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Contents Introduction
Introduction .............................................................................................. 2
Important safety instructions .................................................................. 3
Limited warranty ...................................................................................... 4
Rear panel connections........................................................................... 5
Front panel controls ................................................................................. 6
Display functions...................................................................................... 6
Remote control ......................................................................................... 7
Operating instructions ............................................................................. 8
Filters ........................................................................................................ 10
Custom installation use ........................................................................... 11
Troubleshooting........................................................................................ 11
Technical specifications........................................................................... 11Thank you for purchasing this Cambridge Audio Azur 550C or 650C CD
player. Like all Cambridge Audio products, the 550C and 650C adhere
to three core principles - stunning performance, ease of use and
incredible value.
Developed as part of our on-going research and development regime,
including extensive listening tests, we have incorporated many subtle
tweaks and improvements to our circuits, components and layouts in the
pursuit of our passion for sound quality.
We have developed a completely new S3 servo for these models. The S3
is our third generation proprietary audiophile servo solution and draws
on all our experience with this technology. It utilises the latest double-
sided surface-mount technology for ultra short signal paths with freedom
from wire links. It can dynamically adjust the focusing, tracking and
output level of the laser in real-time, allowing for maximum retrieval of
the digital information with extremely low data jitter. This is complemented
by our use of a highly accurate master clock oscillator and very carefully
designed impedance-matched clock buffering schemes. We have also
incorporated support for CD-text to enhance those discs that feature it.
For the critical Digital to Analogue converter stages, we have also moved
to double-sided surface-mount to remove wire links and shorten all signal
paths. New Metal Electrode Face resistors, polypropylene caps and
custom-made electrolytic capacitors have all been used for their superior
sound quality.
Both models employ the WM8740 24bit/192kHz-capable Digital to
Analog converter from Wolfson Microelectronics. This very high quality
part is coupled to our proprietary Double Virtual Earth Balanced filter
topology which has been revised and re-calibrated for Bessel coefficients
in both the 550C and 650C. In line with all our models, a toroidal
transformer is fitted to provide lower noise and less waveform distortion
for quieter PSU operation.
The 650C differs from the 550C in using a pair of WM8740 24bit/
192kHz-capable Digital to Analogue converters implemented in a dual
differential configuration. Since each channel has its own DAC to process
information, completely separate and symmetrical analogue filter circuitry
can be implemented.
The 550C features a Three-Pole Double Virtual Earth Balanced filter
topology with new Bessel co-efficients. The 650C features an even more
sophisticated Four-Pole Dual Differential Double Virtual Earth Balanced
version of this filter. This means that the DAC for each channel features
two fully balanced outputs, each of which are then summed in a third
order virtual earth balanced filter stage. A further first order balanced
filter stage sums the balanced outputs of the earlier filter stages. This
double-balanced configuration largely rejects noise and distortion
products present in the DACs and filters themselves to produce an
unprecedented level of performance.
These models are amongst the first to feature a new casework design
with a thicker braced front panel, more rigid wrap-over lid assembly and
dual-layer damped feet, all of which contribute to better control of
resonance. Another highlight is an eco-friendly low power (<1W) standby
circuit. This circuit completely powers down the CD player circuits in
Standby mode yet is itself totally isolated when the CD player is on, thus
having no effect on sound quality.
Your CD player can only be as good as the system it is connected to.
Please do not compromise on your amplifier, speakers or cabling.
Naturally, we particularly recommend amplification from the Cambridge
Audio Azur range, which has been designed to the same exacting
standards as our CD players. Your dealer can also supply excellent quality
Cambridge Audio interconnects to ensure your system realises its full
potential.
Thank you for taking the time to read this manual; we recommend you
keep it for future reference.
Matthew Bramble
Cambridge Audio Technical Director
and the 550C/650C design team
Make sure you register your purchase.
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This guide is designed to make installing and using this product
as easy as possible. Information in this document has been
carefully checked for accuracy at the time of printing; however,
Cambridge Audio's policy is one of continuous improvement,
therefore design and specifications are subject to change
without prior notice.
This document contains proprietary information protected by
copyright. All rights are reserved. No part of this manual may be
reproduced by any mechanical, electronic or other means, in any
form, without prior written permission of the manufacturer. All
trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.
© Copyright Cambridge Audio Ltd 2010
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550C/650C azur
Important safety instructions
For your own safety please read the following important safety
instructions carefully before attempting to connect this unit to the mains
power supply. They will also enable you to get the best performance from
and prolong the life of the unit:
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with a dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers,
stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type
plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other.
A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong.
The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the
provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly
at plugs, convenience receptacles and the point where they exit from
the apparatus.
11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
12. Use with only the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table
specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus.
When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/
apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for
long periods of time.
14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required
when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as the
power-supply cord or plug having been damaged, liquid has been
spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has
been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has
been dropped.
WARNING
- To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this unit to
rain or moisture.
- Batteries (battery pack or batteries installed) shall not be exposed to
excessive heat such as sunshine, fire or the like.
The unit is of Class 1 construction and must be connected to a mains
socket outlet with a protective earthing connection.
The unit must be installed in a manner that makes disconnection of the
mains plug from the mains socket outlet (or appliance connector from
the rear of the unit) possible. Where the mains plug is used as the
disconnect device, the disconnect device shall remain readily operable.
Only use the mains cord supplied with this unit.
Please ensure there is ample ventilation (at least 10cm clearance all
round). Do not put any objects on top of this unit. Do not situate it on a
rug or other soft surface and do not obstruct any air inlets or outlet grilles.
Do not cover the ventilation grilles with items such as newspapers,
tablecloths, curtains, etc.
This unit must not be used near water or exposed to dripping or splashing
water or other liquids. No objects filled with liquid, such as vases, shall be
placed on the unit.The lightning flash with the arrowhead symbol within an equilateral
triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of un-insulated
dangerous voltage within the products enclosure that may be of
sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert
the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance
instructions in the service literature relevant to this appliance.
WEEE symbol
The crossed-out wheeled bin is the European Union symbol for
indicating separate collection for electrical and electronic
equipment. This product contains electrical and electronic
equipment which should be reused, recycled or recovered and
should not be disposed of with unsorted regular waste. Please return the
unit or contact the authorised dealer from whom you purchased this
product for more information.
CE mark
This product complies with European Low Voltage
(2006/95/EC), Electromagnetic Compatibility (2004/108/EC)
and Environmentally-friendly design of Energy-related Products
(2009/125/EC) Directives when used and installed according to this
instruction manual. For continued compliance only Cambridge Audio
accessories should be used with this product and servicing must be
referred to qualified service personnel.
C-Tick mark
This product meets the Australian Communications Authoritys
Radio communications and EMC requirements.
Ross Test Stamp
This product meets Russian electronic safety approvals.
FCC regulations
NOTE: THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY RADIO OR
TV INTERFERENCE CAUSED BY UNAUTHORIZED MODIFICATIONS TO THIS
EQUIPMENT. SUCH MODIFICATIONS COULD VOID THE USER AUTHORITY
TO OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and,
if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on,
the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more
of the following measures:
- Re-orient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
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