Azur 851N
Network Player
$1,500.00
3.9
(54)

What Hi-Fi? Product of the Year - Three Years Running

Offering award-winning digital and streaming performance – the 851N is an outstanding network player. Its features include; 24-bit/384kHz upsampling from all sources, native 24-bit/192kHz playback, USB, digital audio inputs and streaming over wi-fi including UPnP and NAS drives, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay, and DSD.

"Another knockout Cambridge streamer... Think seriously about welcoming it into your hi-fi system with open arms."

- What Hi-Fi?, October 2018

Colour
Find a dealer
$1,500.00
FREE DELIVERY
60 DAY FREE RETURNS
EXCELLENT SUPPORT
Archive
  • Cambridge Audio 851N front screen Cambridge Audio 851N rear Cambridge Audio 851N network player Cambridge Audio 851 staqck Cambridge Audio 851N front Cambridge Audio 851N rear 2
    BEAUTIFUL SOUND

    You can stream virtually any file to the 851N and its internal engine will then bring it to life. Firstly, all tracks are put through our 2nd generation Adaptive Time Filtering that upsamples everything to 24bit/384kHz hi-res quality, no matter the original source. As a result, jitter is almost completely absent, and the music sounds amazing. Read more on our proprietary ATF upsampling technology here.

    The upsampled data then passes through Twin Analog Devices DACs (very high-end digital to analogue converters) which are implemented in a dual differential configuration meaning each channel has its own DAC. The result is lifelike stereo imaging where instruments can be heard in specific parts of your room with uncanny accuracy.

    All of these audiophile internals are powered by a large toroidal transformer and wrapped in rigid metal casework for the best delivery of a high quality and consistent signal with low noise and buzz levels.

    DIGITAL PRE-AMP

    Not just a great network player the 851N is also an outstanding digital pre-amp that can be connected directly to dedicated power amplifiers as well traditional integrated amps. Keeping the signal digital to the last moment makes it less susceptible to analogue deterioration, while a 32-bit SHARC DSP controls the volume output; by keeping the entire signal digital the best possible sound is achieved, even at very low volume levels.

    ULTRA CONNECTIVITY

    The 851N takes almost any digital file from virtually any source and renders it to the highest possible standard meaning any digital audio source can be enjoyed as part of your hi-fi set up. Its wireless options include NAS Drive / UPnP compatibility, internet radio, Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify Connect, and Apple Airplay. Add an optional BT100 Bluetooth dongle and any Bluetooth device can be connected also.

    Digital source components such as TVs, smartphones, PCs or MACs can connect via optical, co-axial, AES/EBU and asynchronous USB Audio digital inputs. Music files in all the popular formats are supported, from MP3, through to FLAC/Apple Lossless, DSD64 and WAV 16-24 bit master files.

    The 851N will play anything you want and thanks to its huge processing power and effortless functionality from our award winning StreamMagic platform, it’s a seamless listener experience.

  • Technical Specifications

    D/A converters Twin Analog Devices AD1955 24-bit DACs
    Digital filter 2nd Generation ATF2 up-sampling to 24-bit/384kHz. Linear Phase, Minimum phase or Steep modes.
    Analogue filter 2-pole differential Bessel with DC servo (for both XLR and RCA outputs)
    Digital audio inputs 1 x AES/EBU, 2 x S/PDIF coaxial and 2 x TOSLINK optical
    USB Audio input USB Type B conforms to USB Audio profile 1.0 or 2.0 (user selectable)
    Analogue audio outputs Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analogue audio outputs
    See all tech specs See less tech specs

  • Product Support & Downloads

  • Azur 851N Reviews

    3.9

    3.9
    (54)

    40 Reviews

    Impossible to get support

    I have enjoyed the use of my Azur CXN851n for several years. Lately, the device no longer connects to my iPhone.  
    I have spent hours attempting to get a response, other than from a bot, but it’s impossible to get meaningful answers.  

    Read more Read less
    Impossible to get support

    Response from Cambridge Audio

    Dear Mike,

    I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been experiencing connectivity issues with the app. If the StreamMagic app is not consistently detecting your network player, we’d be happy to help troubleshoot this for you.

    If the automated chatbot on our website wasn’t able to resolve your issue, you should have been given the option to speak with a human support agent. If no agents were available at the time, it would have prompted you to leave your details so that someone could get back to you. Alternatively, you can submit an enquiry directly through the 'Submit a Support Request' form, which can be found on the 'Contact Us' page of our website.

    We aim to respond to support requests within 24 hours, Monday to Friday, and often reply even sooner. Please do reach out, and we’ll do our best to get everything working smoothly for you again.

    Best regards,
    Cambridge Audio Customer Support

    Read more Read less

    An excellent value

    An excellent sounding streamer/DAC at a very reasonable cost.

    Read more Read less

    Response from Cambridge Audio

    Dear Customer

    Thank you for taking the time to review the Azur 851N.We are glad to hear that you are enjoying the detailing of the sound with it and hope that you continue to enjoy your musical voyage with it for years to come.Kind Regards

    Cambridge Audio Customer Support

    Read more Read less

    Great sound and superior functionality

    1. Absolutely great stunning sound.

    2. Very convenient and versatile when listening my own music from hard disks. It can play from folders arranged by artists/albums and supports all standard playlist formats. Many products from other vendors just are not capable to do this.

    3. Does not force me to use a smartphone / app! The 851N can be fully operated with the remote control and with the hardware controls on the front. The menu system is extremely simple, responsive, efficient and intuitive. We all know that dealing with smartphones and with apps is time and nerve killing, because smartphones and apps are low consumer crap products. No one wants to be depending on such crap for a high end audio player. This is the reason why I have returned my previous Naim Audio Unity and purchased the 851N.

    4. Three days ago a firmware update has broken a function. I have reported the problem. On the next day a new update has fixed the problem. Cambridge Audio is very committed and supportive.

    When I had problems with my previous Naim Audio Unity I had to discover that dozens of other users have had the same problems already for weeks and and many more other problems and Naim Audio did not respond to emails or to forum entries, even after weeks. They neither have fixed the problems after weeks nor have they given any prognosis when the problems would be fixed. It was the most horrible nice looking product I have ever had.

    I could not be happier than with Cambridge Audio!!

    Read more Read less

    Response from Cambridge Audio

    Dear Customer

    Thank you for taking the time to write such a thoughtful detailed and complementary description of Azur 851N.We are thrilled to know that you are enjoying the quality sound it has to offer and that you find its functions simple to use. We make our products keeping in mind the specs that make a difference to the sound you hear while making the product as user friendly as possible.We hope that you enjoy years of your musical voyage with it.Kind Regards

    Cambridge Audio Customer Support

    Read more Read less

    mighty 851n

    i bought this about a year ago now. what an amazing bit of kit! sound quality is top notch. just in the process of buying an 851e which i`ve heard is another step up in sound quality. i will be using tellurium q black diamond xlr interconnects and also adding another 851w amp. my only little niggle is the user manual is not quite informative enough when connecting. took me a while to find out if i can use the xlr outputs in line level mode so i can connect to the xlr on the 851e. i use roon nucleus plus connected to my 851n and with the filters that roon has will show you exactly how good the 851n can sound!!! i`m in heaven and it`s still going to be getting so much better when i get the 851e. i`ve not had a single issue with this player either. keep up the good work cambridge audio!!!

    Read more Read less

    Response from Cambridge Audio

    Dear Valued Customer,

    Thank you for taking the time to review the 851N.

    We're delighted that you are enjoying the high-end audio quality of the 851N.

    Thank you for your comments on the quality of the manual.

    We do take comments and feedback like this on board and we are in the process of updating all our manuals for current products to include more updated and informative information.

    If you have any further questions or issues about your Cambridge Audio devices please don't hesitate to contact our support department directly via the contact form here: https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/support-query/hifiBest regards

    Cambridge Audio Customer Support

    Read more Read less

Related stories

    Related products

    Azur 851A
    Integrated Class XD Amplifier
    $1,500.00
    $1,500.00
    Azur 851W
    Power Amplifier
    $1,700.00
    $1,700.00
    Azur 851A
    Integrated Class XD Amplifier
    $1,500.00
    $1,500.00

    Write a Review

    Areas marked with * are mandatory
    Overall Rating
    Quality of product
    Ease of use
    Value of product
    On a scale from 1-10, how likely are you to recommend this product to a friend?
    You may receive emails regarding this submission. Any emails will include the ability to opt-out of future communications.