Audiolab 6000A Integrated Amplifier

Description

6000A

With sleek rotary controls and a large, central OLED display, the 6000A bears a strong exterior resemblance to the 8300A. However unlike that costlier, analogue-only sibling, it incorporates high-quality D/A conversion which enables digital sources to be connected directly without an external DAC.

Audiolab has chosen the ES9018 Sabre32 Reference chip family to perform D/A conversion, utilising ESS Technology’s 32-bit HyperStream architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator to deliver ultra-low noise and high dynamic range.

The 6000A’s discrete class AB power amp stage delivers 50W per channel into eight 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, ensuring superior linearity and excellent thermal stability, as the idle current is kept independent of the temperature of the output transistors.

A substantial 200VA toroidal transformer, followed by 4x15000uF reservoir capacity (60000uF in total), helps the amp to maintain firm control of the music whilst enabling excellent dynamic range.

The preamp section is kept simple to maintain signal purity, with line input signals passing to a precision analogue volume stage. The latter covers the range from -80dB to +8dB in steps of 2dB and 1dB (step resolution increases with volume position). Much effort has gone into the physical layout of the 6000A’s circuitry, protecting the sensitive preamp section from noise interference. The use of independent low-noise power supplies for critical stages helps to deliver performance that rivals significantly more expensive analogue amplifiers, even before taking the 6000A’s impressive digital circuitry into account.

In recognition of the recent vinyl revival, Audiolab has included a phono stage for moving magnet phono cartridges – a high-quality, low-noise, JFET-based circuit with precise RIAA equalisation.

Similarly, an increasing number of people are using headphones for music listening, so 6000A features a dedicated headphone amp with current-feedback circuitry. Its gain bandwidth and high slew rate ensure a dynamic, detailed and engaging performance with all manner of headphone types.

Specifications

• Gain (max.): +8dB (Line), +55dB (Phono MM)
• Input Sensitivity: 720mV (Line, Volume = 0dB), 3.1mV (Phono MM, Volume = 0dB)
• Input Impedance: 10K (Line), 47K//100pF (Phono MM)
• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): < 0.0004% (Line, 1KHz @ 2V, Volume = 0dB)
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (±0.1dB)
• Output Voltage: 2.3V max. (Volume = 0dB)
• Output Impedance: 120 ohm
• Signal-to-Noise Ration (S/N): >110dB (Line, A-weighted), >76dB (Phono MM, A-weighted)
• Standby Power Consumption: <0.5W
• Power Requirements: 240V / 50-60Hz, 230V / 50-60Hz, 115V / 50-60Hz, 100V / 50-60Hz

DAC

• D-to-A converter: ES9018K2M
• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): < 0.0006% (1KHz @ 0dBFS)
• Output level (0dBFS, 1KHz): 2.05V
• Max. Sampling Frequency: 192KHz
• Signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) > 112dB (A-weighted)
• Digital Filters: Fast Roll-off, Slow Roll-off, Minimum Phase

Power Amplifier

• Gain: +29dB
• Rated Max. Power Output: 2x 50W (8 ohm, THD <1%), 2x 75W (4 ohm, THD <1%)
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (±0.3dB)
• Input Sensitivity: 720mV
• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): <0.003% (1kHz @ 40W/8ohm)
• Signal-to-Noise ratio (S/N): >110dB (A-weighted)
• Max. Output Current: 9A

Headphone Amplifier

• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): <0.01% (1kHz, 50mW)
• Output Impedance: 2.35 ohm
• Load impedance: 20-600 ohm

Full Audiolab Range Available

Unilet Sound & Vision are official retail partners for Audiolab, providing sales, advice and assistance on their entire range of high-quality audio products. Please do get in touch if you would like a demonstration or wish to purchase.

More Information

• 6000A, by Audiolab

Additional information

Brand

Audiolab

Formed in the early 1980s by Philip Swift and Derek Scotland, Audiolab earned worldwide acclaim with their 8000A - an integrated stereo amplifier that became a classic ‘step-up’ from the budget models of the time. During the ensuing years, the 8000A established itself as one of the most successful British amps ever produced, and was joined by a range of electronics including CD players, pre/power amps and an FM tuner.

The brand switched hands in 1997, changing its name to TAG McLaren Audio, and was so known until 2004 when Audiolab became part of IAG and returned to its original name.