8000s and 8000q - much differance ?

[Gbeer7]

I'm in the process of adding an 8000p to my 2 month old 8000s amp. (8000p in the post !). Is there much differance between and 8000q and 8000s ? I know one's a pre-amp and others an intergarated amp. But is there a huge differance in sound performance ?

Cheers

[webby]

I'd be very interested to hear about the improvements the 8000P brings to your 8000S Graham.

I can't honestly answer your question but I *think* the 8000S is better than the Q. Others may confirm that, or refute it.

[DSJR]

The Q was a bit better than the S preamp section in the bad old days, there being a touch more scale and overall transparency to the source fed it. can't say if this relates to the new range or not though.

Old Audiolab is very affordable now, generally utterly reliable and the slightly clinical nature easily tamed with suitable interconnects. They liked Chord Cobra and Chameleon back then, but I reckon Mark Grant's finest would be superb.

Like I said before, i bet the older (and new?) Audiolab stuff is ripe for beter components. Top Enders dislike this make though, although I always felt the late nineties models traded "nice" colourations for (stark) truth. If you want a less clinical sound, look at the speakers and interconnects.....

[Gbeer7]

I was just curious if i made the wrong choice in buying the 8000s in February now i've just purchased the 8000p. Should I upgrade to the 8000q or be happy with what i've got ! The wife doesn't get me !!

Also coming with the 8000p i've bought two chord Chameleon silver plus interconnects. I've got chord speaker cable and Kef iq5se speakers with my 8000cd. I do love the sound. But not loads to compare with if there are better out there. My Dad has a Linn setup with Chord cables and PMC speakers. Thats a great sound which i feel not a million miles away from my audiolab gear. He's obviously has money and age on me !!!

[DSJR]

Use the 8000P/S in bi-amped form with the IQ5 speakers, which IMO are the weaker link if anything - i.e. the speakers are where you should be looking right now if you want to upgrade anything.

One quick question. If the 8000S is the Huntingdon made model from 1997 or so, the 8000PX is the one to get, as this has the same topology as the 8000S amps? The previous 8000P had a fuller bass - not a major problem, but I'd like to see the amps as identical as possible to minimise any room for error..... And before anyone tells me I'm deaf or talking out me bum, let me say that both Phil Swift and their rep (I forget his name, but he's well known in the industry) came over with the PX and compared them to me.

[Gbeer7]

Only had my KEF IQ5SE speakers since last November ! I think they sound great. Don't plan on changing them just yet !!

The 8000s was brand new this year (February)

Cheers

[DSJR]

So you have the current range Audiolab, apologies. In that case, the P will perfectly match if it's Chinese made...

The KEF's should LOVE being bi-amped I suspect, the sound becoming bigger and more "enveloping" IMO.

Don't forget to use the best interconnect on the source to amp feed. The one between S and P won't need to be very long and should be a good low capacitance type IMO.