audiolab

“Whether it was with the internal DAC, the MM phono stage, or the fully balanced analog XLR inputs—all run through its four-channel analog volume control—the Audiolab 9000Q was always musically satisfying while maintaining a precise and balanced presentation. For the audiophile on a budget, this Audiolab preamplifier-DAC offers an entry into the world of separates and provides excellent performance, solid build quality, attractive cosmetics, and an impressive feature set well beyond what I expected at its price point.”

“The Audiolab D7’s appealing blend of build, features and performance means that it deserves a place on the shortlist. Its performance is balanced and insightful, while the connectivity and build are as good as anything we’ve seen at this price.

If you are looking for a well-specified and talented outboard DAC at this level, it would be remiss if you didn’t consider this one seriously.”

”This is another fine Audiolab DAC that continues a strong run of form dating all the way back to the 8000 Series. What I find most impressive about the D7 is that it builds on the design template established by the original M-DAC, the tweaks to the performance and how it functions keep it relevant in a market that maybe isn’t consuming USB DACs with the vigour that it once was. The D7 is entirely able to work in an existing system as before, but it’s supporting a Mac or PC with a power amp, active speakers or headphones where I see it excelling – and it is superbly well adapted for the role. This is a keenly priced and well-specified little DAC that is likely to win many people over“

“Overall, the system looks at least as good as it sounds, and that is exceptional. More importantly, it functions superbly as a complete system with the remote control carrying the CDT and basic streaming options and the preamplifier’s volume control. With the Rega turntable and a decent pair of headphones, I think you could consider yourself done, in HiFi terms. With the added option of a future upgrade to a second power amplifier, this is a system to fall in love with forever.”

“...I have to come back once again to the cohesive nature of the sonic presentation. Sound here was presented as a well-designed and formulated whole. Nothing sounded out of place. There were no irritating frequencies sticking out from the sonic picture, making a nuisance of themselves...The 6000A MKII sounded correct. It sounded right...For under £1,000, the 6000A MKII is the reference design that all competitors need to test against...The 6000A MKII is the new default. It is the new standard...”

“The foray into the compact class was worthwhile. With the D7, Audiolab offers a versatile, small Hi-Res DAC that delivers the same sound as its larger siblings. With its timeless design and high-quality workmanship, the compact converter looks great in both home theater and desktop applications. As a DAC, preamp, and headphone amplifier, it consistently delivers wonderfully transparent, clear, and vibrant sound, which can even be tailored to your own taste thanks to the filter selection. Whether it's a full-size or compact format ultimately makes no difference. The Audiolab D7 is simply a first-class sounding DAC.”

"And it’s definitely worth putting the effort in to find speakers that really gel with the 6000A MKII. If we do the simple business of crunching the specs, it delivers a collection of analogue and digital connections that are competitive with anything under a grand. It’s what it does with that functionality that is really impressive, however. Across its connectivity, the Audiolab delivers a heady balance of hi-fi sensibilities and musical satisfaction that makes it very hard to beat. The 6000A MKII takes everything that the original did and proceeds to do it that little bit better. The already difficult business of choosing an affordable integrated amp just got a little bit tougher."

Given the overall tonality, you can probably already guess what's coming next: The Audiolab components aren't for listeners who prefer a warm and cozy sound. They appeal more to fans of clear announcements without drifting into excessive nitpicking and getting lost in the details. Listeners who generally prefer a neutral sound and tolerate or appreciate small excursions into something a little fresher are part of the target audience – as are hi-fi fans with darker-toned speakers who desire more balance and drive in their system.

The Audiolab 6000A MKII gets an update with an improved power supply and a revised DAC based on the latest ESS chip, plus HDMI ARC inclusion. But the competition is fierce. I compared it directly to the Rega Brio Mark 7, known for its mid-range resolution. The 6000A MKII held its own, with superior bass control, soundstaging, and imaging.

The Audiolab 6000A MkII should be right at the top of your shortlist. It has more and better connectivity than either the Fell, Rega or Arcam. It is cheaper than the latter two and only £100 more than the Fell. It cannot match the sheer quantity of inputs on the Advance Paris X-i75 and it’s not a powerful but that HDMI eARC connection is something little else at the price has. The 6000A MkII cannot deliver a truly knockout blow to all its rivals but it’s still standing unbeaten at the end and it comes Highly Recommended as a result.

"While building a two-box amplifier might initially look a firmly retro-inspired move, Audiolab has actually been rather savvy here. If you want to build on the performance of the 9000A, the Q and P combination (to say nothing of running two Ps as bridged monoblocks) is a useful step forward. Equally, if you have no need for the pair of them, on their own they bring qualities that the 9000A has been demonstrating since its launch to more specialist applications. The two-box Audiolab bridges classic and modern thinking in a way that is likely to win it a lot of friends."

The versatile 9000Q and capable 9000P are Audiolab’s crowning achievement, finally giving its 9000 series the flagships it deserves. Stylistically and technically they have strong links with the 9000A integrated, but the excellent phono stage, good DAC and tantalising possibility of upgrading to two monoblock 9000Ps make this pair a sharply priced delight for separates-loving audiophiles.

The hi-fi industry should take a leaf out of this device's book. The Audiolab 6000A delivers fantastic sound that captivates and moves you, without costing a fortune. Thanks to Bluetooth, a phono stage, and HDMI, the integrated amplifier is versatile, yet superbly crafted and boasts a timeless design. With its 75 watts, it may not tear down walls, but it certainly has enough power to wow the neighbors with bookshelf speakers or smaller floorstanding speakers. It doesn't take much to make a music fan happy, and with the 6000A MKII, all it takes is three things: switch it on, turn it up, and listen.

"...Visually, the Audiolab 6000A MKI has hardly changed from its predecessor, but it has been further upgraded technically. For its very fairly calculated purchase price of 899 EUR, the device, which has a very individual design, offers excellent features. These include very precise D/A converters, which are among the particularly good options within the “converter hierarchy” of the renowned ESS. The Bluetooth module with aptX HD and the HDMI ARC interface also maximize the practical value of the slimline amplifier."

New 6000A MKII - One of The Most Acclaimed Amplifiers Just Got Better

Audiolab intros 6000A MkII: A surprisingly affordable next-generation Hi-Fi amplifier

A British Hi-Fi maker delivers a significant upgrade to its well-loved, budget-friendly amplifier.

Audiolab has announced a fresh move into ‘new-and-improved’ upgrade territory, with its 6000A MkII amplifier set to launch in April.

Audiolab’s acclaimed amp gets a serious upgrade to match its sleek looks
The popular 6000A amplifier gets a new DAC and several other key upgrades

This is a great brand for someone who's getting into higher-end Hi-Fi but doesn't have a massive budget. They want something that’s super good quality. We just think it’s designed really well, and it sounds very good. It could be one of the biggest products on the market.

"there is a noticeable difference in clarity and focus. But I'm glad I had both here at the same time to pinpoint the differences. The 9000 Q & P has a slightly wider sound stage, but it's considerably deeper and the location of performers within it is a lot more secure. The information comes from a darker place and also falls back into a quieter place"
"If you've only got £25,000 to spend, the Audiolab 9000 Q&P compares very favorably with other integrated amplifiers and preamps at that price."

The two new Audiolab components 9000Q and 9000P have proven themselves to be excellent in testing. The characteristic, clear design and the high quality of workmanship, even in the details, are immediately apparent after unpacking the two HiFi components. Solidly processed aluminum dominates everywhere, and the preamplifier has an excellently fitted color display.

The two new Audiolab components 9000Q and 9000P have proven themselves to be excellent in testing. The characteristic, clear design and the high quality of workmanship, even in the details, are immediately apparent after unpacking the two HiFi components. Solidly processed aluminum dominates everywhere, and the preamplifier has an excellently fitted color display.

At £2500 for the duo, it sits between the Cambridge Audio CX and EX integrated/network player range. I prefer the Audiolab build quality but features and soundwise they are very different, as are the IAG Audiolabs from the Quad offerings I mention. The Audiolab might not look as beautiful as a TAG McLaren from old, but it performed better, and with the excellent knowledge from Jan Ertner and his team they should be proud of the sound, build, and design of this series...