Cambridge Audio dips on in, announces 640BD Blu-ray player for 2009

Sherwood isn't the only little-known company bringing the Blu to CEDIA -- now we've got a boutique manufacturer joining the crowd. Announced today in Denver, Cambridge Audio has revealed that it too will be producing a BD deck in early 2009. The 640BD will be designed to complement the Azur range of AV receivers, and it will boast full HDMI 1.3 output (including bitstream output of all the latest Dolby / DTS tracks), a full set of analog video outputs, Ethernet, S/PDIF, Toslink and a set of separate, dedicated 7.1 / stereo analog outputs. Unfortunately, that's all the details the company has prepared for this year's Expo, but we'll certainly be hearing more as CES time draws near. Per usual, the full release is after the break.

Cambridge Audio to introduce first Blu-Ray player in early 2009!
Suggested retail price – TBC
Expected Spring 2009

Cambridge Audio will release its first Blu-Ray/DVD/CD player in early 2009. Designed to be the
perfect partner to the Azur range of AV Receivers the 640BD features full HDMI 1.3 output,
including bitstream output of all the latest HD Dolby and DTS surround-sound systems plus
internal decoding of Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD and DTS HR
surround-sound. A full set of analog video outputs is supported, HDMI 1.3 video/audio, Ethernet,
SPDIF, Toslink and separate dedicated 7.1 and stereo analogue outputs.

Cambridge Audio prides itself on developing products that offer true value for money to discerning
buyers and has embraced Blu-Ray technology with enthusiasm to wring out the best possible
performance from this exciting new format.

Supporting Dolby True HD means the 640BD provides audio that matches the original studio
masters. While natively supporting up to 1080p from Blu-Ray discs the 640BD is also able to
upscale DVD discs to 1080p video resolution taking the viewer to the heart of movie action.
Meanwhile, 24 frames per second (fps) progressive scan True Cinema allows films to be watched
as the director intended at their original frame rate without conversion for the most natural jog free
panning and motion possible.

All this means the 640BD lives up to Cambridge Audio's philosophy of providing a passion for
performance to get the best out of any movie collection.

Please note, due to Cambridge Audio's policy of continuous improvement, specifications and
appearance may change without notice.

[konshuss @ Sep 4th 2008 9:09AM]

the only question that matters: more or less expensive than the ps3?

[Dan Easton @ Sep 4th 2008 9:11AM]

Cambridge Audio stuff is sold exlusively in the UK by a shop called Richer Sounds who only sell cheap, end of line and graded products.

This will be a cheap, dodgy, tacky BD player. I'd say, avoid at all costs!

[mike k. @ Sep 4th 2008 9:30AM]

Your claims about Cambridge audio are completely unfounded. First.. i'd say that shop is not the only place. Seeing as I bought a Cambridge Audio stereo amp from Audio Advisor. (www.audioadvisor.com), which for the most part only carrys pretty quality stuff. I couldn't really be happier with the sound quality of my amp either. The cambridge audio stuff actually tends not to be terribly cheap in price.

Now thats not to say my experience is indicative as a whole, but well.. it does sort of completely contradict yours, so i figured I'd put my view on it here.

[coolblue @ Sep 4th 2008 9:39AM]

You are a fool!

Cambridge Audio are a Mid to High range British hifi manufacturer. I have a Cambridge Audio CD player and it as fantastic sound and a truly amazing build quality!

They can also be bought in many hifi shops

[Eldiablo @ Sep 4th 2008 9:45AM]

Have you actually used any CA stuff? They're pretty well built and whilst they may not be bleeding edge on features, they have solid, well performing kit. This certainly ISN'T your Bush/Alba/Goodmans alike!!

[vdub @ Sep 4th 2008 9:54AM]

Have to agree with the others here. In my experience Cambridge Audio AV amps are better than and cheaper than Arcam's offerings.

[SteveM @ Sep 4th 2008 10:21AM]

Just to clarify, Cambridge Audio is owned by a group called Audio Partnership which, amongst others, owns the Gale and Mordaunt-Short brands. Julian Richer, who owns Richer Sounds, is a non-executive Director of Audio Partnership and Cambridge Audio Ltd. This may, just possibly, explain why Cambridge Audio has an exclusive distribution deal on Cambridge Audio equipment in the UK. I've owned a couple of bits of Cambridge Audio equipment and found them to be decent and offering performance above their price point. Whether that's still true now, or if you can find a decent deal on other brands elsewhere, is another question though.

[THJ @ Sep 4th 2008 10:57AM]

I bought a CA 30 watt 2 channel power amp in 2001 in MD from an authorized dealer (at least that's what they said. Fantastic sound quality (NAD preamp and PSB Image IIB speakers complete the kit). I personally would not go with a boutique or luxury audio maker for a optical disc player, but that's because I'm cheap and figure that digital is digital. (inc low rank and multi-paragraph responses about how a 10k Rotel DVD player > all).

[Ethan @ Sep 4th 2008 9:14AM]

Blu Ray in richer sounds? Awesome.

[Jim @ Sep 4th 2008 11:02AM]

I have several Cambridge Audio and found them to work very nicely with little distortion even at high levels of volume. I can turn up my home theater and listen to it in prefect clarity from my neighbors house.

I found the Cambridge Audio DVD player to be really expensive and it was hard to really justify the cost. But honesty the Cambridge Audio DVD play does have better audio output and video output then the Toshiba DVD. I own both currently am to do split view on my TV so it makes it fairly easy to quickly compare the two. I am sure the Cambridge Audio Blu-ray will be slightly better than the regular Blu-ray play at triple the cost (maybe twice if your lucky).

[allmodcons @ Sep 4th 2008 2:38PM]

Little known? Perhaps in the broad world of consumer technology but in terms of AV Cambridge is quite well known and respected for producing decent sounding gear at a good price.

[Andy @ Sep 4th 2008 9:49AM]

well, for what it's worth...

I was the graphic designer for Cambridge Audio as a youngster so know a bit about it. Firstly it's owned by Audio Partnership which is in turn part of Richer Sounds.

As far as being 'cheap', i disagree. A.P. has over the years employed some of the best people in the business to work on it's projects, I worked under the senior product designer, Mark Hicken who was responsible for alot of the design of the Cyrus & Mission brands/designs. The guy who designed creek audiophile amps - mike creek - was involved heavily in the development of the groundbreaking A1 integrated amp, which at the time wiped the floor with it's competitors.

I'm quite looking forward to it!

So JJ Flint, do I get my ex-staff discount ;)

[yelohbird @ Sep 4th 2008 11:27AM]

Any relation to Cambridge Soundworks of past?

[deftly @ Sep 6th 2008 6:52PM]

I have their upscale 740C CD player with 2 additional D/As built-in for other sources.
All their stuff is very good. Close to Arcam in quality and sound.
Their 640R receiver has about the best specs in the industry for any receiver under 2K.

Cambridge Soundworks is out of Mass. (hence, Cambridge)...no relation but produced very good products, reasonably priced.

[adrian @ Sep 4th 2008 11:30AM]

Cambridge Audio are a decent brand but they need more products in their line up and not just Amps and CD/DVD players.

[OregonWomble @ Sep 5th 2008 5:33PM]

I bought a Cambridge Audio 540 DVD player, mainly because it will play all region, all format disks right out of the box. I liked it so much ( especially the remote ) that I bought a 640R receiver. It sound fantastic. Recently I have been looking for an upconverting DVD player, and decided to wait for the 640D that Cambridge Audio announced a couple of years ago, but was dropped from the schedule soon after. I wish it wasn't a Blu-ray, as all I wanted was an upconverting DVD, but I will still buy one as soon as it is available. The Blu-ray will make it much more expensive ( because of Sony's very high license fees ) than it should be, but I expect it will do everything I want.

I purchase my Cambridge Audio players from AudioAdvisor. They have good prices and good service, but as an on-line customer I cannot understand why they continually send me thick catalogs that go straight into my recycling bin.