Help! Audiolab 8000S - lost a channel

[webby]

For my £400 I'd be looking for a mint Sony ES integrated.
Remote control on many, power, build quality and great sound.

Ok.

How about repairing the 8000S and adding a power amp? Would that produce better results than a replacement for the same price?

[Gomers]

Well then, a dilemma. Do I get the 8000S repaired or go down the route of a new/2nd hand amp?

Other options??

Depends on whether you're satisfied with the 'Audiolab' sound. My previously owned 8000P (UK model) dropped a channel early last year, repair cost around £60 from local Audiolab agent / repairer. Mine had several dry joints and replacement components seen to, worked fine when I got it back but wasn't that enamoured with the dry sound, lovely piece of kit though.

As for other options, I would highly recommend anything by Exposure. I currently have the budget 1010 integrated and it's absolutely marvellous, got it almost half-price and mint from ebay, best amp I've owned, including the Brio R, hard to find used although you could get an older 2010/3010 model within a £500 budget. It's very basic which I like but makes glorious music, looking for a used Exp CDP now to match up and keep SWMBO happy from an aesthetic perspective.

[Gazjam]

Hi Lee,

Best amp I've heard in your budget is the Rega Brio-R, punches way above its weight and could get a minty one within your budget.

Been a few years since I heard the 8000S but my recollection of it was that it was quite "grey" sounding?
Dynamic enough but lacking that sense of life I enjoy in an amp, with different musicians playing off each other that kinda thing.

The Brio does that better than anythign else I've heard in its price range.
Me old mucker Brian has tried various amps in his system and he keeps coming back to the Rega, and this included a beefy Sony ES amp.
Brio-R Sounded superb with my Rega RS3's, lots of drive and grip which is what you want in an amp.
Your current speakers easy to drive?

No exaggeration in any frequency extreme...just gets on with playing the song, which I like.
More music that hifi.

[Gomers]

Hi Lee,

Best amp I've heard in your budget is the Rega Brio-R, punches way above its weight and could get a minty one within your budget.

Been a few years since I heard the 8000S but my recollection of it was that it was quite "grey" sounding?
Dynamic enough but lacking that sense of life I enjoy in an amp, with different musicians playing off each other that kinda thing.

The Brio does that better than anythign else I've heard in its price range.
Me old mucker Brian has tried various amps in his system and he keeps coming back to the Rega, and this included a beefy Sony ES amp.
Brio-R Sounded superb with my Rega RS3's, lots of drive and grip which is what you want in an amp.
Your current speakers easy to drive?

No exaggeration in any frequency extreme...just gets on with playing the song, which I like.
More music that hifi.

Lee,

While I wholly agree with Gaz, IME the Exposure offers all this and a touch more and is my preference having owned both.

Nick

[webby]

Cheers guys. My speakers are 86db but I'm told the brio will drive them no problem.

[webby]

Gazjam,

I'm pretty keen on the Brio, but just reading up more about it there seems to be some doubt about it ability to drive 4 Ohm speakers. My Dyn's are 4 Ohm/86db.

Any thoughts?

[Arkless Electronics]

Gazjam,

I'm pretty keen on the Brio, but just reading up more about it there seems to be some doubt about it ability to drive 4 Ohm speakers. My Dyn's are 4 Ohm/86db.

Any thoughts?

It does indeed appear from the Stereophile measurements that it would not be ideal with your speakers. All down to cost cutting and trying to avoid user abuse related warranty claims probably....

[Gazjam]

Lee,
I've not heard your Dyn's with the Brio and I always prefer advising from personal experience...

BUT...

From what I've read the Brio-R will be fine running 4ohm speakers.
The Brio-R manual in fact states that "The output amplifier is capable of driving awkward loads as low as 1.7Ω, belowthis the amplifier is protected against shorted speakers and reactive loads."

So no problem with 4 ohm I'd think.
The amp may get a bit warmer as it has to work harder, but well within its operating parameters
http://www.rega.co.uk/uploads/brio-r-manual.pdf

In my estimation you'll be fine Lee.
Will sound awesome.



In fact, unless your blasting the amp 24/7 for weeks at a time, the manual states that

Gazjam,

I'm pretty keen on the Brio, but just reading up more about it there seems to be some doubt about it ability to drive 4 Ohm speakers. My Dyn's are 4 Ohm/86db.

Any thoughts?

[struth]

I'd be surprised if it cant handle 4 ohm mid sensitive speakers. 86db is not that tough. Depends how big your room is and how loud you'd want it.

[Arkless Electronics]

There is no doubt that it will "handle" 4R loads but the Stereophile technical measurements do suggest that it is not at its best into 4R.