When I packed up my Toyota Crown Signia for the initial drive down to Florida in January, I was very specific when it came to which Hi-Fi components were coming with me in the car. Knowing that I had a date with inpatient treatment, and that my new apartment would not be ready for a few months because of the planned renovations — I secured a spot in my Mother’s garage for 27 boxes of books, music, clothing, and electronic gear. Everything else would have to live in storage until I’m done — and there is still some time to go on that front.
The Audiolab 6000A Integrated Amplifier that I purchased almost 6 years ago was one of the first items that I packed; my NAD C 316BEE V2 and Schiit Audio Ragnarok 2 also made the trip because I refuse to let go of quality. When I learned today that a new Audiolab 6000A MkII was forthcoming, I wanted to reassure its slightly scuffed older sibling with hundreds of hours of playing time that I would not be ditching it for the “next new thing” anytime soon.
Its sibling — the Audiolab CDT6000 also made the trip and that’s one CD transport that I will never part with; although I do wish that the manufacturer had included USB as one of the digital outputs.
The new 6000A MkII looks rather promising on paper and I’m sure it will offer the durability, reliable operation, and crystal clear tonal balance of its predecessor for a rather agreeable price — it’s probably going to be more affordable than the new Rega Brio MK7 that we just covered.
The Audiolab 6000A MkII will be available from April in a choice of silver or black finishes and will cost £699 (further prices pending). US and Canadian prices to follow next week.
Changes?
With the limited amount of time that I had today to review the first press images, the new Audiolab 6000A MkII looks a lot like the previous iteration and that’s a very good development.
There was nothing wrong with the industrial design of the original model and anything fancier would have turned me off; I really did not want to see fancy digital VU meters on some enlarged front panel which would feel like a gimmick.
Audiolab has also kept the pre-amplifier functionality of the 6000A; The board’s layout has been optimised to protect the preamplifier section from interference, which, when combined with low-noise power supplies across each stage, promises to offer a cleaner sounding tonal balance and lower levels of distortion.
The 6000A is a rather deceptive amplifier from the perspective that it doesn’t look very powerful and a quick look at its specifications would suggest that its 50 watts per channel into 8 ohms limits its usage to bookshelf loudspeakers and high-sensitivity floor standing loudspeakers.
Consumers look at the NAD C 316BEE V2 and think the same thing — but the reality is that both amplifiers have a lot more under the hood when pushed and my experience with a growing number of loudspeakers has convinced me that they do the job – and extremely well if you get everything else right.
The new Audiolab 6000A MkII also delivers 50 watts per channel into 8 ohms, and it remains the same Class A/B design. The difference is that the analog circuitry features an upgraded toroidal output transformer and power supply which results in improved control in the bottom end and cleaner sounding presentation.
The last part made me wince somewhat — I’ll get to that part soon.
The biggest change is in the amplifier’s digital circuitry; Audiolab has switched out the original ES9018K2M DAC for the latest generation 32-bit ES9038Q2M ESS Sabre chip.
If you’re familiar with the more expensive models in the Audiolab lineup, that’s the same chip offered in the Audiolab 7000A Integrated Amplifier. The 6000A MkII’s post-DAC filter now uses a Class A circuit that has been optimised internally for the upgraded DAC chip.
So yes — the new Audiolab 6000A MkII benefits from the technology used in the 7000A and 9000A.
Any Port in a Digital Storm?
I’ve been staring at a rather angry Atlantic Ocean for the past 6 weeks, so you’ll have to excuse the dark humour.
The 6000A MkII now offers two TOSLINK optical inputs, two S/PDIF coaxial digital inputs, and a brand new HDMI ARC connection for those who want to use the Audiolab Integrated Amplifier as part of a music/movies system with their TV.
There is no subwoofer output, which doesn’t make a lot of sense to me when you consider the addition of the HDMI ARC port. Analog sources are well supported here with a trio of line-level RCA inputs and a separate MM phono input for those who will want to connect their turntable.
The Audiolab 6000A MkII also offers support now for Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX HD.
Headphone usage is supported by the 6.3mm headphone jack on the front panel, and Audiolab claims that some refinements have been made to the phono stage which now offers “less noise” and “deeper backgrounds.”
The OLED display and metal chassis appear to be exactly the same.
The Bottom Line
Lest you think I’m just being slightly bitter at the moment for kvetching about some genuine improvements to an already great integrated amplifier, my experience with the Audiolab 6000A doesn’t make me want to upgrade.
In my recent review of the MOON 250i v2 Integrated Amplifier, I highlighted its superb synergy with the Wharfedale Super Denton Loudspeakers, which are my favorite model in their Heritage series regardless of price.
If the $2,500 USD asking price of the Canadian amplifier falls outside of your budget, the original 6000A is a very worthy alternative. In some ways, its thinner sounding tonal balance and neutral presentation is a better match with the Super Denton that requires a firm hand and colder approach.
Very curious to listen to the new 6000A MkII, but this may be a rare scenario where the original really does it better? We shall see.
For more information: Audiolab 6000A MkII
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- MOON 250i v2 Integrated Amplifier: The Audiophile System Builder
- Vincent Audio’s SV-500 MK Hybrid Integrated Amplifier Adds HDMI ARC and 32-bit/384kHz Hi-Res Support
- Marantz’s Model 50 Integrated Amplifier Ditches the DAC and Streaming Capabilities
Anton
March 22, 2025 at 2:25 pm
The original Audiolab 8000A was one of my favorite amplifiers when it was first released and I wonder if the 6000A or this new version is superior.
The clunky dials on the front panel never broke on me and it was distressing to see how TAG ruined this brand. IAG has done a much better job with it.
A lot of value in the two lower priced tiers.
Ian White
March 22, 2025 at 2:59 pm
Anton,
My 6000A is just super reliable and its tonal balance makes it easy to hear what other components are doing. I do find the internal DAC too incisive for my taste, which is why I’ve used external models or CD players (using the analog outputs) to achieve that presentation that I desire.
But you won’t do better at its price. It’s also super quiet. Like Vader minus the breathing staring at the galaxy in front of him.
IW