The Cambridge Audio 740C audio cd player is the latest in the Cambridge Audio Azur series. Using the upsampling technology present in the top-of-the-range Cambridge Audio 840C barnstormer, the 740C is now married to dual Wolfson WM8740 24-bit digital to analog converters with a newly developed Bessel implementation of Cambridge Audio's proprietary virtual earth balanced filtering, the 740C is set to rejuvenate the mid price sector. The Cambridge Audio 740C incorporates the same 32-bit DSP as the 840C and upsamples to full 24-bit 384 kHz.
The 740C is the first audio CD player at this 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 Cambridge Audio 740C uses an enhanced version of their 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 they 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.
Dual 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 external digital sources to be brought into the 740C and upsampled so that the 740C works as a prodigiously high quality digital to analog convertor.
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 a low resonance, acoustically dampened chassis. An Azur navigator style remote is also provided, giving full control of your audio 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 feature requires the use of an Apple or other universal dock.
Cambridge Audio Azur 740C 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
- Dual optical and coaxial digital inputs for high quality digital to analog conversion of external devices
- Optical and coaxial digital outputs wih multiple supported digital output word widths
- New virtual earth balanced Bessel anti-aliasing filters with minimum phase and constant group delay
- Low resonance, acoustically dampened chassis
- IR emitter and Control Bus In/Out for easy custom multi-room 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 finish
Cambridge Audio Azur 740C
- 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
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 115 x 430 x 315mm
4.5 x 16.9 x 12.4"
Weight: 6.4kg (14.1lbs)
