Cambridge Audio 840A V2 review

Classy Class XD stunner goes from strength to strength

Cambridge has revised the details of XD's implementation, at the same time refining the balanced input for lower noise and distortion

TechRadar Verdict

Honestly, the biggest difference between this and most amps costing twice as much is in the looks/show-off factor. It's more than competent sonically, and comes attractively specified too - we love it

Pros

  • +

    A highly tempting combination of power, control, subtlety and, yes, musicality

  • +

    The V2 also offers excellent flexibility of use and practicality

Cons

  • -

    We continue to find the rattling of relays in the volume control annoying, but apart from that, there's nothing to complain about at this price

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It seems like only yesterday that we first encountered the 840A, but in fact it was a year and a half ago, and that's evidently been time enough for the designers at Cambridge Audio to develop a few tweaks and circuit improvements for it, resulting in the new 'V2'.

Just to recap, the most exciting thing about the 840A was its employment of a new class of output stage, 'Class XD', which is claimed to offer Class A performance without the daunting power and heat implications of pure Class A. With the V2, Cambridge has revised the details of XD's implementation, at the same time refining the balanced input for lower noise and distortion.

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