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Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated - any thoughts?

Well, I've been an NAD fan for years. Among many other components that I let slip away in the 1980's and 90's were the Monitor Series 1700 Preamp and 2600 Power Amp. Also had 7155 and 7140 Receivers. They all provided me with exceptionally good sound. My current secondary system includes a C 740 Receiver and 602 Cassette Deck; the sound is exemplary. Have not owned any Cambridge, but have heard some of their equipment over the years, though not current models, and found the sound comparable to NAD. Doubt you'd go wrong either way, I just wanted to stand up for NAD; they made some early products at affordable prices that made the hi-fi industry stand up and take notice. They were good value for money then, and still are today.
 
Well, I have a 640A version 2 amplifier and 540P phono stage in the mail......should be here in 7 days or thereabouts. (And, Like Tom Petty said, the waiting is the hardest part !!!!!)

At this point, I'm not entirely sure what to expect sonically, but it has got to sound better than my unrestored Kenwood KA-8100 and my Yamaha cr-600's...
 
Don't forget to give us a report on the Cambridge when you get it. I'm sure we'd all like to hear how it sounds and compares to your other gear, Could be a VERY interesting comparison! Congratulations!:banana:
 
Just tracked my packages and they've arrived in Keaseby, NJ at 9 this evening.

Fedex's estimated time of arrival is Dec. 3, so I'll have em tommorow (hopefuly!!!!!)

As for the sound of the gear:

I posted the following info at Art of Sound forums and thought it fair to provide it here.

Cambridge 640a version2: Slew rate of >30V/uS;Damping Factor of >110, Power output of 75wpc @ 8 and 120wpc @ 4

While My Kenwood Has these specs: Slew rate of 7V/uS; Damping Factor of 50; and power output is 75wpc (AT 1KHz, while the former rates in 20-20kHz) into 8 and 90 (at 1 KHz) into 4 ohms. Some magazine did a review of the 640a 2 and concluded that actual power put was roughly 90watts at 8 ohm.

The fact the the C.A. uses a toroidal transformer, has an acoustically dampened chassis, and has WAY less 'features' such as dual freuqeuncy filters/turnovers, 3 way loudness, stereo reverse feature leads me to believe this Cambridge will be more transparent and involving. I'm big into having shorter signal paths. I also like how it uses a removable AC cord, and how the inputs are individually buffered.

Will let you guys know once its set up.
 
Got it today. Its all set-up.

System is as follows: VINYL:Project Debut III with ortofon OM5e > Cambridge 540p; CD: Sony SCD-se595 changer via monster unidirectional cables, PC: Macbook pro via USB DAC(iMic)> , TUNER: Proton 420 analog Speakers are my a/d/s 780s in TEAK

The amp's build is quite robust for its price and sounds lovely even before the manufacturer's suggested break-in of about 1 week.

I have no complaints yet, and love the way its sounding. The heaphone jack on the 640a version 2 is a separate class a driver, FWIW. Favorite feature thus far: the (all-metal) remote controls the volume on the amp. Ordinary feature, you say, but the knob on the amp PHYSICALLY moves with the remote's commands. Reminds me of old Zenith space command TV's with the motorized tuner. Big plus in my book.

Will report back after some break-in.
 
Only has like 5 or less hours of break-in on it and I swear that I can hear a slight improvement from its out-of-box sound. Bass is less bloated and its more transparent.

Quick questions: I never burnt in a speaker amp (only DACs, headphones, and headphone amps) So Will just leaving it in standy be enough or should it be switched on? If the latter, how loud of a pink noise signal should I be playing?

Might sound like an arse here, but I'm just trying to expedite the process.
 
If it were me, I wouldn't push the break-in. I would just let it play music normally and let it work itself in.
 
Hi all,
I am running (for two weeks now) a cambridge 740a amp along with the 640c CD player, speakers are Energy pro22's. I have to agree that cambridge do a great job in producing sweet sound and good soundstage for the dollars required.

Other equipment owned: Yamaha CR 800 amp, Denon DC 819 CD player, Axis 28's and tannoy m1 speakers (all still in use).

Soundstage on the cambridge is huge compared to the Yamaha.

Regards:
Handysteel.
 
Hey, whats the deal with standby? This is my first truly 'modern' amp, and the right side of the unit gets pretty warm when its in standby. Should I just flip the hard switch on the back instead?
 
Anything that can be turned on/off via a remote has a standby mode.

I just use a power strip, and turn it off when not using the system.
 
Well, I know what standby is, but on the 640 it seems as though the class-a driver stage stays powered in standby mode. The top of the amp directly over the pre-driver heatsink gets darn hot in my 76-ish degree F listening room.

I'm just guessing that there is little reason to leave this amplifier running 24/7 like some SS gear. Any thoughts on that?
 
Just a side note to any users of dynamic headphones: Damn, the 640A V2 has a great headphone driver stage. According to the manufacturer, it is a totally discrete class a amp with its own transformer winding. Well whatever they did, it absolutely beats my Little Dot MKII and II++ by a long shot. I'm getting rid of them. I though they sounded great with my cans, but nah, this is worlds better. On second thought I may keep one around for my 600 ohm AKGs.

But, give this a try!!
 
I'd be interested in hearing some expert opinions on this design, and of the Azur series amps in general. I like my 640a but I feel it could be better built for the money. The volume pot has 'play' and isn't so good. (This might be a result of Cambridge's use of an analog, motorized pot)

Granted, the sound is really nice but the 740A and 840 look MUCH better. Of course, they cost a fair amount more...
 
I would love for someone to post some first hand information on a sound comparison between the Cambridge 640a or 740a and the Outlaw RR2150 Stereo Receiver.

I am keen on getting a new receiver in this price range.
 
HypnoToad said:
I would love for someone to post some first hand information on a sound comparison between the Cambridge 640a or 740a and the Outlaw RR2150 Stereo Receiver.

I am keen on getting a new receiver in this price range.
Click to expand...
I never thought of Outlaw as being musical.

zenith2134 said:
Just a side note to any users of dynamic headphones: Damn, the 640A V2 has a great headphone driver stage. According to the manufacturer, it is a totally discrete class a amp with its own transformer winding. Well whatever they did, it absolutely beats my Little Dot MKII and II++ by a long shot. I'm getting rid of them. I though they sounded great with my cans, but nah, this is worlds better. On second thought I may keep one around for my 600 ohm AKGs.

But, give this a try!!
Click to expand...
Honestly, this is my biggest disappointment with the 540A, the headphone section is far from impressive. I compared it to a Nuforce Icon and there was no comparison at all.
 
Seems like there is a pretty decent jump from both the 540a and 540c to the 640a and 640c. I assume since they are discounting these models that we will see a V.3 sometime in 2009. I will be interesting to see what improvements are made.
 
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