New amplification

[admin_exported]

Hi,

I currently have an Arcam A65+ amp coupled with a Rotel RCD-1070 CD player, which are played through B&W 601 S3s. For home cinema I have a Yamaha DSP-AX750SE. This and the Arcam drive my speakers for surround sound.

I love my stereo set up, but have for some time wanted to simplify things, by replacing the Arcam and Yamaha with a 7 channel power amp and a pre-amp processor.

I'm considering the Audiolab 8000AV and 8000X7, but I'm unsure how this amplification set up will compare with the sound my Arcam/Rotel/B&Ws produce at the moment. I don't want to compromise the CD sound I have. (I'm confident that the 5.1 side of things will be perfect).

Could those with some experience please shed some light if possible.

Thanks.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Absolutely go for the 8000AV/8000X7 if you can find it at the giveaway prices at which it's been offered recently - as a purist design it makes up for in performance what it lacks in state-of-the-art connectivity.

Connect your CD player through the L/R sockets of the multichannel analogue audio input for the cleanest signal path through the processor, but also have a try using the internal digital to analogue converters in the 8000AV and a digital connection from your amp.

 

[Anonymous]

Andrew, thank you for that very positive reply. Part of the reason I am hanging my nose over the Audiolab pairing is the incredible price, as well as the fact that it should be great kit. Ideally I would have gone for the Arcam DIVA pre/power setup to maintain the sound I have now, but the price is out of my reach!!

I currently use a Chord Co Silver Siren interconnect between CD and Amp, which I will continue with, however I obviously need to invest in some more interconnects to hook up the pre/power amps. Even discounted, the outlay on the Audiolab is substantial (for me anyway), but I presume the cabling needs to be up to the task, so can you suggest some suitable interconnects please?

Thanks again.

 

[Thaiman]

Interconnects become more important when use between pre/power, imo...the best around are VIRTUAL DYNAMICS Nite 3, CARDAS GOLDEN REFERENCE, KRYTAL KABLE STERLING 2.

 

[Anonymous]

I think you will find the B&W a very limiting factor as you get better amplification,so you would need to bear that in mind.

 

[Anonymous]

Silly, thanks for your reply. I see your point. I guess the B&Ws would become the poor relation. Changing those will just have to wait though, if I feel it is necessary.

I suppose if I don't audition better speakers, I won't know any better, so no loss!!!

 

[Anonymous]

Andrew,

Interested in your comments on the 8000AV/8000X7..... how does this set-up compare to the Onkyo 875 that got your best buy award given that the price is currently around the same?