News

Cambridge Audio unveils the Azur 640R V2 7.1 AV receiver with HDMI 1.3b (21/1/2009)

Suggested retail price (ex sales tax) – $1799 Available Spring 2009

Building on the huge success of the original award-winning Azur 640R, Cambridge Audio will introduce a Version 2 model in early 2009 featuring full HDMI 1.3b reception. By using the latest Cirrus Logic / Crystal chipset with twin 32-bit DSPs, Cambridge Audio has enabled full support for Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD High Resolution and the superb new Lossless Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio formats.

The 640R V2 can also transcode analogue video to HDMI for simplicity and flexibility, requiring just one cable to the TV screen. The 640R V2 features Cambridge Audio Mic Controlled Auto Set-up (CAMCAS) for extremely quick and easy room installation and LipSync audio delay means the user can simply adjust for processing delays in the source or TV.

As with all Cambridge Audio products, sound quality with both music and movies is paramount and the 640R V2 is the company’s best sounding AV receiver yet. The 640R’s seven 100 Watt audiophile grade fully discrete amplifiers are kept separate from the processing and input stages and feature a substantial power supply and an oversize low flux toroidal transformer. This careful design of the amplifier stages ensures that the 640R can replicate the dynamics and scale required for modern movie soundtracks whilst also being able to reproduce a genuinely musical performance with either stereo or multi-channel music sources.

Key features: • Full HDMI 1.3b reception with 3 inputs for Blu-ray/DVD players, HD satellite receivers and games consoles

• Latest generation Cirrus CS49700 chipset features twin 32-bit DSPs for compatibility with the current CODECs including Dolby Digital Plus, DTS- HD High Resolution and the Lossless Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio formats

• Full support for analogue or digital legacy formats – LPCM, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, DTS, DTS ES Matrix and Discrete, DTS 96/24, Neo:6, ProLogic II, ProLogic IIx, in 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 variants

• Supports multi-channel PCM over HDMI for DVD-A/SACD and other external audio formats

• Full post-processing of 2.0, 5.1 or 6.1 material is also possible with PLIIx or DTS Neo:6 to turn these formats into full 7.1

• True power output of 7 x 100 watts rms per channel, 8 ohms all channels driven

• Analogue to digital video transcoding (composite, S-video and component video to HDMI)

• Analogue stereo direct mode for audiophile stereo sources (pure analogue, no DSP) – 120W output x 2

• Cambridge Audio Mic Controlled Auto Set-up (CAMCAS)

• On-Screen Display (OSD) available on all video outputs

• Adjustable LipSync delay feature

• Optional bi-amping mode for front left/right with surround back left/right in 5.1 set-up

• FM/AM tuner

• X-Tract™ Forced/Convection Heat Tunnel for virtually silent performance

• Fully specified for custom install applications: -Incognito Ready™ A-BUS™ multi-room outputs -RS232 port, IR emitter In, Control Bus In/Out

• Navigator style Azur remote which also controls: -iPod™ track skip and volume functions -Cambridge Audio’s Incognito keypads -Discrete commands for custom install use

• Clear Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD)

• Substantial aluminium front panel and ultra rigid, acoustically dampened chassis

• Available in silver or black

A full range of digital and analogue inputs enables connection of a plethora of source equipment including the latest Blu-ray players such as Cambridge Audio’s own 640BD. The 640R subsequently decodes inputs into stereo, stereo and sub or various digital surround formats including Dolby Digital Plus, DTS- HD High Resolution, Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio in 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1. It’s also capable of decoding analogue or digital stereo sources in Dolby Pro Logic® II or IIx and DTS Neo:6, again in 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 variants for a convincing and effective surround experience from a matrix encoded stereo source. Post-processing of 2.0, 5.1 or 6.1 digital material is also possible with PLIIx or DTS Neo:6 to turn these formats into full 7.1.

The 640R carries a 5.1/ 6.1 /7.1 channel analogue input for connection of a DVD Audio or SACD player equipped with a 5.1 output and is also compatible with future external 6.1 or 7.1 audio formats. Multi-channel PCM over HDMI is supported for playback of lossless content. As well as the full complement of audio inputs, the 640R performs composite, S-video and component video input switching and transcoding to HDMI. The component video inputs and outputs are progressive scan and HDTV compatible and the unit features full On Screen Display on all video outputs.

The key to the 640R V2’s musical performance is the fact that the seven 100W audiophile grade fully discrete amplifiers are kept as separate as possible from the processing and input stages. This highly considered amplifier design ensures that it can reproduce the dynamics and scale required for modern film soundtracks whilst also being able to afford a genuinely musical performance with either stereo or multi-channel music sources. Indeed in stereo mode it outputs a hugely impressive 120W of power.

Lip Sync has been added to the 640R V2 and can be controlled via the remote control resetting the dialogue timing by up to 500mS to maintain sync should external video processing add a noticeable delay. For quick and simple installation in any room, the 640R V2 makes use of Cambridge Audio Mic-Controlled Auto Set-up (CAMCAS). This system measures the listening environment and automatically sets the receiver for use dependent on room acoustic. Another crucial aspect of the 640R’s audiophile pedigree is Cambridge Audio’s proprietary Forced / Convection Heat Tunnel - X-Tract™. This custom design enables the company's flagship AV powerhouse to operate extremely quietly and at a low temperature. A careful balanced combination of forced cooling and natural convection effectively draws heat away from the 640R’s substantial transformer and output stages. Careful manipulation of air flow has led to a design able to dissipate enough heat by convection to ensure the unit’s fan is only active at the most extreme ends of the performance spectrum. The vertical airflow path for convection has been carefully designed for minimum airflow resistance or turbulence for maximum cooling efficiency.

In extreme conditions a speed controlled near-silent fan gradually becomes active, drawing colder air from the front of the unit and providing forced cooling. The airflow path is also altered so that air flows horizontally, the heatsink now acting as a 'restrictor' providing a Venturi effect with a small ‘designed-in’ amount of turbulence. This spiralling high speed airflow occurs only inside the tunnel actively cooling the heatsink fins. A mouth/baffle assembly then provides airflow impedance matching so that only low speed non turbulent air exits the tunnel unit for minimum noise.

Multi-room compatibility is featured for connection to Cambridge Audio’s Incognito system or other custom install applications. Twin Incognito outputs offer plug and play compatibility with Cambridge Audio Incognito keypads or active speakers. This provides connection with up to two additional rooms – with fully independent source control – for the simplest hub-free multi-room system. Second and third zone analogue video outputs mean even the remote rooms can benefit from video capability. Additionally, an RS232 port, IR Emitter In and Control Bus In/Out make it easy to fully integrate the 640R into more complex custom install systems.

All this proprietary engineering is housed within a low resonance, acoustically damped chassis which uses a thick aluminium front panel and is available in silver or black. A highly ergonomic navigator style remote control also offers full control of the 640R’s wide range of features and functions.

www.cambridge-audio.com