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“First of all, a bit of background information. The ”

written by Paul. on 27/06/2002

Good Points
+ Price,
+ Power,
+ Sound quality,
+ Tone controls offer clean results.

Bad Points
+ Ever so slightly laid back sound (but that might be the tunes that I'm playing),
+ Very unforgiving of badly recorded material,
+ Remote control only controls volume.

General Comments
First of all, a bit of background information. The Cambridge Audio A500RC integrated amplifier is my first "proper" separates component. I have heard other components, but this is the first one I have owned. It was bought to replace an ageing Kenwood component system I had, which wasn't cheap at that time.


The system is currently connected to my PC with a Videologic Sonic Fury sound card, and used to play my mp3 collection, much of which is 192Kbit and above. For the time being, the PC is also being used as a CD player. It is also connected to a Sky Digital receiver, and so provides all of the sound for my TV and movie watching too.


Speakerwise, I have a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 8.2's, which are 100 watts maximum power handling, 6 ohms impedance, and handle from 45-20k Hz, 86 dB sensitivity.


The cabling I am using is fairly run of the mill. I have some gold plated Cambridge Atlantic IC's, and am using nice thick Gale XL315 speaker cable, which is bi-wiring the speakers.


I mainly listen to trance music, but I do listen to all different kinds of music at times, and as I have already said, they are used for TV programmes and movies.


So where do we begin. For trance music, this amplifier makes a good showing of it. Music comes out with plenty of detail and drive. The soundstage is good, and as a combination with the wharfedales, makes a good impression of being at a nightclub that has an extremely good sound system in it. The bass is reasonably impressive, but maybe a tad laid back on some tracks. However, I have other tracks that sound anything but laid back on it. Flutlicht's Icarus (Daedalus Mix) for instance comes out with real force, indicating that this amplifier and/or the speakers have a forceful, aggressive mid bass response. Some tunes can sound a little dull though, and for dance music, I would recommend boosting the treble a touch, especially if you buy speakers with silk domes. If you buy anything with horn or metal tweeters, you will not need to do this.


So, how does it cope when asked to deliver some loudness. Pretty damn well, actually. This is the A500RC model, an improved version of the original A500, which delives 85 watts into 6 Ohms, though it escapes me what level of THD would be present at this level, but I believe its pretty low. Music can be delivered with enough decibels for 99% of people out there, even with my relatively insensitive speakers.


For other kinds of music, it seems fine too. Pop and rock music seems right at home, and Nine Inch Nails' Pretty Hate Machine came across very impressively, with excellent clarity, bass, and good stereo seperation. RnB and rap music sounds impressively bassy too, and in combination with these speakers, it delivers surprising bass, as well as silky smooth, crystal clear treble.


For TV and Movies, obviously music channels seem to sound the best. I feel a sub would be a good addition to this setup for viewing movies, and also some TV programs, but the amp delivers a good sense of ambience considering its just stereo, although its never going to rival a good surround sound system, but this is hardly a criticism. It makes for an enjoyable Nicam stereo based system.


To be honest, I can only imagine how good this amplifier will sound with a good CD player. This is what I'm intending to buy next, and supposedly, according to the review in a link I will post at the bottom of this review, the D500SE CD player from Cambridge is a good match for this amp.


Here is the best bit. I picked up this amplifier for £120 from Richer Sounds. For £120, there is no amplifier that will beat this, hands down. I listened to the likes of the NAD C350, and the Rotel RA-731(?), and to be honest, it sounded at least as good as the NAD, and better than the Rotel in my opinion, and it was a lot cheaper than either of these amplifiers (the NAD was £300!). Sound is very subjective though, so you may not agree, but what you cannot deny is that this amplifier sounds very good for the price, and is even good at its £200 asking price. Its not going to humble anything dramatically more expensive but it certainly beats anything out there for the price I paid, and will hold its head up high with most, if not all budget level solid state amplifiers.


Review for the Cambridge A500 + D500SE + Polk RT35i Loudspeakers: http://www.goodsound.com/equipment/cambridge500_polkrt35i.htm