation, imaging, etc. -- is of considerably high quality, it is not worth the risk (or the price) to take a chance on these products failing with nothing short of dismal customer support upon that happening. (A cursory review of the internet via any given search engine will reveal postings by other customers concerning product failure with Cambridge Audio amplifiers as well -- another illustration of lack of quality control -- and the same horrendous absence of consideration for their customers. While no one expects a 'lifetime' warranty, one would expect a company to 'make good' on defective products, if only to do the right thing and maintain good business principles. They may say they're 'sorry' at Cambridge Audio, but they don't address the problems.) The light which illuminates the liquid crystal display on my Azur 650C CD player -- the model preceding the 651 -- flickered and went out altogether, rendering the display completely black and unreadable; the unit and the remote still worked. When I tried to contact Cambridge Audio, they were very slow to respond and even then only directed me to their U.S. distributor, a company called Audio Plus Services in upstate New York. The individual at Cambridge Audio did indicate that there were a number of other components with the same problem, indicating manufacturing fault and/or mechanical failure. Audio Plus Services were contacted on three separate occasions with no reply. Eventually someone did contact me, indicating that if the unit in question was beyond the two-year warranty period, repair would have to be paid for, despite the obvious mechanical fault of multiple components with the same problem. Another SERIES OF ATTEMPTS to reach Cambridge Audio rendered no response. Only after sadly and dishearteningly having to threaten legal action was a response received. (The entire process described thus far took place over an absurdly long two-week period.) THIS is the quality of customer service when purchasing a so-called high-end audio product from Cambridge Audio. The eventual response from Cambridge Audio -- who apparently were wholly and completely unconcerned with both their own deplorable customer service as well as that of their U.S. distributor, Audio Plus Services -- was simply to say 'a small number of reported instances of an issue in a production run... does not constitute a failure in design or acknowledged production fault.' If that's what Cambridge Audio actually believes -- despite failure happening in multiple units through no fault of their purchasers -- then clearly they are manufacturing a product or products (at high-end prices to consumers no less) that they DON'T EXPECT TO WORK CORRECTLY FOR ANY LONGER THAN THREE OR FOUR YEARS. Again, anyone would expect many, many more years of trouble-free use from a high-end audio product costing $600 or $700 - or $800 for the newer models. Therein lies the crux of the issue. The unit was dropped off at the dealer to be sent to Audio Plus Services for repair; after four weeks (and $106) the unit was returned and picked up only to to the discovery once arriving home that it had not even been fixed; it was as though they simply didn't bother to actually repair it. The unit was then returned to the dealer yet again, where it was again shipped to Audio Plus Services, who then retained the unit for EIGHT WEEKS before finally returning it to the dealer properly repaired. (The dealer unfortunately incurred all the additional shipping costs.) Obviously there are serious quality control issues as well as unprincipled business policies with Cambridge Audio (as well as serious problems with their North American distributor, Audio Plus Services). Regardless of how many units may have failed, Cambridge Audio has failed in customer service, consideration for their customers, and succeeded with only atrocious business policies. Buyer beware.

Mostly use it as a headphone amplifier. But can experience random volume increase to maximum output if the unit becomes too warm. There is an article posted on an audio review describing the problem in detail. Apparently, it's a parts issue chosen by Cambridge Audio engineers that do not fit the application. The relay parts can be changed to a different brand that is more heat tolerant if you know how to solder and de-solder a circuit board. If not, make sure there are no other devices stacked on top of the amp and allow plenty of air circulation around the unit, especially above the volume control. My unit also has the same problem of the volume control knob not being able to adjust, but the volume can be adjusted with the remote control. Fortunately my pre-amp device has volume control so the volume can be 'set and leave it on the amp', except for those instances where the volume goes to max. When that happens I just turn the amp off and let it cool down for awhile.

Has all the functions i need. Sounds excellent.

I upgraded from Cambridge cxa60 to this amp. It produces better, punchier bass clearer mid and upper notes in my music. Overall very happy with this upgrade.