Audiolab 6000A

£599

It’s not often we come across a new stereo amplifier that is able to challenge the Award-winning Rega Brio. But the Audiolab 6000A takes the fight straight to our reigning champion when it comes to mid-priced stereo amplifiers.

This is the most affordable amp Audiolab has produced in years, and also one of its most capable, confident and competitive efforts.

The Audiolab 6000A uses Class A/B amplification, with a claimed power of 50W per channel into 8 ohms. The preamplifier section is kept as simple as possible to maintain signal integrity. The layout aims to keep noise interference and distortion down to a minimum. There are also independent power supplies for critical stages of the circuit, and a dedicated headphone amplifier that uses current-feedback circuitry.

Borrowed technology

Audiolab has paid attention to the digital circuitry, with the 6000A using technology derived from the top-range 8300A series. It even uses the same DAC chip (ES9018) as in the Award-winning Audiolab M-DAC from 2011.

The 6000A has four digital inputs

– two optical and two coaxial – all capable of playing up to 24-bit/192khz hi-res audio files. There are also three line-level analogue connections and a pair of moving-magnet phono inputs. It has Bluetooth, too. A 6.3mm headphone port is mounted on the front panel, alongside a large easy-to-read OLED display and rotary dials for analogue volume, input and mode selectors.

The metal casing is available in silver or black finishes, and build quality is of a high standard. The 6000A feels solid and neatly finished with rounded corners and a sturdy aluminium front panel. The control dials turn smoothly and responsively, and selecting the sub-menu options (balance, digital filters, operating modes) is simple enough using either the physical dial or sleek remote-control wand.

As a nod to the original 8000A amplifier, Audiolab has included the ability to switch between three modes. Select which mode you want in the menu and you can switch the 6000A between integrated, preamplifier and power amp configurations.

Clean and articulate

We listen to the Audiolab 6000A in its primary role – as an integrated stereo amplifier – and are taken with how clean and articulate it sounds. It has a gorgeous sense of clarity and ample detail, leaving you listening to your music library comfortably for hours on end.

The 6000A follows the lilting vocals and delicate tone of The Unthanks’ My Laddie Sits Ower Late Up effortlessly, gliding along the tracks with a nimble footed assuredness. Voices cut through with emotion and nuance. The edges of each note are crisp and punctual. Piano notes land with satisfying weight, bass is pulled taut, and strings are bowed with conviction – it’s a confident performance.

But the 6000A isn’t all about refinement. Give it something with a charging rhythm, such as Amanda Palmer’s Runs In The Family with its underlying staccato beat, and the amp keeps the momentum going at a snappy pace – something amps twice the price don’t always manage.

The presentation is large and airy, giving instruments plenty of space to flaunt their wares. You can listen to this amp pretty loud, too – just a little hardness creeps in when you turn the volume up high. The expressive Rega Brio offers more texture and punch on grittier tracks compared with Audiolab’s refined and spacious character.

The Audiolab’s clean presentation comes through across the analogue and digital inputs alike. The DAC inside the 6000A is of a good standard, and it’s impressive to hear such a capable and composed sound at this price.

If you’re using the digital input, you get the option of three digital filters (slow roll-off, fast roll-off and minimum phase). We like ‘slow roll-off', but it’s worth experimenting to see which works best with your partnering equipment.

Of course we can’t forget the convenience of Bluetooth. The 6000A pairs swiftly with our iphone, and being able to stream songs in a flash is a bonus for a product of this kind. There’s the expected drop in quality, but the sonic character remains much the same.

There is plenty of appeal in the Audiolab's refined presentation and range of digital features and, overall, the 6000A is an excellent amp that takes the fight to a formidable class leader.