Cambridge Azur 640c v2 mini review (CD player)

[Thomas_A]

So I've had this player in the closet for many years. Did not get much use due to use of streaming and ripping my CD collection. But anyway, it contains dual Wolfson DACs WM8740 and with the use of @NTTY s recent work I ripped some test files to CD and made a few tests. This is not a comprehensive test and therefore I call it a mini review.

Interior:

The 1 kHz test at 0 dB:

Same test at -6 dB:

18+20 khz test:

Roll-off:

And multitone:

Conclusion: It looks ok by me and in the same league as the Orpheus CD player reviewed by @NTTY. A fine player all in all. I will not make more measurements since I think the interest is not that high for these older units.

Orpheus Zero Review (CD Player)

Hello Everyone, This is a review and detailed measurements of the Orpheus Zero (Mk1). As I already wrote in several of my previous reviews, I like testing CD Players, especially older ones. This one is "only" 20 years old, though :) Stereophile briefly talked about this player but did not...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[tpd]

I have been trying to acquire one of these players and there are a LOT of dead ones out there. Well designed, but apparently poorly manufactured.

Thanks for the measurements.

 

[Thomas_A]

I have been trying to acquire one of these players and there are a LOT of dead ones out there. Well designed, but apparently poorly manufactured.

Thanks for the measurements.

I would not be surprised. I do not know what the model-related error would be for this one, but faulty transport mechanism is something I experienced from two earlier Marantz players.

 

[horias2000]

These are very good results! I was pretty close on buying one similar player myself. I was also looking at an Arcam unit that was using the WM8740 as well and there was one with dual DACs in MONO configuration. In the end I never went ahead with the purchase. Maybe one day...

 

[Thomas_A]

Although good results, reliability might be an issue. I saw one video of repairing these units; it's a small drive belt in the mechanism that dries out. Costs nothing if you can repair it. Similar Cambridge models have had failed ICs though.

 

[tpd]

Although good results, reliability might be an issue. I saw one video of repairing these units; it's a small drive belt in the mechanism that dries out. Costs nothing if you can repair it. Similar Cambridge models have had failed ICs though.

Exactly. Drive belts are a pretty easy fix, but I'm seeing reports of faulty/overheated ICs, failed solder joints, and failing controls. A shame because the measurements are very enticing.

 

[NTTY]

Yep, quality is not only in good measurements. But it delivers on that front, for what's been measured here, which is good to know.

 

[Thomas_A]

Just downloaded the service manual just to have it. Heck, I can't even find my revision DAC PCB which is marked AP17614/7. Latest revision is named AP17613/7 in the manual.

Specifications as below:

 

[Thomas_A]

Exactly. Drive belts are a pretty easy fix, but I'm seeing reports of faulty/overheated ICs, failed solder joints, and failing controls. A shame because the measurements are very enticing.

One could always hope that the latest PCB iteration fixed the errors. There are quite a few iterations and updates of the PCBs in the service manual. Buying one used may require a look inside. Seems to be no surface mounts in this model at least according to the manual.