I bought the 8000A new in 1986 in the UK for 250 pounds and it has been great ever since. Had it converted to 110V (free by Audiolab) in 1990 and have travelled all over with it. Has great power and control (Tannoy Venus II) and has lasted very well through living in Caribbean humidity, Phoenix Arizona heat, NY winters. Had a problem in Caribbean with overheating when cranked up, even with a fan on top. Nothing like silence to interupt a party! Plugs are a bit rusty and the volume control has moved away from zero. Never used tone controls. One of the best quality items I have ever bought.

I like my 8000A a lot - it is sounds so right. It might not look verybig and powerful, but it delivers more than enough power to "air out"
my apartment with everything from Melvins to Anokha (and it looks _good_). I think it is
quite neutral, and I have discovered many new details in older cds (and if the recording is crappy, you'll notice that too...) Before I bought it, I read
things like "clinical" and "dry", but I don't think it is (and I like
_real_ bass when I play my jungle).

A fantastic amp with visual and audio class.

I don't feel confortable making this particular review but since it's such a famous amp I had to. I feel unconfortable because I simply don't like the audiolab sound. I hate a female voice on the 8000A. The sound is just so cold. Of course it has a lot of detail and for what I'm concerned in an overall view it beates the crap out of the new tags (think I'm lying? audition them without knowing which ones wich). But for that matter I don't like the marantz cd players as well and they are the critics choice. It's just me, I don't like cold sounds. A warm sound with dynamic rules for me and the audiolab just doesn't give it to me. Anyway, if you like detailed ad cold sound this may very well be the amp of your life. For the price? sure, great price/quality.

System:
Rega Planet
Monitor Audio PMC 700
DPA black slink interconnects
wireworld oasis II speaker cables
Previous amp- Aura Va100II

It was time to change my amp, 'cause Aura was a little bit to hot to my system/room.
Tried Primare A20 MKII,Tag Mclaren 60i rv , Yba integre , Rotel Rc 972 + Rb 981 Audilab 8000A d series.

All are good amps, and to decide i made a test with a couple of friends.
The Audiolab was the winner. Everybody like it and in my opinion it have some improvements in the sound that the others don't have.

It is clinical, cold, someone can say, but at least in my system it sounds better than the others. It's enough powerfull, and can give you hours of pleasure listening music. You never get tired ( as some people say ).

Now, what you hear is what was recorded. If the Cd have a bad production, do not expect miracles, but he is always there to give you the good and bad things of the record and of the music.

For what he made in my system i only can give him 5 big stars.

Powerful, can drive many makes of speakers.

Extremely coloured sound, no accuracy.

Audiolab 8000a is a fine amp for a casual listener. But when you want more of everything in what you are playing, its a goner. It sounds extremely coloured, none of any accuracy and very harsh. I just wonder what made it to deserve to have such a high rating everywhere.

Somehow or rather, compared side by side, Roksan Caspian and Densen Beat 100 have the accuracy and smoothness that is missing in the 8000a.

Similar Products Used:

Roksan Caspian and Densen Beat 100.

Superb build, fantastic sound for its class, upgradeability

Lack of ultimate power on loud rock

Since this model is no longer current, this review will be mainly for the benefit of second hand buyers or else 8000A enthusiasts, but nonetheless....

I've used this amp with a pair of Spendor SP2/2's for the last 8 years. During that time I've heard lots of equipment in shops that was usually a lot more expensive. The fact that I still have it after 8 years speaks volumes either for the sound quality or else for my inability to fork out huge amounts of dough for very subtle improvements. I like to think its the former.

The old rule of garbage in garbage out applies as with any equipment but with well recorded material like Jennifer Warnes or Sarah McLachlan the sound is simply superb. Vocals are marvellously clear, due in part to the amp but also thanks to the superb mid range capabilty of the Spendors. Bass lacks ultimate extension but to be fair the speakers are only bookshelf sized. What there is though is very nice.

On rock like ZZ Top at high volume (eg 12 o'clock on the dial)the amp can run out of steam and will switch off. I think this is a great design feature for those of us who like to turn the wick up and have no understanding of clipping.

I've heard the criticisms about its supposed 'clinicality', but that's never been a problem. I like my sound neutral rather than artificially warm.

In short, in its price range, there aren't too many alternatives that come to mind as representing serious competition.