Cambridge Audio 840A
At 120 watts per channel into 8 ohms, this British integrated amplifier puts out serious power.
Overview
The Cambridge Audio 840A is an integrated amplifier sold under variations like the Azur 840A and later the 840A V2. It was built when British hi-fi engineering was pushing boundaries without inflating prices. Owners report it as a powerful, flexible performer, and one reviewer called it “the most flexible, most powerful, and best-sounding integrated amplifier” the publication had encountered at its tier. Its Class XD™ topology is a Cambridge Audio design that supposedly blends the warmth of Class A at low levels with the efficiency of Class B at higher outputs. TechRadar once called it a “classy stunner.” Whether that holds up depends on the system and listener.
The 840A is rated at 120 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 200 watts into 4 ohms, according to user comparisons and technical documentation. That headroom made it a favorite for driving less sensitive speakers. Not every experience was glowing, though. Some owners in online forums noted problems when using it with external preamps, and one Reddit user bluntly asked, “Sounds absolutely garbage when used with a preamp??” Whether that points to a design limitation or a misapplication remains unclear from available documentation.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Cambridge Audio |
| Model | 840A |
| Type | Integrated amplifier |
| Power output | 120w pc into 8ohm and 200w pc into 4 ohm |
| THD | 0.0015% 1 kHz at 80% of... |
| Frequency Response | 10 Hz - 50 kHz +/- 1 dB |
| S/N ratio | S/N ratio (ref 1W/8 Ohm) |
Collectibility & Value
The Cambridge Audio 840A has kept a steady presence in the secondhand market, with pricing that follows condition and version. A “Used - like new” unit appeared on Facebook Marketplace for €425.00, and a “Used - Very Good” example fetched $500 on Reverb. One unit missing its remote was offered for $800 plus shipping, so some buyers still seek it at premium levels. A Reddit thread asked whether €300 was a fair price for a broken V2, which suggests demand is tempered by awareness of potential faults. According to a Polk Audio Forum post, the 840A V3 carried a new price of $995. Original MSRP for earlier versions remains undocumented.
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