It’s a long standing dream in the pursuit of real hi-fi: the separation of a system into it’s basic components. Every unit serving a singular function, resulting in minimal interference from power sources – and the highest fidelity you can manage. It’s a long standing dream in the pursuit of real hi-fi: the separation of a system into it’s basic components. Every unit serving a singular function, resulting in minimal interference from power sources – and the highest fidelity you can manage.
However, actually compiling an entire separates system can be a little daunting, especially if you consider how many variables (makes, models and brands) that can attribute to the overall effect.
Having several different units that were designed and built without any of the others in mind – simply to function as a separate entity – may result in some confusion. Miscommunication and the units simply not complimenting each other, even if the brand is the same.
But what if we were to tell you, there’s a way of creating an entire high-end separates system that is designed completely to work in conjunction with one another?
There is such a way. And that way, is via the acclaimed Audio Lab 8200 series.
The Audiolab 8200 range was the replacement to the Audiolab 8000 range and many of the models within it have won recognition for being the best in their class. The 8200 is one of our favourite ranges for building a high quality hi-fi separates system and offers several options for every budget along with several upgrade paths, all of which we’ll explore below.
So, without further ado, here is one of our favourite ways to welcome a separates system into your life. And that way, is the series 8200 way:
Option 1 – Total Cost: £1548
Audiolab 8200 Amplifier (£749) + KEF LS50 Bookshelf Speakers (£799)
The 8200A Integrated Amplifier (perfectly suited to the fantastic KEF LS50 Speakers 50th Anniversary speakers, as pictured) the successor to the original Audiolab 8000A and Audiolab 8000S amplifier models. With 60W of power (into 8 ohms) and 6 standard inputs, the 8200A is a solid hi-fi amplifier and a good start to a proper separates system.
Option 2 – Total Cost: £2347
Audiolab 8200 Amplifier (£749) + KEF LS50 Bookshelf Speakers (£799) + Audiolab 8200 CD Player (£799)
The 8200CD is one of the most popular CD players we’ve ever sold and like the M-DAC, has received numerous awards and accolades for its performance. The major benefit of this model over other CD players is that you can use it as a DAC for your digital sources as well. While its more expensive than buying a separate M-DAC, you’re getting the best of both worlds with CD replay and DAC in one. Digital inputs include USB, coaxial and optical, so when you’re not listening to CDs, you can take advantage of the USB input and play analogue quality music from your computer.
The 8200CDQ is the alternative to the 8200CD, which includes all of the same features, but adds a pre amplifier, giving you yet another system option. Essentially, if you want CD replay and you’re starting a system from scratch, you can use the 8200CDQ directly with a power amplifier (such as the 8200P, as mentioned above) and speakers.
Option 3 – Total Cost: £2047
Audiolab 8200 Amplifier (£749) + KEF LS50 Bookshelf Speakers (£799) + Audiolab 8200T AM/FM/DAB Radio (£499)
The 8200T is an award winning tuner and perfect choice for an all matching Audiolab hi-fi system. The ideal solution for customers whose core stations are Classic FM, Radio 2 and the like.
Option 4 – Total Cost: £2147
Audiolab 8200 Amplifier (£749) + KEF LS50 Bookshelf Speakers (£799) + Audiolab MDAC (£599)
The M-DAC is the What Hi-Fi Awards 2014 winner of ‘Best DAC £500-£700’, and that’s just one of the many awards it has received. It is one of the most successful and popular DACs ever made and is our best selling DAC ever! If you prefer streaming sources, the M-DAC is the only source you’ll ever need – just add an amplifier and speakers!
Option 5 – Total Cost: £2497
Audiolab 8200 Amplifier (£749) + Dali Mentor Menuet Speakers (£849) + Audiolab 8200D (£899)
The highest DAC in the range is the 8200DQ, which is a full-size matching option for an Audiolab system, combining a higher quality DAC with pre amplifier and allowing direct connection to one of the power amplifier options above.
Option 6 – Total Cost: £3196
Audiolab 8200 Amplifier (£749) + Dali Mentor Menuet Speakers (£849) + Audiolab 8200MB Power Amplifier (£999) + Audiolab MDAC (£599)
You can combine the M-DAC with the M-PWR – a matching power amplifier – and use the M-DAC as a pre amplifier, a completely different alternative to the amplifier options we mentioned before. This is ideal for a much smaller desktop sized system. We’ve found the M-DAC with M-PWR combo sounds excellent with Dali Mentor Menuet speakers.
Option 7 – Total Cost: £2598
Audiolab 8200 Amplifier (£749) + Audiolab 8200M Power Amp (£649) + ATC SCM11 Speakers (£1200)
You can upgrade the 8200A by adding a separate matching power amplifier (by using the “pre out” outputs on the back, you will bypass the 8200A’s power section and effectively use it as a pre amplifier). This gives 100W (into 8 ohms) per speaker over the 8200A’s standard 60W (into 8 ohms) per channel. This extra surge in power, achieved by the combination of the 8200A and the 8200P means this set up would be nicely suited to the ATC SCM11 Speakers, as pictured.
Option 8 – Total Cost: £3737
Audiolab 8200 Amplifier (£749) + Audiolab 8200M Power Amp x 2 (£649 ea) + ProAc Studio 148 Speakers (£1690)
This upgrade path provides a dedicated mono power amplifier for each speaker with a more substantial 125W (into 8 ohms) per speaker. For the 8200A + 2x 8200M combination, we can recommend the ProAc Studio 148 Speakers.
Option 9 – Total Cost: £4945
Audiolab 8200 Amplifier (£749) + Audiolab 8200MB Power Amplifier x 2 (£999 ea) + Focal Aria 936 Speakers (£2198)
For the highest upgrade for the 8200A itself, you can add 2 x 8200MB power amplifiers for a substantial 250W (into 8 ohms) per channel. For such powerful amplification achieved by 8200A + 8200MB x 2 you need powerful speakers; and there aren’t many better suited than the stunning Focal Aria 936 floorstanders.
Congratulations, you made it to the end!
Hopefully you are now a little bit more enlightened as to the process of separating a system, and the options available to you.
Whatever level of system you’re looking to put together, we hope this summary of the Audiolab 8200A range has been helpful we’re available to offer advice on system and speaker matching and answer any further questions, just give us a shout!
Don’t forget, we now – as of November 2014 – offer 0% finance on orders over £500 and can work with you to apply for a 0% finance package that suits your requirements.
Money shouldn’t be an issue, not when it comes to something as important as high fidelity. And separating your system means you’re one (large) step closer to exactly that.