Audiolab 7000A Integrated Amplifier at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The 7000A is a mid-range integrated amplifier from Audiolab (Cambridge, United Kingdom), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Positioned between the 6000A MkII and the flagship 9000A, the 7000A delivers a genuine 70W per channel into 8 ohms (110W into 4 ohms) via a discrete Class AB power stage with CFB topology, combined with the ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M 32-bit DAC, certified MQA Full Decoding, HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX, a dedicated moving magnet phono stage, a current-feedback headphone amplifier, and a vivid 2.8-inch full-colour IPS LCD display. Lead designer Jan Ertner applies the same engineering philosophy found in the 9000A — including a post-DAC Class A active filter and 60,000uF reservoir capacitance — to deliver exceptional performance at a significantly more accessible price point.

Class AB Power Stage with CFB Topology

The 7000A's discrete power amplifier stage uses CFB (Complementary Feedback) topology — the same circuit philosophy as the flagship 9000A — ensuring superior linearity and excellent thermal stability by keeping idle current independent of output transistor temperature. A 250VA toroidal transformer and four 15,000uF reservoir capacitors (60,000uF total) provide a rock-solid power supply foundation for commanding loudspeaker control and exceptional dynamic range. Rated at a genuine 70W per channel into 8 ohms and 110W into 4 ohms, with a maximum output current of 9A, the 7000A offers substantial headroom for demanding loudspeakers. The preamplifier section is designed for maximum signal purity, with line input signals routing directly to a precision analogue volume stage with minimal signal processing in the path. Like the 9000A, the 7000A supports three operating modes: Integrated, Pre-Power, and Pre Only — enabling use as a power amp only, or as a preamplifier paired with a separate power amplifier.

ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M DAC, MQA, and HDMI ARC

Audiolab equips the 7000A with the ES9038Q2M — the same 32-bit HyperStream II DAC chip used in the Audiolab 7000N Play and 6000A MkII — with a post-DAC filter topology based on Class A circuitry and proprietary DC-coupled high-gain design for ultra-low noise and high dynamic range. The 7000A is a certified MQA Full Decoder, performing the complete three-stage internal unfolding from both PC USB and S/PDIF sources. It supports PCM up to 768kHz/32-bit and DSD512 via USB, and up to 192kHz/24-bit via the four S/PDIF inputs (two coaxial, two optical). A notable addition at this price point is the HDMI ARC input, enabling direct connection to a television for streaming app-based music playback and home cinema integration — a feature absent from many dedicated hi-fi amplifiers. Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX and aptX LL provides capable wireless streaming from mobile devices.

Key Features

• 70W Per Channel into 8 Ohms (110W into 4 Ohms): Discrete Class AB power stage with CFB topology, 250VA toroidal transformer, and 60,000uF reservoir capacitance for firm loudspeaker control and wide dynamic range.
• ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M 32-Bit DAC: HyperStream II architecture with Time Domain Jitter Eliminator and Class A post-DAC active filter for ultra-low noise, THD below 0.0005%, and SNR above 110dB.
• Certified MQA Full Decoder: Complete three-stage internal MQA unfolding from USB and S/PDIF sources for full Tidal Masters fidelity.
• HDMI ARC Input: Direct television connection for streaming app-based playback and home cinema audio — a differentiating feature at this amplifier class.
• Dedicated MM Phono Stage: High-quality, low-noise circuit with precise RIAA equalisation and JFET topology for moving magnet turntable playback.
• Current-Feedback Headphone Amplifier: Drives headphones from 20 to 600 ohms with THD below 0.01% at 1kHz, using the same circuit topology as the 9000A.
• Three Operating Modes: Integrated, Pre-Power, and Pre Only modes for long-term system flexibility and upgrade compatibility.
• 2.8-Inch Full-Colour IPS LCD Display: Shows source, format data, and real-time VU meters in analogue or digital style for visual monitoring of playback levels.
• Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX and aptX LL: Capable wireless streaming from smartphones, tablets, and laptops with low-latency support via aptX LL.
• Comprehensive Digital Inputs: 2x Coaxial S/PDIF, 2x Optical S/PDIF (up to 192kHz/24-bit), 1x PC USB Type-B (up to 768kHz/32-bit, DSD512), 1x HDMI ARC, 1x Bluetooth 5.0.
• Analogue and Phono Inputs: 3x RCA line inputs, 1x Phono MM, 1x Power Amplifier In for flexible source connectivity.
• PRE Amplifier Output: For connection to an external power amplifier or signal processor in Pre-Power mode.

Technical Specifications

Connections at a Glance

• Digital Inputs: 2x Coaxial S/PDIF, 2x Optical S/PDIF, 1x PC USB Type-B, 1x HDMI ARC, 1x Bluetooth 5.0, 1x 12V Trigger
• Analogue Inputs: 3x RCA Line, 1x Phono MM, 1x Power Amplifier In
• Outputs: 1x PRE Amplifier Out, 1x Stereo Speaker Binding Posts, 1x Headphone 6.35mm, 1x 12V Trigger

What's in the Box

• Audiolab 7000A Integrated Amplifier
• Power Cord
• Remote Control
• User Manual
• Antennas

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Audiolab 7000A?

The Audiolab 7000A is a mid-range integrated amplifier from Audiolab (Cambridge, UK), delivering 70W per channel into 8 ohms via a discrete Class AB power stage with CFB topology. It incorporates the ES9038Q2M 32-bit DAC with MQA Full Decoding, HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 5.0, a moving magnet phono stage, a current-feedback headphone amplifier, and a 2.8-inch full-colour IPS LCD display, with three operating modes: Integrated, Pre-Power, and Pre Only.

How does the Audiolab 7000A compare to the Rega Elex Mk4?

The Audiolab 7000A and Rega Elex Mk4 are both well-regarded integrated amplifiers in the mid-range hi-fi category. The 7000A offers considerably broader digital connectivity — HDMI ARC, four S/PDIF inputs, USB up to DSD512 and 768kHz PCM, and MQA Full Decoding — plus Bluetooth 5.0, three operating modes, and a colour LCD display. The Elex Mk4 is a more purely analogue-focused design with Rega's acclaimed phono stage and a warmer, arguably more characterful sonic presentation. The 7000A is the stronger choice for listeners who need extensive digital source integration alongside strong analogue performance.

Does the Audiolab 7000A support vinyl playback?

Yes. The 7000A includes a dedicated moving magnet phono stage with a high-quality, low-noise circuit and precise RIAA equalisation, input impedance of 47K ohms in parallel with 100pF, and input sensitivity of 3.1mV. It is compatible with any moving magnet cartridge and provides a phono gain of +55dB.

What is MQA Full Decoding and does the 7000A support it?

MQA Full Decoding means the amplifier performs the complete three-stage internal unfolding of MQA-encoded content — such as Tidal Masters tracks — rather than acting as a renderer that only performs the final unfold. The 7000A is a certified MQA Full Decoder via both its PC USB and S/PDIF inputs, delivering the maximum available resolution from Tidal HiFi Plus subscriptions.

Can the Audiolab 7000A connect to a television?

Yes. The 7000A includes an HDMI ARC input for direct connection to a television's ARC-compatible HDMI port. This allows the TV's audio — including streaming services such as Apple Music, Spotify, Netflix, and YouTube — to be routed directly to the 7000A for high-quality playback through connected loudspeakers, without requiring a separate DAC or optical cable.

What is the difference between the Audiolab 7000A and the 9000A?

The 9000A steps up to 100W per channel (vs. 70W), a 320VA transformer (vs. 250VA), the flagship ES9038PRO eight-channel DAC (vs. the dual-channel ES9038Q2M), a balanced XLR line input, Bluetooth 5.1 with LDAC (vs. Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX), and a larger 4.3-inch display (vs. 2.8-inch). The 9000A also delivers 15A maximum output current vs. 9A in the 7000A. Both share CFB topology, 60,000uF reservoir capacitance, three operating modes, MQA Full Decoding, and a dedicated MM phono stage. The 7000A adds HDMI ARC, which the 9000A does not include.

Where can I buy the Audiolab 7000A in Toronto, Canada?

The Audiolab 7000A is available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound is an authorized Audiolab dealer serving audiophiles across the Greater Toronto Area and Canada. Shop online at vinylsound.ca or visit the showroom to hear the 7000A alongside the matched 7000N Play and 7000CDT.