Cambridge Audio 740A / 740C - Integrated Amp and CD Player Matching Combo
740A Integrated Amp Overview
Cambridge Audio continues to meet the needs of audiophiles at all levels and the new Cambridge Audio 740A integrated amp is no exception. The Azur 740A offers true hi-fi quality but at a fraction of the cost. Indeed the technology in the 740A is normally only used in products costing many times more.
The Cambridge Audio 740A is the latest in Cambridge Audio’s Azur series of integrated amplifiers. Using technology from both the top-of-the-range 840A powerhouse and a new evolution of the highly regarded amplifier circuitry used in the 540A/640A V2, the 740A is set to rejuvenate the mid price sector. The amp puts out an impressive 100W RMS into 8 Ohms and with two pairs of output transistors per channel has enough peak current capability to get the best from even ‘difficult’ speakers. A large front panel allows for assignable inputs to be displayed and sophisticated software afford a plethora of features.
The 740A uses a further development of Cambridge Audio’s trusted amplifier topology. Two pairs of extremely high current output transistors per channel allow the 740A to drive almost any speaker with ease and ensure excellent bass response and dynamic control.
Other features include the use of a high precision silicon gate volume / balance control rather than the more common potentiometer. Volume is controllable in 1 dB steps over most of the range, giving precise control and superbly matched channel balance.
Software control of all functions allows gain trim to be applied to any input and other operations.
One of the 740A’s most attractive and user-friendly features is the customized front panel display. Individual sources can be named such as CD player etc.
The 740A also includes support for multi-room use. By plugging in one or two external Cambridge Audio Incognito keypads (or Incognito active speakers) and a power supply unit, the 740A can become the hub of a simple multi-room system. In addition, Control Bus Input/Output and IR emitter input are provided to make it easy to integrate this unit into custom installation systems if desired.
The 740A sits on a custom made low resonance acoustically dampened chassis. An Azur Navigator style remote control is also provided, giving full remote control of your amplifier in an attractive and easy to use handset. As an additional facet, all Cambridge Audio remotes feature iPod™ Command – which means that basic iPod controls such as volume and track select can be controlled from the comfort of the user’s armchair. This boon requires the use of an Apple or other universal dock, like the new Cambridge Audio ID10 iPod Docking Station.
740C Upsampling CD Player Overview
The Cambridge Audio 740C is the latest in Cambridge Audio’s Azur series of upsampling CD players. Using the upsampling technology present in the top-of-the-range 840C barnstormer, now married to dual Wolfson WM8740 24-bit DACs with a newly developed Bessel implementation of our proprietary virtual earth balanced filtering, the 740C is set to rejuvenate the mid price sector. The 740C incorporates the same 32-bit DSP as the 840C and upsamples to full 24-bit 384 kHz.
The Cambridge Audio Azur 740C is the first CD player at the price to provide upsampling technology, a benefit normally bestowed upon products costing up to six times as much. Key to the abilities of the 740C is ATF™ (Adaptive Time Filtering) an upsampling process developed in conjunction with Anagram Technologies of Switzerland. This system intelligently interpolates 16-bit/44.1 kHz CD (or other) audio data to 24-bit/384 kHz through the use of a 32-bit Analog Devices Black Fin DSP (Digital Signal Processor) for the very best sound quality. The ATF system applies sophisticated polynomial curve fitting interpolation and incorporates a time domain model which allows data buffering and re-clocking. This almost completely eradicates digital jitter.
The 740C uses an enhanced version of our proprietary Dual Differential Virtual Earth Balanced filter topology. As the upsampled audio data rate is so high, aliasing artefacts are moved well above audible frequencies, this in turn means we can use a new low order two pole linear-phase Bessel version of the topology for constant group delay and minimal phase shift in the audio band.
Two high quality Wolfson WM8740 24-bit DACs (Digital to Analogue Converters) are used in dual differential mode. As each channel has its own DAC to process information, completely separate and symmetrical analog filter circuitry can be implemented. These allow both left and right channel circuitry to operate identically, ensuring the 740C delivers fantastic sound-staging and stereo imaging properties.
The unit is equipped with two digital inputs allowing other digital sources to be brought into the 740C and upsampled so that the 740C works as a prodigiously high quality DAC.
A digital output is also fitted which can even output upsampled data at various rates and word widths, independent from the main audio output, which is always set at 24/384kHz for best sound quality.
In addition to these audiophile features Control Bus Input/Output and IR emitter inputs are provided to make it easy to integrate this unit into custom installations if desired.
All this proprietary engineering is housed within our low resonance, acoustically dampened chassis. An Azur navigator style remote is also provided, giving full control of your CD player and Azur amplifiers in an attractive and easy to use handset. As an additional facet, all Cambridge Audio remotes feature iPod™ Command – which means that basic iPod controls such as volume and track select can be controlled from the comfort of the user’s armchair. This boon requires the use of an Apple or other universal dock like the new Cambridge Audio ID10 iPod Docking Station.
Cambridge Audio Azur 740A Integrated Amp Features
- 100W RMS into 8 Ohms, 150W RMS into 4 Ohms
- 6 inputs, 2 outputs and Tape In
- Customisable front panel display to allow assignable source inputs
- Incognito Ready™ connections to keypads and speakers for the simplest three-zone hub-less multi-room system
- IR emitter In and Control Bus In/Out allow multi-room use and custom installation
- Navigator style Azur remote which also controls:
o iPod™ track skip and volume functions
o Azur CD players
o Cambridge Audio’s Incognito keypads
o Discrete commands for custom install use
- Solid aluminium front panel plus an ultra rigid, acoustically dampened chassis for extremely low distortion
- Headphone socket
- Disponibile in finitura argento o nero
Cambridge Audio Azur 740C Upsampling CD Player Features
- Adaptive Time Filtering (ATF) asynchronous upsampling technology converting 16-bit 44.1 kHz CD data to 24-bit 384 kHz
- Two Wolfson WM8740 DACs in dual differential configuration – separate DACs for left and right channels
- New virtual earth balanced Bessel anti-aliasing filters with minimum phase and constant group delay
- IR emitter and Control Bus In/Out for easy custom installation
- Navigator style Azur remote which also controls:
o iPod™ track skip and volume functions
o Azur amplifiers
o Cambridge Audio’s Incognito keypads
o Discrete commands for custom install use
- Solid aluminium front panel plus an ultra rigid, acoustically dampened chassis for extremely low distortion
- Available in silver or black
Azur 740A Integrated Amplifier Specifications
- Power Output: 100W RMS into 8 Ohms
- 150W RMS into 4 Ohms
- THD (unweighted): < 0.001% 1 kHz at 80% of rated power
- < 0.01% 20 Hz - 20 kHz at 80% of rated power
- Frequency Response: 10 Hz - 50 kHz +/- 1 dB
- Signal to Noise Ratio: >96dB (ref 1W/8 Ohm)
- Input Impedance: Inputs 1-6 47 kOhm
- Tape Input 47 kOhm
- Power amp damping factor: > 110 at 1 kHz
- Max. Power Consumption: 750W
- Min. Power Consumption: Active (no signal) 45W
- Standby 6W
- Bass: Shelving type
- Max bass boost/cut
- +/- 10 dB at 10 Hz
- Treble: Shelving type
- Max treble boost/cut
- +/- 7.5 dB at 20 kHz
- Detachable Power Cord
- 3 Year Limited Warranty
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 115 x 430 x 350mm,
4.5" x 16.9" x 13.8"
- Weight: 10.7kg (23.5Lbs)
Azur 740C Upsampling CD Player Specifications
- D/A Converters: Dual Wolfson WM8740 24-bit DACs
- Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz (+/-0.1dB)
- THD @ 1Khz 0dBFs: <0.0008%
- THD @ 1kHz -10dBFs: <0.0005%
- THD @ 20kHz 0dBFs: <0.001%
- Inter Modulation Distortion (IMD) (19/20kHz) 0dBFs: <0.0006%
- Linearity @ -90dBFs: +/-0.5dB
- Stopband rejection (>24kHz): >115dB
- Signal to Noise Ratio A-wtd: >113dB
- Total correlated jitter: <130pS
- Crosstalk @ 1kHz: <-130dB
- Crosstalk @ 20kHz: <-110dB
- Output impedance: <50 Ohms
- Digital input word widths supported: 16 - 24-bit
- Digital output word widths supported: 16, 20, 24-bit
- Digital input sampling frequencies supported: 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192kHz
- Digital output sampling frequencies supported: 32 - 192kHz pass through
(Including 44.1kHz for CD)
- Audio output up-sampling: Fixed 24-bit, 384kHz
- Detachable Power Cord
- 2 Year Limited Warranty
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 115 x 430 x 315mm,
4.5" x 16.9" x 12.4"
- Weight: 6.4kg (14.1lbs)
Cambridge Audio History
Cambridge Audio has been at the forefront of British hi-fi for more than thirty five years. Since its inception in 1968, Cambridge Audio has brought some of the most innovative and technologically advanced products to market.
During the ‘70s, the P40, P50 and P110 amplifiers established the international reputation of the Cambridge Audio brand. The ‘80s saw Cambridge Audio launch the world’s first two-box CD player. In the ‘90s, the DacMagic was the first product in the company’s history to win an esteemed What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision Best Buy award. An all new and highly improved DacMagic is being released shortly. The new Millennium saw Cambridge Audio continue to innovate with its award winning DAB digital tuners and of course the highly-acclaimed Azur range and most recently most famous for it's now legendary award-winning 840c upsampling CD player.
Cambridge Audio has a philosophy of using only the finest quality components, all models are developed using state-of-the-art test and measurement equipment and feature the latest technology. This commitment to engineering excellence, combined with state of the art manufacturing facilities, means every Cambridge Audio product offers the best possible performance. Prior to launch, all designs undergo rigorous evaluation involving meticulous listening and fine tuning.
But the main reason for Cambridge Audio's success... is their people. Cambridge Audio employs nearly 80 colleagues, the majority at their London headquarters, including over 20 engineers in a dedicated research and development facility. Every member of Cambridges' team shares the same passion for hi-fi and home cinema as you – our customers. That’s why the Cambridge Audio team always go the extra mile to make sure that they only produce products their proud enough to take home – and trust us we all do!
