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Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated - any thoughts?

R

Rutgers

New Member
So I'm currently running my mains off a NAD C270 through a Harman AVR 247 home theater receiver as a pre-amp. It sounds wonderful, to be sure, but the solution is less than elegant. I'm a stereo boy in a multi-channel world, so I've got this big honking think taking up a coveted spot in my overcrowded AV rack that serves as little more than a volume knob.

I'm talking to someone about a trade for an integrated, and the choices he gave me are:

Harman/Kardon 3480 - not really interested
Cambridge Audio 340A - pretty interested
Cambridge Audio 640A - HUGELY INTERESTED
Denon DPA 695 (I think) - meh

With this integrated in my rack, I hope to temporarily retire the NAD (shift it to a second system later) without sacrificing any power and performance. Am I dreaming, or should this be a better fit for my tastes? My speakers ar Infinity Primus 362 - easy to drive but nonetheless enjoy tasty power.

Thanks, AK.
 
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I have a Cambridge A500, which is a few years older, but a fairly equivalent model. I like it a lot. I added the inboard phono module, so my second tt is in that system. That amp punches well above its weight class, like many of the Cambridge Audio products.
 
I have a simple phono preamp that will tide me over, but how much would the Cambridge inboard phono module cost to add on? Is it a superior MM preamp to the inexpensive TCC-750 I've been enjoying?
 
I'm not familiar enough with the 640A to know if the same phono board is used. Mine listed at $100. Same board as the Cambridge azur 540P
 
I'm running the 640 A in my stereo rig. I LOVE the amp. It's smooth, but powerful at the same time. Really does a good job running my speakers.

As for the phono stage, there is none. The current models require a seperate phono preamp. I'm using the 640 P, which is also a very nice piece of equipment.
 
Cambridge only offers external phono preamp for the Azure series, in other words there is no way to add a phono board internally to the 640A. Personally I would go for the 640 if that is within your budget. If you can afford a few hundred dollars more you can easily get a brand new 840A for around $900. Even the 740 is not that much more than the 640A and offers 100 WPC vs 75 WPC into 8 Ohms, which will drive most sets of speakers if you ever decide to upgrade. The 340A is a nice little amp and would make a great integrated amp for a bedroom or office. The 640 will offer you great juice and sound for the money.

TC
 
The bad news is that the H/K receiver I planned on trading failed unceremoniously this morning, stalling the trade indefinitely while I contact Harman's CS for a repair/swap/whatever (I've always had great experiences with them, however, so I assume things will go well).

I'm still in the market for an integrated, now out of pocket. Given the delicious specter of a NAD C325BEE for $299 shipped with a 1 year warranty, I think I'll stick with the NAD sound I know and love vs. the potential treat of a more laid back and delicate Cambridge product. Let me know if I'm making a huge mistake before I pull (click?) the trigger.
 
^Yeah, me either.

When I got my 640 A I was demoing a Rega Mira at the same time. I'd classify the Mira as delicate, it was very laid back. The Cambridge has all sorts of power though. Compared to the NAD integrated amp I tried a while ago (unsure of the exact model, its a current one though), the Cambridge was much smoother and refined sounding, but still had the power I wanted for louder music.
 
luvvinvinyl said:
'Delicate' is not a word I would use to describe the sound of a Cambridge Audio amplifier.
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It's understandably hard to get reliable descriptions of any audio equipment, but I've heard everything from laid back and smooth to shrill and traditionally bright and British to define the Cambridge Audio integrateds.
 
It's probably best to get something you can try beforehand. In that case, the NAD might be a safer bet.
 
mwicks said:
It's probably best to get something you can try beforehand. In that case, the NAD might be a safer bet.
Click to expand...
I've learned this lesson the hard way in the past with a pair of raved-about bookshelf speakers I loved intensely for a week before realizing I didn't enjoy listening to them.

I've got the same thing happening now with an Oppo DV-980H I should by all critical accounts love but rarely listen to.

I'm therefore all about demoing gear nowadays, and was a little nervous to make the trade in case I didn't love the 640A. My NAD power amplifier is my favorite piece of equipment, ever, so I like to hope I'd be safe with it.
 
mwicks said:
It's probably best to get something you can try beforehand. In that case, the NAD might be a safer bet.
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I'd have to disagree with you there...

(I'm sorry :))

but that 640A is a very good amp. it's just a matter of taste. Some might love the NAD, some might not, some might love the NAD without even having heard the cambridge audio, and vice versa.

for my tastes, btw, i'd go for the CA...

Keep them spinning,
Bert.
 
Rutgers-
I assume you are from New Jersey or somewhere here on the east coast. There are plenty of CA dealers around. I would urge you to go have a listen to a 640A. I think you would be pleasantly surprised.
 
basite said:
I'd have to disagree with you there...

(I'm sorry :))

but that 640A is a very good amp. it's just a matter of taste. Some might love the NAD, some might not, some might love the NAD without even having heard the cambridge audio, and vice versa.

for my tastes, btw, i'd go for the CA...

Keep them spinning,
Bert.
Click to expand...

Personally, I'm a Cambridge fan over a NAD fan as well. What I meant was, if he's buying online that going blind into a purchase is risky for something he's never heard before. I'm fairly positive that Rutgers would like the Cambridge amp, it's just that going blind is a pretty nerve racking experience. I know I've been burned buying equipment without trying it out beforehand (Denon DCM-290 CDP, ugghh). Sometimes the safe bet is the best bet.

Rutgers, I do strongly suggest you try and demo the 640 A if you can. That is the only real way to know if it's what you're looking for.
 
Thanks for all the strong recommendations, and I'm actually surprised at the lack of NAD fans. Tmac- I am in New Jersey, right around the New Brunswick area. I'm checking the dealer directory in another tab to see this piece in person.
 
I have a Pro-ject Debut lll, I have it hooked up directly to my Denon 2805's phono inputs. Would I still benefit with the Cambridge 640p?
 
inthecup said:
I have a Pro-ject Debut lll, I have it hooked up directly to my Denon 2805's phono inputs. Would I still benefit with the Cambridge 640p?
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There is a strong chance the 640p would sound a lot better than the built in phono stage in your amp, so yes.
 
I have a Cambridge 640A that I run with a CD-only system at my vacation house...I needed solid power, not huge size, something that ran pretty cool (this was going to be buried in a kitchen cabinet), something that had a pre-out for a sub (it pushes 4 Mirage Omnis - 2 first-gen Omnisats and 2 of their newest omni bookshelves). The CD player is a Sony ES 5-disc changer that has been modded by Tube Research Labs (very nice playback without the need for a DAC).

I think the Cambridge does a SUPER job. All the power I need. Great soundstage with the Mirage omnis. Runs very cool.

I recommend it highly.
 
I demo'd the 540 and 640 (the 540 showed up with a dead channel). They were ok, but I had to be honest with myself after a good break in, neither impressed me much over the JVC receiver I was using at the time. Also they both had loose volume knobs/pots to the point they sagged.... ? That and the sound had them back on the UPS truck going home.

Once I took the jump to the next level of amps then things started happening, but these amps sounded pretty sterile and flat to me. Im a rock/metal guy.

To be fair I feel its about speaker match, but that was my experience.
 
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