New HiFi Amplifier

[bad company]

I bought my Sony amplifier in 1977 so it doesn’t owe me anything. We’ve just moved and I need to incorporate a new amp into a restricted space in a cabinet. I fancy an Audiolab 600A Play but with the antennas I don’t have the height. Has anyone tried using an external connector such as the Belking Soundform? That seems to solve the problem and save me some £’s. Have I missed anything?

https://www.belkin.com/uk/audio-adapter-with-airpl...

[alabbasi]

Are you talking DAC's?

I have something similar by Douk audio with bluetooth, coax and rca input into my analog preamp. Some also have digital fiber optic inputs and output. For me, it was a toss up between Zen Audio and Douk, the douk was cheaper

[StescoG66]

I have a 6000A play - it’s ok. I ended up picking up an 8000P power amp to put with it though.

The antennae can be laid flat if it helps you. It sounds good, however the PlayFi control app is utter toss juice........

[bad company]

StescoG66 said:

I have a 6000A play - it’s ok. I ended up picking up an 8000P power amp to put with it though.

The antennae can be laid flat if it helps you. It sounds good, however the PlayFi control app is utter toss juice........

That helps thanks. The PlayFi gets great reviews, what’s wrong with it?

[Lucid_AV]

bad company said:

I bought my Sony amplifier in 1977 so it doesn’t owe me anything. We’ve just moved and I need to incorporate a new amp into a restricted space in a cabinet. I fancy an Audiolab 600A Play but with the antennas I don’t have the height. Has anyone tried using an external connector such as the Belking Soundform? That seems to solve the problem and save me some £’s. Have I missed anything?

https://www.belkin.com/uk/audio-adapter-with-airpl...

If you have to fold the aerials flat in order to fit the amp into the space you plan then I'd be seriously concerned about ventilation for the amp. Transistor amps don't do well crammed into a space with no room to breathe. You might want to rethink your plan.

[StescoG66]

bad company said:

That helps thanks. The PlayFi gets great reviews, what’s wrong with it?

Frequently kicks me off, loses connection and drops out

Lucid_AV said:

If you have to fold the aerials flat in order to fit the amp into the space you plan then I'd be seriously concerned about ventilation for the amp. Transistor amps don't do well crammed into a space with no room to breathe. You might want to rethink your plan.

I have about 5 cm above andto sede. It’s just not enough for the antennae to be placed upright. Besides, I use a wired connection to the router anyway.

Edited by StescoG66 on Tuesday 15th November 06:35

[bad company]

StescoG66 said:

bad company said:

That helps thanks. The PlayFi gets great reviews, what’s wrong with it?

Frequently kicks me off, loses connection and drops out

Lucid_AV said:

If you have to fold the aerials flat in order to fit the amp into the space you plan then I'd be seriously concerned about ventilation for the amp. Transistor amps don't do well crammed into a space with no room to breathe. You might want to rethink your plan.

I have about 5 cm above andto sede. It’s just not enough for the antennae to be placed upright. Besides, I use a wired connection to the router anyway.

Edited by StescoG66 on Tuesday 15th November 06:35

Thanks for the help guys, I have a height of 120mm in the cabinet and the Audiolab is 80mm. Isn’t that enough? There’s plenty of space behind and around where the amp will sit.

[stevoknevo]

bad company said:

StescoG66 said:

I have a 6000A play - it’s ok. I ended up picking up an 8000P power amp to put with it though.

The antennae can be laid flat if it helps you. It sounds good, however the PlayFi control app is utter toss juice........

That helps thanks. The PlayFi gets great reviews, what’s wrong with it?

DTS Play-fi doesn't get great reviews, it's been notoriously crap since it was released and despite various attempts to fix it they haven't fully succeeded in doing so - it still doesn't do gapless playback properly, so if you listen to classical music or anything else that's supposed to flow as one piece of work start to finish (like Pink Floyd albums or DJ mixes as examples) you get gaps between the 'track numbers' as they transition, along with various other foibles - it's a pity as the Audiolab amp itself is a good one.
https://youtu.be/Xf80Yh3HPDc

Maybe something like the NAD C368 with optional MDC Bluesound streaming board would be a better option? (currently £999 at Sevenoaks S&V) I would've suggested a Bluesound Powernode but it's 190mm tall - the latest Bluesound Powernode Edge is only 45mm tall, 50w into 8ohm/80 into 4ohm, provided you don't have demanding speakers should be a decent alternative? (NAD/Bluesound are part of the same group - Blue OS has arguably the best app control system currently)

Edited by stevoknevo on Tuesday 15th November 10:54

[Lucid_AV]

bad company said:

Thanks for the help guys, I have a height of 120mm in the cabinet and the Audiolab is 80mm. Isn’t that enough? There’s plenty of space behind and around where the amp will sit.

This is the first time you've put some hard numbers to what was previously only described as a 'restricted space' which could mean anything right down to the amp only just fitting into a rectangular space with just a few millimetres above and to the sides. 4cm above isn't a lot, but it's better than the shelf above sitting almost on top of the amp. With open ventilation to the rear and a bit to the sides (and front?) then you might be okay, particularly if you don't need to run the amp too hard.

As @Stescog66 is doing, if you can't get a decent Wi-Fi connection with the aerials down then there's always the option of a wired connection.

[bad company]

Lucid_AV said:

This is the first time you've put some hard numbers to what was previously only described as a 'restricted space' which could mean anything right down to the amp only just fitting into a rectangular space with just a few millimetres above and to the sides. 4cm above isn't a lot, but it's better than the shelf above sitting almost on top of the amp. With open ventilation to the rear and a bit to the sides (and front?) then you might be okay, particularly if you don't need to run the amp too hard.

As @Stescog66 is doing, if you can't get a decent Wi-Fi connection with the aerials down then there's always the option of a wired connection.

Until you guys responded here I didn’t realise that the amplifier needed space around it. I’m on a real learning curve here. I like quality sound but don’t know much about the technicalities hence this thread. I last bought HiFi in 1977!!!

Anyway I’ve connected my ancient Sony to AirPlay via a newly purchased Belkin Soundform . I reckon that’ll resolve the connection issue for the new amp.

Thanks for your help guys.

[Lucid_AV]

Before you push the button in the Audiolab, have a listen to the Rega Brio amp. There's a few reasons for that:

1. you've already solved your streaming solution, and it's working with the analogue-only Sony from 1977, so you no longer need an amp with built-in streaming
2. the Rega is virtually the same height (78mm) but half the width, and that gives you more scope if you decide to change the streamer in the future
3. the same 50W/ch into 8 Ohms as the 6000a Play or the 6000a if you go for the non-streaming version
4. also comes with a remote
5. recently price reduced to £549 (was £695) as the Brio line is coming to an end - so grab one now before it's too late
6. The main reason though is it sounds really exciting to listen to

There's nothing wrong with the Audiolab. The company makes great gear. I've owned some myself. Clear. Insightful. Detailed....... and just a bit safe; a bit boring.

Listened to on its own you probably wouldn't notice, but somewhere in the back of your mind you might be wondering why you feel slightly restless. It may even be that you can't quite put your finger on it, but it's almost a feeling of marking time, waiting for the song to finish. Vaguely irritated by the politeness.

By contrast, the Rega will grab you by the hand and whirl you round the room. It'll take you on an adventure through your music and make your heart beat faster. You might end up restless here too but for a different reason. It's a little like a drug. Each track a hit, and you want more. 'What's the next thing I can listen to? And the next, and the next?' Another hit, again and again.

The older Rega amps in the Brio line had this. The model before was the Brio-R. Exciting, but a touch lean in the bass and the treble just a little strident at times. The last of the Brio line, this one, tamed that. More bass weight without getting ploddy. Sweeter treble without losing the detail. Just... better. The same DNA but evolved. A thoroughbred. A future classic?
Rega Brio

I'd also suggest the Escape M1 Air for a streamer. It's tiny but feature-packed, but you've already sorted out the streaming side. M1 Air

Edited by Lucid_AV on Wednesday 16th November 02:08

[bad company]

Lucid_AV said:

Before you push the button in the Audiolab, have a listen to the Rega Brio amp. There's a few reasons for that:

1. you've already solved your streaming solution, and it's working with the analogue-only Sony from 1977, so you no longer need an amp with built-in streaming
2. the Rega is virtually the same height (78mm) but half the width, and that gives you more scope if you decide to change the streamer in the future
3. the same 50W/ch into 8 Ohms as the 6000a Play or the 6000a if you go for the non-streaming version
4. also comes with a remote
5. recently price reduced to £549 (was £695) as the Brio line is coming to an end - so grab one now before it's too late
6. The main reason though is it sounds really exciting to listen to

There's nothing wrong with the Audiolab. The company makes great gear. I've owned some myself. Clear. Insightful. Detailed....... and just a bit safe; a bit boring.

Listened to on its own you probably wouldn't notice, but somewhere in the back of your mind you might be wondering why you feel slightly restless. It may even be that you can't quite put your finger on it, but it's almost a feeling of marking time, waiting for the song to finish. Vaguely irritated by the politeness.

By contrast, the Rega will grab you by the hand and whirl you round the room. It'll take you on an adventure through your music and make your heart beat faster. You might end up restless here too but for a different reason. It's a little like a drug. Each track a hit, and you want more. 'What's the next thing I can listen to? And the next, and the next?' Another hit, again and again.

The older Rega amps in the Brio line had this. The model before was the Brio-R. Exciting, but a touch lean in the bass and the treble just a little strident at times. The last of the Brio line, this one, tamed that. More bass weight without getting ploddy. Sweeter treble without losing the detail. Just... better. The same DNA but evolved. A thoroughbred. A future classic?
Rega Brio

I'd also suggest the Escape M1 Air for a streamer. It's tiny but feature-packed, but you've already sorted out the streaming side. M1 Air

Edited by Lucid_AV on Wednesday 16th November 02:08

Funnily enough I was reading this review comparing the 2 amps yesterday evening:-

https://www.whathifi.com/features/audiolab-6000a-v...

I’m just ordering the Rega. Thank you so much for your help, much appreciated.

[ChevronB19]

Just so you know, I have an Audiolab 6000 (not a play) and it’s very good (I can also stream through it, but not as easily as a ‘Play’).

I see you’ve bought a Brio, which is also excellent, so enjoy! I may well have fairly thick ears, but I’m not convinced there’s actually all much difference between components at specific price points, it’s more about features/looks etc.

[aspender]

stevoknevo said:

I would've suggested a Bluesound Powernode but it's 190mm tall - the latest Bluesound Powernode Edge is only 45mm tall, 50w into 8ohm/80 into 4ohm, provided you don't have demanding speakers should be a decent alternative? (NAD/Bluesound are part of the same group - Blue OS has arguably the best app control system currently)

Edited by stevoknevo on Tuesday 15th November 10:54

Just for the record a Powernode is 70mm tall

[bad company]

To update I’m now listening to the Rega Brio. It’s fantastic and a big improvement on my 1970’s relic.

Thanks again for the help.

[Lucid_AV]

bad company said:

To update I’m now listening to the Rega Brio. It’s fantastic and a big improvement on my 1970’s relic.

Thanks again for the help.

Glad you're happy, and thanks for the update

Just out of interest, what are the differences you've noticed from going to the Rega?

[bad company]

Lucid_AV said:

bad company said:

To update I’m now listening to the Rega Brio. It’s fantastic and a big improvement on my 1970’s relic.

Thanks again for the help.

Glad you're happy, and thanks for the update

Just out of interest, what are the differences you've noticed from going to the Rega?

I hear much more detail, like individual instruments particularly drumbeat.