Name: Cambridge Audio CP2
Brand: Cambridge Audio
SKU: 779CP2B
Rating: 5 (7 reviews)

by Crutchfield's Dave Bar

Do justice to your vinyl collection

True vinyl fans know that a high-performance phono preamplifier is a must-have to get the best performance from their albums, especially if their turntable's equipped with a moving coil cartridge. MC cartridges are prized by many audiophiles for their clear, detailed response, but their delicate low-voltage audio signals require extra-precise, low-noise circuitry to reveal the best they have to offer.

KEEP READING

The CP2 adds excitement and life to the sound of your vinyl records.

Do justice to your vinyl collection

The majority of today's receivers and amps lack the built-in amplification needed for a direct turntable connection, and even when it's included, the typical low-cost, low-fi circuitry sounds flat and lifeless. The Cambridge Audio CP2 solves that problem by delivering a robust, line-level signal infused with rich, dynamic sound. The CP2 will revealing layers of musical detail hidden in the grooves of your favorite vinyl recordings.

The Cambridge Audio difference

Cambridge Audio has a passion for creating high-value audio gear that captures every last drop of detail and emotion from your music. The CP2 has been carefully designed to offer plenty of foot-tapping performance at a price that won't break the bank. Its advanced electronics include high-quality 'Class A' amplification circuits and hand-picked components housed in an all-metal outer casing featuring a thick brushed aluminum front panel.

Cambridge also gave this preamp a switchable subsonic filter to remove the unwanted and disruptive effects of excessive low-frequency energy caused by turntable rumble or record imperfections. And since Cambridge knows that not every phono cartridge delivers perfectly even left- and right-channel output signals, they added a fine-tune balance control that lets you correct for any differences. If you're a serious vinyl lover, you owe it to yourself to discover the Cambridge Audio difference.

Need a cable?

This phono preamp does not come with an RCA cable to connect to your receiver or amp.

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Product highlights:

compatible with moving magnet and moving coil phono cartridges
external power supply for reduced noise and interference
built-in balance control for fine correction of left- and right-channel cartridge output
acoustically damped full-metal chassis with thick, brushed aluminum front panel
discrete transistor input stages instead of I.C.s for greater dynamics and lower noise
single-ended 'Class A' gain stage with audiophile-grade passive RIAA equalization
defeatable subsonic filter to eliminate very low frequency 'rumble'
external power supply for reduced noise and interference
gain: 39dB(MM), 55dB(MC)
signal-to-noise ratio: greater then 86dB(MM), greater than 72dB(MC)
THD: less than 0.009%(MM), less than 0.002%(MC) (20-20,000 Hz)
RIAA response accuracy: ±0.3dB (20-50,000 Hz) with subsonic filter off
crosstalk at 20 kHz: greater than 83dB(MM), greater than 69dB(MC)
8-1/2"W x 1-13/16"H x 5-1/4"D
warranty: 1 year
MFR # C10907

What's in the box:

Cambridge Audio CP2 owner's manual

MM/MC phono pre-amplifier
AC power supply (attached 6' DC cord)
Quick Start Guide
Important Safety Instructions

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Researched by Crutchfield's Stacey B.

Features & specs

Features
Cartridge Type	RCA
Subsonic Filter	Yes
Cartridge Loading	---
Adjustable Resistance Load	No
Adjustable Capacitance Load	No
Vacuum Tube	No
Connections
RCA Inputs	2 pair
XLR Inputs	No
RCA Output	1 pair
XLR Output	No
USB Output	No
3.5mm Output	---
Optical Output	---
Coaxial Output	---
Specs
Signal-to-noise Ratio (MM)	85
Signal-to-noise Ratio (MC)	72

Product Research

Features

Phono Pre-Amp: The Cambridge Audio CP2 phono pre-amplifier has been designed to complement a wide range of MM (moving magnet) and MC (moving coil) turntables. This high-quality pre-amplifier contains the amplification required to enable you to connect your MM or MC turntable to your integrated amplifier, stereo receiver, or home theater receiver. Some integrated amplifiers and receivers are already able to support turntable connections, but these built-in phono pre-amplifiers are out-performed by the Cambridge Audio CP2. Connected using a stereo audio interconnect cable, the CP2 is set-up in minutes allowing you to appreciate stunning clarity, musicality, and resolution from all your vinyl recordings.

MM (Moving Magnet) & MC (Moving Coil) Compatible: The Cambridge Audio CP2 is MM (Moving Magnet) & MC (Moving Coil) Compatible. The CP2 phono pre-amplifier is fitted with a set of stereo RCA inputs to connect your MM (moving magnet) turntable, and a set of stereo RCA inputs to connect your MC (moving coil) turntable. There is a MM/MC switch on the rear-panel to select which type of turntable you have.

Note: Moving Coil cartridges found in high-end audiophile turntables offer more accuracy and detail than Moving Magnet.

Advanced Amplification: Audio circuitry has been refined with multiple transistors wired in parallel ensuring the lowest possible distortion and noise. A copper shield provides further protection to this extremely sensitive part of the circuitry, limiting the noise that can be injected into the signal. This is especially important with a Moving Coil cartridge because its signal is even quieter and more delicate than Moving Magnet, so it needs even more amplification.

"Class A" + RIAA EQ: The CP2 phono pre-amplifier utilizes a single-ended "Class A" gain stage with audiophile passive RIAA equalization for excellent sound quality. Multi-parallel capacitors achieve exceptional RIAA accuracy of only 0.3dB, up to 50kHz.
Discrete Transistors: The Cambridge Audio phono pre-amplifier uses discrete transistors for the input stages, instead of the more common integrated circuits which can cause interference and distortion. The CP2 using premium components chosen for exceptional accuracy, amplifying the signal without distorting it.

Balance Control: The CP2 phono pre-amplifier offers Balance Control for fine correction of cartridge imbalance. This control allows you to make fine adjustments to the relative output levels of the left and right channels. In the central position the output from each channel is equal.

Subsonic Filter: The Cambridge Audio CP2 features a subsonic filter to remove the unwanted and disruptive effects "rumble" of low-frequency energy caused by vinyl imperfections.

RCA Input/Output: The Cambridge Audio CP2 phono pre-amplifier is fitted with two sets of stereo RCA inputs to connect your MM (moving magnet) or MC (moving coil) cartridge turntable. The CP2 is also fitted with a set of stereo RCA outputs to connect your turntable and the pre-amplifier to the line-level inputs on your home receiver or integrated amplifier.

Note: Do not connect the CP2 to a "Phono Input" on a receiver or amplifier.

Ground Terminal: The CP2 has a turntable ground, in case your turntable has a separate ground lead. This provides shielding to the tone-arm and the sensitive circuitry in the turntable.

All Metal Chassis: The Cambridge Audio CP2 phono pre-amplifier features an acoustically damped full metal chassis with a thick brushed aluminum front-panel.

Power Switch: The Cambridge Audio CP2 features a front-panel power switch to turn the unit On/Off; this allow energy consumption to be zeroed when not in use.

External AC Adapter: The Cambridge Audio CP2 phono pre-amplifier includes an external AC power supply.