Audiolab 6000A MkII Integrated Amplifier at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The 6000A MkII is the updated flagship entry-level integrated amplifier from Audiolab (Cambridge, United Kingdom), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Building on the legacy of the original 6000A — which earned a What Hi-Fi? Five-Star rating, Hi-Fi News Outstanding Product recognition, and Hi-Fi Choice Editor's Choice — the MkII introduces the upgraded ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M 32-bit DAC, an improved 200VA toroidal transformer with reduced impedance, a Class A post-DAC active filter trickled down from the 7000A and 9000A, HDMI ARC, and Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD. At its core, it continues to deliver a genuine 50W per channel into 8 ohms (75W into 4 ohms) via a discrete Class AB power stage, with the same current-feedback headphone amplifier, moving magnet phono stage, and minimalist signal-path philosophy that defined the original's acclaimed sound.

Improved Power Supply and Class AB Amplification

The 6000A MkII's power amplifier stage retains the proven discrete Class AB topology of the original while benefiting from a revised transformer implementation. The improved 200VA toroidal transformer delivers increased secondary winding voltage and reduced impedance, translating directly to tighter loudspeaker control, more incisive dynamics, and the characteristic Audiolab sonic signature — remarkable consistency, crisp definition, and rhythmic timing. Four 15,000uF reservoir capacitors (30,000uF per rail) provide the energy storage for confident, composed performance across all programme material. Rated at 50W per channel into 8 ohms and 75W into 4 ohms with a maximum output current of 9A, the 6000A MkII offers sufficient headroom for the vast majority of floorstanding and standmount loudspeakers. The preamplifier section prioritizes signal purity, routing line signals directly to a precision analogue volume stage with independent low-noise power supplies for each critical circuit stage.

ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M DAC and Expanded Digital Connectivity

The most significant internal upgrade in the 6000A MkII is the transition from the original 6000A's ES9018K2M to the newer ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M 32-bit DAC chip — the same chipset used in the Audiolab 7000A — with HyperStream II architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator for ultra-low noise and exceptional dynamic range. The post-DAC active filter now employs a Class A circuit optimised for the ES9038Q2M, a technology trickled directly from the 7000A and 9000A models. Digital connectivity expands significantly over the original 6000A with four S/PDIF inputs (two coaxial, two optical) supporting up to 192kHz/24-bit, a new HDMI ARC input for direct television integration, and a step up to Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD for higher-quality wireless streaming. Three selectable digital filters — Fast Roll-off, Slow Roll-off, and Minimum Phase — allow the listener to tailor the digital reconstruction to their preference and partnering equipment.

Key Features

• 50W Per Channel into 8 Ohms (75W into 4 Ohms): Discrete Class AB power stage with improved 200VA toroidal transformer and 30,000uF per rail reservoir capacitance for precise loudspeaker control and excellent dynamics.
• ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M 32-Bit DAC: Upgraded from the original 6000A's ES9018K2M, with HyperStream II architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator for ultra-low noise and improved dynamic range over the predecessor.
• Class A Post-DAC Active Filter: Trickled down from the 7000A and 9000A, optimised specifically for the ES9038Q2M for a more refined, lower-noise digital-to-analogue conversion stage.
• HDMI ARC Input: Direct television connection for streaming service audio — Apple Music, Spotify, Netflix, and more — through the 6000A MkII's amplifier and speakers without a separate DAC.
• Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD: Upgraded from the original 6000A's aptX, delivering higher-resolution wireless streaming from smartphones, tablets, and laptops at closer to hi-res audio quality.
• Three Selectable Digital Filters: Fast Roll-off, Slow Roll-off, and Minimum Phase reconstruction filters allow optimisation of the digital output to suit different source files and partnering equipment.
• Dedicated MM Phono Stage: High-quality, low-noise RIAA-equalised circuit for moving magnet cartridges, with input impedance of 47K ohms in parallel with 100pF.
• Current-Feedback Headphone Amplifier: Drives headphones from 20 to 600 ohms with THD below 0.01% at 1kHz and 50mW output, using the same circuit topology as the 7000A and 9000A.
• Minimalist Preamp Signal Path: Independent low-noise power supplies for critical circuit stages and a direct signal route to the precision analogue volume control for maximum signal integrity.
• Four S/PDIF Inputs: Two coaxial and two optical S/PDIF inputs handling up to 192kHz/24-bit, a notable expansion over the original 6000A's two-input digital section.
• Visual Matching with 7000 and 9000 Series: The 6000A MkII's chassis dimensions and aesthetics integrate visually with the 6000CDT, 7000CDT, and 9000CDT for a matched system stack.

Technical Specifications

Connections at a Glance

• Digital Inputs: 2x Coaxial S/PDIF, 2x Optical S/PDIF, 1x HDMI ARC, 1x Bluetooth 5.1 (aptX HD)
• Analogue Inputs: 2x RCA Line, 1x Phono MM
• Outputs: 1x Stereo Speaker Binding Posts, 1x Headphone 3.5mm / 6.35mm

Awards and Critical Recognition

• What Hi-Fi? Five Stars — Audiolab 6000A (predecessor, 2018), establishing the platform on which the MkII is built
• Hi-Fi News — Outstanding Product Award (6000A platform)
• Hi-Fi Choice — Editor's Choice Award (6000A platform)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Audiolab 6000A MkII?

The Audiolab 6000A MkII is an entry-level integrated amplifier from Audiolab (Cambridge, UK) delivering 50W per channel into 8 ohms via a discrete Class AB power stage. It incorporates the upgraded ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M 32-bit DAC with a Class A post-DAC filter, HDMI ARC, four S/PDIF digital inputs, Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD, a moving magnet phono stage, and a current-feedback headphone amplifier — all building on the five-star-rated original 6000A.

What is the difference between the Audiolab 6000A MkII and the original 6000A?

The MkII upgrades the DAC from the ES9018K2M to the more advanced ES9038Q2M, adds a Class A post-DAC active filter trickled from the 7000A and 9000A, increases the transformer implementation quality for better loudspeaker control, steps up Bluetooth from aptX to aptX HD, adds HDMI ARC, and expands digital inputs from two to four S/PDIF connections. The power rating of 50W per channel and the core circuit topology remain consistent with the original.

How does the Audiolab 6000A MkII compare to the Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII?

The Audiolab 6000A MkII and Cambridge Audio CXA81 MkII are direct competitors in the entry-to-mid-range integrated amplifier category. The CXA81 MkII delivers 80W per channel and includes network streaming via AirPlay and Bluetooth aptX HD, making it a more feature-complete standalone system for those without a separate streamer. The 6000A MkII focuses on DAC quality and analogue performance, with the ES9038Q2M Class A post-DAC filter chain that rivals designs at higher price points. The 6000A MkII's HDMI ARC and four S/PDIF inputs are notable connectivity advantages; the CXA81 MkII's higher power output suits larger or less efficient loudspeakers.

Does the Audiolab 6000A MkII support vinyl playback?

Yes. The 6000A MkII includes a dedicated moving magnet phono stage with high-quality, low-noise RIAA equalisation and a +55dB gain, 47K ohm input impedance in parallel with 100pF. It is compatible with any moving magnet cartridge and a wide range of entry-level to mid-range turntables.

Can the Audiolab 6000A MkII connect directly to a television?

Yes. The HDMI ARC input on the 6000A MkII connects directly to the ARC-compatible HDMI port on a television. This routes the TV's audio — including any streaming service audio playing through the TV — to the amplifier and connected speakers, providing significantly better sound quality than the TV's built-in speakers, with no optical cable or additional DAC required.

What headphones work with the Audiolab 6000A MkII?

The 6000A MkII's current-feedback headphone amplifier supports loads from 20 to 600 ohms, making it suitable for a wide range of headphones from low-impedance portable models to high-impedance studio designs such as the Sennheiser HD 600 or Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro. THD measures below 0.01% at 1kHz for clean, detailed headphone listening.

Where can I buy the Audiolab 6000A MkII in Toronto, Canada?

The Audiolab 6000A MkII is available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound is an authorized Audiolab dealer serving the Greater Toronto Area and customers across Canada. Shop online at vinylsound.ca or visit the showroom for a demonstration with your preferred loudspeakers or headphones.