Cambridge Audio Azur 751BD

The Cambridge Audio Azur 751BD is a video and audio tour-de-force that delivers a much more potent punch than even the best lower-priced Blu-ray players. However, while it has superb video processing and audiophile-level sound, the Cambridge Audio Azur 751BD only offers modest Internet apps and streaming capabilities.

Picture quality

Outstanding Blu-ray and DVD scaling quality. Most of the guts of the Cambridge Audio Azur 751BD mirror those of the Best Reviewed Oppo BDP-95 (*Est. $1,000), right down to the Marvell Qdeo Processor for the main HDMI connection and step-down (but still high-class) Mediatek processor powering the other ports -- not a surprise since both are made in the same facility. Both Blu-ray discs and upscaled DVDs look flawless -- or, in the case of upscaled DVDs, as good as it can get.

Performance

A racehorse, plain and simple. Whether you're talking boot-up times, system options or menu navigation, the Cambridge Audio Azur 751BD has the fastest loading times around, tying the Oppo BDP-95.

Usability

A well-designed, racehorse, that is. Critics love the straightforward menus, as well as the similarly simple and stylishly slim remote. The limited number of Internet apps helps to keep down the clutter. The powerful audio components inside the Cambridge Audio Azur 751BD push its weight to a hefty 11 lbs., however. That is less than the Oppo, but significantly more than your average Blu-ray player.

Features

An audiophile's delight. The Cambridge Audio Azur 751BD sports five enthusiast-level Wolfson digital-to-analog converters (DACs), support for more obscure audio formats like SACD and HDCD, and full 7.1-channel analog connections, all of which are pretty rare in Blu-ray players. Basically, the Azur 751BD delivers best-in-class sound no matter whether you're watching movies or listening to music.

Other than that, however, the feature lists is a bit bare. There's an Ethernet port, but Wi-Fi requires you to use an external dongle supplied with the player. The number of Internet apps available is limited to Picasa and YouTube. There is DLNA support, however, so you'll be able to play music and movies stored on your PC's hard drive. Onboard storage for BD-Live content tops out at 1 GB. There is also 3D video support.

Value

Great for audio enthusiasts, but that's it. At $1,150, the Cambridge Audio Azur 751BD is value priced for a device that merges a reference level Blu-ray player with a reference level audio player. However, far cheaper Blu-ray players should suit non-enthusiasts just fine.

The bottom line

The Cambridge Audio Azur 751BD is as good as it gets with Blu-ray players. It goes toe-to-toe with the Best Reviewed Oppo BDP-95 across the board and if you prefer a fuller sound to a more natural sound, you may give the nod to the Cambridge, some reports say. But most reviewers give the Oppo the edge for its lower price and a few extras such as XLR analog audio connections, more robust streaming capabilities and larger onboard storage. If you don't need best-in-class audio, great Blu-ray players like the LG BP620 (*Est. $120) are available for a tenth of the cost of the Cambridge Audio Azur 751BD.