Audiolab 7000A Integrated Amplifier

Audiolab 7000A Integrated Amplifier (in 7000 Series Stack)

Specifications: 

7000A is a 2 x 70W into 8Ω Class AB integrated amplifier featuring five analogue and six digital inputs, two audio outs, one inbuilt headphone amplifier, phono stage, and Bluetooth with aptX and aptX LL. Those analogue inputs include 3 x RCA auxiliary, 1 x Power Amplifier, and 1 x (MM) moving magnet phono stage. The digital inputs include 2 x Optical and Coaxial a piece, 1 x PC USB, and… drum roll please, 1 x HDMI ARC. That’s right! HDMIs audio return channel gets a feature in Audiolab’s all-new 7000 Series integrated. And it’s much welcome inclusion.

It’s using an ES9038Q2M Reference DAC (of which Audiolab is renowned for its ESS DAC integration) to offer up an incredible 192kHz through both optical and coaxial inputs, a mind splitting 768kHz via its PC USB connection, and a whopping DSD512. The unit itself measures 78 x 444 x 340mm, which is almost the exact dimensions of all components within both the 6000 and 9000 Series – so, mixing and matching won’t mess with your aesthetics – it weights in at 8.4kgs, and comes available in Audiolab’s tried and tested silver or matt black aluminium finishes. Oh, and its 2.8" Full View IPS LCD colour display elegantly exhibits source information, input selections, operational modes and VU Meters.

Who is this for? 

If 6000A is an entry-level integrated amplifier for either the price conscious or those new to Hi-Fi, let it be known that 7000A is your first foray into audiophile territory. Its power, its switchable mode functionality, and this funky little digital input called HDMI ARC, they’re all designed with serious listeners in mind. As for its sound quality, that’s for the reviewers to determine. And well will link you to the latest 7000A review from Andrew Robinson below. We’re not reviewers, here; we’re retailers, which implies bias. However, that doesn’t mean we can bang on about 7000As key features – its horse power, its pre-power and integrated modes, and the introduction of HDMI ARC. And why as someone considering a serious step up in terms of their amplifier might be inclined to consider the 7000A. So, without further ado let’s dive in.

Power

There are very few speakers available today that a true 70W of Class AB grunt – per channel – won’t power and power well. There is a ton of authoritative grunt on tap here from Audiolab thanks to its maximum current delivery of 9A amps into difficult loads. But what does that actually mean? Well, some speakers have lower impedance or complex impedance curves that can dip to very low values at certain frequencies or within certain musical passages. Basically, certain speakers during certain musical passages will place greater strain on an amplifier. Now, these loads require more current from the amplifier to produce sound without distortion. So, amplifiers that can deliver that current, like the 7000A, can more effectively handle more challenging demands.

In addition to its ability to manage difficult loads is the 7000As Complementary Feedback Topology, ensuring superior linearity and excellent thermal stability. When we’re talking about linearity - linear meaning a straight line – we’re talking about amplifier designs with the most direct signal paths to ensures that the amplifier accurately amplifies the audio signal without adding unwanted harmonics or other distortions. It’s an art form to produce and produce well, and its effects are a more faithful reproduction with minimal distortion. As for thermal stability, when the idle current is independent of the temperature of the output transistors, the amplifier maintains consistent performance regardless of temperature changes. And that means you get a more reliable, stable amplifier, particularly during prolonged use at high volumes. So, in the end, this combination produces an incredibly stable, faithful reproduction free from nasty distortions that you can play all day long.

No doubt why the reviews are so damn good.

Pre Power & Integrated

Those familiar with Audiolab’s award-winning 6000 series will be familiar with the much-lauded talents of 6000A, most especially its pre, power, and integrated modes. And it’s a remarkable feature this capacity. to transform your integrated amp into a pre or power amplifier down the line. So much so, it was both noted and welcomed by every single 6000A reviewer, however surprised they were by its inclusion at the 6000s price. And it’s this surprise by almost all reviewers that posits a rather glaringly obvious question. How many 6000A owners would ever require their amp to be anything other than a quality integrated?

Such a question bears much less relevance when it comes to the 7000A. Because when you climb to this price bracket, when you’re purchasing into this level of sound and build quality, you’re far more likely to be an all-in audiophile-esque type of listener. The kind of listener that’s highly intrigued, if not outright determined, to increase their amplification power through separates sometime in the future, tumbling further and further down Hi-Fi’s sound quality rabbit hole.

Now, there is no series specific power amplifier or mono block available for the 7000A. In fact, Audiolab no longer make power amps and mono blocks. The last of those components were available within the 8300 series. However, rumour has it, there’s a 9000 series power amp called 9000P coming soon, at least according the Audiolab website. So, for those interested in purchasing the 7000A with an eye on the future, a future founded in pre and power separates, and are inclined to have all their major electronic components remain within the Audiolab family, there will be options available in the near future. And considering that both the 9000 and the 7000 series share almost exactly the same physical footprint, in terms of width and depth, it could be a tasty option. Nonetheless, a feature like 7000As pre, power, and integrated modes gives a serious listener a wealth of upgrade pathways to choose from. Making 7000 series a true entrant into the world of audiophile signature sound quality.

HDMI

The inclusion of HDMI ARC into the Audiolab ecosystem is a much welcome feature, and you won’t find it on any other series model, including the much much pricier 9000A. Now, there is some argument for that. The suggestion that 9000A is a music first, maybe music exclusive “audiophile” amplifier, and HDMI ARC is an unnecessary input inclusion for such a specific tool. However, here’s where I think that argument falls apart, and why HDMI ARC is such a welcome inclusion on the 7000A.

Modern televisions more closely resemble PCs than the old TV. So, with access to an ever-increasing number of streaming apps to either binge your favourite series or listen to your favourite album, HDMI Arc has the ability to transform this stunning integrated amplifier into a complete entertainment system. Again, I’m going to reference a Darko Audio clip, which I will link above and in the description below, but his experimentation with using a Smart TV as a network streamer showed that you can achieve quality audio results. Is it HiRes? No. Is it bit perfect? No, it isn’t that either. But it is just north of CD quality, at least with Darko’s specific model of smart TV where it upsampled everything to 48kHz. And when you include the fact that with HDMI ARC you can use the TV remote to change the volume on your amplifier, or vice versa, this clever little input is not only convenient, it’s highly attractive to a multitude of potential listeners.

Now, are there better ways to stream music? Sure. And could you do the same thing anyway with an optical input? Absolutely. And with theoretically better results. HDMI for digital audio streams is apparently high in jitter. Though, if you watch that Darko video I referenced you’ll hear John say – and his are some of the more experienced ears in the game – that he couldn’t hear that jitter, nor could he pick a difference, audibly, between smart TV streaming and a specific network streamer, even with bit perfect chops. So, Audio Return Channel’s talent for that one remote volume changes is super convenient feature that’ll get many folk over the line. And when you’re ready to dive into a more detailed, more high resolution streaming experience, well, you can pair this clever amp with the 7000N