Audiolab 8300A Integrated Amplifier + Audiolab 8300CDQ CD Player

8300A

Overview

Integrated Amplifier

Completely redesigned from scratch, our new integrated amplifier, the 8300A is miles ahead of what was already an industry-leader. Higher power, an additional phono stage and new audiolab styling means the amplifier is more stylish and more versatile than ever. Most importantly it’s new, ultra-efficient circuitry and streamlined components create a listening experience which brings new definition to your favourite music.

Brilliance evolved

The 8300A’s circuit design delivers all-new sound quality. The soundstage it produces is deeper and broader, with greater space and separation within. Instrument and voices are better defined, their character is vividly portrayed. Dynamic range is greater and frequency response is further extended, with greater bass definition and treble that is both crisper and sweeter. In short, it delivers an open window on the music being played, as all great HiFi should, engaging the listener with natural, unforced energy that is fully reflective of the source material.

Versatile High End Integrated Amplifier

At this amplifier’s heart is a powerful dual-mono amplifier delivering 75W per channel into eight ohms. CFB or ‘Complementary Feedback’ topology offers superior linearity and ensures excellent thermal stability.

ACD or ‘Active Current Drive’ means current limiting is under microprocessor control, programmed to allow the amplifier to supply high currents into complex loads, on par with amplifiers that are bigger and more powerful on paper.

8300CDQ

Overview

CD Player / DAC / Preamplifier

To this specification the new 8300CDQ adds high-quality analogue preamp circuitry, coupled to three stereo pairs of line-level RCA inputs to connect analogue sources. The preamp circuitry is kept as simple as possible using high-quality components to maintain signal purity, with line input signals passing to a precision analogue volume stage. Much effort has gone into the physical layout of the 8300CDQ’s circuitry, protecting the sensitive preamp section from noise interference.

Technology

MQA

Taking it to the next level the 8300CDQ now includes MQA technology, which enables you to play back MQA audio files and streams, delivering the sound of the original master recording.

MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) is an award-winning British technology that delivers the sound of the original master recording. The master MQA file is fully authenticated and is small enough to stream or download.

The Sound of Science

The 8300CDQ adds further flexibility by incorporating a dedicated direct-coupled headphone amp with current-feedback circuitry. Accessed via a front-mounted 6.35mm socket, its gain bandwidth and high slew rate ensure a dynamic, detailed and engaging performance with all manner of headphone types.

The final key feature introduced in the 8300CDQ is decoding of MQA (Master Quality Authenticated). The brainchild of Meridian Audio co-founder Bob Stuart, MQA is a digital audio format designed for high-resolution music streaming and is available via subscription to Tidal’s ‘HiFi’ tier (among other sources). The 8300CDQ unpacks MQA data – received via the USB input – at the original file’s full resolution and passes the signal through its DAC and preamp stages, ready to feed a power amp or active speakers.

Audiolab’s MQA decoding solution was developed by John Westlake, one of Britain’s foremost digital audio experts. There are various ways to enable MQA playback on audio devices, and not all are equal sonically. Westlake’s solution maximises the format’s potential, just as the 8300CDQ’s design draws the best sound quality from other audio codecs and, of course, CDs

Launched in 2010, the original Westlake-designed Audiolab CD players – the 8200CD and 8200CDQ– were universally acclaimed for their superb sound quality and flexible facilities. In 2015, the 8300 Series arrived and both 8200 Series players were replaced by the 8300CD, building upon its predecessors’ formidable reputation. It has taken until now for this player to be joined by the enhanced 8300CDQ, further developing Audiolab’s classic line of CD players to reach still greater heights.

Specification

8300A Specifications

8300CDQ Specifications