Press reviews

Australian Hi-Fi
Australia,
"With its 851E preamplifier and 851W, Cambridge Audio has built a pre/power combination that offers not only 'holy grail' audio performance, but also an almost complete suite of features and facilities. If you're in the market for separates (and you should be if you want seriously good audio!), this 851 duo should be high on your short list... if not at the very top of it. Highly recommended."

Andrew Everard
United Kingdom,
"Simply, this is one of the most transparent, thrilling and richly rewarding amplifier combinations I have encountered, with fine grip on the speakers with which it’s used, vast amounts of information delivered and never even the slightest sense of the music being held back or sold short."

Hi-Fi News
United Kingdom,
"These amps represent a genuine introduction to true high-end amplification at the same time offering real value for money. Features-wise they’re fully loaded."

Audio Appraisal
United Kingdom,
I normally struggle to summarize reviews – however, in the case of the 851E/W, it’s simple. Buy it, and thank me later. Chances are you’re already raising a phone to your ear and calling your local dealer for a demo – if that’s the case, this review has served its purpose. If not, I suggest you do so now… if anything, you owe it to your music collection.
The details
< 0.00045% @ 1kHz < 0.00057% @ 20kHz
< 110dBr < 90dBu
10Hz - 100kHz ± 0.1dB
> 110dB
8V RMS unbalanced 8V + 8V rms balanced
100 Ohms (Unbalanced or Balanced)
Flat or 200Hz 2nd Order Butterworth LPF
36W
Shelving type
± 10 dB at 10 Hz
± 7.5 dB at 20 kHz
<0.5W
Black and silver
115 x 430 x 385mm (4.5 x 16.9 x 15.2’’)
8.1kg (17.9lbs)
851 Preamplifier, user manual, Remote Control, AAA battery x 3, Orange Control bus cable, power cord
Azur 851E
Preamplifier
The pre-amp stage is all about minimal colouration. Take the source signal and pass it onto the power amp stage with as little interference as possible. That’s exactly what the 851E does, and coupled with its solid-state volume control, it retains audio signal purity and precision even at the lowest listening levels.