Just scored a bargain! Audiolab 8000s for £100!

Trick · 25 Mar 2007 at 13:10

Hi,

Something bizarre happened yesterday. I was out bouldering at Grinshill near Shawbury with a guy I've met a few times. Pretty good session - plenty of problems done and nearly managed a Font 7a I've been trying for a while. The conversation got round to hi-fi as I mentioned I'd just bought some new speakers. It turns out he's recently upgraded too and hadn't yet gotten around flogging his old kit.

One part of that old kit turned out to be an 8000s. I gave him some info on the problem that he was trying and he offered the amp to me for a ton!

Suffice to say I'm pretty chuffed as I've been intrigued about the 's' ever since I bought an 'a' a few months ago. It's an E serial number and is in perfect condition.

So, do I now flog the 8000a or is it worth bi-amping the 'a' and the 's' together? Will the 8000a be good enough for this or am I better off just sticking with the new amp?

Thanks

Trick · 28 Mar 2007 at 17:29

Thanks for the replies folks.

Well I finally got an opportunity to set the S up this lunchtime and left it running some tunes all afternoon to warm-up.

Crickey. The difference between the S and the A is marked. I thought the A was good but the S really is in a different league altogether! The RS6s really sing now. Every aspect of the performance has been enhanced - bass is more resolved, mids and highs have far better definition and the entire ensemble just seems to hang together with a far deeper sense of purpose than the A could muster. The A was a nice little amp but I really can't see myself using it now as a preamp.

Right, no doubt after a few weeks I'll be looking about for a P to pair the S to!

Thanks.

Trick · 29 Mar 2007 at 07:13

adfinni said:
only using that dvd player for cds or is it hooked up to a DAC ?

god i love the look of audiolab kit, looks like a spastic designed it, so simple

I've got an Arcam cd72 but that's still in storage and I haven't had chance to get hooked up again yet.

Trick · 14 Apr 2007 at 21:38

Corasik said:
Dont try bi amping with the S and the A, The S has a better preamp (although it lacks the flexibility of tone controls, its a better quality part), and the power amps have been revised too.

The 'S' is a pretty nice kit, the preamp is derived from the Q' although obviously its not as good as the 'Q'.

If you want to try bi'amping the best option is to try and find either an 8000SX, or even better.. an 8000P. The combination of an 8000S and an 8000P is good. (I used to run the P on the bass as its more powerfull)

I was thinking that the S had been completely revised over and above the A but during an email conversation with one of the chaps from The Audiocellar (a well respected Audiolab and TAG repair specialist) it was let on that "the power section of the 8000A and 8000S are identical". He recommended that I get the internal links that connect the pre and power amp section of the 8000a disconnected. As a result I will be able to use the S in "pre-power" mode to run the HF and connect the 8000a via the preout to run the LF:

"To bi-amp, use one amp as an integrated, and the other as a power amp. This can be either way round, but with the S this is selectable with the front switch, and with the A you need to make your mind up before repositioning internal links which involves soldering.

In which case, source input goes into eitheR A or S, that amp acts as the pre-amp and HF amp, then you run a pre-out to power-in connection to whichever amps you have running purely as a power amp. It can be done either way around!

Once split as a pre-power, an 8000A can only be used as an integrated if the internal links are resoldered in the original position, or also if it is linked externally with and RCA phono lead (i.e connect pre-out to power in)."

So, it looks like the 8000s and 8000a can be usefully used together, at least until I can track down an 8000p

Trick · 15 Apr 2007 at 18:12

Thanks for the comments Ste. The 8000a is currently with the guys at The Audioceller having the phono connectors repaired, as well as a general 'service' and the pre-power sections separated.

I couldn't believe my luck getting the 8000s so cheap. Nice tip about using the S for the LF and the A for the HF. I'll definately give that a try once I get the 8000a back.

Trick · 15 Apr 2007 at 19:09

Ste said:
Looking to swap the other for an S if the price is right, you lucky sod!

Whilst most fetch over £200 still (especially for E and F serial numbers), I've seen a couple go for c. £150 recently. Keep searching as they pop up pretty regularly.

I've yet to see a P go for sub £250 though.

Trick · 24 Apr 2007 at 12:17

Well I've just got the 8000a back from the Audio Cellar. Top job - the amp was serviced and had the pre and power mod done. I linked both the 8000s and 8000a together with the 8000s acting in pre-power mode to drive the LF. The 8000a works purely as a 60w power amp and is now driving the HF.

I left them playing for an hour so and have just sat down for a listen....

Bloody Hell! What a difference! The 8000s produces such sweet bass now it's only got that to do and the RS6's are really singing. HF sounds superb on the 8000a as well.

If anyone were ever considering bi amping then my advice is DO IT! You won't regret it!

Trick · 24 Apr 2007 at 17:32

Yes mate it is however I'm a little concerned that there's quite a loud pop/spike whenever I change either the source on the 8000s or use the remote to put the 8000s on mute. I've no idea why this is happening but evidently the pre stage on the 8000s is causing it and the 8000a doesn't appear to like it! It happens even if the 8000a is turned off. I've emailed the guys at The Audio Cellar for their ideas on why it's happening but does anyone here have a suggestions?

Obviously I want to be able to change input and use the remote mute but not at the cost of damaging the 8000a or (more importantly) the Monitor Audios!

Trick · 25 Apr 2007 at 13:28

Ste,

Don't worry, the DVD player's been shifted already!

The problem occurs even when the 8000a isn't turned on so it would appear to be an issue with the 8000s when it's in pre-power mode. Interestingly, I changed the 8000s to HF duties and the 'pop' only occurs on the treble and mid drivers. I had a lenghty email conversation with Kevin Green at the Audio Cellar last night to try and diagnose the problem.

He mentioned things like 'relay's and 'bias' etc all of which convinced me to send the 8000s to him for a service. This was probably what I was going to do anyway as the 8000s is quite a few years old and is notorious for dry joints and bias problems. Hopefully the guys there will sort the problem and I'll be able to enjoy bi-amp goodness!

Trick · 3 May 2007 at 22:05

Just to tie up a loose end in this thread - the 8000s is back from a full service. The relays on the main output and pre-power signal paths have been replaced and the bias has been fixed, along with dry joints in the power supply and LH channel amplifier resoldered.

The amp sounds better than ever and the 'pop' whilst changing input or selecting mute is a lot better even though it's still audible. I can only put this down to the sensitivity of the RS6's now (91dbs).

So all in all, i'm very happy with the 8000s/8000a power amp combo at the mo - the differnce in quality is truely astonishing for someone like myself who has no experience of bi-amping before.

I now need to turn my attention to AV - will the upgrade bug never go away?!

Trick · 4 May 2007 at 12:19

I paid £40 for a service on the 8000s that fixed bias, sorted all dry joints, reinforced and repaired phono connectors and sorted the various relays. Obviously 2-way postage has to be taken into account unless you're close to their bicester address.

http://www.theaudiocellar.co.uk/

The 8000a had a number of phono connectors replaced, volume control sorted, dry joints fixed, Lch and Rch bias fixed, heatsink refitted, phono ground fixed, pre-power sections seperated all for £60