If you already have a treasured collection of CDs and are keen to keep increasing your collection, the Cambridge Audio Azur 851C Upsampling CD Player will get the very best out of the format - so much so that you might be surprised by just how good CD can still sound.
As we all prefer slightly different nuances of sound quality, the Cambridge Audio Azur 851C Upsampling CD Player comes with Cambridge Audio's triple filter system. Select from Linear Phase, Minimal Phase or Steep modes and you can subtly alter the sound quality. You might even find certain types of music sound better with a particular filter engaged.
If you've been considering buying a separate DAC or would like the opportunity to upgrade the sound of all your digital sources then consider this. The Cambridge Audio 851C not only has digital outputs but also comes with four digital inputs. What this means is that you can connect up sources via a choice of optical/coaxial for inputs 1 and 2 and XLR or USB. In essence this means that pretty much any digital source with a digital output can have its sound improved by being connected into the 851C. So, it's not just a class-leading CD player, but also unbeatable DAC for the rest of your system.
The Cambridge Audio Azur 851C Upsampling CD Player is not just a top quality CD player and DAC; it's also an impressive digital pre-amplifier too! Use digital inputs 1 and 2 to connect up your Blu-ray player, games console or any other source with a digital output and use the pre-amp to select the source and alter the volume/balance. You can even connect your PC or media device by USB, as well. Once processed, the signal is ready to go straight into a power amp or active speakers - making for a, very, high quality minimalist system.
Using a full metal casing, with rounded edges, doesn't just look and feel good, it helps the sound, too. The case is rigid and well damped, meaning that it won't resonant unhelpfully. The thick aluminium front panel looks the part and also acts as a shield against electrical interference from sources such as dimmers and RF devices. All these details combine to create an amplifier that not only looks stylish but also offers exceptional resistance to both mechanical and electrical interference.