The new 6000A amp includes a DAC, Bluetooth, phono amp and headphone amps plus more
An ES9018 Sabre32 Reference chip is included, utilising ESS Technology’s 32bit HyperStream architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator. The amp’s four S/PDIF digital inputs – two coaxial and two optical – handle hi-res PCM data up to 24bit/192kHz with digital filters: Fast Roll-Off, Slow Roll-Off and Minimum Phase. Bluetooth connectivity is also included.
The 6000A’s discrete Class AB power amp stage delivers 50W per channel into 8 Ohms, with a maximum current delivery of 9 Amps into difficult loads. The output stage of the discrete power amp circuits uses a CFB (Complementary Feedback) topology. A 200VA toroidal transformer, followed by 4x15000uF reservoir capacity (60000uF in total) is featured.
Much effort has gone into the physical layout of the 6000A’s circuitry, protecting the sensitive preamp section from noise interference.
Audiolab has included a phono stage for moving magnet phono cartridges – a JFET-based circuit. A dedicated headphone amp with current-feedback circuitry is also included.
The 6000A’s offers three distinct operational modes. The primary mode is Integrated – this combines the pre and power amp stages, for the connection of digital and analogue sources to the amp’s inputs and a pair of speakers to its binding posts.
Pre-Power Mode disconnects the pre and power amp stages. This allows the 6000A to be used solely as a power amp – for example, connected to an AV processor in a home cinema system. It also enables additional signal processing to be added, by connecting the 6000A’s preamp out socket to an external processor, then returning the processor’s output to the amp’s power amp in socket.
Finally, Pre Mode disables the power amp stage, turning the 6000A into a standalone preamp. This enables external power amplification to be added, thus providing a possible upgrade path. It is available from October in silver or black at £599.
For more information, click www.audiolab.co.uk
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36 Comments
Dan
5th October 2018 at 3:24 pmWill this amount power the B&W Cm1 s2?
Paul Rigby
6th October 2018 at 12:56 pmHi Dan – you’re looking at an amp pumping out a minimum of 30W for these speakers so the Audiolab should be fine.
Bill Larcombe
12th October 2018 at 9:18 pmI’m interested. Only thing is I’ve got to ‘break’ my current 17 year old NAD C320BEE first! 😉 Could do with having the DAC combined in one box though and replace my Beresford TC-7510 DAC and NAD combination. I’m pretty confident it would drive my Monitor Audio Silver RS bookshelf speakers.
Paul Rigby
13th October 2018 at 12:40 pmIf you do manage to grab one, Bill, let us know what you think, in terms of the NAD vs Audiolab sound quality. Be interested to know.
Ivo
9th November 2018 at 9:15 pmHi Paul, I am looking to pair this amp with Dali Oberon 5 . Do you think it will be a good match ? Thx
Paul Rigby
10th November 2018 at 2:09 pmYep, they should be fine Ivo. They’re quite forgiving, not really fussy speakers.
geel
24th February 2019 at 11:27 amHi Ivo, have you paired them because i’m also about to buy oberon 5 but still searching for its amplifier. thanks
John lawrence
16th January 2019 at 4:37 pmI currently own an Arcam A19. However the Audiolab 6000A looks very good. It has a very good DAC and also is dual voltage which is important to me. I have recently bought the Totem Mites, which are very good and enquire whether the Audiolab will fit with them soundwise i.e. not too dry. Many thanks
John
Paul Rigby
17th January 2019 at 12:00 pmHi John, I have not tested the Totems but, from what colleagues tell me, the pair should work quite well together.
Casper
28th January 2019 at 7:18 pmI know it’s a stretch, but would any one try to drive a pair of Dynaudio Focu 160’s with this one?
Currently have a creek 50a which is basically ok, just doesn’t always have the full control over the base.
Paul Rigby
29th January 2019 at 11:36 amHi Casper – I see no reason why the 6000A couldn’t successfully drive the 160s.
Casper
29th January 2019 at 5:20 pmPaul,
Thanks, time to go shopping!
Paul Rigby
29th January 2019 at 6:00 pm🙂
geel
24th February 2019 at 11:25 amHi Paul, how does it perform compared to rega brio r or even cheaper marantz pm6006 if you know them?
thanks,
Gilles
Paul Rigby
24th February 2019 at 11:30 amI hope to grab sone Audiolab hardware in the near future, geel, and I hope this will be one of the items the company sends over. I’ll be able to give you a definitive answer then. Sorry for the wait.
Alan
28th April 2019 at 3:36 pmHi Paul, what do you think if pair this with high sensitivity speaker such as Klipsch Reference Premier? RP-6000F?
TQ
Paul Rigby
28th April 2019 at 4:40 pmHi Alan – yes, that will work. There will be plenty of power there – and you could easily go valves if you ever felt a hankering to go in that direction which may offer a more cultured output. That said, if you like what the Audiolab provides in terms of features then it will provide plenty of guts and reserve power.
Alan
28th April 2019 at 10:20 pmThanks Paul! Appreciate it!
Mac
28th April 2019 at 11:13 pmHi Paul – Any idea how this would fare against a Luxman 550AX? In terms of musical fidelity and precision?
Paul Rigby
29th April 2019 at 8:53 amThis is the Mk.II you’re referring to Mac? Different class…and different price point too I might add 🙂 The Luxman would be the winner here but then I’d fully expect it to be.
Mac
30th April 2019 at 11:23 amHey Paul- I am referring to a MK1 AX. Thanks again for your guidance.
M
Paul Rigby
30th April 2019 at 11:56 amI’d go for the Luxman, Mac. Am I going crackers or is the Mk.1 a comparative rarity? Are you buying second hand?
RIJAS ALI
13th May 2019 at 5:31 amHello Paul ,
I have PSB Imagine T2 Towers , Is audiolab 6000A good match . I like the ESS DAC in it .
Note : My Marantz PM – 6005 died last month after 4 years .
Paul Rigby
13th May 2019 at 10:47 amThanks for your question – yes, the Audiolab should have no problem driving your speakers which are pretty sensitive anyway.
Željko Naumović
29th May 2019 at 6:55 pmHi Paul, what do you think about pairing this with low sensitivity speaker Kef Q350? Will 6000a deliver enough power. My room is about 30m2..
Thank you!
Paul Rigby
29th May 2019 at 7:07 pmHi Željko – Yep, they should be fine.
Željko Naumović
30th May 2019 at 12:25 pmThanks Paul! Best regards!!
Eric Smithson
10th June 2019 at 1:53 pmPrices here in China allow me also to match a 6000A with Q350s. The room is 52 cm3 +, open on one side and about 40% glass on the others. Would be glad to have advice re possible [preferably budget] options for a subwoofer [strictly music]. Is it even a good idea?
Paul Rigby
10th June 2019 at 3:59 pmWeeellll, I must say that I dislike subs, Eric. Which is probably not what you wanted to hear 🙂 They’re great for TV work but hi-fi? I find that they always sound detached and never quite integrate themselves into the soundstage. A speaker is designed to work as a whole, as a unit. It’s designed to produce music in a co-ordinated fashion. When you introduce a secondary part to that ‘whole’, all kinds of issues crop up. I would spend time selecting the correct speaker to do the job in the first place. Then you won’t need a sub.
Gustavo Anaya
11th June 2019 at 9:29 pmHi Paul,
I have the option of buying an Arcam FMJ A39 or the Audiolab 6000A, both at the same price. What would you recommend me? Digital inputs could make a difference but are not critical for me. Many thanks
Paul Rigby
12th June 2019 at 2:36 pmI’m due to review the 6000A in a week or two, Gustavo – if you can wait, the final review might help you in making a decision. I can provide added comments if you wish, after that.
Gustavo Anaya
12th June 2019 at 3:26 pmThanks Paul, I looking forward to read your review 🙂
Bart
12th November 2019 at 10:24 amHi Paul,
Last week I bought the Audiolab 6000A. I previously had the Cambridge Audio CXA. Though I was very happy with it, I found out that the 6000A made me even more happy. Happy is good!
But the speakers I have, Totem Acoustic Staff’s, made me less happy. There is an, even sometimes sustainable, boom with some songs I play and it also sometimes sounds as if there is a blanket covering the speakers. Since speakers are not horses, this is not good!
I know the Staff’s are in a different price level but I’m now thinking of replacing the Staff’s and go for Dali Oberon 5’s or Q Acoustic 3050i’s. Is it possible that, even though the Staff’s are more expensive, the Dali’s and Q Acoustics sound better than the Staff’s?
Paul Rigby
12th November 2019 at 6:45 pmHi Bart – yes, it’s definitely possible. I’ve yet to review them so I cannot say either way, I’m afraid. I have heard one or two issues with the Totems, though, so I know where you’re coming from on this point. Both of your alternatives are fine designs. I’d recommend a demo of both.
Bart
13th November 2019 at 10:37 amHi Paul, thanks for the fast reaction! I will listen to your recommendation and the demo’s! Thanks again!!
Paul Rigby
13th November 2019 at 10:38 amNo probs, Bart. Glad I could be of help.