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Why this one
Excellent condition - light signs of use, no obvious issues
Fully tested - all applicable functions verified working
Class XD topology with 120W/ch, XLR inputs, and vanishingly low distortion.
A flagship integrated amplifier available here at a significant saving over new pricing.
Condition: Excellent
This Hi-Fi amplifier is in excellent condition. It has passed our 8-point functional test, with 1 item(s) not applicable to this unit. Note: The amplifier is in great condition. All functions work perfectly. Cosmetically, it has next to no surface marks or scratches and presents in fantastic condition. Please review all photos carefully, as they provide an accurate representation of the cosmetic condition of the product.
What's included
Cambridge Audio Azur 851A (Black)
Manuals
About this model
The Cambridge Audio Azur 851A is a stereo integrated amplifier built around Cambridge Audio's proprietary Class XD (Crossover Displacement) topology, designed to deliver the purity of Class A operation at low signal levels while avoiding the crossover distortion characteristic of Class B designs. It puts out 120W RMS into 8 ohms and 200W RMS into 4 ohms per channel, with a frequency response extending from 10 Hz to 50 kHz (±1 dB) and total harmonic distortion below 0.001% at 1 kHz. Connectivity is unusually generous for an integrated amplifier, with eight RCA inputs and two XLR balanced inputs, a preamp output, record output, and two sets of speaker terminals for A/B configurations. Two separate toroidal transformers - one for the preamp stage and one for the power stage - keep noise well isolated between sections, while a precision silicon gate volume control steps in exact 1 dB increments. Switchable bass and treble tone controls and RS-232/IR ports round out a specification designed for both demanding two-channel listening and custom installation use.
A great opportunity to own a Cambridge Audio Azur 851A at this price point.
At US$789, this is a fair price—just above the US$770 median and below the US$799 75th percentile for recent comparable listings. It is not a bargain, but it is comfortably within the normal used-market range.
The 851A remains a compelling integrated for listeners who need real drive: 120 watts per channel, substantial current, dual-toroidal power supplies, balanced XLR inputs, and unusually broad connectivity. Its Class XD design gives it a clean, weighty presentation, while the pre-out and twin speaker terminals add system flexibility. Given the unknown condition, confirm that the remote is included, every input and display segment works, and the amplifier has adequate ventilation—it runs warm. If it is clean and fully functional, US$789 is a sensible buy rather than an overreach.
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.
See all Cambridge Audio listings on RADAR.
