chenhfeng 在 2005-4-19 13:14:43 发表的内容 AudioLAB8000S,Creek 5350es,Onix 120MKII。 |
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An amp for all seasons
Here's a product that's still warm off the conveyor belt; it's an all-new Audiolab amp that, as SUJESH PAVITHRAN discovers, converts to anything at the flick of a switch ... well, almost
ONE of the fundamental rules of survival is the ability to adapt; the hi-fi industry isn't exempted from this universal law. Manufacturers who don't keep up with the times end up either in a dwindling niche market, or go out of business altogether.
One can't accuse Cambridge Systems Technology of being oblivious to this -- to what else could the sustained success of Audiolab products be attributed . . . apart from exemplary design and shrewd marketing?
Audiolab amplifiers have evolved continuously since their conception in the early 80s, in parallel with the on-going progress of digital sound, even while taking into consideration the needs of punters across the globe.
The 8000A started off as a basic integrated amp for the discerning audiophile, despite the plethora of controls on its fascia. Rough around the edges but dynamic, thoughtfully laid out and extremely flexible, it won the hearts of numerous hi-fi enthusiasts . . . few non-minimalist amps paid that much attention to sonic character.
But as the digital medium improved, so did the 8000A evolve, until it ultimately took on its trademark "neutral and almost clinical" sonic signature. Late last year, the fourth acknowledged generation of the amp (the "D" series, although there were minor upgrades every couple of years) finally showed signs of a future that was being subtly re-shaped -- a gentle sweetening of its tonal character reflected emerging trends among listeners.
What next, one asked?
Well, this brings us to the all-new 8000S integrated amp, a radical departure in numerous ways from the Audiolab tradition (although the 8000Q preamp already sounded a warning) -- no tone controls, no balance, a markedly different sonic approach, upgraded circuitry, and not surprisingly, sans phono input.
Features
I must admit to being more than a little thrilled when news of the 8000S filtered down to me. You see, over three years ago, when I first met CST's Philip Swift, I had suggested to him a "special, anniversary edition" of the 8000A, a minimalist version, if you will, for hard-headed sonic purists. All I received was an enigmatic smile, and a nod of the head as if to say, "Well, we'll see . . . ."
The 8000S couldn't be closer to what I had envisioned at the time . . . and then, some. Stripped down to the essentials, and paradoxically, taking flexibility and user-friendliness to new levels, it boldly sets out on the path carved last year by the 8000Q.
The tone and balance controls have been banished, but along with the selectors for source (six line inputs), record and volume comes a "mode" feature. This allows the user to choose five different operating parameters; here's a brief explanation:
Pre -- The 8000S operates purely as a preamp, the power amp section is disconnected;
Mute -- Self-explanatory;
Integrated -- The preamp and power sections are internally connected;
Pre-power -- As in (3), but the external preamp outputs remain operational, allowing control over an active sub-woofer;
Pre-Power AV -- The pre and power sections operate fully independently, allowing hook-up to a processor or equaliser.
On the crowded -- but neatly laid out -- rear panel, you'll find enough speaker terminals for bi-wiring (despite the new dummy sockets on the binding posts to comply with EU regulations, 4mm jacks fit tightly enough into the vertical slots). Plus two pairs of preamp outputs, one power amp input and three source outputs (two for tape, one for video). A ground terminal is also provided, should you want to route a turntable through a phono stage.
A headphone socket is included, but best of all is the remote control feature -- the handset provided is common to this amp, the 8000Q and the 8000CDM, and controls volume and source selector. Aesthetics, ergonomics and economics dictate that the 8000S is built into the same casing as all other Audiolab products.
Circuitry is based on the new versions of Audiolab 80000A and 8000C, but upgraded, while the switching and control systems borrow from the 8000Q (however, the proprietary Zq Technology wasn't an economically viable option for the 8000S). The innards include gold-contact relay signal switching, voltage regulators for low level power amp stages, and a new DC servo system for the power amp section that retains pure direct coupling even when hooked up to external gear.
Sound
The evolving nature of Audiolab sound couldn't be more obvious than in the 8000S. But first ....
Charging in to test the 8000S' prowess were Signet SL260 B/U speakers (original and newer bi-wired versions), Krix Super Brix monitors and 8000CDM/8000DAC, all wired up via van den Hul The Wind and The First. Analogue samplings were provided by Michell Gyro Dec/Morch DP-6/vdH MM One fed into 8000PPA phono preamp (obviously!).
The difference between the 8000S and the 8000A -- apart from the RM600 gap in price tags here -- is immediately noticeable. The former seems quieter yet fuller, more generous with its soundstage and supremely confident in its delivery.
The 60-watts per channel on tap helps, no doubt, but the 8000S makes everything seem so easy and relaxed. I heard two distinct approaches with different programmes. Feed the amplifier rock and pop music and it can closely reflect the genre's style -- punchy, upfront and gently brash. Switch to classical and acoustic programmes, and the amp allowed the recordings more space and ambience. Transparency, clearly, is an attribute of the 8000S.
As such, every nuance of the singer's performance, various instrumental textures and subtle variations in musicians' techniques were brought to my attention. The soundstage seemed to take on more dimension and body, and instrument placement appeared to replicate the original intention of the sound engineer. It goes without saying that the 8000S possesses an impeccable and precise sense of focus, the result perhaps, of close attention being paid by finicky designers to the purist's needs.
However, this doesn't mean that the 8000S is as intolerant as the notoriously inflexible 8000C/8000P pre-power combination -- an elegently re-tailored midband and treble allows the new amp to be more forgiving in its tonal reproduction of source signals.
You simply can't fault the near-limpid fluidity of the midrange, or the crisp edge of the higher frequencies . . . down in the lower registers, the 8000S certainly knew how to keep those grunt notes under control. It never struggled even with the most bass-heavy music I could feed it. I suspect it'll take on more cumbersome floorstanders with relish and I intend to fully test its endurance in this area at a later date.
Conclusion
I could go on and on about the 8000S' attributes, and how I believe it defines the future of Audiolab and is very possibly one of the best British integrated amps you could buy for under RM3,000 right now. But I'll stop here.
Instead, I shall leave you with one telling comment from Anthony Lim, who's attained infamy of sorts at Cambridge for his terse, "no-soul" shocker dismissal of an Audiolab amp.
A short while into a listening session with the 8000S at my place, he summed it up the only way he's capable of: "It's good, it's powerful, it's dynamic . . . why, it's got . . . SOUL!"
Model: Audiolab 8000S integrated amplifier
Price: RM2,590
Power: 60 watts per channel
Inputs: 6 (line level)
Others: Preamp outputs (2), power amp input (1), tape out (2), video out (1), various operating modes
Review model courtesy of SAPPHIRE AUDIO SYSTEMS ( 03-221-8017), 65 Jalan Pasar, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.
Category: Group D
Verdict
For: Powerful, smooth and fluent delivery; supremely coherent, with seductively re-tooled midband; the future of Audiolab is reflected here.
Against: Can't really think of anything . . . too cheap, maybe?
Rating
Sound: * * * * *
Value-for-money: * * * * *
AND where does the 8000S leave 8000A owners? Fear not, there's no need to hold a live wire to your neck. Here's what Philip Swift has to say:
"The 8000S is based on our vision of an amplifier which would be a real step above and beyond the 8000A. It costs a little bit more and it does not replace the 8000A.
"The 8000A remains an incredible amplifier and for those who are stretching their budget from a lesser integrated amplifier, the 8000A will continue to fit the bill perfectly. Who knows, the same customer may buy an 8000S later on and then use the 8000A for bi-amplifying, or as the basis of a simple surround system.
"I think we'll see a lot of existing 8000A owners who cannot justify the investment in a pre-power amplifier combination, moving on to the 8000S, safe in the knowledge that they can always move to a full pre-power amplifier system when funds permit, and pleased to discover that the 'old' 8000A is worth more than they thought."