Audiolab 7000A - output query

[Phil Lawton]

Not sure if amp discussions belong in this area, so please feel free to move this, moderators.

Looking at moving from my Marantz PM6004 (I think,,,can't be arsed to move stuff to see the back of it and confirm, but it's PM6XXX, regardless) to an Audiolab 7000A, which is getting rave reviews.

One question for current owners of the latter - is the output on the rear marked "Power" suitable for outputting to a surround amp?

I have a Yamaha surround amp which just works the centre and rear speakers - it feeds from the Marantz tape output and works really well. Preserves the main set up as stereo without compromising on fidelity, so I'm hoping that the aforementioned output on the Audiolab performs the same function.

Can anyone confirm?

[Beobloke]

No, ‘Power’ is an input and is to use the unit as a standalone power amplifier.

You want the ‘Pre’ output to drive another amplifier.

[walpurgis]

Thread moved from Analogue Art to Blank Canvas area as it is more appropriate.

[Phil Lawton]

Sorry, my error…the RCA connections are marked ‘Out’, rather than ‘Power’.

Anyone?

[Macca]

Nope, sorry, you’re mistaken - the back of the Audiolab has two RCA connections quite plainly marked ‘Out’.

https://www.audiolab.co.uk/collectio...products/7000a

there's two sets, one is marked pre-out the other is just marked power.

Pre out will let you use it as a pre-amp only - power will let you input from a separate pre-amp thus using the 7000A as a power amp only. 'pre out' is an output, 'power' is an input.

So you can't use 'power' to connect to your Yamaha surround amp.

Pre out should work though.

[Phil Lawton]

there's two sets, one is marked pre-out the other is just marked power.

Pre out will let you use it as a pre-amp only - power will let you input from a separate pre-amp thus using the 7000A as a power amp only. 'pre out' is an output, 'power' is an input.

So you can't use 'power' to connect to your Yamaha surround amp.

Pre out should work though.

Yeah, I corrected my gaff above, Macca….the connection is marked as ‘Out’, not ‘Power’ (‘Power’ connection is next to it).

Makes sense that it would work, but I wanted to get an owner’s input before splurging on something which doesn’ do what I need it to do.

[Stryder5]

Yeah, I corrected my gaff above, Macca….the connection is marked as ‘Out’, not ‘Power’ (‘Power’ connection is next to it).

Makes sense that it would work, but I wanted to get an owner’s input before splurging on something which doesn’ do what I need it to do.

Phil, you’re wrong, the RCA connections from left to right looking at the rear of the amp are........Pre Out.....Power In.

You can’t use Power In to feed any signal out!

Pre Out will work as an output to your Yamaha processor.

Gary

[Macca]

Yeah, I corrected my gaff above, Macca….the connection is marked as ‘Out’, not ‘Power’ (‘Power’ connection is next to it).

.

I think it is actually marked 'Pre Out' it's just that the 'Pre' is written above the sockets and 'Out' is written below.

[Phil Lawton]

Phil, you’re wrong, the RCA connections from left to right looking at the rear of the amp are........Pre Out.....Power In.

You can’t use Power In to feed any signal out!

Pre Out will work as an output to your Yamaha processor.

Gary

That’s what I said, diddle I?

Yep, it makes sense that would work…it’s just that a grand is a lot to lay out on a “probably”…but it probably will, innit.

[Phil Lawton]

Had a chat with Frank Harvey Hi Fi today ("Hifix"), who informed that the Audiolab's "Out" connections won't act like a "Tape Out" connection, which kind of sinks the idea stone dead.

Nowt wrong with my current set up, so it's not an emergency...one of my main reasons to replace the Marantz was to be able to power a potential future purchase of B&W speakers, which I've been told repeatedly won't be driven successfully by the Marantz.

Ho-hum.

[Macca]

Probably true, modern B&W are a fairly tough load. It would work but it would be sub-optimal.

[Phil Lawton]

Probably true, modern B&W are a fairly tough load. It would work but it would be sub-optimal.

Yeah, that's what Frank Harvey's boys said, too...they did suggest a Denon to me, but it's well out of my range. I could have just about stretched to the circa £1000 for the Audiolab, but £1500 for the Denon was just a few steps too far.

[walpurgis]

If you really like your current amplifier setup, I'd suggest looking for a possibly easier to drive alternative to the B&W speakers. Failing that, try the B&Ws and see how it goes. It may work out OK. Maybe you can borrow them to test in your system first?

[Macca]

Yeah, that's what Frank Harvey's boys said, too...they did suggest a Denon to me, but it's well out of my range. I could have just about stretched to the circa £1000 for the Audiolab, but £1500 for the Denon was just a few steps too far.

I'm guessing you don't want to buy a second-hand amp? You could get something suitable for way under a grand that way.

Fair enough if you don't.

[Phil Lawton]

If you really like your current amplifier setup, I'd suggest looking for a possibly easier to drive alternative to the B&W speakers. Failing that, try the B&Ws and see how it goes. It may work out OK. Maybe you can borrow them to test in your system first?

I need to go and talk to a dealer, I think.

[Phil Lawton]

I'm guessing you don't want to buy a second-hand amp? You could get something suitable for way under a grand that way.

Fair enough if you don't.

I don’t mind second hand…everything in my system other than my amp (ironically) was bought used.

I’ve been looking at eBay, but prices all look a bit silly at the moment.

I am sorely tempted to get some used B&Ws and see what I can get out of them.

[walpurgis]

I need to go and talk to a dealer, I think.

If you have an obliging dealer within reach, go for it.

[Macca]

The possible issue with current B&W models is they tune for a 'showroom' response, depending on your taste in presentation this could get a bit wearing over time.

Don't know if you are looking for large or small speakers, these ones are amongst my favourite era of B&W back when they designed for a flat response:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/386635487093?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204616724559?

Or a lot cheaper:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305351894577?

[Pigmy Pony]

The B&W speakers Martin linked to will be excellent. To drive them I'd be inclined to try one of these. It's the same one my brother drives his B&Ws with, which it does without breaking sweat. Built like a tank too.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/196185218937?hash=item2dad8cdf79:g:gUEAAOSwpStloSQ e&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0FkZC4Pnktcn8du5m8Cla4BhRAE1R W%2B1nk4DP53mw8mUD6nWVExuPI2y%2BIYI3FNYNNLCnkFtegx sXss53jBUieKuwiXQovbUZLe9ZeBQMMREs018FpGCqsg2SOp1S mckbmoIH7dvFPt3qK%2F68GgUUIc3EEsMaKnupGNQODcB298Ps IMDvXBmolRzw70B0tca5oDDHeLlD2HQvpwSSMsA7GrilduFPS3 J%2FwZmYoru8w%2FxqqB4hv5mvAXtuipiHzkweS1%2BMvsihSl NetnW9Fd1Tng%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4ToroOqYw

I gave my old B&W speakers (DM603 S1) to my mate, who runs them with a 70s Sony 30wpc integrated, and they sound not exactly shit, but dynamically dead. No wonder he prefers watching telly these days. Convinced me that having an amp with more than enough welly super important.

[Macca]

Matrix 805 just up for sale here https://pinkfishmedia.net/forum/threads/b-w-matrix-805.288457/

Probably be okay with your existing amp too.

If you want a small two way there's probably still nothing better even today, at least not at that price.

[Phil Lawton]

The possible issue with current B&W models is they tune for a 'showroom' response, depending on your taste in presentation this could get a bit wearing over time.

Don't know if you are looking for large or small speakers, these ones are amongst my favourite era of B&W back when they designed for a flat response:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/386635487093?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204616724559?

Or a lot cheaper:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305351894577?

Cheers, Martin, but I’m really looking for floorstanders.

[Phil Lawton]

The B&W speakers Martin linked to will be excellent. To drive them I'd be inclined to try one of these. It's the same one my brother drives his B&Ws with, which it does without breaking sweat. Built like a tank too.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/196185218937?hash=item2dad8cdf79:g:gUEAAOSwpStloSQ e&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0FkZC4Pnktcn8du5m8Cla4BhRAE1R W%2B1nk4DP53mw8mUD6nWVExuPI2y%2BIYI3FNYNNLCnkFtegx sXss53jBUieKuwiXQovbUZLe9ZeBQMMREs018FpGCqsg2SOp1S mckbmoIH7dvFPt3qK%2F68GgUUIc3EEsMaKnupGNQODcB298Ps IMDvXBmolRzw70B0tca5oDDHeLlD2HQvpwSSMsA7GrilduFPS3 J%2FwZmYoru8w%2FxqqB4hv5mvAXtuipiHzkweS1%2BMvsihSl NetnW9Fd1Tng%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4ToroOqYw

I gave my old B&W speakers (DM603 S1) to my mate, who runs them with a 70s Sony 30wpc integrated, and they sound not exactly shit, but dynamically dead. No wonder he prefers watching telly these days. Convinced me that having an amp with more than enough welly super important.

Nice, but no optical inputs.

I’m thinking more and more that I’m better off sticking with what I have and maybe look at moving up the Clearaudio ladder.

Thanks, chaps…all the suggestions have been very helpful.

[mbic]

A copy of the manual can be seen here https://www.manuals.co.uk/audiolab/7000a/manual

Mike.

[Phil Lawton]

A copy of the manual can be seen here https://www.manuals.co.uk/audiolab/7000a/manual

Mike.

Cheers, Mike.