Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp review

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp is a high-quality preamplifier designed for vinyl enthusiasts. It is designed to enhance the sound quality of turntables and record players by amplifying the low-level signals produced by the cartridge. In this review, we will take a closer look at the features and performance of the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp.

Design and Build Quality of Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp

The Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp is a high-quality device that is designed to enhance the sound quality of vinyl records. The device is built with a sleek and modern design that is both stylish and functional. The build quality of the device is top-notch, with high-quality materials used throughout.

The device is built with a sturdy metal chassis that is designed to protect the internal components from damage. The chassis is also designed to reduce vibrations, which can have a negative impact on sound quality. The device is finished with a brushed aluminum front panel that gives it a modern and stylish look.

The front panel of the device features a power button, a source selector, and a volume control. The power button is illuminated, making it easy to see when the device is turned on. The source selector allows you to choose between two different inputs, which is useful if you have multiple turntables or other audio sources. The volume control allows you to adjust the output level of the device to match your amplifier or speakers.

The back panel of the device features two sets of RCA inputs and outputs, as well as a ground terminal. The RCA inputs are designed to accept the output from your turntable, while the RCA outputs are designed to connect to your amplifier or speakers. The ground terminal is used to connect the ground wire from your turntable, which helps to reduce noise and hum.

The device is powered by an external power supply, which is included with the device. The power supply is designed to provide clean and stable power to the device, which helps to improve sound quality. The power supply is also designed to reduce noise and interference, which can have a negative impact on sound quality.

Overall, the design and build quality of the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp are excellent. The device is built with high-quality materials and is designed to provide clean and stable power to your turntable. The device is also designed to reduce vibrations and noise, which helps to improve sound quality. The sleek and modern design of the device is both stylish and functional, making it a great addition to any audio system.

Sound Quality of Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp

The Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp is a high-quality device that is designed to enhance the sound quality of your vinyl records. This preamp is built with high-quality components and advanced circuitry that ensures that your records sound as good as they possibly can.

One of the most impressive features of the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp is its sound quality. This preamp is designed to deliver a warm, rich, and detailed sound that is faithful to the original recording. The sound is clear and detailed, with a wide soundstage that allows you to hear every detail of the music.

The sound quality of the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp is due to its advanced circuitry and high-quality components. The preamp uses a high-quality power supply that ensures that the signal is clean and free from noise. The preamp also uses high-quality capacitors and resistors that are designed to deliver a clean and accurate signal.

The Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp also features a low-noise design that ensures that the signal is free from any unwanted noise or interference. This is particularly important when playing vinyl records, as they are susceptible to noise and interference from external sources.

Another impressive feature of the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp is its ability to handle a wide range of cartridges. The preamp is compatible with both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges, which means that you can use it with a wide range of turntables and cartridges.

The preamp also features adjustable gain and impedance settings, which allows you to fine-tune the sound to your preferences. This is particularly useful if you have a cartridge that requires a specific gain or impedance setting.

Overall, the sound quality of the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp is exceptional. The preamp is designed to deliver a warm, rich, and detailed sound that is faithful to the original recording. The advanced circuitry and high-quality components ensure that the signal is clean and free from noise, while the low-noise design ensures that the signal is free from unwanted noise and interference.

If you are looking for a high-quality phono preamp that delivers exceptional sound quality, then the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp is definitely worth considering. Its advanced circuitry, high-quality components, and low-noise design make it one of the best phono preamps on the market today.

Compatibility with Different Turntables and Cartridges

The Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp is a high-quality device that is designed to enhance the sound quality of your vinyl records. It is a versatile preamp that is compatible with a wide range of turntables and cartridges, making it an ideal choice for audiophiles who want to get the most out of their vinyl collection.

One of the key features of the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp is its compatibility with different turntables. It can be used with both moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridges, which means that it can be used with a wide range of turntables, regardless of the type of cartridge they use.

The preamp also has adjustable gain settings, which means that you can adjust the level of amplification to suit your specific turntable and cartridge combination. This is important because different cartridges have different output levels, and if the gain is set too high or too low, it can result in distortion or a loss of detail in the sound.

In addition to its compatibility with different turntables and cartridges, the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp also has a number of other features that make it a great choice for audiophiles. It has a high-quality power supply that ensures a clean and stable power source, which is essential for achieving the best possible sound quality.

The preamp also has a high-quality signal path, which means that the signal from your turntable is amplified and processed with minimal distortion or noise. This is important because any distortion or noise in the signal can result in a loss of detail and clarity in the sound.

Another important feature of the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp is its ability to handle low-frequency noise. Vinyl records are susceptible to low-frequency noise, which can be caused by a variety of factors, including vibrations from the turntable or the environment. The preamp has a built-in subsonic filter that helps to eliminate this noise, resulting in a cleaner and more detailed sound.

Overall, the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp is a versatile and high-quality device that is compatible with a wide range of turntables and cartridges. Its adjustable gain settings, high-quality power supply, and signal path, and built-in subsonic filter make it an ideal choice for audiophiles who want to get the most out of their vinyl collection.

If you are looking for a high-quality phono preamp that can help you achieve the best possible sound quality from your vinyl records, the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp is definitely worth considering. Its compatibility with different turntables and cartridges, along with its other features, make it a great choice for anyone who is serious about their vinyl collection.

Ease of Use and Setup of Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp

The Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp is a high-quality device that is designed to enhance the sound quality of your vinyl records. One of the key features of this preamp is its ease of use and setup, which makes it an ideal choice for both beginners and experienced audiophiles.

Setting up the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few minutes. The preamp comes with a detailed user manual that provides step-by-step instructions on how to connect it to your turntable and amplifier. The manual also includes diagrams and illustrations that make it easy to understand the setup process.

To get started, you will need to connect the turntable to the preamp using a set of RCA cables. The preamp has two sets of RCA inputs, which means that you can connect two turntables at the same time. Once you have connected the turntable, you will need to connect the preamp to your amplifier using another set of RCA cables. The preamp has both RCA and balanced XLR outputs, which gives you the flexibility to connect it to a wide range of amplifiers.

One of the standout features of the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp is its adjustable gain settings. The preamp has a switch on the back that allows you to adjust the gain level to match the output of your turntable. This is particularly useful if you have a turntable with a low output level, as it allows you to boost the signal and improve the overall sound quality.

Another feature that makes the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp easy to use is its compact size. The preamp is small enough to fit on a bookshelf or in a cabinet, which means that it won’t take up too much space in your home audio setup. It also has a sleek and modern design that looks great in any room.

In terms of performance, the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp delivers excellent sound quality that is both detailed and dynamic. The preamp uses high-quality components and advanced circuitry to ensure that your vinyl records sound their best. It also has a low noise floor, which means that you won’t hear any unwanted hiss or hum in your music.

Overall, the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp is a great choice for anyone who wants to improve the sound quality of their vinyl records. Its ease of use and setup make it a great option for beginners, while its advanced features and high-quality components make it a top choice for experienced audiophiles. Whether you’re listening to your favorite albums or discovering new music, the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp is sure to impress.

Value for Money of Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp

When it comes to vinyl playback, a phono preamp is an essential component that can make or break the sound quality. The Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp is a popular choice among audiophiles, thanks to its impressive performance and affordable price tag. In this review, we will take a closer look at the value for money of this phono preamp.

Firstly, let’s talk about the build quality of the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P. The unit is housed in a sturdy metal casing that feels solid and well-built. The front panel features a power button, a source selector, and a volume control knob. The back panel has RCA inputs and outputs, as well as a ground terminal. The overall design is simple and elegant, with a black finish that looks great in any setup.

Moving on to the performance, the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P delivers a clean and detailed sound that brings out the best in your vinyl collection. The phono preamp uses a discrete transistor circuitry that minimizes noise and distortion, resulting in a transparent and natural sound. The RIAA equalization curve is accurate and well-balanced, ensuring that your records sound as they were intended to.

One of the standout features of the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P is its versatility. The phono preamp has a switchable gain setting that allows you to match it with a wide range of cartridges, from low-output moving coils to high-output moving magnets. This means that you can use the phono preamp with virtually any turntable and cartridge combination, without having to worry about compatibility issues.

Another great thing about the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P is its ease of use. The phono preamp is plug-and-play, meaning that you can simply connect it to your turntable and amplifier and start listening to your records. The volume control knob on the front panel allows you to adjust the output level to match your amplifier’s input, so you don’t have to fiddle with the volume every time you switch between sources.

So, how does the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P stack up against other phono preamps in its price range? In terms of performance, it holds its own against more expensive models, delivering a clean and detailed sound that is hard to fault. The build quality is also top-notch, with a solid metal casing that feels like it can withstand years of use. The versatility and ease of use are also major selling points, making the phono preamp a great choice for both beginners and seasoned audiophiles.

In conclusion, the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp is a fantastic value for money option that delivers impressive performance and versatility. Whether you’re just starting out with vinyl playback or looking to upgrade your existing setup, this phono preamp is definitely worth considering. With its clean and detailed sound, solid build quality, and ease of use, it’s hard to find fault with the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P.

Q&A

1. What is the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp?
– The Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp is a device that amplifies the signal from a turntable to a level that can be played through a stereo system.

2. What are the features of the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp?
– The features of the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp include a switchable gain, subsonic filter, and a metal case to reduce interference.

3. What is the price of the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp?
– The price of the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp varies depending on the retailer, but it typically ranges from $200 to $300.

4. What are the pros of the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp?
– The pros of the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp include its high-quality sound, sturdy build, and easy setup.

5. What are the cons of the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp?
– The cons of the Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp include its lack of a USB output and its relatively high price compared to other phono preamps on the market.

Conclusion

Conclusion: The Cambridge Audio Azur 651P Phono Preamp is a high-quality and affordable option for vinyl enthusiasts looking to improve their sound quality. It offers a range of features and settings to customize the sound to your preferences, and its sturdy build ensures long-lasting performance. Overall, it is a great investment for anyone looking to enhance their vinyl listening experience.

Table of Contents