I currently have an Audiolab 8000a and i love the sound is produces (although its happiest at louder volumes) ive been offered a swap and a little bit of money on my part for a Roksan Kandy Mk3 so im wondering if its much of an improvement or is it more a sideways move? I listen to most genres of music more on the electronic front
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Do you stream hi-res music or download hi-res tracks? We want your opinions!
Roksan Kandy Mk3 or Audiolab 8000a mk2
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plastic penguin
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With both amps I think it depends which speakers you have. The kandy can sound a little flamboyant with the wrong speakers and wonderful if they are both in synch.
Also what CDP do you currently have?
Also what CDP do you currently have?
Frank Harvey
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When you say Mk II, do you mean the ones which were updated in 1991, or do you mean the 'new' Audiolab which emerged after the demise of Tag MacLaren?
Had a pre 1991 model in for repair last week, and it sounded great on the end of a pair of ATC SM19's. Plenty of guts to it. If your Audiolab was born from the original Audiolab, I'd stick with it - you'll be looking around £1k for a worthwhile improvement.
Had a pre 1991 model in for repair last week, and it sounded great on the end of a pair of ATC SM19's. Plenty of guts to it. If your Audiolab was born from the original Audiolab, I'd stick with it - you'll be looking around £1k for a worthwhile improvement.
I'll be quite interested to hear what people say, as I have a circa 1990 Audiolab 8000a which I'm looking to upgrade, and I've considered the Kandy as well. Like you, I'm very happy with the sound of the Audiolab, but in my case I'd really like something with a remote. I'm considering just getting a preamp and using the Audiolab as the power stage. You might want to look at recommendations people have given me here:
http://community.whathifi.com/forums/t/387045.aspx
http://community.whathifi.com/forums/t/387045.aspx
Frank Harvey
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- Jun 27, 2008
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FrankHarveyHiFi:When you say Mk II, do you mean the ones which were updated in 1991, or do you mean the 'new' Audiolab which emerged after the demise of Tag MacLaren?
Had a pre 1991 model in for repair last week, and it sounded great on the end of a pair of ATC SM19's. Plenty of guts to it. If your Audiolab was born from the original Audiolab, I'd stick with it - you'll be looking around £1k for a worthwhile improvement.
yeah circa 93 i think the black one.
plastic penguin:
With both amps I think it depends which
speakers you have. The kandy can sound a little flamboyant with the
wrong speakers and wonderful if they are both in synch.
Also what CDP do you currently have?
Well im currently looking for a new pair of speakers im running it through some B&W 686 (although it sounds better through an old pair of TDL RTL near field moniors - although a touch harsh)
CDP wise im use a pc and external usb DAC
Had a pre 1991 model in for repair last week, and it sounded great on the end of a pair of ATC SM19's. Plenty of guts to it. If your Audiolab was born from the original Audiolab, I'd stick with it - you'll be looking around £1k for a worthwhile improvement.
yeah circa 93 i think the black one.
plastic penguin:
With both amps I think it depends which
speakers you have. The kandy can sound a little flamboyant with the
wrong speakers and wonderful if they are both in synch.
Also what CDP do you currently have?
Well im currently looking for a new pair of speakers im running it through some B&W 686 (although it sounds better through an old pair of TDL RTL near field moniors - although a touch harsh)
CDP wise im use a pc and external usb DAC
plastic penguin
Well-known member
- Apr 28, 2008
- 6,578
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- 36,570
johnrambo:FrankHarveyHiFi:When you say Mk II, do you mean the ones which were updated in 1991, or do you mean the 'new' Audiolab which emerged after the demise of Tag MacLaren?
Had a pre 1991 model in for repair last week, and it sounded great on the end of a pair of ATC SM19's. Plenty of guts to it. If your Audiolab was born from the original Audiolab, I'd stick with it - you'll be looking around £1k for a worthwhile improvement.
yeah circa 93 i think the black one.
plastic penguin:
With both amps I think it depends which speakers you have. The kandy can sound a little flamboyant with the wrong speakers and wonderful if they are both in synch.
Also what CDP do you currently have?
Well im currently looking for a new pair of speakers im running it through some B&W 686 (although it sounds better through an old pair of TDL RTL near field moniors - although a touch harsh)
CDP wise im use a pc and external usb DAC
Tricky one - the B&W 686, although fine in themselves won't really stretch [sonically] the Audiolab. I would suggest the 685's would be a better choice.
I heard the Audiolab back in the mid-nineties, although I can't remember what it sounded like, apart from it was very good. I would say, keep the 8000A and add a power amp to it. If you look on fleebay, they can be picked up at bargain-basement prices. If you go that route look at different speakers, like Monitor Audio, Kef or as mentioned above, the more expensive B&W's. I think you'll find it worth the premium.
Good luck.
Had a pre 1991 model in for repair last week, and it sounded great on the end of a pair of ATC SM19's. Plenty of guts to it. If your Audiolab was born from the original Audiolab, I'd stick with it - you'll be looking around £1k for a worthwhile improvement.
yeah circa 93 i think the black one.
plastic penguin:
With both amps I think it depends which speakers you have. The kandy can sound a little flamboyant with the wrong speakers and wonderful if they are both in synch.
Also what CDP do you currently have?
Well im currently looking for a new pair of speakers im running it through some B&W 686 (although it sounds better through an old pair of TDL RTL near field moniors - although a touch harsh)
CDP wise im use a pc and external usb DAC
Tricky one - the B&W 686, although fine in themselves won't really stretch [sonically] the Audiolab. I would suggest the 685's would be a better choice.
I heard the Audiolab back in the mid-nineties, although I can't remember what it sounded like, apart from it was very good. I would say, keep the 8000A and add a power amp to it. If you look on fleebay, they can be picked up at bargain-basement prices. If you go that route look at different speakers, like Monitor Audio, Kef or as mentioned above, the more expensive B&W's. I think you'll find it worth the premium.
Good luck.
Don't want to knock the B&W 685's which are fine speakers in their own way but I compared the them with B&W CM1's (using my own KI Signature amp) and for not too much more money the CM1s (apart from being better looking!!!!) knock sonic spots of the 685's. I know the 685's have a strong fan base on this site, but a quality amp such as the Audiolab deserves better than the 685s and you'll end up having to get something like the CM1's eventually.
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