Hifi News

6000A integrated amplifier From Audiolab 

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. 

6000A integrated amplifier From Audiolab 

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. 

6000A integrated amplifier From Audiolab 

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. 

6000A integrated amplifier From Audiolab 

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.

6000A integrated amplifier From Audiolab 

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.

6000A integrated amplifier From Audiolab 

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

  • Reply
    Dan
    5th October 2018 at 3:24 pm

    Will this amount power the B&W Cm1 s2?

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      6th October 2018 at 12:56 pm

      Hi Dan – you’re looking at an amp pumping out a minimum of 30W for these speakers so the Audiolab should be fine.

  • Reply
    Bill Larcombe
    12th October 2018 at 9:18 pm

    I’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.

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      13th October 2018 at 12:40 pm

      If 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.

  • Reply
    Ivo
    9th November 2018 at 9:15 pm

    Hi Paul, I am looking to pair this amp with Dali Oberon 5 . Do you think it will be a good match ? Thx

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      10th November 2018 at 2:09 pm

      Yep, they should be fine Ivo. They’re quite forgiving, not really fussy speakers.

    • Reply
      geel
      24th February 2019 at 11:27 am

      Hi Ivo, have you paired them because i’m also about to buy oberon 5 but still searching for its amplifier. thanks

  • Reply
    John lawrence
    16th January 2019 at 4:37 pm

    I 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

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      17th January 2019 at 12:00 pm

      Hi John, I have not tested the Totems but, from what colleagues tell me, the pair should work quite well together.

  • Reply
    Casper
    28th January 2019 at 7:18 pm

    I 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.

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      29th January 2019 at 11:36 am

      Hi Casper – I see no reason why the 6000A couldn’t successfully drive the 160s.

      • Reply
        Casper
        29th January 2019 at 5:20 pm

        Paul,

        Thanks, time to go shopping!

  • Reply
    geel
    24th February 2019 at 11:25 am

    Hi Paul, how does it perform compared to rega brio r or even cheaper marantz pm6006 if you know them?
    thanks,
    Gilles

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      24th February 2019 at 11:30 am

      I 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.

  • Reply
    Alan
    28th April 2019 at 3:36 pm

    Hi Paul, what do you think if pair this with high sensitivity speaker such as Klipsch Reference Premier? RP-6000F?

    TQ

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      28th April 2019 at 4:40 pm

      Hi 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.

      • Reply
        Alan
        28th April 2019 at 10:20 pm

        Thanks Paul! Appreciate it!

  • Reply
    Mac
    28th April 2019 at 11:13 pm

    Hi Paul – Any idea how this would fare against a Luxman 550AX? In terms of musical fidelity and precision?

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      29th April 2019 at 8:53 am

      This 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.

  • Reply
    Mac
    30th April 2019 at 11:23 am

    Hey Paul- I am referring to a MK1 AX. Thanks again for your guidance.

    M

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      30th April 2019 at 11:56 am

      I’d go for the Luxman, Mac. Am I going crackers or is the Mk.1 a comparative rarity? Are you buying second hand?

  • Reply
    RIJAS ALI
    13th May 2019 at 5:31 am

    Hello 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 .

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      13th May 2019 at 10:47 am

      Thanks for your question – yes, the Audiolab should have no problem driving your speakers which are pretty sensitive anyway.

  • Reply
    Željko Naumović
    29th May 2019 at 6:55 pm

    Hi 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!

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      29th May 2019 at 7:07 pm

      Hi Željko – Yep, they should be fine.

      • Reply
        Željko Naumović
        30th May 2019 at 12:25 pm

        Thanks Paul! Best regards!!

  • Reply
    Eric Smithson
    10th June 2019 at 1:53 pm

    Prices 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?

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      10th June 2019 at 3:59 pm

      Weeellll, 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.

  • Reply
    Gustavo Anaya
    11th June 2019 at 9:29 pm

    Hi 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

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      12th June 2019 at 2:36 pm

      I’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.

      • Reply
        Gustavo Anaya
        12th June 2019 at 3:26 pm

        Thanks Paul, I looking forward to read your review 🙂

  • Reply
    Bart
    12th November 2019 at 10:24 am

    Hi 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?

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      12th November 2019 at 6:45 pm

      Hi 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.

  • Reply
    Bart
    13th November 2019 at 10:37 am

    Hi Paul, thanks for the fast reaction! I will listen to your recommendation and the demo’s! Thanks again!!

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      13th November 2019 at 10:38 am

      No probs, Bart. Glad I could be of help.

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