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“Simply The Best”

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