Audiolab 7000A Integrated Amplifier

Description

Audio 7000A Integrated Stereo Amplifier

Audiolab’s engineers have definitely hit a real sweet spot with the new 7000A. By taking everything that makes the award winning 6000A one of the most popular integrated amps of the last few years and then adding a healthy dose of upgraded tech from their flagship 9000A they have created the outstanding new 7000A.

The 7000A nestles between its two siblings in terms of both price and performance. It builds upon the same design fundamentals as the 6000A, but while the ethos remains the same, every aspect of the 7000A’s circuitry, both digital and analogue, has been enhanced to deliver updated facilities and upgraded performance.

Impressive power

The 7000A’s discrete Class AB power amp stage delivers an impressive 70W per channel into eight ohms, and is 4-ohm stable, so it can drive a wide range of speakers. There's a high-current toroidal power transformer inside that helps the amp to maintain firm control of the music whilst enabling excellent dynamic range.

Ultra versatile connectivity

The 7000A incorporates state-of-the-art digital-to-analogue signal conversion, enabling digital sources to connect directly without an external DAC. Like the 6000A, there are four S/PDIF inputs – two coaxial and two optical – but the 7000A adds a USB Type B input for PCs, Macs, smartphones, tablets and digital storage devices. It also includes an HDMI ARC input for convenient AV system integration – the 7000A is the only Audiolab amplifier to include this facility. Bluetooth reception is included too, with support for multiple codecs including aptX HD, and Bluetooth 5 compliance for optimum range and speed. For analogue sources there are three line-level RCA inputs, plus one for a turntable. Audiolab has tweaked the 7000A’s MM phono stage to improve performance compared to the 6000A, with precise RIAA equalisation and input filtering to ensure vinyl is treated with as much care as digital sources.

Flagship DAC

The 7000A DAC is built around the ESS ES9038Q2M flagship 32-bit DAC chip, using the critically acclaimed patented HyperStream® II architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator for the highest level of DAC performance.

MQA Hi-resolution sound

What’s more, the 7000A also delivers full decoding of MQA, the hi-res streaming technology from a custom-engineered MQA-certified DAC solution. This means that the complete ‘three unfold’ decoding process is performed internally, as opposed to just the final unfold in the manner of an MQA ‘renderer’, which makes the 7000A an excellent system choice for subscribers to Tidal’s ‘HiFi Plus’ tier where Tidal Masters (MQA) content can be found.

MM phono stage built-in

7000A makes a great choice for vinyl lovers, featuring a dedicated low noise MM Phono circuit with precise RIAA equalisation that sets the benchmark in ‘built-in’ phono preamplifier solutions.

Dedicated headphone amp

Enhancing the versatility of the 7000A, a high-quality dedicated headphone amp with current-feedback circuitry ensures a dynamic, detailed and engaging performance with all manner of headphone types.

Premium IPS display

To aid ease of use (and to look cool!) 7000A offers a full-colour 2.8” IPS display and GUI. This shows a variety of information in a more visually appealing way than other integrated amps – volume level, input selection, format data and more. It gives access to the 7000A’s impressive menu system, which includes options such as digital filter selection, input sensitivity adjustment, balance control and automatic standby switching. It can even be set to display a VU meter in ‘analogue’ or ‘digital’ form, showing real-time signal levels for the left and right channels, a satisfying graphical representation of the music as it plays.

As with all Audiolab hi-fi components, the 7000A yet again delivers with remarkable sonic consistency, a plethora of source and connectivity options and crisp styling.