Cambridge Audio Azur 551R A/V Receiver HT Labs Measures

HT Labs Measures

Two channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 95.2 watts
1% distortion at 111.3 watts

Five channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 68.2 watts
1% distortion at 81.2 watts

Seven channels driven con- tinuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 61.7 watts
1% distortion at 69.4 watts

Analog frequency response in Analog Direct mode:
–0.22 dB at 10 Hz
–0.07 dB at 20 Hz
+0.07 dB at 20 kHz
–2.68 dB at 50 kHz

Analog frequency response with signal processing:
–0.84 dB at 10 Hz
–0.27 dB at 20 Hz
+0.10 dB at 20 kHz
–36.44 dB at 50 kHz

This graph shows that the Azur 551R’s left channel, from CD input to speaker output with two channels driving 8-ohm loads, reaches 0.1 percent distortion at 95.2 watts and 1 percent distortion at 111.3 watts. Into 4 ohms, the amplifier reaches 0.1 percent distortion at 118.6 watts and 1 percent distortion at 139.8 watts.

Response from the multichannel input to the speaker output measures –0.21 decibels at 10 hertz, –0.07 dB at 20 Hz, –0.03 dB at 20 kilohertz, and –2.85 dB at 50 kHz. THD+N from the CD input to the speaker output was less than 0.008 percent at 1 kHz when driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load. Crosstalk at 1 kHz driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load was –85.52 dB left to right and –74.81 dB right to left. The signal-to-noise ratio with an 8-ohm load from 10 Hz to 24 kHz with “A” weighting was –102.48 dBrA.

From the Dolby Digital input to the loudspeaker output, the left channel measures –0.21 dB at 20 Hz and –0.03 dB at 20 kHz. The center channel measures –0.01 dB at 20 Hz and –0.57 dB at 20 kHz, and the left surround channel measures –0.02 dB at 20 Hz and –0.58 dB at 20 kHz. From the Dolby Digital input to the line-level output, the LFE channel is +0.20 dB at 20 Hz when referenced to the level at 40 Hz and reaches the upper 3-dB down point at 106 Hz and the upper 6-dB down point at 112 Hz.—MJP

Video Test Bench
The Cambridge AVR defaults to upconversion mode (Process) for inputs assigned to analog video sources. For sources preset for HDMI, it defaults to Bypass. You can manually change either setting. We no longer test analog inputs, but if you manually change the setting on a digital, HDMI source from Bypass to Process, you’ll get the results shown above. Under these conditions, the Azur 551R’s video deinterlacing and upconversion of an HDMI input from a lower resolution to 1080p are poor.

In the Bypass setting, a 1080p HDMI input is passed through to a 1080p output with no video clipping or resolution losses. Cambridge recommends this default Bypass setting for HDMI sources. We recommend that you always use Bypass for HDMI sources with this AVR. If we were rating the HDMI-to-HDMI performance only in the Bypass mode, the Video Performance rating would be 5. 3D sources and 24-fps material always bypass the video processing.—TJN

COMPANY INFO
Cambridge Audio
(800) 663-9352
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
Ladyfingers's picture

I am looking for a music-friendly receiver, and something I find galling on my NAD T747 is the brief time the DAC takes to awaken from a silent stream, clipping off the openings of songs.

Does the Cambridge Audio here have instantaneous lock like all the other non-"music prioritised" receivers I've ever used?

krawiec's picture

The Azur 551R is very nearly as simple to use as an A/V receiver can be, yet it gives up little or nothing to the bristling, feature-laden models in its same price range.The Cambridge appears milled out of a solid block of aluminum, with the kind of fit and finish you expect on expensive German cars but rarely find on audio/video gear.

banc de swiss

bommai's picture

I also owned a T747 briefly. However I returned it and got a Nad T775HD for a great price. However it also had the same issue as the T747 with optical and hdmi that you are referring to. However after persistent communication with NAD support they released a firmware update that fixed the issue I love it.

Matt12's picture

Last week I had a chance to experience the Azur 551R and compare it with the Marantz SR6007. My main priority is classical music and I really liked the musicality of the 551R. The Marantz almost sounded flat in comparison. However, my music (and movies) is on a NAS, so I would need to add something like a Sonos Connect or Cambridge's NP30 to the 551R. I do not have much experience with room set-up/correction so the absence of Audyssey room correction also seems a real disadvantage, as is the omission of advanced low-listening modes.

What would be good audiophile alternatives to the 551R in roughly the same price range (below $2000)?

I am also thinking of getting new speakers and the glowing review of the Goldenear TritonCinema Three got me salivating. Would they be a good match for the Azur 551R (or alternatives)?

I want to use the system in our 300 sq ft dining/living room, probably 70/30 music (classical, jazz) and movies.

X