Audiolab 8300CD CD-player
Audiolab faced a demanding job when looking to update the 8200CDQ and this likely explains why at first sight there doesn't appear to be a great deal o difference between its predecessor and the new 8300 CD reviewed here.
The 8300CD is housed in a slim aluminium chassis (black or silver) with Audiolab's trademark slim control buttons. The casing, though, has more rounded, softer lines along with the fascia boasts a larger 2.7-inch OLED display. A brand new transport mechanism finds the previous version's slide drawer organization replaced b; slot-loading.
Internally, the electronic circuitry is based throughout the ESS Sabre32 9018 DAC as before, but there's now the capability to handle up to 32bit/384kHz files and DSD 64/128/256 via USB using the optical/coaxial and AES digital inputs accepting up to 32bit/192kHz. Advancements are also made to several of the parts in the power supply and signal path to tweak the sound.
Naturally, there is the full range of digital input signals - two coaxial, two optical, asynchronous USB - also as both RCA analogue and XLR balanced out.
SOUND QUALITY
The 8300CD was pressed into service as a pre-amp, digital hub and CD player feeding a Creek Evolution 100A changed to power amp mode, along with a pair of Quad II- eighty valve monoblocks.
The instant impression I got was how great this player is playing CD. There was a complete lack of digital hash to its sound, replaced by a gait that was enjoyable and quite relaxed. On Oasis's 'Definitely Maybe' the at-times searing quality of the guitar was subtly ameliorated so as to sound quite more musical and less divorced from bass and the drums below. Not that this robbed the sound of excitement though. It gave rhythmic excitement and a much better flow to it.
Trying many different silver discs it soon became clear the Audiolab has a rare power to bring the best out of these.
The Audiolab doesn't have fairly the overall driving quality of something like a Naim CD5i, preferring to take a step back and sound a little more considered to be honest. But the Naim - at around the exact same cost - does not have the Audiolab's pre-amp section nor its digital inputs.
On which point, changing inputs and utilising the 8300's DAC section, via a Astell&Kern AKI20 hi res player feeding the visual input, the same qualities shone through - in essence a grand smooth and eminently listenable sound. There was a slight warmth - interestingly different to the marginally more forensic sound displayed by the Wadia diI22 DAC reviewed elsewhere this problem, that additionally uses an ESS Sabre32 processor.
What the Audiolab does do on high-resolution material is throw a very revealing soundstage up - and here some cable and experimentation direction makes a big difference.
Initial listening was done via the RCA output signals but switching to the XLR outs via balanced interconnects to the Creek Evolution I00A saw a step-up in sound quality (view Calculated Performance for more information).
There was a bit more detail to the general sound - and my ability to hear deeper into compact blends was enhanced. On Nick Cave's 'The Curse of Millhaven' bass was tighter and certainly deeper while there was more atmosphere to the midband.
What did not change was the Audiolab's inborn sense of timing.
In this regard it's demonstrates the difference between one that has its handle and a just great digital decoder and a tiny master.
JUDGMENT
The 8200CDQ was a machine that is brilliant. That tradition is carried on by its successor. A great CD player, future-proofed DAC and preamp in all one slim box. In terms of connectivity, sound quality and overall ease of use it is tough to beat for the cost.
