On the rear panel, the socket line-up is aimed at those with more complex requirements. Both sockets are protected by rubber dust caps, more evidence of the deck’s meticulous build quality. It’s joined on the front panel by a USB port for media playback from storage devices. It lets you connect a smartphone or camcorder that supports Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) and play hi-def video on your TV (charging the device while you do it) – the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One both support MHL via adapters.īut it’s not limited to MHL gear – you can rig up any HDMI-equipped device. Above this is the disc tray, which slides forth with a smooth, solid action.Īlso on the front panel is an HDMI input, which is highly unusual for a Blu-ray player. There are buttons for playback and for toggling through the filter modes (more on those later), as well as a small but bright blue LED panel (which is dimmable). The front panel is fairly busy, packed with buttons and sockets, but they’re tidily arranged and blend in with the grey finish. It’s a serious looking player, styled in a sombre but attractive dark grey finish, with curved corners softening the look slightly. It’s not slim, but players of this pedigree rarely are. Everything about it oozes quality, from the firm buttons on the front to the chunky cushioned pads on the bottom. The Cambridge Audio Azur 752BD is a stunningly constructed player, encased in robust metal bodywork with a thick brushed aluminium faceplate and acoustically damped chassis – all primed to prevent resonance from affecting AV performance. One thing’s for sure – Cambridge Audio certainly hasn’t allowed any dip in build quality. With a price tag close to £800 it’s a pretty big investment, albeit one AV enthusiasts will crave. We raved about its predecessor, the awesome Cambridge Audio Azur 751BD, back in 2011 so we’re hoping that Cambridge Audio has maintained the same level of performance while bringing it up to date with today’s trends.Ī word of warning though – this is not a Blu-ray player for budget buyers. Thanks for the help and advice guys, it has taken the pressure off and I now have a clearer picture of options.The Cambridge Audio Azur 752BD is a Blu-ray player aimed at home cinema enthusiasts, boasting build quality and electronics that put the budget masses to shame. If you get really bored take a look here: Auto-TaT So that pretty much takes the Azur out of the equation as it will take a couple of months to replenish the pot.įor anyone interested, the primary hobby is an old Reliant Scimitar that I am rebuilding as a lightweight hill climb and sprint car and the new acquisition is a pair of bucket seats that will allow me to work out positioning and fabrication of mounts and controls. But from what you guys have told me the other contenders are just as good and they are current models so I don't need to rush out and buy one before they are sold out.Ģ) I have just been offered a part for my primary hobby at a good price so a lump of the budget has just been stolen. The CXN certainly sounds like a strong contender.ġ) Having spoken to Richer Sounds it transpires that all remaining stock of the Azur 851N are now located at the warehouse so I cannot try it out against the CXN, Bluesound Node or any other contenders. I don't currently use any streaming services so I don't think the lack of chromecast would be an issue. Would this be a wise investment or are there now better alternatives that full-fill the same three roles (netwrok Streamer, DAC, pre-amp) for £1000? The majority of alternatives I have found do not appear to be capable of acting as the pre-amp or have a lower spec DAC. Not very important but the styling (or lack of) would sit well with the other components I have. It is however now 6 years old and has just been discontinued, meaning they are being sold off cheaper. It has won awards and has what sounds like a very highly specced DAC section. Whilst googling I discovered the Cambridge Audio Azur 851N which does all of the above as well as acting as a pre-amp. Ideally the DAC would act as a digital pre-amp as I no longer have any analogue sources. This would feed my ageing pre-amp and then onto my power amp. I was after a Network Streamer as all my music is now on a NAS drive and a decent DAC to plug all my digital sources into (the aforementioned network streamer, DVD/CD player, TV). I am looking to carry out a serious upgrade to my HiFi for the first time in almost twenty years.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |