Alternative power amp replacement for Audiolab 8000a.

[Andydaa]

Hi All, you may be able to help me here. My full set up is geared towards DJ ing. Two technics 1210 mk3, a Vestax pcv 275 mixer ( which acts as a pre amp )and an Audiolab 8000a integrated amp. My thoughts now are that as the Audiolab can’t work as a power amp I would like to change it for a dedicated power amp as it seems wrong to have both the mixer and the amp working as pre amps. The amp owes me £170 so was wandering what recommendations you could offer as a suitable replacement around this budget. I do enjoy the clarity of the Audiolab which seems to suit the Kefs.
Any advice would be greatly received.
Andrew

[Macca]

https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Behringer-A500-Reference-Amplifier/6HF?origin=product-ads&msclkid=6734194186c21487c4bf45691505aa25&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PLA%20Shop%20-%20Behringer&utm_term=4583795258507182&utm_content=Behringer%20%7C%20Everything%20Else

[walpurgis]

I do enjoy the clarity of the Audiolab which seems to suit the Kefs.

I'm not really keen on the Audiolab 8000a. To me they sound a bit dull.

There's not much around in the way of power amps at £170, but if you were lucky, you might pick up a Quad 306. That would offer an improvement in sound quality, assuming the high input sensitivity works with the Vestax mixer.

[Andydaa]

Ok, thanks for that. I don’t mind increasing price to get something better. Was thinking with the speakers being 4 ohms was a key factor but never really thought about the mixer’ sensitivity.

[walpurgis]

Ok, thanks for that. I don’t mind increasing price to get something better. Was thinking with the speakers being 4 ohms was a key factor but never really thought about the mixer’ sensitivity.

In that case, you could look at the Quad 606 or 606 Mk.II. They cost a little more, but offer 140 watts into 8 ohms and 220 watts into 4 ohms, more than enough. And they're built like a tank! If you drop one on your foot, you'll need hospital treatment and the amp will probably come out of it unscathed :D.

[Macca]

Won't be easy to get a 606 for £170

[Lurch]

Around your budget I would look at the rotel 800 & 900 series power amps, they are more than capable of driving a 4 Ohm load. Have used a mates RB970BX to drive my Usher Dancer Mini 2s to good effect.

[Andydaa]

Excellent, will check out those recommendations. Quite happy to spend more if I get a marked improvement. Thanks.

[Puffin]

You can make the 8000a into a power amp as I did it to one I had years ago. You have to remove 2 resistors. I still have the manual somewhere if you are interested in this simple mod.

[Andydaa]

That would be great. Did it make much of a difference for you?

[Puffin]

Can't remember now it was about 15 years ago. It takes all the pre-amp gubbins out of circuit.

EDIT: I have tried to find where I wrote down the numbers of the resistors to be removed but without any luck. Amazingly I found where I had stored them by putting them like a staple to the back of an old Russ Andrews catalogue, but the numbers weren't written on there! But they may not have been of any use to you as it seems to depend on the serial number and year of manufacture as which resistors are the relevant one's. I only had to remove 2 resistors, but the manual refers to re-siting them and/or removing or adding jumpers to certain points.

I bought my 8000a in 1995 and the serial no ended with an F

There is a PDF of an Audiolab manual on Hifi Engine. I saved it as a PDF but it will not load here so can't add it as an attachment to this post. It gives details of what to do for some serial numbers, so it may help you if yours is one of those.

Here is the link https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/audiolab/8000a.shtml but you will need to register to view the manual.

[Mr.Ian]

n Audiolab 8000a integrated amp. My thoughts now are that as the Audiolab can’t work as a power amp
Andrew

looks like is should be very simple to mod the 8000a so the the power amp in socket on the rear could be used to bypass the pre amp stage

see here (http://www.hi-fi-insight.com/separating-the-pre-and-power-sections-on-an-audiolab-8000a.html)

[Jazid]

Alternatively if the amp is for clubbing then a new Behringer model would fit the bill, and be in budget with guarantee &c.

Sent from my BLA-L09 using Tapatalk

[Lawrence001]

I like my Yamaha P1600, you could get one of these or the more powerful model up within budget, sounds great and runs cool thanks to EE engine technology.

Sent from my BLN-L21 using Tapatalk

[Andydaa]

Sorry for slow reply, didn’t realise here was a page 2 ��. Don’t really go for a clubbing sort of environment, a bit of power and clarity suit me more. Talking about sound is really tricky. But I like clear more than warm. Not sure about turning Audiolab into a power amp, would rather swap out. Quad 606 looks great, but anything comparable would be considered.
Thanks again.