Audiolab 8000 S&P - Now What?

Bes · 22 Dec 2015 at 10:32

Hi

I have an Audiolab 8000S/P pair (from the 80s) which I have been using for many years now. A while ago it started acting up and would click (like when you change input on the input selectors) randomly.

I took it for a repair to a reputable guy I know and he said there were some dry joints and components that should be replaced which was expected given its age. He also said that removing the poweramp part of the S (given I use the P anyway) could also help with the issue and he would give me a discount off the work for it anyway. He was very up front about the costs and gave me the option to sell it to him or return it to me if I feel the repair was not economical etc. I went ahead with the repair. It actually did sound better afterwards too!

Now it has started doing the same thing again (clicking and cutting out in the same way) but I notice it is worse if I change the input by hand rather than using the remote, so suspect it is related to the input selector itself. So I am moving house soon so this is an opportune time to sell it and then re purchase after I move, so some questions:

1) Is the input selector likely to be an easy fix? Is it even likely to be the actual issue?

2) Would you just sell it and buy something else? If so:
- What is it worth and where is best to sell?
- What would you replace it with? Budget is probably £500 plus whatever I get for the Audiolabs
I have a pair of JMLab Focal 816S. I like the pairing with the Audiolab- quite neutral and balanced.

Thanks!

BurningHorizons · 22 Dec 2015 at 14:56

Why don't you buy another 8000S or Q? That's the cheapest option. Alternatively the 8200CDQ would give you preamp, DAC, CD and a host of inputs for added flexibility. Can be picked up cheaper now as the 8300 range is out.
It's a shame you're having problems. I also have an S/P combo btw.

Ste · 23 Dec 2015 at 09:07

Do you use analogue inputs? If not an MDAC would be a great upgrade and you can use its digital preamp.

If you need analogue a Q would be a good bet too

Bes · 23 Dec 2015 at 09:12

So the Q would replace the S?

All my inputs are analogue for now, but I could/ should connect the Sonos reciever I have through a DAC really as with lossless music it is likely to give me better results than the Sonos' own DAC

BurningHorizons · 23 Dec 2015 at 12:00

Bes said:
So the Q would replace the S?

All my inputs are analogue for now, but I could/ should connect the Sonos reciever I have through a DAC really as with lossless music it is likely to give me better results than the Sonos' own DAC

Yes, the Q would replace the S as you're using it as a pre-amp only with the P for power. As opposed to pre-power mode where the S uses its integrated amp to drive the high frequencies, whilst the P takes care of the low frequencies.
The Q is also a much better amp apparently.

Regarding SONOS, I'm no expert I'm afraid. My streaming solution is a Musical Fidelity VDAC with Apple Airplay, both of which I picked up from eBay for not a lot. And I use Winamp to stream the lossless files. It sounds fantastic.

George Hincapie · 24 Dec 2015 at 11:36

Who did the repairs?

TBH the only chap in the entire UK I'd get to service my 8000Ms is the guy I bought them from, Kevin Green at www.theaudiocellar.co.uk

He lives out in Bicester and TBH what he doesn't know about Audiolab isn't worth knowing. I would get in touch with him and see if he can have a look at both components with a view to a service. He'll replace the caps and other parts with modern, more expensive components that wouldn't have made commercial sense to fit then.

One option you may wish to consider is to use a DAC with a pre-amp section to feed your 8000P. You'll have a far shorter, cleaner signal path then so there should be a noticeable sonic improvement. I have done exactly that myself. Or use the DAC in 'Line Out' configuration and buy a passive pre-amp (like the Nene Valley Audio P50SA).