AUDIOLAB 8300CD

MJ08.03.2017

Digital sources

The 8300CD is a preamplifier, a CD player and a DAC (ESS Sabre), all in one neat package. Audiolab offers 8300MB monoblocks that are half-width of the 8300CD so the two monos and one source component create a compact high end system. However, I can also imagine the 8300CD to be a good partner for active loudspeakers – such a set up would be minimalistic and provides all necessary functions for music playback.

Function and form

95%

Ease of use

44%

Sound

90%

Appearance

There is no drawer in the 8300CD, the discs are swiftly devoured by a slot mechanism – so swiftly that it almost bit my fingers. The front panel hosts basic controls and a monochromatic display. I liked big numeric segments that inform about actual volume level. I liked less small numerals informing about a track number and progress within the track, which were difficult to read from distance.

The Audiolab 8300CD offers very good digital connectivity (up to 32bit/384kHz), 2 coaxial and 2x optical input, 1x AES/EBU and 1x USB Type B input, and similar array of connectors for outputting the digital signals. Analog connections include RCA and XLR standards. The main power switch is on the rear panel with a Stand-by button on front.

All the settings can be controlled via a remote controller that fits well in hand and works quite intuitively. You will hardly use a manual with the 8300CD, after several clicks you will be familiar with the structure of the unit’s menus.

Bass management

Weight

Slam

Articulation

I liked the 8300CD’s versatility. It’s a kind of Apple computer: everything is integrated, software and hardware, so there is no need to think about external peripheries. This convenience is a very string weapon of the 8300CD. Sonically the player is not better neither worse than most players in its price range. Some competitors can also play SACD discs (Denon DCD-1520AE, Yamaha CD-S1000 nebo Marantz SA 8005), which is the option I missed with the Audiolab. On the other hand, the 8300CD is also a good preamplifier so it gives much more freedom in upgrading to a better power amplifier.

Clarity & delicacy

Detail

Air

Transparency

For DSD mode there are selectable cut-off filters, set at 47/50/60/70kHz, for PCM audio the Audiolab 8300CD offers 7 switchable digital filters:

Three "Optimal Transient" filters (Normal, XD, DD) with no ringing should provide naturalness. They differ in internal structure which should result in ' small but the perceptibly different sonic nuances' , says Audiolab.

The nuances between these three filters are indeed small - I could hear more weighty sound with a heavier kick drum through the XD vs Normal, as if with added reverb. The DD was too muffled to my liking. Out of the three the Normal filter had the best balance between focus and tonality.

The "Sharp Roll-off" and "Slow Roll-off" filters differ by a roll-off frequency and its steepness and represent what Audiolab calls 'industrial standard'. Anyway, Audiolab does not recommend using these two filters as they are included only for 'comparison purposes' - maybe it would be better not to include them at all?

With the "Sharp" filter the music became flat and grainy, the "Slow" filter removed the grain but the feel of the constriction remained.

The "Minimum Phase" exhibits behaviour that should be similar to that of an analogue filter. There was only a little difference between this and the "Optimum Transient Normal" filter - I preferred the latter for it was more open, though a bit more forward than the rather subdued "Minimum phase" filter.

The "Optimal Spectrum" filter is designed for perfect frequency response, with time domain pre-ringing. To my ears it provided a bit richer sound than the "Optimal Transient", yet it managed to keep its openness. For particular recordings I preferred one or another, both were very natural and sounded well balanced.

For DSD mode there are selectable cut-off filters, set at 47/50/60/70kHz, for PCM audio the Audiolab 8300CD offers 7 switchable digital filters:

With the "Sharp" filter the music became flat and grainy, the "Slow" filter removed the grain but the feel of the constriction remained.

Tonal accuracy

Timbre

Dynamics

Temporal resolution

The Audiolab's 8300CD is the best partner for the pair of the 8300MB monos that we have reviewed earlier this year. The match of those two is perfect. Blues Pills with emotionally charged River were mesmerizing through this combo - the somewhat dar music benefited from the great bass fundament and the wall of sound that was built by the Audiolabs crushed everything in the room. The sound was dense and rich with sparkling top and lot of colours - a wailing guitar in the guitar break was amazing in its tonal richness as was the voice of Elin Larsson. If you've never experienced a singer singing live in your room then the Audiolabs may help you.

Spatial resolution

Holography

Soundstage width

Soundstage depth

Apart from usual audiophile recordings I liked the fact that the 8300CD let me listen to my heavy metal collection. Most players are fine tuned to jazz numbers but a lot of them sound thin, etchy, sterile or hopelessly soft with hard rock. Manowar’s Fighting the World was a treat through the 8300CD. I set the filter to "Optimal Spectrum", turn up the volume and let the music tear down the walls. There is nothing like a natural soundstage on this recording but the one that was created in the studio was wide and deep, and when the helicopter in Violence and Bloodshed circled above my head I could trace it moving in a deep arch far behind the speakers and then back over my head. Isn’t it marvellous?

Price as reviewed:38 000,- Kč

Recommended resellers

Horn Distribution, Praha, +420 272 656 485

Manufacturer's website: http://www.audiolab.co.uk

Associated components

Sources: Audiolab 8300CD, Accuphase DP-720
Amplifiers: Accuphase A-70
Interconnects and speaker cables: AudioQuest Redwood, QED Reference XLR 40, AudioQuest Wild
Loudspeakers: TAD Evolution E1, Dynavoice Definition DM-6, Monitor Audio Bronze 3, Bowers & Wilkins 686 S2, Focal Sopra No.1 and 8 more speakers from our entry-level monitors group test
Power conditioning: Nordost Thor (modified), Nordost Valhalla, Block Audio Snakeblock

Gallery

ACCUPHASE DG-58