Audiolab 7000A Stereo Integrated Amp / Bluetooth DAC (Silver)

Description

7000A Integrated Amplifier

Nestled between the 6000 and 9000, the 7000 fuses premium
traits into a pricing category that follows the mantra of class-leading
performance.
Outwardly resembling the sequential series and therefore
offering a brand-wide visual aesthetic match, the audiolab 7000A improves on the
6000A with a genuine 70W per channel output, a new DAC, a new full-color IPS
LCD screen and more! More compact than the 9000 series, it maintains crisp
ergonomics, high-quality engineering, a useful range of facilities and an
excellent all-around acoustic performance and connectivity.

Classes of A and B

audiolab pulls no punches with the genuine nature of our
power rating. The 7000A’s discrete Class AB power amp stage delivers 70W per
channel into eight ohms, with a maximum current delivery of 9A amps into
difficult loads. A new standard in audiolab amplifiers, the output stage of the
discrete power amp circuits uses a CFB (Complementary Feedback) topology,
ensuring superior linearity and excellent thermal stability, as the idle
current is kept independent of the temperature of the output transistors.
Critically specified by Jan Ertner (lead engineer for the audiolab brand); the
newly developed power supply features a substantial 250VA toroidal transformer,
followed by 4x15000uF reservoir capacity (60000uF in total), helps the amp to
maintain firm control of the music whilst enabling excellent dynamic range.

Name Your Source

Whatever the input source – analogue, digital, wireless or
TV – the 7000A has been crafted to the same level of detail one has come to
expect from audiolab, all with the latest tech to be fully equipped to cover
many bases, yet it maintains a price point that keeps the audiolab brand at the
forefront of quality home audio. Dual analogue inputs cater for CD players and
line-level sources, dual Coax and SPDIF inputs expand this for the digital
sources while a Bluetooth aptX receiver serves up a solution for wireless audio
playback and smart devices. Following the growing trend for direct living room
integration of premium audio electronics and there for more in tune as the centerpiece
of your home audio system, the 7000A takes connectivity to a new dimension with
a built-in Audio Return Channel (ARC) connection for use with screens – thus
bringing the audiolab dynamic to TV-app based music playback and home theatre.
And let’s not forget the direct-to-PC connection via USB.

Flagship DAC

As is standard with audiolab integrated amplifiers, the 7000A
reaffirms the natural integration and synergy with an ESS ES9038Q2M chip.
Improving on the 6000A with this latest iteration and taking learnings from the
9000A, the 7000A utilizes ESS Technology’s 32-bit HyperStream architecture and
Time Domain Jitter Eliminator. As with the 9000A, the 7000A uses a post-DAC
filter based upon Class A topology and proprietary DC-coupled high-gain
electronic amp designs to deliver ultra-low noise and high dynamic range for
the digital audio connoisseur.

Streaming Technology

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.

Tables Are Turning

The 6000A is applauded for its ability to offer an integrated
phono pre-amp solution. The 7000A builds on this with a further improved phono
stage for moving magnet phono cartridges – using an improved version of the
high-quality, low noise MM Phono circuit and precise RIAA equalization that
sets the benchmark in ‘built-in’ phono preamplifier solutions. Same with the
dedicated headphone output. Enhancing the versatility claims of the 7000
series, the dedicated headphone amp with current-feedback circuitry caters for
the head-fi that lurks in the audiophile! Its gain bandwidth and high slew rate
ensure a dynamic, detailed and engaging performance with all manner of
headphone types – more boxes ticked for this most integrated of integrated
amplifiers.

Improved Interface

As the engineers in the audiolab camp have learned with
every model and series; greatness can be improved upon. Taking the 6000A as the
standard, audiolab know that the regular audio enthusiast’s thirst for
specification and features would mean that the eagerly anticipated linear
upgrade from the 6000A would instinctively also offer an improved display and
general user interface (GUI); hence the vibrant and visually informative 2.8″
(480 x 640mm) IPS display. The detailed but simple-to-use GUI also carries through
a general theme of information and structure from the 9000A, just in a more
compact style. The GUI includes settings for the digital phase lock loop of the
D/C converter

Satisfying Graphics

(DPLL), brightness, and operational modes. It can even be set
to display a VU meter in ‘analogue’ or ‘digital’ form; showing real-time
decibel levels for the left and right channels – a satisfying graphical
representation of the music as it plays. As with all audiolab electronic hi-fi
components, the audiolab 7000A yet again delivers with remarkable sonic
consistency, a plethora of source and connectivity options and crisp styling.
Regardless of the source material and format, the 7000A is lively and engaging
but also never loses focus on the musicality and detail. Broadness, depth and
toe-tapping rhythm are assured. The benchmark in this price class is elevated –
it’s now in the 7000 series domain!

7000A Specifications

General Description	Integrated Amplifier
Design Philosophy and Core Technology	– 2 x 70W (8 ohms) / 2 x 110W (4 ohms) Class AB
	– ES9038Q2M 32-bit DAC
	– 2.8″ (480x640mm) Full View IPS LCD
	– Built in Certified Hardware MQA Full Decoder (PC USB, Coax / Optical)
	– Bluetooth 5.0 (aptX / aptX LL) Support
	– Low Noise Moving Magnet Phono Stage
	– Dedicated Current-Feedback Headphone amp
	– Integrated / PRE-POWER / PRE only Modes
	– VU Digital / VU Analogue Meter
	– USB Upgrade Support
Inputs	3 x Analogue, 1 x Phono (MM), 1 x Power Amplifier,
	2 x SPDIF (Coax), 2 x SPDIF (Optical), 1 x HDMI ARC,
	1 x PC USB (USB B), 1 x Bluetooth (aptX/aptX LL), 1 x 12V Trigger
Outputs	1 x PRE Amplifier, 1 x Stereo Speaker, 1 x Headphone, 1 x 12V Trigger
Sampling Frequency	Optical / Coaxial: 44.1kHz – 192kHz;
	PC USB: 44.1kHz-768kHz (PCM) / DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512
Preamplifier Section
Gain	+6dB (Line); +55dB (Phono MM)
Input Sensitivity	820mV (Line, Volume = 0dB); 3.1mV (Phone MM, Volume = 0dB)
Input Impedance	10K (Line); 47K // 100pF (Phono MM)
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)	< 0.0005% (1kHz @ 2V, Volume = 0dB)
Frequency Response	20Hz-20kHz (+/-0.1dB)
Output Voltage	2.3V max. (Volume = 0dB)
Output Impedance	100 ohms
Signal-to-Noise Ratio	> 110dB (Line, A-weighted); > 76dB (Phono MM, A-weighted
DAC
D to A Converter	ES9038Q2M
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)	< 0.0005% (1KHz @ 0dBFS)
Output Level (0dBFS, 1kHz)	2.1Vrms
Max. Sampling Frequency	Optical, Coaxial: 192kHz;
	PC USB: PCM768kHz, DSD512
Power Amplifier Section
Gain	+29dB
Rated Power Output	2 x 70W (8 ohms, THD<1%); 2 x 110W (4 ohms, THD<1%)
Frequency Response	20Hz-20kHz (+/-0.3dB)
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)	<0.003% (1kHz @ 40W / 8 ohms)
Input Sensitivity	720mV
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (S/N)	> 110dB (A-weighted)
Max. Output Current	9A
Headphone Amplifier
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)	< 0.01% (1kHz, 50mW)
Output Impedance	4.7 ohms
Load Impedance	20-600 ohms
General
Standby Power Consumption	<0.5W
Net Weight	8.4kg
Gross Weight	10.7kg
Dimensions (mm) (W x D x H)	444 x 340 x 78
Carton Size (mm) (W x D x H)	500 x 455 x 140
Finish	Black / Silver
Power Requirements
	100-120V ~ 50/ 60Hz
Standard Accessories	Power Cord, Remote Control, User Manual, Antennas, etc.