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US$1,500 is a fair-to-good ask for an 851W; it lands a bit under the original US$2,499 MSRP and right around what this amp tends to feel like in the used market when it’s clean and complete. I wouldn’t call it a steal at this number, but it’s solid value for a serious 200Wpc stereo power amp with real current delivery and a big, controlled sound.
What makes it worth buying is the 851W’s reputation for sounding smooth but punchy, with plenty of grip for difficult speakers and enough refinement to keep it from feeling clinical. Cambridge’s Class XD design is well regarded, and the amp’s dual-toroid power supply gives it real authority. At this price, the main things to confirm are condition, original packing, and that it’s been operating quietly with no channel imbalance or relay issues.
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.
