Cambridge Audio Azur 851AFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 23 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment48%
PROS 48%
CONS 52%

Rank based on 23 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You value a revealing, detailed sound for acoustic or well-recorded music
  • You can find one used at a bargain price
  • You want more power/muscle than entry Cambridge models like the CXA80

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need long-term reliability without repair headaches
  • You mainly listen to rock or dance music where the soundstage suffers
  • You're bothered by unusually high volume knob settings needed for normal listening

What users complain about

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Based on user comments

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1Mid
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Lightweight and gig-friendlyTube-like tone and feelExcellent clean channelExpensive, hard-to-find Tone CapsulesInconsistent or harsh crunch channelNo included footswitch
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Lightweight and gig-friendly
Tube-like tone and feel
Excellent clean channel
Expensive, hard-to-find Tone Capsules
Inconsistent or harsh crunch channel
No included footswitch
2Premium
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Exceptional tonal versatilityGreat cleanup via guitar volumeBig, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattageDark, bass-heavy voicing for somePrice relative to alternativesRequires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
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Exceptional tonal versatility
Great cleanup via guitar volume
Big, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattage
Dark, bass-heavy voicing for some
Price relative to alternatives
Requires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Best value
3Mid
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatilityGreat with pedals / clean platformLong-term keeper ampCleans not its strongest suitFizzy or excessive gain out of the boxStock preamp tubes considered weak
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatility
Great with pedals / clean platform
Long-term keeper amp
Cleans not its strongest suit
Fizzy or excessive gain out of the box
Stock preamp tubes considered weak
4Mid
Marantz PM7000N
Detailed, warm sound qualityGood speaker pairing versatilityHEOS streaming and internet radio convenienceAirPlay over Ethernet reliability issueDAC only active via optical/coaxial inputsLacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
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Detailed, warm sound quality
Good speaker pairing versatility
HEOS streaming and internet radio convenience
AirPlay over Ethernet reliability issue
DAC only active via optical/coaxial inputs
Lacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
5Budget
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its sizeTonePrint effects built inClean, full, realistic toneAlways-lit tuner displayInsufficient power for loud full bandsSingle effect slot limitation
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its size
TonePrint effects built in
Clean, full, realistic tone
Always-lit tuner display
Insufficient power for loud full bands
Single effect slot limitation
6Premium
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain toneBuilt-in CabClone IR / direct outBuild quality and versatility praised by ownersHigh priceMissing third channel and solo boostNo EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain tone
Built-in CabClone IR / direct out
Build quality and versatility praised by owners
High price
Missing third channel and solo boost
No EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
7Mid
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphonesCompact, high-quality buildEnjoyable Bluetooth sound qualityEarly sound-mode switching bugLimited single-ended power for some planarsNot fully wireless
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphones
Compact, high-quality build
Enjoyable Bluetooth sound quality
Early sound-mode switching bug
Limited single-ended power for some planars
Not fully wireless
8Premium
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatilityOwner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentimentSmooth, musical high-gain distortionHigh priceOverwhelming number of optionsSome find it too polished or lacking rawness
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatility
Owner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentiment
Smooth, musical high-gain distortion
High price
Overwhelming number of options
Some find it too polished or lacking rawness
9Mid
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
10Mid
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platformLush onboard chorusExceptional clean toneBackground hiss/humWeak onboard distortionSome pedals don't pair well
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platform
Lush onboard chorus
Exceptional clean tone
Background hiss/hum
Weak onboard distortion
Some pedals don't pair well
You are here
31Mid
Cambridge Audio Azur 851A
Muscular, powerful soundExcellent sound on acoustic/chillout musicGood value, especially usedVolume knob requires unusually high settingsLean sound / missing 'extra bit'Reliability failures over time
Cambridge Audio Azur 851A
Muscular, powerful sound
Excellent sound on acoustic/chillout music
Good value, especially used
Volume knob requires unusually high settings
Lean sound / missing 'extra bit'
Reliability failures over time

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound quality impresses many owners, particularly on acoustic and chillout genres. Owners describe the 851A as revealing and capable of an outstanding soundstage with acoustic or chillout music, though it loses that soundstage with rock or dance tracks. It exposes poor recordings mercilessly but rewards good quality masters. Some call it analytical and lean rather than warm, while others find it satisfying paired with speakers like Heco or Dali Rubicon2, with more body and refinement than cheaper Cambridge amps.

Reliability is a major and recurring complaint among owners. Several users report the amp failing outright after just 2-3 years, going into standby mid-album, or randomly turning on at maximum volume. One owner attributes this to flimsy fibreglass circuit boards that flex and crack solder joints, compounded by Cambridge's reluctance to share service manuals, forcing costly whole-board replacements instead of simple component repairs. A design-flaw rotary encoder is also cited as failing after a few years.

The volume behavior strikes several owners as unusual for a powerful amp. Multiple commenters note needing to turn the volume knob up to 65-75% to reach normal or full listening levels, which feels odd given the amp's power rating compared to older amps needing only 10-50%. Some attribute this to it being a digital volume control. Despite this quirk, several still praise the clean, distortion-free treble and well-separated instruments once at listening volume.

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