Replacement amp for Audiolab 8000a

[Warmfuzzies]

Well, it looks like the time has come. It’s an old faithful friend which has decided to start to lose the left channel
I’ve had it since new, and it owes me nothing

Input is a Naim CD5 speakers are PMC FB1’s

It’s used for all sorts of music, and as a power amp from our Denon receiver and surround sound system

Any thoughts on what I should be looking at? It’s neen a while since I looked around.... well quite a while as the last thing I bought were the PMC’s new....
Thanks

[C&C]

What sort of budget are you looking at?

Also, do you want new or would consider used?

[Warmfuzzies]

Budget, well sensible I’d say but nothing in excess of 1k.
Old or new, not fussed really, just needs to do the job.
I’ve no idea what’s good or rated highly in the last 10 years or so

[C&C]

Looking at the quality of the source and the speakers, my impression is that the Audiolab amp was possibly the weaker link in that system, so a better level of amp would not be out of place.

If considering used, you could do worse than keep an eye on what Audio Emotion have available - maybe even give them a call and ask Gary there what his recommendations would be given the rest of your components. This Micromega amp might be a possibility? Otherwise they often get some really nice amps through.
I have no affiliation with them other than them supplying a wonderful ATC SIA2-150 amp and Spendor S6e speakers which I am very happy with.

ETA - I very nearly bought an Audiolab 8000A new back in 1987, but was demo'd a Sugden C28 P28 pre-power combo to compare and ended up going with the Sugdens (which are still going well). Other thought, I guess is have you considered looking at getting the Audiolab repaired (or is this an opportune point for an upgrade)?

Edited by C&C on Tuesday 27th March 21:15

[Mr_Yogi]

Maybe have a look at the Cyrus One or the integrated Rega amps?

[tonyg58]

If you're talking about up to 1k you have to consider/audition the Rega Elex and the Cyrus One (Elex is an utter bargain for the money).

[Warmfuzzies]

Thanks all, that Rega looks rather interesting, will have to see if anyone local can run a demo for me.

Cheers

[jumare]

I had/have an Audiolab 800A, with DIN sockets, I lost a channel and had it repaired by TAG-McLaren in Cambridge, £80 to repair and £20 shipping, it was some time ago. I never used it when I got it back it's been loaned to my Dad. When I bought it way back I auditioned it against a Rotel pre/power combination the Audiolab was much better.

Really makes me want to get it back and use it.

[Crackie]

Warmfuzzies said:

Well, it looks like the time has come. It’s an old faithful friend which has decided to start to lose the left channel
I’ve had it since new, and it owes me nothing

Input is a Naim CD5 speakers are PMC FB1’s

It’s used for all sorts of music, and as a power amp from our Denon receiver and surround sound system

Any thoughts on what I should be looking at? It’s neen a while since I looked around.... well quite a while as the last thing I bought were the PMC’s new....
Thanks

Looking at the brief and your budget, I think one of these is worth adding to the shortlist. Not sure where you are in the UK but it would be good to hear if its as good as they say.

http://www.bantamone.com/

Here's a review http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/04...

Edited by Crackie on Thursday 29th March 00:58

[Warmfuzzies]

Crackie said:

Warmfuzzies said:

Well, it looks like the time has come. It’s an old faithful friend which has decided to start to lose the left channel
I’ve had it since new, and it owes me nothing

Input is a Naim CD5 speakers are PMC FB1’s

It’s used for all sorts of music, and as a power amp from our Denon receiver and surround sound system

Any thoughts on what I should be looking at? It’s neen a while since I looked around.... well quite a while as the last thing I bought were the PMC’s new....
Thanks

Looking at the brief and your budget, I think one of these is worth adding to the shortlist. Not sure where you are in the UK but it would be good to hear if its as good as they say.

http://www.bantamone.com/

Here's a review http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/04...

Edited by Crackie on Thursday 29th March 00:58

Thanks, but that’s fugly. It might sound great but i just couldn’t live with the looks. 😏

[Black can man]

I've had my Audiolab 8000a for must be at least 30 years now.

Still going well.

[Bonefish Blues]

NAD Silverline S300 integrated perhaps?

Info here: https://www.audio-forums.com/threads/nad-s300-inte...

I run the S200 power amp and it's excellent.

Still selling for about a grand.

Edited by Bonefish Blues on Saturday 31st March 09:24

[Crackie]

Warmfuzzies said:

Thanks, but that’s fugly. It might sound great but i just couldn’t live with the looks. ??

Fair point..........but .........do you want to want to listen to it or look at it?

http://www.adrian-kingston.com/SE-A3.htm

[SS2.]

Black can man said:

I've had my Audiolab 8000a for must be at least 30 years now.

Still going well.

Same here.

After recently upgrading my turntable, I did consider replacing the 8000A with a newer and more modern amp, but it's been so faithful for so long, I just can't bring myself to get rid.

That said, this thread is already rekindling those thoughts !

[Bonefish Blues]

SS2. said:

Black can man said:

I've had my Audiolab 8000a for must be at least 30 years now.

Still going well.

Same here.

After recently upgrading my turntable, I did consider replacing the 8000A with a newer and more modern amp, but it's been so faithful for so long, I just can't bring myself to get rid.

That said, this thread is already rekindling those thoughts !

You've both done well - they do suffer from dry joints and crack their terminals.

[C&C]

Warmfuzzies said:

Thanks all, that Rega looks rather interesting, will have to see if anyone local can run a demo for me.

Cheers

The Rega is a really good amp - listened to one when recently getting an amp for the front room. Eventually settled on a Ekco integrated valve amp for a bargain price of £1k - currently £1.7k from Audio Affair.

Another option could be the Audiolab 8300A.

Don't know where "local" is to you, but if near West London, Harrow Audio (Audiolab link is to their site) are a pretty good local hifi shop, and will be able to demo the Rega, the Cyrus and the Audiolab, as well as a couple of other alternatives from the likes of Marantz.

[telecat]

I did audition an Audiolab 8000a back in the day. It's rivals at the time were the ARCAM A290 and Cyrus 2+PSX with the Musical Fidelity A1 and A100 being the alternative choice. Once there though it was either Valve or Pre/Power that was the next step. The Audiolab 800C/P combo with MF combo's being popular. An alternative was the Pioneer A400 but they didn't seem to stay the course as well as the Audiolab. I would look at Sugden, Naim and Linn Amps with perhaps a Chord integrated or Chordette combinations. They could be the upgrade you are looking for but at a price.

[Crackie]

I was trying to find a S/H Lyngdorf TDAi 2200 but I'm struggling.

Found these though.

https://www.hifi-forsale.co.uk/moreinfo.php?prod_t...

https://www.hifi-forsale.co.uk/moreinfo.php?prod_t...

https://www.hifi-forsale.co.uk/moreinfo.php?prod_t...

[Hifibuff]

Warmfuzzies said:

Well, it looks like the time has come. It’s an old faithful friend which has decided to start to lose the left channel
I’ve had it since new, and it owes me nothing

Input is a Naim CD5 speakers are PMC FB1’s

It’s used for all sorts of music, and as a power amp from our Denon receiver and surround sound system

Any thoughts on what I should be looking at? It’s neen a while since I looked around.... well quite a while as the last thing I bought were the PMC’s new....
Thanks

I'm in a very similar position that you were in..Time for an upgrade. I however, have an Audiolab 800a & Tag McLaren 60P.power amp with a Rega planet CD and PMC FB1s.

What did you go for after and how much of an improvement was there?

[C2Red]

Well, long story short.. the bloody amp refused to die properly, and is still in use after some minor dry joint repair; situation has now changed to the extent that I’m going to live with it for a while longer...

We ended up getting some AM-1s for outdoors that stole most of the budget, so I had to rethink my plans...