Veteran high-end audio specialist Audiolab continues to expand its catalog by combining cutting-edge technology and design in products of extraordinary quality/price ratio. As a result of the great success obtained by its reference range, the exquisite Series 9000, the British firm has decided to take advantage of many of the technical innovations it includes in order to make it available to a wider audience. The result is the 7000 Serieslocated halfway between the aforementioned 9000 Series and the popular 6000 Series and made up of three models: the stereo integrated amplifier with DAC 7000Athe transport mechanics for compact discs 7000CDT and the “streamer” 7000N Play. All of them harmonize analog and digital circuits executed using very high quality components and an irreproachable mechanical construction, the result being an extraordinarily set musical and versatile. Equipped with an output power of 2×70 watts continuous in Class AB over 8 ohms, the 7000A immediately stands out with a new and elegant full-color front function display, which speeds up access to its impressive menu systemwith options such as digital filter selection, oversampling, input sensitivity adjustment, balance control or start-up volume level.
In terms of connectivity, the 7000A houses a wide spectrum of digital shots (USB-B included) and analog, as well as an ARC compatible HDMI to facilitate integration into an audiovisual set. It also has several line inputs and one phono input for moving magnet (MM) capsules, the latter substantially improved over that of the “best-seller” 6000A, thanks to the joint use of an input noise suppression system and a RIAA equalization circuitry very precise. For its part, the DAC section is led by a sophisticated “chip” powered by 32-bit ES9038QM2 from ESS Technology, followed by a active filter system in dedicated Class A. As a result, the 7000A can reproduce with extreme fineness digital content encoded in PCM up to 32 bits/768 kHz, DSD up to DSD512 and MQA, to which is added the possibility of oversampling incoming digital signals up to 352.8 or 384 kHz and choose between 5 reconstruction filters. Approved Roon Testedthe new Audiolab also stands out for its analog circuitry in which a generous power supply equipped with a 250 VA toroidal transformer and an output stage with Complementary Feedback topology (CFB). Aimed at fans who continue to support the CD format, the 7000CDT is a stylish and robust transport mechanism that provides substantial innovations compared to the more affordable 6000CDT. The first of these innovations is a highly versatile full-color central function display that matches that of the other 7000 Series models, while the second is a reading block with a high quality charging tray and mounted in its own electromagnetically shielded enclosure.
To this we must add a new generation power subsystema layout and construction of circuitry aimed at combating the harmful effects of potential vibrations and a master synchronization clock controlled by a thermally compensated quartz oscillator. Finally, a USB Type A input guarantees perfect playback of audio content in formats such as WAV, WMA, AAC and MP3. The third member of Audiolab’s 7000 Series is the 7000N Play network music player, a state-of-the-art digital font which represents a significant leap forward compared to its celebrated predecessor, the 6000N Play. Thus, it combines the versatility of the wireless audio platform DTS Play-Fi (using in this case an improved module) and Audiolab’s sound expertise to provide the demanding user with a sound solution. exceptionally musical streaming. Inside, we find a D/A conversion chip with 32-bit ES9038QM2 technology from Californian ESS Technology (the same one used in the 7000A amplifier) that ensures “Hi-Res” audio streaming (both wired and wireless) up to 24 bits/192 kHz. As befits electronics from Audiolab, the analog section of the 7000N Play is also very well cared for, highlighting a power circuitry Equipped with a very low noise toroidal transformer in order to maintain the purity of the musical signal at all times. Let us conclude by pointing out the extreme versatility of the function display, which, among other options, can even become a level indicator (vumeter) in “analog” or “digital” form.
