Cambridge Azur 840 Integrated

 

Silver Member
Username: Afj

GaboroneBotswana

Post Number: 112
Registered: Jan-08
theres a 1 year old amp available for 1000 usd (by south african standards its a pretty good price). how would it compare to the nad c272. what i dont like in the nad is that its a bit too warm for my liking (would prefer something a bit more neutral). the presentation of the nad is a bit too laid back - would like something more forward. and a bit more punch in the bass. not quite sure how to say this but when i listen to the nad i feel like i've got cotton in my ears
 

Silver Member
Username: Jaw

Post Number: 217
Registered: Mar-06
Own the CA 840A; did own NAD T752; have not had a C272 in my system and only heard it casually. Some say the NAD sound is uniform.

The two sound completely different. The CA is a bit forward in the upper mids - tiring to some not for me. The treble is sweet and extended, not so for the NAD.

I found the NAD bass to be thunderous with a bit of mid bloat; just felt the bass was disproportionate to the overall sound and tended to overwhelm the rest of the sound. The CA bass is not as strong but still plenty deep and solid. More importantly, it is in balance.

In comparison to the CA and to your point, the NAD does sound grainy while the highlight of the CA is the clean, lifelike and detailed SQ. 4 Ohm speakers are not a challenge to the CA 840.

I like the NAD sound, just think the CA 840 sounds better.

$1000 used is probably OK, maybe, you could do better.
 

Silver Member
Username: Afj

GaboroneBotswana

Post Number: 113
Registered: Jan-08
thanks jaw. i definitely would enjoy the CA being more forward. but i also did want a tighter bass. unless its way better than the nad i wouldnt want to change. if i did i'd be looking to upgrade again . the other issue is that its the version1 in that model and i've read reviews that the treble isn't so hot. my speakers are a tad bright and i wouldnt want to take a risk on that. perhaps i might get lucky with a bryston soon, though theres hardly any used ones around
 

Gold Member
Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Post Number: 1459
Registered: Feb-07
I found the C272 to be a tad grainy too, prefer the CA sound.
 

Silver Member
Username: Afj

GaboroneBotswana

Post Number: 125
Registered: Jan-08
read the reviews on the product. apparently version 1 had issues with the highs. and they nearly immediately brought out the version 2 to sort it out (which apparently they did). the one for sale was version 1 so dropped the idea. but perhaps if i have a chance to change i'll look at the cambridge
 

Silver Member
Username: Afj

GaboroneBotswana

Post Number: 130
Registered: Jan-08
am wondering if mine is more of a source issue (in all probability it is). am planning to buy the nad c542cdp. but heard the cambridge 640c cdp is better. what do you suggest. the rest of my components being nad c272 and ma rs6
 

Gold Member
Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Post Number: 1480
Registered: Feb-07
Your system is quite similar to mine (or at least how mine used to be). The CA 640C is a good piece of gear - I like the fact that it has dual Wolfson DACs.

Some people might argue that you may get better "synergy" with your existing NAD amp if you go with the NAD cdp, though.
 

Silver Member
Username: Afj

GaboroneBotswana

Post Number: 131
Registered: Jan-08
david you have just confirmed the very reason for my dilema
 

Gold Member
Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Post Number: 1481
Registered: Feb-07
In the end I would go for the product that I think is best, rather than choosing to maintain synergy.

My reason being is that I upgrade my system so often that it's rarely in a cohesive state.
 

Silver Member
Username: Afj

GaboroneBotswana

Post Number: 132
Registered: Jan-08
i do gather from other threads that you upgrade frequently

i guess will go for the cambridge then. thanks david
 

Silver Member
Username: Danman

QUEBEC CANADA

Post Number: 722
Registered: Apr-04
Got one for sale if you are interested???
 

Silver Member
Username: Afj

GaboroneBotswana

Post Number: 138
Registered: Jan-08
thanks danman - i live in botswana, africa though
 

Silver Member
Username: Danman

QUEBEC CANADA

Post Number: 723
Registered: Apr-04
I know just thought I would throw that at you!
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