Cambridge Audio AZUR 551P User Manual - page 3
Thank you for purchasing this Cambridge Audio azur series phono pre-
amplifier. Like all Cambridge Audio products these phono pre-amplifiers
adhere to three core principles – stunning performance, ease of use and
incredible value.
The design of a high quality but cost-effective phono pre-amplifer presents
a major challenge. Providing first-class performance on an unlimited
budget is one matter; achieving the same performance within tight price
limits is quite another, and requires all the expertise and experience that
Cambridge Audio brings to its product design process. We believe we have
succeeded in our aim of creating a first-class affordable product.
The 551P features a moving magnet stage whilst the 651P offers both
moving magnet and moving coil stages. Both use low noise discrete
transistors for the all-important input stages instead of the more common
integrated circuits.
Both are designed to produce high gain and linearity, without requiring
massive amounts of negative feedback to achieve low distortion. Both
models also employ a single-ended ‘Class A’ gain stage with audiophile
passive RIAA equalisation.
High quality components are used throughout such as 1% metal film
resistors and close tolerance polypropylene capacitors.
The 651P uses more exotic amplification circuitry to provide even lower
distortion and noise plus a second higher gain stage for MC cartridges. In
addition, the 651P employs multi-parallel capacitors to achieve exceptional
RIAA accuracy of only 0.3dB up to 50kHz and features a defeatable
subsonic filter.
Introduction
Both units can be switched off from the front panel and feature a very high
efficiency external transformer that consumes less than 0.5W when the
main unit is switched off.
Thank you for taking the time to read this manual; we do recommend you
keep it for future reference.
Matthew Bramble
Cambridge Audio Technical Director
and the 551P/651P design team
551P/651P
azur
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