AUDIOLAB Preamp 8000Q and Mono blocks 8000M - How good are they?

[postup]

Hi everybody:

Recently saw good deals on above combo (http://www.audioaffair.co.uk/index.php?searchStr=audiolab&restrictCat=&act=viewCat) approx. 860 GBP. Local dealer also has some competitive offers on Audiolabs.

Those should drive my present speakers (AE 109) well for some time and be a good starting point for new speakers later on (as suggested by some forum participants here). The reviews/readers' opinions on WHF were favourable (apart from occasional build issues). Listened to the combo (QUAD 12L and 22L) and was quite happy with the sound. Home demo is out of question, hauling my speakers to the dealer, well, maybe, depending on your advice. Welcome your opinion on:

- Build-quality issues?

- Experience with bi-amping? (Monoblocks with stereo power amp?)

- How far does this combo go (what speaker level - pricewise?)

- What matching CDP would you suggest? Does the Audiolab 8000CD (their top model) use all potential of the combo or should I aim for something better (cca. 1000 - 1200 GBP)?

Thanks, postup

 

[postup]

Anybody? No?

0 replies, 48 views ... pas des partisans, que des sympathisants ...

Thxs, postup

 

[mitch65]

Hi

I don't know about the Audiolab pre-amp but I've had a pair of the 8000Ms. I sold them on ebay after a couple of months as I wasn't impressed having had an Audiolab integrated back in the mid 90s, which I really liked. As far as build quality, they seemed fine but I did have this nagging feeling that they were not as well built as the earlier versions (but this could be rose-tinted glasses!)

 

[gwynne61]

I've used the 8000q for 2 years using Rotel RB971 x 2 as monoblocs, very happy with sound, no plans to change for a long time. The pre amp I have is well made and nice and solid. No complaints.

 

[Anonymous]

Id get the 8000s and a 8000p as i did.

I had a look into the 8000m vs the 8000p last year and conclusion was the 8000m were a rip off, and the difference between 2x 8000m against 1x 8000p was'nt viable.

If you pick up the 8000s you can power top end, and let a 8000p do bottom end.

Upgrade, get another 8000p, so both can do top and bottom, and set the 8000s just to pre.

Pay more and pick up the 8000s over the 8000q, more options thats all....

 

[Andrew Everard]

Of course, you could always have a trawl around and see whether you can find an original 8000Q (or even 8000C) and a pair of 8000Ms. I'm talking about the pre TAG McLaren Audio ones. There are usually a few around on the auction sites or via secondhand hi-fi specialists, and they're built like tanks and virtually unbreakable, so tend to just keep on going...

The newer IAG-made Audiolabs are very good indeed, but the originals can be found for bargain money.

 

[a.g.]

reggaedave:
Id get the 8000s and a 8000p as i did.

I had a look into the 8000m vs the 8000p last year and conclusion was the 8000m were a rip off, and the difference between 2x 8000m against 1x 8000p was'nt viable.

Did you listen to them? I'm seriously thinking about a pair of 8000M amps for bi-amping with my 8000S.

 

[Anonymous]

No listen, just researched them. Cant find web pages to show you.Inside there is not much between the 8000m's and the 8000p other than price tag. How much can you pick up the 8000m's for each????

 

[Anonymous]

I am an Audiolab fan, and have the 8000CD & 8000S combo, and think it sounds great.

The 8000CD is quite a 'new' player, which is detailed and well built (i.e. buttons feel good). Although I have not heard the kit you mention hopefully it would be a good choice to pair with the mentioned Audiolab amplification due to the 'synergy'.

Finally look for bargains, as I got my 8000S for £250 brand new, and the 8000CD for £150 second hand. Both are silver which 'pre Tag' fans seems to dislike but I actually prefer. For the money I paid I doubt I could have done any better.

 

[a.g.]

reggaedave:No listen, just researched them. Cant find web pages to show you.Inside there is not much between the 8000m's and the 8000p other than price tag. How much can you pick up the 8000m's for each????

About £300 each, same as one 8000P. But it gives you that future-proofing which is really important (my hypothetical 8000S+8000M+8000M combo is over £1000 of amplification). I suppose you could always add another 8000P in the future as long as you're bi-wiring but then you might as well have bought the Ms in the first place.

Decisions, decisions!

EDIT: Perhaps Mr Everard can give us his opinion on this, as he's no stranger to Audiolab gear?

 

[Anonymous]

Well it comes down to cash now.Two monos for £600 or the power £300 one.

One thing i will say is that the 8000s on its own is average amplification, by adding a 8000p and Bi-Amping this combo is very powerful indeed.

An 8000s and two 8000m's, this would be very powerful indeed. Hope you have got some big loadspeakers !!!!! lol

 

[a.g.]

Certainly nothing anywhere as near as esoteric as those!

 

[postup]

Thanks for your suggestions.

Checked ebay, nice deals are UK only, S/H from EU countries often comes more expensive than new in Croatia , and much higher than new in UK ... S/H in UK are quite similar to special offers on new items ......

Tempted to take the "standard" route, i.e. preamp+stereo power amp (the difference between integrated+stereo PA and preamp+stereo PA is quite high; in addition, I would prefer a separate preamp) and add another stereo PA later on (or 2 mono blocks, funds permitting).

Are there any concerns that two stereo PAs may be "too powerful" for some speakers (as reggaedave said, or joked), or is it just the matter of prudent "volume" usage? (bi-amping is only theory for me ...) That is, should I be using PAs with different power ratings for lows and highs?

Could you suggest any more (Audiolab-friendly) CDPs?

Thxs, postup

 

[samn]

I've just recently acquired a used 8000Q (IAG) to match my 2X8000M. Previously, they were with 8000S. I do hear the hear the differences with my current Mission M66i Loudespeakers. My source is 8200CD. The good thing about 8000Q vs 8000S is that they consumed less electricity as the preamp has no big heatsink. The soundstage is now wider and more vivid from the previous setup.

Now, I'm looking for better loudspeakers and was hoping Andrew could point to the right direction.

Another thing, would another 2X8000M for biamping worth considering.

Thanks.

 

[toyota man]

I've just recently acquired a used 8000Q (IAG) to match my 2X8000M. Previously, they were with 8000S. I do hear the hear the differences with my current Mission M66i Loudespeakers. My source is 8200CD. The good thing about 8000Q vs 8000S is that they consumed less electricity as the preamp has no big heatsink. The soundstage is now wider and more vivid from the previous setup.

Now, I'm looking for better loudspeakers and was hoping Andrew could point to the right direction.

Another thing, would another 2X8000M for biamping worth considering.

Thanks.

I used an 8000a + 8000 px to bi amp my mission 752 sounded great so if you find the right speakers then yes another pair of 8000ms would sound massive although you might consider changing your amp's if you are going to spend a lot more money I would listen to the Musical fidelity M6500i loads of power and control massive sound stage I am thinking of getting one if I can slip it in under the radar