Clean, neutral, good looks, drives easily and the extensive rear panel input facilities.

well, it's not "warm".

Really, this amp just keeps surprising me. I feel as though I can keep this thing forever (well...), mainly because I think an upgrade would lead me into $$$$ territory. I bought this amp for $500cdn dollars and it kicks! I listen to alot of digitally recorded stuff mostly Drum&Bass and Trip-Hop type of stuff, I like the feeling of "ambiance" in a recording- that something special.
I'm using it with;

Micromega Basic dual 16-bit D/A
MIT T2
Audiolab 8000A
Audioquest some crappy burgundy ones (type 2?)
B&W DM603's on granite slabs
Mirage PS-12-90 subwoofer w/monster look-alike directional Radio Shack cables

Smooth, un-obtrusive type of sound, no doubt due to the cd, but it works. Detail is just peeking out, like everything is there, but the sense of "space" and 3-d is JUST lacking, probably 'cause of the speaker cables. There are reviewers who say the amp is this or that but I tend to side with those who say it is neutral. The good thing about that is that you can partner it with a REAL good source. The sub only really takes over at 50hz; its minimum setting, the Audiolab goes down pretty low, trust me, and this is all clean power! This system really comes to life when I move the volume to 10 'o clock. Something I hadn't really done 'till today! Holy sh_t! All I can say is that you really hear the source, albeit the 'mega is holding up fabulously! You can hear phase shifts (sounds that come from "space"), the cymbals are not frying your eardrums off, they're almost natural, and the bass is pretty solid, a touch wooly (sub), but still punchy. The mid is the best part of the kit; it really approaches "natural", for my ears. there is plenty of detail and sounds don't seem to bleed into another very much. The amp NEVER sounds congested. It just throws the music out of your speakers like it's nobody's business. It's got great separation and controls my speakers very well (603's are notoriously power-hungry), compared to my trusty ol' class C NAD.
I would recommend this amp to anyone because the build is fantastic and you wouldn't want to upgrade too soon, lemme tell ya! So pick one up second-hand, this thing is SOLID! You can upgrade all your other components up to hi-fi territory before you gotta change this baby, so sit back and relax, let the tank into battle... it's a winner!
Would like to take the Cadas Power Cord route, as well as some 8TC... but damn, gotta save save save. Would also love to try a Rotel 971, 991 or Arcam 8se. Seriously this amp is tha bomb, it will serve anyone well, just do your homework and give it a good match, something with solid defined bass, as the 'lab is missing just that hair of it, but I wouldn't have known it if I didn't have the sub. For most recordings, it's more than enough. It's just my type of music, I'm a bass ho. Later, and enjoy... unless you my neighbour

p.s. The value is phenomenal, get it if you can find one especially if you want a good amp to stay with you until you get that 2K cd player.

Similar Products Used:

Nad 304, Luxman (?)

Powerful amp. , it can drive easily almost the most difficut loudspeakers

Dry sound, harsh treble

Compared to an Arcam Alpha 6 I used before, this is a more powerfull and solid amplifier which can drive my B&W CDM-1 speakers just for fun. However if you're expecting a warm sound simply forget it.

Similar Products Used:

Arcam

clean and prett powerful for rating, solid build
many inputs and record outs

clean
cheap plugs, bleeding

I bought end-of-stock 8000B which is a variant of the 8000A for the Asian market. I use it with JBL LSR32 and B&W603.

The amp is pretty clean so if input is not good it shows. I wanted something clean to replace a Denon receiver. All I know is that the amp pushes out very good detailed sound and adds little if any colour. I don't use the tone controls. I think it is faithful reproduction.

Using the same source material gives to different sounds. The JBL thin yet clear and the B&W mushy. I used different CD players and get different results. So must try before buying because getting your sound will depend on what you plug into amp. I don't think any amp in price range can match detail of this amp. You need to spend much more to get little better.

Only problem I have is that input plugs have bleeding. I think aux input leaks into tape 1 input.

Very neutral, great resolution ability in the treble, deep powerful and well defined bass, generally an extremely revealing amp.

Run very hot, speaker connectors are small and difficult to work with, interconnect terminals not the best quality. No remote control (however, can also be a strength).

This was my first better or high-end amplifier I bought compared to the Sherwood's, Sony's and Pioneer crowd.

The main reasons for buying this amplifier at the stage were its musicality when I first auditioned it at home and secondly I got it at a very good price second hand.

If not incorrect I think this amplifier was design and manufactured during the early 80's. This is significant as the digital age did not had its full impact yet. The 8000A had various "upgrades" and improvements and the exact model can be determined by the serial number at the back.

As with all good components matching is very important, also with this amplifier. Having gone through a number of speakers and CD players, I have found that mine does very well together with the original CDM7's from B&W. CD player I use is the Marantz CD63 KI. Depending on taste other CD players will also be a good match for the 8000A

I also posted reviews on the 8000S which might contradict this review if one does not consider all the listening circumstances.

Currently I am a complete vinyl freak, whereas when I purchased the 8000A my main source was the CDP. Not making any statements with regards vinyl versus CD, I do believe digital posed its own challenge upon manufacturers in order to overcome some of the "weaknesses" of digital. The 8000A is an extremely revealing amplifier and this attribute of it made some say its bright or unpleasant in the upper midrange and treble, especially when used with a low cost or older model CD players.

When I "upgraded" to the 8000S, things improved drastically with regards CD playback. The 8000S addressed some of the weaknesses find in CD players and presented the music in a much more pleasant way than the 8000A. Timing is not as good with the 8000S than with the 8000A. I also used the 8000S in bi-amp mode together with the 8000P. This combination was very satisfying with great results in spare power on hand.

Also important to note is that I was granted the opportunity recently to test a Marantz PM17 at home for two weeks. This is a great amplifier and are definitely in a different class than both the 8000A and S. One should think so considering the price difference. Looking at the back of the Marantz it seems to me that not only does Marantz know about the digital weaknesses they even cater for it by supplying a separate board for the CD inputs. My guess is that they "treat" the CD input prior it going to the pre-amp section. The result is beautiful playback using my CDP with all the high-end attributes one normally ask from a good amplifier. None of the 8000A or the 8000S really compare as a whole to the PM17. The 8000A has some of the strengths found in the PM17 and the 8000S other strengths. Both the 8000A and the 8000S has unique strengths not found in the PM17. For example the 8000A is completely neutral, very revealing and with very good pace and rhythm ability. These three attributes together were not in the PM17 to the same degree as with the 8000A.

Reason I go this extend of detail describing various experiences are important with regards the 8000A. When testing the PM17 I also used my analog front end. It is a highly modified Thorens TD166 MKIV with a Rega RB250 arm and the cartridges I used was the Shure V15 and the Ortofon MC25FL.

Switching from the 8000S to the PM17 with my analog front end and I realized just how good vinyl can be. My first reaction was to buy the PM17 and to forget all about the AudioLabs. No need to tell that budget and loyalty to my AudioLabs made me keep both the 8000A and S. But what I would have liked was to have some or all of that what I heard in the PM17.

Then I did the non logical thing in terms of upgrade as one would normally do. I switched the 8000S to pre - power mode and used the 8000S only as a power amplifier. The 8000A became the pre-amp as well as power amp. With the 8000A I drive the upper frequencies and with the 8000S I drive the lower frequencies.

Without going into details and many high end terms I can safely report that this combination is extremely powerful and satisfying. CD playback is still sensitive as a result of the 8000A and its merciless ability to reveal the source for what it is. But with my analog front end this combination is better than with what I have found on the PM17. For example the PM17 had a very good ability to reveal detail within the treble mix which contributes much to the PM17's ability to build a good solid sound stage. The said AudioLab combination has this same ability.

Important to note is that with all three different amplifiers I used a out board phono pre-amp, the Lehman Black Cube. When one compare this phono pre-amp to the build in phono pre-amp of the 8000A it is also surprising just how good the phono pre-amp section is of the 8000A. Not in the same class as the Black Cube but not far behind either.

One annoying thing about the 8000A is the cheap connectors at the back for interconnects. They are gold plated but not of good quality. One day I will upgrade them to the same type as found on the 8000S. Also the speaker connectors are not that great and again something like the ones found on the 8000S will be much better.

For the rest in terms of build quality both the 8000S and A is at a very high standard. I have found that good quality supply cables are important for AudioLab amplifiers as well as good speaker cables and interconnects. This does not mean one should run and spend big bugs, with carefully selecting the correct basic cables one can achieve a lot with DIY.

I have also found that especially the 8000A benefits from using a good power conditioner. RFI or spiky power will be revealed by the 8000A's ability to present what is happening on the input side.

As a closing statement I would like to say, anybody that says that the 8000A is this or that did not try hard enough or has a problem somewhere else. In addition if you have the 8000A, hang on to it for as long as you can, this is a special amplifier which will become more and more difficult to replace as the digital age develop.

Similar Products Used:

8000S and 8000P
Marantz PM17 MK1

Extremely "clean" and accurate to recording sound,
absolute top class build, versitility to upgrade.
Sounds more powerful than the claimed 60 W.p.c.

It's very "English" sound may not appeal to all.

The AUDIOLAB 8000 A is not an amplifier for everyone and every type of music ( not a jack of all trades..).
I got somewhat suprised to read the review from our friend from Singapore, describing it as "not accurate, coloured".

In fact, I am of exactly the opposite oppinion, it is one of the most accurate Amplifiers at this level, and thence it's true potential can be reached only when Classical music is the source material.

There's no 'artificial' boost of bass (or treble), and for this reason Jazz or Rock music can sound very dry.

The midrange is fantastic, with voices, especially female coming to real life right there in front of the listener.

Again though, if Classical/Vocal/Choral music is not your forte, forget it....get the Densen, which is a far more 'pleasant' Amp. to listen to, although with Classical music you can mistake the Chellos for Violas etc.

I have now progressed to PROCCEED / THRESHOLD pre and power Amps territory, and this certainly is a differnt league, however every now and then, I pull my old trusted 8000 A out of it's box, connect it, and beleive me, it has always managed to give me a moment or two of musical thrill...

Since the product, and the Company indeed, are now defunct there's no Commercial interest to promote it, but if you're a lover of Classical music, you'll do yourself a favour to grab one in the second hand market.
One last note, make sure it's a post 1994 product, as at that year there were some modifications made by the boys in Cambridge, that made it sounding even better.

Similar Products Used:

Rotel 970 BX, Densen B100.

Clean crisp sound, Solid build quality.

Used to cut out at about 1/2 volume until I added the 8000P (power amp). Can only switch off one set of speakers.

The audiolad was my first decent amp and I have been very happy with the performance and quality.

When I first purchased the unit it used to cut out about 1/2 volume so I contacted the dealer from which I bought it and they told me that it was a speaker protection circuit. Im not sure that I believe them but as I dont usually play music that loud, I went along.

Three years ago when I was living in the UK I purchased the matching 8000P and now use the 8000A as a pre-amp only. The cutting out problem is no longer present.

I am using a set of Castle Severn II speakers which the 8000A / 8000P has no problems driving.

The amp allows for connection of two sets of speakers and has a speaker switch which allows you to turn off the main set of speakers but does not allow you to turn off the second set.

The power delivery is fantastic and I have tried to trip up the amp with many digital recordings that other amps have sh_t themselves trying to deliver.

All in all I would say that the audiolab meets all of my expectations and is well deserved of the praise that has been laid upon it.

I bought the Audiolab 8000A four years ago on the good advice of a patient of mine, David Prakel, who is a noted reviewer for most of the hi-fi magazines in England.
It is by far the most open, detailed and analytical amp on the market, even today. I do not believe that music should be "clouded" over, by "warm", "musical", "rhythmic" amps, but the amp should reveal what really is on the recording.

This amp is bombproof, in that even my 2 and 8 year old kids are allowed to use it, (they cannot touch my turntable, though!), and I have never had even a moments problem with it.

Feed it with the best interconnects you can, it will reward you with more and more.

I borrowed a 8000A from a shop to listen to at home. The sound was very open, big, dynamic and detailed, with a wide soundstage - but a tad clinical, and very slightly harsh, especially noticeable with string sections. This was a hinderance for me, since I listen mostly to classical music. I ended up with a Rega Elicit, which is somewhat leaner sounding, less open, but somewhat sweeter and, at the bottom line, more musical. I have had a long and frustrating history of faults with the Rega from the beginning, but that's another story. If you listen mostly to jazz/pop/rock/dance, the 8000A might be your ticket.

Like most seperates, the 8000 A is prone to system matching.
I had one for a while, connected to a pair of J.B.L. L - 9, speakers,
and the sound was absolutelly wonderfull, as the JBL's are "warm"
sounding speakers, and the clinical sound of the AUDIOLAB, was
"tamed".
Later, I upgrated my speakers, to a pair of INFINITY Kappa 8.1 i,
a rather revealing speaker, that made the 8000 A, sound bright,
and rather hard (or analytical, as many say ), missing the "soul" of
the music.
I tried upgrating the Amp. by addiing an 8000 P Power Amp. but
things did not improve.
I then decided to upgrate the Amplifier, and purchased a THRESHOLD
200 S, Well, what a suprise, things fell into place, and the sound again
"real" and not HI FI.
The moral of the story?
The 8000 A is an excellent product, but depends in what system, is
going to be used in, so comments from people, like "clinical", "dry"
etc. are not correct.
I say to them, - look at the rest of your system, and in particullar, your
speakers, that is if you want to be fair, to the 8000 A.

Try listening to a KRELL Amp. connectet, to a pair of Tandy speakers
and see what you get....

Think about it...

I bought my Audiolab 8000A six years ago and was the first revamp of the original which was very sharp sounding. The sound is full, detailed, smooth and very well controlled. I have not used it much so it is still in excellent shape. I auditioned it few days ago with several speakers like the Gershman Accustics X-1 and B&W CDM-1 and it is quite powerful. The Audiolab is neutral and therefore, care must be taken to match it with other components in your system. I find it to match well with the Castle speaker line.