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2Azur upsampling compact disc player
Introduction .................................................................................................3
Safety precautions ......................................................................................4
Important safety instructions .....................................................................5
Rear panel connections..............................................................................6
Front panel controls ....................................................................................8
Remote control ..........................................................................................10
Remote control of matching products.....................................................11
Operating instructions ..............................................................................12
External digital sources ............................................................................15
CD player setup .........................................................................................16
Custom installation use............................................................................18
Troubleshooting.........................................................................................18
Technical specifications ...........................................................................19
Limited warranty .......................................................................................20
CONTENTS
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Azur upsampling compact disc player 3 Thank you for purchasing this Azur 840C Upsampling Compact Disc
Player. This unit is part of our new '8' series range, taking Cambridge
Audio to new levels of audio excellence. The 8 series range has been
developed as part of our commitment to the on-going development of
the Azur range. We hope that you will appreciate the results and enjoy
many years of listening pleasure from it.
The 840C incorporates a raft of new technologies and features. Key to
its abilities is the ATF
TM(Adaptive Time Filtering) upsampling process -
developed in conjunction with Anagram Technologies of Switzerland.
This system intelligently interpolates 16 bit/44.1kHz CD (or other) data
to 24bit/384kHz through the use of a 32 bit Analog Devices Black Fin
DSP (Digital Signal Processor) for the very best sound quality. The ATF
system applies sophisticated polynomial curve fitting interpolation and
incorporates a time domain model which allows data buffering and re-
clocking almost completely eradicating digital jitter.
Because the audio data rate is so high aliasing artefacts are moved way
above audible frequencies allowing us to use a low order 2 pole linear-
phase Bessel filter on the output for constant group delay and minimal
phase shift.
Two very high quality Analog Devices AD1955 24 bit DACs (Digital to
Analog Converters) are used in dual differential mode. As each channel
has its own DAC to process information, completely separate and
symmetrical analog filter circuitry can be implemented. These allow
both left and right channel circuitry to operate identically, ensuring the
840C delivers fantastic sound-staging and stereo imaging properties. All
filtering from DACs to output is also fully differential using unique
differential output amplifiers.
This fully balanced configuration largely rejects the already very low
noise and distortion products present in the DACs and filters and
provides an unprecedented level of performance. A true balanced (XLR) output is fitted as well as a summed conventional
unbalanced phono/RCA output. Automatic DC servo circuits null all DC
offsets allowing no capacitors in the signal path at all.
Two digital inputs are fitted allowing other digital sources to be brought
into the 840C and upsampled, the 840C then working as a very high
quality DAC.
A digital output is also fitted which can even output upsampled data at
various rates and word widths, independent from the main audio output,
which is always set at 24/384 for best sound quality.
In addition to these audiophile features Control Bus Input/Output, IR
Emitter Input and RS232 control are provided to make it easy to
integrate this unit into Custom Installation systems if desired.
A completely new 8-series casework has been designed which combines
massive structural rigidity with careful damping and control of acoustic
resonance. An Azur Navigator remote control is also provided, giving full
remote control of your CD player and Azur amplifiers in an attractive and
easy to use handset.
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, and in particular the 840A Integrated Amplifier which
has been designed to the same exacting standards as this CD player.
Your dealer can also supply excellent quality Cambridge Audio
interconnects to ensure your system realises its full potential.
Thanks for taking the time to read this manual; we do recommend you
keep it for future reference.
Matthew Bramble, Technical Director
INTRODUCTION
840CUpsampling compact disc player
