written by nylonic48 on 14/12/2013
Probably the finest amplifier every made. It smacks of quality, just look at the thing. I know as well as the next man that looks shouldn't matter with audio equipment, but the fact is they do,, you part with your money you dont want to be looking at an ugly box sat on a shelf. The audiolab simply emanates good looks, its an 'head turner', it always was, and still is, you just know this piece of kit is special, even before you hear it. Its a clever design, well built, all that you could ask for. Loads of inputs, including phono inputs for mc or mm, tape loops, even pre amp outputs, so you can add a power amp of your choice for more muscle, assuming you live on the moon that is. Its versatility is unequalled. The tone controls are perfect, they allow you to tailor your sound between different sources, cd, dvd, etc, contrary to what purists will tell you, tone controls are a real bonus on an amplifier, dont get me wrong, the ones on the audiolab 8000a are very subtle, dont expect massive swings of bass and treble. The sound is perfect, nothing added, nothing taken away, what goes in, comes out. Again purists will tell you its clinical, cold sounding. These are just words they have picked up from hifi magazines. One mans cold and clinical is another mans 'accurate and precise'. As always putting together a satisfactory hifi system is about matching components, listening, experimenting, dont listen to me, or so called experts, use your ears, this amp continues to represent the very best that can be achieved on a reasonable budget,theres bargains to be had on ebay. The best thing audiolab could do is to start selling this amp again, a true classic
written by on 20/11/2011
I had one of these amp's for about 5 years and it did serve me well. The build quality is very good and has several line inputs and an 8000p can also be added. The amp gives a good clear sound with a nice stereo image. However, I feel this is a good starter amp, the treble can be a little bright witch becomes tiresome after about 30mins of listening. The real downfall though is the bass, very one dimentional with very little tone or control, almost a very low monotone noise. As i previosly mentioned, a good invitation into the hi fi world, but be sure to move on as there are plenty of better more rewarding ampout there.
written by on 12/02/2011
Audiolab 8000A Integrated Amplifier
I have two of these. One at home and one at a store where it has been used for 10 hours a day for the past 12 years. This is a great device. It is the most die hard thing I have ever seen (I have seen a few!) and delivers great sound with almost any speakers. I have tried old and new ones. From Marantz DS-900 to Wharfedale Evos. You can connect two pairs of speakers at the same time.it also supports both MM and MC cartridges in the phono stage.
I have also tried the newer 8000 series. they sound exactly the same as the old one but lack the Phono stage and the Bass/Treble knobs. These knobs are not much influence either way (Just 3 db.) The new models have remote controls instead. Which might be good.
The only negative thing I can think of is that it might not be too easy to work with in the dark. If they added some phosphor to the writings and indicators that would have been awesome.
written by on 23/08/2010
I've now had my system, Audiolab800A, Denon CD and tape, and Revolver redwood since I bought them in 1987. Only the speakers got changed, originals were mission 770 freedoms. The then future wife said they'd be too big for the flat. Swapped them to a pair of bose AM3's which had just come out at the time. Never regretted anything so much. Clannad live on the missions was a lump in the throat listening every time. Jeez, them were the days. Anyway, audiolab to me will always sit in my hifi unit, irreplaceable.
written by on 13/06/2010
8000A was given as a present (owner got himself a TagMac) and has been used by me daily over the past 1 year. It had been used previously for 4 years. Sound very good partnered with a Marantz Cd player. Pure DAB tuner, Pro-jet Classic turn table and Leak 2030 speakers which is the weakest link, but overall still good sound. Only problem I do not have a manual to confirm whether I require a phono box. Can any one help me with a copy - PLEASE
written by on 12/04/2010
Bought early '85 (I think). Given the confines of our 'listening room' - the sitting room of our cottage - I had to accept something smaller than the huge speakers of my youth: the 8000A worked very well with a pair of Rogers LS3/5a's and an AudioPro B-240. The B-240 has now expired - the roll surrounds of the cones have completely disintegrated after 25 years. So I am in the process of replacing the speakers with a pair of Spendor SA1's and a BK XXLS400. But even in its presently impaired condition, my visitors (not all cloth-eared) still comment on the clarity of the system.
written by on 06/01/2010
My 8000a has had something of a varied life.I got this amp in the mid 80's and loved it, I arent even sure to this day why I sold it on. I actually sold it to a family member, and due to unfortunate circumstances I re-aquired the amp. I had been using a denon 3850 and basically out of curiousity I hooked up the 8000a. All I can say is I was really amazed, I expected the modern denon, at £1200.00 to see the 8000a off easily. The complete opposite is the truth of it, the 8000a makes the denon sound very, very average. Its so neutral and , I dunno, 'honest' is the word that springs to mind, so unintrusive and in my opinion, impossible to fault. It looks elegant and reserved. There is no better amp than this, and the easy upgrade path makes it an amp with no competitor. Long live the 8000a, Audiolab would do well to re-release this amp, as it was.
written by on 21/08/2009
bought my Audiolab 8000A new in about 1985 and still at the heart of my kit. any equipment upgrades are carefully chosen around its own sound and i have never been disappointed. it failed in its warranty period and was given a cambridge whilst in the workshop, adequate but not in the same league! otherwise absolutely faultless and childproof - my kids destroyed my turntable. not for sale, no desire to change, it's brilliant.
written by on 11/08/2009
I got the audiolab amplifier for 15 years now, and Im very happy about it. I got it recomanded from a friend, and I bought it when I was 18 years old, my first self payed amplifier and I will say it was a good investment.
written by korruptor on 27/06/2009
I picked up my 8000A over 15 years ago and it's been in daily use since then. I DJ, so often have it pushing the limits and and it's never let me down. I'm running mine with a Beresford DAC and PMC DB1i speakers when at home and the quality is crystal clear. I'll never be parted from mine :)
written by on 01/04/2009
The Audiolab 8000A is the best amp in this class. I have one whith 12 years of daily working whithout any complaints. What electronic device could do the same? Smoth sound, graeat bass controle.
A piece of History in the HI FI industry.
Written on: 21/08/2013
these amps don't put out any bass to control.Well made but failures can be fatal,with lots of fried silicon.Overly rated amplifier.As someone else said about one-note (or similar) bass,absolutely spot on.Thin antiseptic sound.The reviewers of the dat must have been getting fat brown back-pocket money for rating this amp.
written by on 27/01/2009
I purchased my 8000A second hand, payed 200 bucks. When I connected it to my dahlquist dq18 I couldn't believe how good it sounded. Great soundtsage, superb clarity and incredible bass control. You can't get more for that price. I compared it with a electrocompaniet ec1/2, a much more expensive amp: it was a fair competition, but the audiolab basses sounded better shaped, smooth and deep.superb transparency and clarity; powerful, despite his 60+60 w; can drive without any problem any kind of speaker:; "intelligent" tone controls; essential design Only complaints: the plugs on rear panel are very cheap.
written by Olegsky on 24/07/2008
Audiolab 8000A give extraordinary sound value and clarity. Used it in parties and played it loudly for hours. Love it... Rear plugs got loose and am waiting for it from some fixing repair. For twenty years and four sets of speakers from Heybrook, BIG Technics loud.. speakers to small lean Dali speakers I will not move it for a new remote, sorry. Got myself a remote on my IPod instead.
written by on 18/06/2008
Audiolab 8000A review - I like the way my simple tannoy M2's are being driven with ease because of its weighty output (60W/CH). It does every right to the Rega Planet 2000. No matter the volume level, the best is brought out of the recordings, without nasty high-mid/high tonal levels.
Before I had an Arcam Blackbox 5 connected to it. The sound was screamy, thus uncomfortable, in my relatively small room. Pairing it with a well balanced CD player seems a must, but that's nothing new, right?
written by on 02/06/2008
A great sound integrate amplifier, runs very well Epos ES11. With 60 watt per channel I never listened at maximum, my neighbour's for many times asked to low down volume, so...
written by stunix on 23/01/2008
I have an early version which predates the CD input, however due to the extra tape input, over the years I have never been short, even through the R77/dat/dcc/tape years.
The mm and mc preamp stages also shone with a linn lp12 + atoc5, though all my vinyl has now been digitised so now I just have a laptop with 1Tb hdd and the TV plugged in..... I know, I know, but I'm also head of a family of demolition experts, so I keep it all in the attic for retirement happy in the knowledge that the amp will probably out last me!
written by arb70sok on 19/04/2006
I picked this Audiolab 8000A amp up 2nd hand on ebay for a snip. Previously I was using a Kenwood A45 amp, which was part of a 'system'. I have it hooked up to an ancient pair of Bang and Olufsen Bo1702 speakers which most certainly don't do the amp justice. None the less the clarity and precision of the AudioLab over the Kenwood was like night and day from the outset. That was using my original Kenwood sources T85 tuner, P96 turntable, can't remember the model of the tape deck.
I have since upgraded all my sources and the sound just keeps improving. Not being an "Audiophile" I just have cheap throwaway phono connectors and bog standard speaker cables. Still sounds pretty amazing to my uneducated ears! Looking forward to getting a new pair of speakers that will do this amp justice.
written by rabski on 02/03/2006
The Audiolab 8000A amplifier has been a mainstay for years, taking a back seat to much more esoteric amps, but now back in daily use as a smaller room couldn't do justice to a bi-amped Krell setup. The Audiolab has consistently punched above its weight, but experiment with cables, as the results can be surprising. A good source will reveal detail and clarity that would be a surprise from much more expensive amps.
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Rajacatur's Comment
Written on: 30/06/2012
You can download the manual at www.hifiengine.com