Audiolab 6000A MKII - Stereo Amplifier - ASK FOR AVAILABILITY

UPDATES FROM 6000A

New ES9038Q2M DAC and active post-DAC filter
Improved toroidal transformer and power circuit
Integrated network filtering
Improved MM phono stage
Updated Bluetooth module
HDMI ARC input

Audiolab elevates its popular entry-level amplifier to MkII status, integrating technologies from the
high-end 7000A and 9000A models to deliver premium performance and versatility at a price
accessible
Cambridgeshire, England -- Since its launch in 2018, Audiolab's 6000A integrated amplifier has been a consistent best-seller,
praised by critics and loved by its owners for its useful range of features and expertly balanced sound: high-resolution audio
performance at an affordable price. Nearly seven years later, the 6000A remains the cornerstone of the entry-level 6000 series.
of the company, which also includes CD transport and network streaming components.
In 2023, the 6000 series was joined by two new ranges offered at higher prices: the mid-range 7000 series and the
9000 tip. Both of these ranges include amplifiers built on the essential 6000A model, updating the hardware
to deliver improved specifications and performance. It is from these technical developments that the 6000A MKII now benefits, updating the
key components and elevating critical circuitry to reaffirm the 6000A's status as a benchmark at its price point.
Externally, the 6000A MkII looks identical to the original model: same chassis, same controls, same central OLED display.
Under the hood is a different story; numerous upgrades have been applied, including the DAC section, the stage
phono, the transformer and the power circuits. On the back, an HDMI ARC input has been added: this is yet another
a rare feature for a high-performance stereo amplifier to offer, but one that consumer research shows
be increasingly in demand.
Amplifiers have been the beating heart of high-performance audio systems for many decades. But an amplifier
A truly versatile integrated system now has to cover many bases: digital and analog sources, wireless connectivity for devices
portable, a phono stage for vinyl playback, and amplification for headphones and speakers. What makes the 6000A a classic
Modern hi-fi is how it combines all these elements into an affordable package that is consistently strong throughout
parameter.

Led by Jan Ertner, Audiolab's electronic design team reviewed every element of the 6000A's circuit design.
to significantly improve performance. Whatever the connected source, analog or digital, everything benefits from
these improvements: more detail, more clarity, more focus.

Versatile connectivity
6000A MkII incorporates state-of-the-art digital-to-analog signal conversion, allowing digital sources to
connect directly without an external DAC. Like its predecessor, there are two coaxial and two optical S/PDIF inputs, which
handle high-resolution sampling rates up to 192 kHz.
To this complement of digital inputs, the 6000A MkII adds HDMI ARC (HDMI 2.1/eARC compliant) for seamless integration
seamless AV system integration. This allows the amplifier to connect to a TV using a single cable.
HDMI, with the added convenience of being able to use your TV remote to turn the amplifier on/off with your TV,
adjust the volume and so on. Therefore, the TV and everything connected to it, from streaming devices to video game systems,
receive a huge sonic upgrade superior to any soundbar. The 6000A MkII joins the high-end 7000A model from
Audiolab in offering this feature. The 6000A MkII also shares the 7000A's Bluetooth module, an upgrade to the offering.
Original Bluetooth 6000A. Bluetooth 5 compliance offers improved range and speed, with support for more codecs.
including aptX HD. For analog sources there are three line-level RCA inputs, plus one for a turntable. Audiolab has
Improved MM phono stage of the 6000A to deliver high-definition, low-noise performance, with RIAA equalization
precision and input filtering to ensure vinyl is treated with the same care as digital sources.
Digital circuit
Since the launch of the highly acclaimed M-DAC 14 years ago, Audiolab has been renowned for the performance of its DAC circuits. The M-DAC was
one of the world's first consumer audio products to incorporate ESS Technology's revolutionary Sabre32 Reference DAC chips,
sharing the use of the ES9018 chip family with other renowned Audiolab components, including the first-generation 6000A.

The ES9018K2M used in the 6000A remains a high-quality DAC chip, but it is now 12 years old. Audiolab has switched to a Sabre chip at
32-bit next-generation for 6000A MkII: the ES9038Q2M, the same chip used in the luxury 7000A amplifier. This is
accompanied by proprietary circuits powered by a dedicated power supply, designed to take full advantage of the architecture
ESS Technology's HyperStream II and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator for ultra-low noise and high dynamic range.
While still technically excellent, Sabre DAC chips are difficult to implement to full effect and must be
carefully integrated into a product's circuit design to extract their full sonic potential. The post-DAC active filter is a
critical element and Audiolab has developed a Class A circuit perfectly tailored to make the most of the family of
ES9038 chip; this was implemented in the 9000 and 7000 series amplifiers and now the 6000A MkII also benefits from it.
Five user-selectable digital filter settings (an increase from three on the original 6000A) allow
the listener to adjust the sound based on the source, particularly useful given the variable quality of digital formats and
streaming services. Whether connected via HDMI, S/PDIF or Bluetooth, every digital source benefits from
extraordinary quality of the DAC stage of the 6000A MkII.

Analog Circuit
The original 6000A's discrete Class AB amplifier circuitry was widely praised for its performance.
extraordinarily balanced on all critical parameters at an affordable price. The 6000A MkII is based on the same design
by upgrading the 200VA toroidal transformer and power circuit.
The new transformer's secondary windings provide a higher voltage, along with a reduced impedance for a
Improved control of the supply voltage. The transformer is followed by four 15,000 uF reserve capacitors.
(30,000 uF capacitance per rail, 60,000 uF total) for powering the power amplifier. This helps the amplifier to
maintain firm control of the music while allowing for excellent dynamic range.
Like its predecessor, the 6000A MkII's main output stage uses a CFB (Complementary Feedback) design to
superior linearity and thermal stability. The amplifier's power rating remains the same at 50 W per channel into 8 ohms,
but the maximum current delivered into difficult loads is increased from 9A to 11A, helping to ensure that the amplifier can
easily drive a wide range of speakers at high volume levels.

Headphone listeners are also well served, thanks to the 6000A MkII's dedicated headphone amplifier. With its
current feedback and high slew rate, a dynamic and detailed performance is ensured with all types of headphones,
a far cry from the basic headphone outputs of most integrated amplifiers.
The preamplifier section is kept as simple as possible to maintain signal purity, with input signals
line that pass to a precision analog volume stage. The latter covers the range from -78 dB to +8 dB in
2 dB and 1 dB increments (the resolution of the increments increases with the volume position).).

Much effort has been put into the physical layout of the 6000A MkII circuitry, protecting the sensitive circuit section.
preamplifier from noise interference. This, combined with the use of independent low-noise power supplies for all phases
criticism, helps deliver performance that rivals significantly more expensive analog amplifiers, even before
consider the impressive digital circuitry of the 6000A MkII.
The 6000A MkII's power circuitry is further enhanced by integrated filter technology, another
upgrade over the original 6000A. This removes RFI/EMI from the incoming mains supply, reducing noise.
differential mode (exacerbated by the inexpensive switching power supplies in many household appliances) and common mode noise
(compounded by airborne interference from phones, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth). This further lowers background noise, giving
even greater concentration and clarity of sound.
Pre and power operating modes
As is tradition for Audiolab integrated amplifiers, starting with the classic 8000A from 1982, the 6000A MkII offers three distinct
operating modes that reflect its discrete internal architecture and allow it to adapt to evolving needs
of the user.
The main mode is "Integrated", which combines the pre and power stages, for connecting digital and analog sources to the
amplifier inputs and a pair of speakers to its terminals. "Pre-Power Mode" disconnects the pre- and power stages.
This allows the 6000A MkII to be used solely as a power amplifier, for example connected to an AV processor
in a home theater system. It also allows you to add additional signal processing by connecting the "preamp out" jack
from the amplifier to an external processor, then returning the processor's output to the amplifier's "power amp in" jack.

Finally, 'Pre Mode' disables the power amplifier stage, turning the 6000A MkII into a DAC/preamplifier.
standalone. This allows for the addition of external power amplification, thus offering a possible path to
update.

Versatile features, virtuous performance
Replacing an amplifier that has been a UK bestseller for more than half a decade is no easy task, but
Building on the solid foundations of the original with a series of judicious upgrades, the 6000A MkII is perfectly poised to
continue the legacy of its predecessor. As a package, a high-quality and affordable integrated amplifier equipped for
the modern era, represents excellent value for money.
Over the past seven years, the 6000A's balance of sonic attributes has ensured its popularity among critics and consumers, and the
The new MkII version is clearly cut from the same cloth. It takes everything the 6000A does so well, updates it and elevates it to the
next level with greater clarity and focus. Deep, fast bass; an articulated midrange and a soundstage.
expansive; highs that sing with sweet precision – the 6000A MkII delivers a deftly balanced performance with all types of
Music, from rock to electronic, from classical to jazz. It offers an open window onto the music being played, like any great hi-fi system.
should do, engaging the listener with a natural, spontaneous energy that fully reflects the source material.
The new and improved Audiolab 6000A MkII is available from April in a choice of silver or black.