Cambridge Audio 340
 

Greetings,
Looking for a budget amp + cd around the 300 pounds mark (ex speakers
and cables). I saw in local Richer Sounds the new Cambridge Audio 340a
and 340c at 150 pounds per box. The RS guy only had it in a few weeks
and had not tested it, nor are there reviews yet. Anyone got one and
can provide feedback ?

Thanks
Niall

Cambridge Audio 340
 

Cambridge Audio 340
 

I should think you've seen a few reviews by now and all will be
pointing you back in the direction of Richer Sounds to buy the
Cambridge Audio kit. I bought their Azur 640C player yesterday after
reading glowing review after glowing review (product of the year, best
buy, etc.). It replaced my aging and faulty NAD player.

What do I think? Well, Cambridge Audio advise that it takes a few days
to burn in the CD to reach its peak sound quality. Well... if that's
the case, I'm in for a real treat in a few days because it's clear
already that this is a superb piece of hi-fi kit that puts far more
expensive players to shame. It's a steal.

The rest of my system is Linn Sondek, Audio Innovations valve amp NAD
tuner and Snell Acoustics speakers.




Hi Steve,

I am thinking of purchasing the azure 640c and have a question for
you.
I have read quite a few reports about a humming noise comming from the
player,
I think from the transformer, especially when it warms up. Does your
player have this problem. Can you hear any humming during the quiet
passages of your music ?

Dezza.

Cambridge Audio 340
 

I am thinking of purchasing the azure 640c and have a question for
you.
I have read quite a few reports about a humming noise comming from the
player,
I think from the transformer, especially when it warms up. Does your
player have this problem. Can you hear any humming during the quiet
passages of your music ?

I have the 540 C 'Azur' cd player (brand new, bought last October)
and, indeed, i do hear sometimes (eg-during very low levels or silence
in orchestral music) a slightly audible noise---not really hum but
sort of a high frequency whistle (not loud, to be sure, but audible
when i pay attention). I don't know what makes that noise. Personally
this does not detract from the music, but at very low volume levels it
could get a little annoying. Other than that, i am pretty satisfied
with the performance of this component. Do you have an idea about the
noise you referred to?

Cambridge Audio 340
 

I have the 540 C 'Azur' cd player (brand new, bought last October)
and, indeed, i do hear sometimes (eg-during very low levels or silence
in orchestral music) a slightly audible noise---not really hum but
sort of a high frequency whistle (not loud, to be sure, but audible
when i pay attention). I don't know what makes that noise. Personally
this does not detract from the music, but at very low volume levels it
could get a little annoying. Other than that, i am pretty satisfied
with the performance of this component. Do you have an idea about the
noise you referred to?



I have read that perhaps a bad batch of transformers were used
although this
is just someone's opinion and may not be correct. People have
contacted CA
about the problem and some sugestions were given, but they did not
work.
(don't know what they were) Another solution is to replace the power
supply
unit. It may be possible to do this yourself although you need to
indentify
that it is the power supply causing the problem. This is probably a
job for a technician. Here is a link to a discussion from owners of
the 640c with noise
problems.
http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/1/75555.html



dezza.

Cambridge Audio 340
 

I have read that perhaps a bad batch of transformers were used
although this
is just someone's opinion and may not be correct. People have
contacted CA
about the problem and some sugestions were given, but they did not
work.
(don't know what they were) Another solution is to replace the power
supply
unit. It may be possible to do this yourself although you need to
indentify
that it is the power supply causing the problem. This is probably a
job for a technician. Here is a link to a discussion from owners of
the 640c with noise
problems.
http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/1/75555.html

dezza.

Interesting comments!
Thanks for providing the link.
(In t he forum the person talking about 'tiny ticks while the cd spins'
corresponds to what seems to happen with my cdplayer)
Indeed, the Pwer Supplies problem it seems to point in that direction.