Cambridge Audio Azur 340R review

This is a fine, musical, simple 5.1 AV receiver, with a smart design, but it lacks power and bottom-end grunt Tested at £270.00

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Cambridge Audio has achieved what it set out to with a fine, musical, simple 5.1 receiver

Pros

  • +

    Smart design

  • +

    simple, intuitive controls

  • +

    crisp, fast, detailed

  • +

    good with music, too

Cons

  • -

    Lacks overall power, especially in terms of bot--tom-end grunt

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Allow us to introduce Cambridge Audio's latest budget AV receiver, the 340R. And it's unmistakably

a Cambridge Audio product, isn't it? Check out that clear fascia with the huge control knob and the smart styling (though the remote is a little plasticky).

Unsurprisingly for a company with such strong stereo credentials, Cambridge has eschewed the flag-waving that a six- or seven-channel machine brings, and aimed instead to produce a fine, musical 5.1-channel receiver. And largely, it has succeeded.

No-compromise musical ability

Set-up is painless, and while it can't take audio from HDMI (though it offers HDMI switching), the optical and coaxial inputs are more than sufficient.

Listening to The Departed, the receiver sounds crisp, clear and dynamic. The necessary detail to convey tension and expression in dialogue is here and, while it won't knock-down doors like the Onkyo, it is capable of dredging up a fair amount of weight and punch.

As expected, it's adept with music, whether stereo or multichannel, thanks to a fleet-footed delivery and bags of insight. However, it'll take something very special to beat the Onkyo TX-SR505, and this isn't quite it. But if strong music performance, fast, dynamic movie sound and overall simplicity of use appeals to you, try the 340R.

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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