Audiolab 8000a.........is it a worthwhile upgrade from Pioneer A400?

[castleview11]

Hi,

My A400 is currently driving a set of Kef 103.2's, which I find just awesome and so neutral. Problem is the A400 jut doesn't seem to drive them. I am quite lucky where I live, that I can listen to my system quite loud, without upsetting the neighbours!!

Now I know the 8000a is a quality intergrated, but I have no way of auditioning one prior to purchase against my current amp. What are your views guys?

 

[Tear Drop]

The Audiolab won't solve the problems you have with the Pioneer. Look elsewhere.

 

[gramps23]

The Audiolab is able to dish out more watts than the Pioneer, and has a larger, Toroidal power suply, which will keep up with the demands at high output levels more effectively. So, it will be capable of driving the KEF's better.

My concern would be about the sound of the Audiolab, which is very neutral, but not exactly very involving IMO. I had one some years back, and it didn't stay for long!

Can you give us an idea of what your budget is and what sort of sound you're after and we'll try and recommend something accordingly.

Cheers

 

[KidKomet]

Quite interested in this thread. I have the KEF 103.4's and was considering an A400 or Audiolab 8000a should my budget stretch. Would maybe an 8000c/p combo work better? I was also looking at the Rotel RX 971 series. Sadly I can't find anywhere to audition older kit.

 

[castleview11]

Thanks for your advice. I always buy used equipment, and would like something from late 70s, 80s if poss (early 90s at a push!) I have a budget of around 300, only need two channels. I listen to varied music. I'm looking for an amp which has a great deal of clarity, prefer neutral over bright and something which can extract as much bass out the 103's as possible. I'd consider an intergrzted which I could system build with in the future to runnnibg as a pre amp.

 

[eddie_baby]

I preferred the sound on the A400 to the audiolab 8000A , and I think the A400 had more grunt. I owned both for a time.

If you really want much more volume then go for something like a Nad C319 – C370 – C372 C37?? and what ever they are now, they seem to have the most power output to get those speaker cones moving. Or even a PA/studio amp that would rock the place, behrigner a500 would do the business and they are supposed to be as good as audiophile amps when it comes to sound, and are comparatively cheap against audiophile gear. You will need a pre amp though as it’s a power amp only.