Cambridge Audio Azur 540A Amplifier
This model can be considered as a "light" version of 640A amplifier. Externally, 540A does not differ from its more expensive colleague: the same body, painted in dark gray "titanium" colors, the same set of controls, tiny blue LEDs and oval-shaped tone controls. The functionally of this device is the same as well - you can connect to it four sources and two recorders. At extra charge the AUX input is converted into Phono for the MM-head. The available output from the pre-amplification section is useful for connecting an additional amplifier. There are also a speaker selector and a headphone output. The amp has no loudness circuit, but there is an equalizer that is turned off in Direct mode.
In addition, Cambridge Audio Azur 540A is equipped with a stylish remote control - the same as in 540C CD-player. And this seemed strange to us, because acquiring both components, you become the owner of two completely identical consoles.
This amplifier has the same sensitive protection system as the more expensive and powerful 640A. The microprocessor monitors both the voltage at the output and the current value; therefore, with an increase in the output level and when working at a low-ohm load, the device can be silenced even before the rise of characteristic distortions. And that's right - loudspeakers will be more operable.
But the sound quality of 540A is somewhat different from the older brother. The style of playback stayed recognizable: the sound is vigorous, with a good attack and an impressive kick, but the clarity is still not the same - subtle nuances are callous and feed as if with an accent.
Everything is not so smooth with linearity too. The tonal balance is slightly disturbed by the sonority of the upper range, sometimes turning into sharpness. However, we easily solved this problem even during testing. It was enough to slightly spread the loudspeakers out from the listener, and the tonal balance of the whole sound path approached the ideal.
Cambridge Audio Azur 540A wins in its sound when you listen to any expressive music - rock, modern jungle or space electronic compositions. The amplifier copes well with symphonic and acoustic compositions, what speaks of a good level of the sound resolution. But as for chamber compositions or choral chapels, its sound is not clean enough and plastic. But this, perhaps, is all the restrictions.
