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How do you improve on what is considered the world's best budget CD
player? Well, if you read the latest reviews it looks like Cambridge Audio
has done it again. "If we could give products six stars, then these CD
players would get them" said What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision about
the 640C and 540C. A month later they went on to give the 640C a Best Buy
award. Soon after, the 640C went on to pip products costing twice as much to
the post when it won Hi-Fi
Choice's esteemed
Gold Award!
The 640C takes the very best of its forbear and includes a whole raft of
improvements to add even greater refinement. Key to these are two Wolfson
WM8740 24-bit/192kHz DACs(digital to analogue
converters) - where the previous model featured one.
The latest unit also includes a high-specification toroidal transformer for
extremely low distortion and excellent signal to noise ratio.
These and many other technologies such as a completely separate power supply
and upgraded audio filter and regulator stages, result in the delivery of a
huge dynamic range and a wonderfully clear, clean sound.
Like all Azur products, the 640C sits on an acoustically damped chassis and
features a solid aluminium front panel with ergonomically designed controls.
Where most CD players at this price are constructed from plastic and skinned
with metal, the 640C's all-metal construction offers incredible rigidity.
The 640C's clear display is now dimmable via the brand new Azur navigator
remote control. This too is superbly finished in aluminium and is perfectly
weighted. It controls all the 640C’s features and allows tracks to be
accessed and programmed directly – all from the comfort of your armchair.
All in all, it's hard to imagine a more accomplished CD player at this price
point. The only difficult decision is whether to choose the silver or black
finish!
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