Cambridge Audio Azur 540A V2 integrated amplifier review

Cambridge Audio Azur 540A V2 integrated amplifier review

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Cambridge Audio Azur 540A (Version 2) Amplifier - the ultimate budget amp!

The 540A is back and better than ever with a wave of upgrades and refinements. It is now rated at 60 watts per channel at 8 Ohms making it 10 watts more powerful than its predecessor. A chunkier heat sink allows the amplifier to dissipate more energy and run cooler than before, meaning the amplifier punches well above its weight.

The sensitive preamp circuitry has also been significantly redesigned, generating lower noise and THD, while delivering greater levels of transparency. The Azur 540A also sees improvements to the power amplifier circuitry layout, with many small refinements further reducing distortion and improving the drive capability with real world speakers.

The Azur 540A also sees improvements to the power amplifier circuitry layout, with many small refinements further reducing distortion and improving the drive capability with real world speakers.

All this technology is housed on Cambridge Audio’s hugely respected low resonance, acoustically damped chassis, which takes in a thick aluminium front panel and all-metal construction. Here you’ll find changes to the volume, tone and balance controls, with new pots offering better feel, as well as greater accuracy and improved channel matching at low volumes. There’s also a heavier steel skin on the main volume knob for a more solid feel.

To allow seamless integration with multi-room entertainment systems, a Control Bus input and output have been fitted, as has an IR emitter input. Outputs for Cambridge Audio’s new Incognito multi-room system are even included. This enables self-amplified Incognito multi-room keypads to be connected to the 540A allowing the hi-fi system to be shared with up to two other rooms. Each gains local control.

Completing the upgrades is a highly ergonomic navigator style Azur remote handset. The 540A is available in either silver or black.

Cambridge Audio Azur 540A (Version 2) features

60 watts per channel (8 ohms)
80 watts per channel (4 ohms)
CAP5™ protection system with no sound quality degrading active circuitry added into the signal path
Incognito Ready(TM) (Type 1) A-Bus multi-room outputs
Control Bus In and Out
IR emitter in
Improved volume, tone and balance controls
New custom designed 3-way terminals
Solid aluminium front panel with acoustically damped chassis and all metal casework
All new navigator style Azur remote control
Available in silver or black

Read the review http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/assets...sedreprint.pdf