Audiolab Amplifiers
Founded in 1983, the company was brought to market to offer great value, very high-quality hi-fi electronics, with each being easy to use. Their first range, their 8000 series, is now considered a classic, warmly remembered by those who used them and who can attest to their build and audio quality.
The business was adversely affected by ownership changes and the economic slump of the early 2000s and the new owner ceased development in mid-2003. Eventually the audio side of the business was purchased by International Audio Group (IAG) which also owns Quad, Mission, Wharfedale and Castle Acoustics.
Audiolab was re-launched in 2005 under the leadership of Nick Clark with a new range of products under the 8200 Series to multi-award-winning, critical acclaim. The company has steadily grown since this time and has won many accolades for products including the legendary M-DAC, a stand-alone digital to analogue converter which rewrote the rule book of what was possible for the money.
Today Audiolab has two ranges, the 6000 and new 7000 series. Both offer a very fresh, clean and modern aesthetic. They offer truly exceptional value offering above average sonic performance, excellent build quality at very reasonable prices. Their ranges consist of a gamut of very well reviewed electronics including integrated amplifiers:
NEW
Audiolab 7000 series
This unit is part of the brand new 7000 series, which comprises of the 7000A integrated amplifier (featured here), plus the 7000CDT Transport and the 7000N streamer. All designs build upon the class-leading 6000 series and look particularly striking as a stack.
This range has been designed to sit between the 6000 series and the new 9000 series. It has improved build quality over the 6000 series as well as some technical improvements. This series has a smaller size than the 9000 series, which is a level up again in build.
This range has been designed to offer the very best value and performance for their respective prices. Sound quality is well above that suggested by the price point.
Audiolab 7000A Integrated amplifier with DAC
The Audiolab 7000A improves on the 6000A with an increased 70W per channel output, a new DAC, a new full-colour IPS LCD screen. It majors on connectivity and performance. It has a clean design which is similar to the 6000 series but with improved build quality.
Audiolab are proud of the AB amplifier delivering a true 70 W into 8 ohms and up to 9 amps of current, allowing it to drive some more difficult speaker loads.
The output stage of the discrete power amp, uses a CFB (Complementary Feedback) topology, which is new to Audiolab, designed to deliver superior linearity and excellent thermal stability, as the idle current is kept independent of the temperature of the output transistors.
Critically specified by Jan Ertner (Audiolab’s lead engineer); the newly developed power supply features:
- A substantial 250VA toroidal transformer
- 4x15000uF reservoir capacity (60000uF in total), which helps the amp to maintain
- grip and control of the music, whilst enabling excellent dynamic range due to the amp being ably to supply the peak levels of current requested of it
The amp has a new Graphical User Interface which makes this feel much fresher in design, along with the, now colour, 2.8 inch IPS display.
As with all of Audiolab’s amplifiers, they allow for easy connectivity to almost anything, analogue or digital and the 7000 takes this to a new level. It offers a host of inputs to allow this to be the hub of your audio system and any other media devices, including TV (as this also has HDMI ARC) and allows for apt-X Bluetooth connectivity.
The integrated DAC is based on the excellent ESS ES9038 Q2M chip, which we know can sound superb when implemented correctly. The DAC has trickle-down technology from the 9000 series, as it utilises ESS Technology (32-bit HyperStream architecture with Time Domain Jitter Eliminator), minimising errors and maximizing resolution. It uses a Class-A based post-DAC filter and proprietary DC-coupled high-gain output stage designed to deliver ultra-low noise and high dynamic range. It also has full MQA certification.
The 7000A series now includes a phono stage with an improved circuit of their high-quality low noise Moving Magnet Phono circuit.
The headphone circuit has been revised, with current feedback. This has given the design more dynamics and the ability to work with a larger range of headphones and their various specifications.
Audiolab 7000A Integrated amplifier in black or silver £1,099
Audiolab 7000A Integrated Amplifier with DAC - silver
Audiolab 7000A Integrated Amplifier with DAC - black
NEW
Audiolab 9000A Integrated Amplifier with DAC
This unit is part of the new 9000 series, which comprises of the 9000A integrated amplifier (featured here), plus the 9000CDT Transport and the 9000N streamer (available shortly). All have very clean and fresh designs.
The 9000A chassis is of a heavy aluminium construction and offers a real step up from the 8300A, The new premium design, incorporating a new, full colour 4.3 inch IPS LCD Screen which includes an optional digital VU meter display to add a retro appearance. This is a flexible unit which offers both digital and analogue inputs and includes a new MM or MC Phono stage for the vinyl enthusiasts.
In our listening tests we found the 9000A to be a step up from the other Audiolab series as it has more power and better dynamics that the 8300A. The soundstage is deeper, transparency is of a high level which allows more micro detail to be resolved. Bass is deep and dynamic and timing is excellent. This amplifier produces a sound way above its price point, offering a taste of the high end for a very reasonable investment.
To maintain consistent signal purity, with line input signals passing to a precision analogue volume stage, the preamp section is kept as simple as possible. As with all of Jan Ertner’s designs the circuity is a work of art, more than in layout and architecture, and designed to protect the sensitive preamp section from noise interference and colouration - a key factor of the Audiolab philosophy.
An all-new and custom specified 320VA toroidal transformer, followed by 4 x 15,000uF of filter capacitance (60,000uF in total), helps the amp to maintain firm control of the music whilst enabling excellent dynamic range. Dual Mono construction - audio and power sections are completely separated in the chassis.
The 9000A can be configured as a dedicated Integrated, a pre- or a power amplifier, this high level of flexibility allows the unit to adapt to system changes over time.
The 9000A includes a DAC is built around the Sabre ESS 9038PRO flagship 32-bit DAC chip, using the critically acclaimed patented HyperStream® II architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator for the highest level of DAC performance.
The headphone output stage employs current-feedback circuitry with wide bandwidth and high slew rate, ensuring the 9000A delivers a dynamic, detailed, and engaging performance with all headphone types.
Class A/B amplifier – 100 wpc/8 ohms; 150 wpc/4 ohms with a peak current of 15 Amps
9000A in black or silver £1999
Audiolab 9000A Integrated Amplifier with DAC - silver
Audiolab 9000A Integrated Amplifier with DAC - black
6000A Integrated amplifier with DAC/Headphone output. 50wpc/8 ohms
This is considered as star performer for the money and has been highly reviewed. This is one of the best sub £1000 amplifiers on the market. It offers fantastic tonal accuracy for the money more often lost with amplifiers of this price. In addition, it delivers a more muscular bass than the specs would suggest. This is coupled with digital inputs, a superb phono stage, a decent headphone amplifier and all in a stylish box.
Class A/B amplifier - 50 wpc/8 ohms; 75wpc/4 ohms utilising a large 200VA transformer and an ample 60000uF reservoir capacity. Peak current of 9 Amps
High quality integrated 32-bit DAC with 4 x digital inputs (2 x Coax SPDIF, plus 2 x Toslink optical). All of which handle 24 Bit / 192 kHz with digital filter options
Digital Inputs: 2 Coax SPDIF; 2 Toslink optical
Analogue inputs: 3 RCA
Home cinema pre-amp bypass
Phono Stage – moving magnet only
Output: Pre-amplifier output using a simple signal path and precision analogue volume stage.
Headphone amplifier designed to work with a wide array of headphones through its gain bandwidth and high slew rate
Stylish chassis with integrated OLED display
Available in black or silver £649.95
6000A Integrated amplifier
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