Cambridge Audio Azur 650C CD Player, Black

Product Review

Taking performance even higher, the 650C builds on the 550C by optimising a pair of WM8740 24bit/ 192kHzcapable DACs implemented in a dual differential configuration. Since each channel has its own DAC to process information, completely separate and symmetrical analogue filter circuitry can be implemented for excellent imaging. The 650C also features the more sophisticated Four-Pole Dual Differential Double Virtual Earth Balanced version of this filter resulting in an incredibly low noise floor, barely measurable distortion and ultimately unprecedented levels of performance. But arguably the most important development is the introduction of an entirely new in-house designed servo solution. Whereas many 'comparable' CD players utilise an inferior CD/DVD-ROM derived drive, the 650C takes full advantage of Cambridge Audio's audio-only, CD transport which is coupled to our new highly sophisticated S3 Custom CD ServoTM. This third generation audiophile servo employs an all-new chipset and the latest double-sided surface-mount technology for ultra short signal paths with freedom from wire links. The net result gives the 650C extraordinary ability to retrieve maximum digital information whilst maintaining extremely low jitter; the digital noise that affects your listening pleasure. The 650C's well-proven transport has been re-worked to facilitate even quieter operation and a new bracing mechanism (derived from the 740 Series) guarantees incredible rigidity. As with all Azur CD players, a high quality toroidal transformer ensures lower noise and less waveform distortion as well as incredibly quiet operation.

Product Features

Audio specific S3 servo solution. Double-sided surface mount circuitry. Twin Wolfson WM8740 DAC (Digital to analogue converters). Four-Pole Double Virtual Earth Balanced filter topology.
New selectable choice of sharp roll off or slow roll off filters. CD-Text display for suitable discs. Audiophile grade toroidal transformer
New wrap-around casework design with thick brushed aluminium front panel and new reverse black DFSTN display
Supplied with new Navigator remote - also controls Azur amplifiers and docked iPods.
EnergyStar certified ultra low power (<1W) standby circuit

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review

(2 customer reviews)

4 of 8 people found the following review helpful

Almost A Perfect Budget CDP @ A Time When CDs Are Almost Dead., June 13, 2010

George Denver "Sound Addict Boy" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cambridge Audio Azur 650C CD Player, Black (Electronics)

The good:

1) Superb build quality. This is something to be expected from all products made by Cambridge Audio (CA).
2) The disc tray is quiet & smooth, unlike the disc trays found in most DVD players.
3) Dual Wolfson Microelectronics WM8740 24-Bit DACs (Digital to Analogue Converters) with 192kHz over sampling. Too much & too many DACs for 16bit 44.1Khz CD playback.
4) Selectable choice of sharp roll off or slow roll off filters. In reality, the differences are too subtle to even make a difference in a budget system.
5) Available in black & brushed aluminium (BA). At a time when 90% of all audio / video devices are made in black color, BA is very refreshing comeback. It looks classier with a vintage feel to it. Probably, Europe is the only market that still has a demand for Brushed Aluminium finish.
6) Finally, auto shut off in a CD Player (CDP).
7) Robust random & shuffle playback. Something I always missed in DVD universal players...Read more

1 of 6 people found the following review helpful

Azur 650C, January 14, 2011

mark kura - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Cambridge Audio Azur 650C CD Player, Black (Electronics)

Set-up. RCA outs to Pioneer elite sc-25 then to Episode floor speakers.

cd tray, track to track selection from the remote quick and instant. the stand-by and auto-shut off options makes this really quick and carefree to use.

my prior cd player was basic 5tray. AZUR 650C complements the amp/speaker set-up.

i think whatever freq its pushing-out gets picked-up by the amp. Its an improvement. some parts of a track the whole vibe just changes.

I have done a comparison because re-listening to music loses that feeling/timing element.