Cambridge Audio Azur 851NFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 16 mentions across 9 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment60%
PROS 60%
CONS 40%

Rank based on 16 mentions across 9 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a network player/DAC/preamp that sounds excellent driving external power amps and high-end speakers
  • You mainly use wired Ethernet and coaxial/XLR connections rather than needing built-in Wi-Fi or a headphone jack
  • You're building a source component for a serious separates system, not an all-in-one convenience box

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need a built-in headphone output for direct listening
  • You want native Wi-Fi without relying on an external USB dongle
  • You require HDMI ARC input or confirmed Roon readiness out of the box

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Premium
FiiO M15
Useful 'delete currently playing song' featurePowerful driving power for demanding headphonesPremium packaging and build detailsHigh price relative to value for many usersSingle MicroSD slot limits storage flexibilityDiminishing returns versus cheaper alternatives
FiiO M15
Useful 'delete currently playing song' feature
Powerful driving power for demanding headphones
Premium packaging and build details
High price relative to value for many users
Single MicroSD slot limits storage flexibility
Diminishing returns versus cheaper alternatives
Best value
2Mid
FiiO M21
Cassette case designMusical, warm sound signatureDesktop mode with battery bypassCrackling/popping between tracksButton/port layout debateWeak or fiddly EQ
FiiO M21
Cassette case design
Musical, warm sound signature
Desktop mode with battery bypass
Crackling/popping between tracks
Button/port layout debate
Weak or fiddly EQ
3Mid
Cambridge Audio CXN v2
Detailed, high-quality soundBroad connectivity and service supportPairs well with Cambridge Audio ecosystemTreble can sound bright or harshApp usability issuesBluetooth and Chromecast reliability problems
Cambridge Audio CXN v2
Detailed, high-quality sound
Broad connectivity and service support
Pairs well with Cambridge Audio ecosystem
Treble can sound bright or harsh
App usability issues
Bluetooth and Chromecast reliability problems
4Premium
FiiO R9
Dynamic, lifelike soundAttractive, understated designImprovement over the R7High priceMissing features some wantedBuggy app and Bluetooth
FiiO R9
Dynamic, lifelike sound
Attractive, understated design
Improvement over the R7
High price
Missing features some wanted
Buggy app and Bluetooth
5Mid
Marantz NA6006
Positive purchase confidence from reviewsAnalogue-like sound signatureWorks well as a preamp with separate ampsUnanswered compatibility questionsFiddly menus and login entryFile format playback errors
Marantz NA6006
Positive purchase confidence from reviews
Analogue-like sound signature
Works well as a preamp with separate amps
Unanswered compatibility questions
Fiddly menus and login entry
File format playback errors
You are here
6Premium
Cambridge Audio Azur 851N
Excellent sound qualityFlexible digital connectivityWorks well as preamp with external power ampsUnclear Roon and DSD supportNo HDMI ARC inputNo headphone output
Cambridge Audio Azur 851N
Excellent sound quality
Flexible digital connectivity
Works well as preamp with external power amps
Unclear Roon and DSD support
No HDMI ARC input
No headphone output
7Mid
Onkyo NS-6170
Strong Sound QualityHi-Res and MQA PlaybackBroad Storage Format SupportConfusing Streaming App SetupSlightly Muted Treble vs CDThinner Sound Compared to CD Player
Onkyo NS-6170
Strong Sound Quality
Hi-Res and MQA Playback
Broad Storage Format Support
Confusing Streaming App Setup
Slightly Muted Treble vs CD
Thinner Sound Compared to CD Player
8
Cambridge Audio Minx Xi
Flexible Subwoofer IntegrationVersatile Digital ConnectivityInternet Connectivity Failures
Cambridge Audio Minx Xi
Flexible Subwoofer Integration
Versatile Digital Connectivity
Internet Connectivity Failures
9Premium
Sony NW-A105
Excellent sound qualityPhysical buttons and dedicated music focusPremium build and designPoor battery lifeBluetooth and headphone driving limitationsHigh price for the value
Sony NW-A105
Excellent sound quality
Physical buttons and dedicated music focus
Premium build and design
Poor battery life
Bluetooth and headphone driving limitations
High price for the value
10Premium
FiiO M23
Exceptional sound qualityPowerful desktop mode & transport useBuild quality and design touchesBuggy, laggy softwareBattery life and battery quality concernsTrack playback glitches
FiiO M23
Exceptional sound quality
Powerful desktop mode & transport use
Build quality and design touches
Buggy, laggy software
Battery life and battery quality concerns
Track playback glitches

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound quality earns consistent praise from owners running the 851N in serious systems. Multiple owners describe the 851N as sounding fantastic when paired with quality external amplification and speakers, including a tube amp with Avalon Acoustics speakers, PS Audio mono blocks, a Marantz AV amp, and Focal Solo 6 be speakers via XLR. One user even fixed sibilance and listening fatigue they experienced with the companion 851W wireless model by switching to the 851N through a different amp, calling the result fantastic and confirming it as a great digital source without question.

Missing connectivity features frustrate some buyers despite the extensive input/output options. Owners repeatedly flag the lack of a headphone output as a shame given how many connections the unit already has, and one calls the absence of an HDMI ARC input on a $1500 unit ridiculous. Another notes the reliance on an external USB Wi-Fi stick instead of integrated wireless, acknowledging Ethernet is preferable for stability but wishing wireless were built in for convenience when not near a router.

Cambridge Audio's remote control reliability is a known weak point across the product line. One long-term owner reports being on their fourth remote for a related Azur 751R V2 and second remote for an Azur 752 BD player, with neither unit mishandled and one remote defective right out of the box during professional installation. While this comment references sibling Azur products rather than the 851N specifically, it points to a broader brand-level reliability concern that prospective 851N buyers may want to weigh.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?