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Cambridge Audio 851n Network Audio Player Cambridge Audio 851n Network Player and preamp, dac Perfect condition. Remote unused. Complete with original packaging Condition: Excellent Payment Method: Cash/EFT Region/State: (SA) South Australia/Australia By TheFreshPrince 0 Comments Secure Ad AUD $1,499 Date: January 25, 20251 yr
The Cambridge Audio 851N is a notable flagship network player and DAC that upsampled audio to 24-bit/384kHz and integrated high-quality internet radio and Spotify Connect. At A$1,499, this asking price sits just above the median of A$1,356 for recent AUD listings, landing between the 25th percentile (A$1,318) and 75th percentile (A$1,394), making it a fair but not bargain deal for an excellent-condition unit.
This is a worthwhile buy because the 851N remains highly regarded for its dual Analog Devices AD1955 DACs and adaptive filtering that deliver rich, precise sound. Its built-in streaming features, UPnP/NAS support, and role as a digital preamplifier offer meaningful flexibility for modern setups. Since the condition is listed as excellent and the price is only modestly above median, this represents a solid buying opportunity for an enthusiast seeking a well-loved, versatile core component without overpaying.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Cambridge Audio emerged from the innovative spirit of 1960s Britain, founded in Cambridge, United Kingdom, by a group of young engineers who spun off from Cambridge Consulting Group. Established in 1968, the brand launched with the groundbreaking P40 integrated amplifier—the first to employ a toroidal transformer, setting a new standard for dynamic power delivery in hi-fi design that endures in high-end gear today. This heritage of British engineering excellence propelled decades of award-winning products, navigating ownership changes including a revival under entrepreneur Vince Adams and acquisition in 1994 by Julian Richer and James Johnson-Flint of Richer Sounds.
The brand excels across core hi-fi categories, renowned for integrated amplifiers like the iconic A1 and P-series, alongside streaming DACs, network players, turntables, and all-in-one systems that prioritize pure analogue warmth and digital precision. Speakers, headphones, and cables round out a cohesive ecosystem, emphasizing accessible high performance without excess frills.
Positioned firmly in the mid-tier market, Cambridge Audio delivers premium British sound—detailed, rhythmic, and uncolored—at prices that democratize quality for discerning buyers. Free from corporate bloat, it holds a reputation for reliability and value, appealing to enthusiasts seeking sophisticated hi-fi that punches above its weight rather than chasing ultra-high-end esoterica.
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