Audiolab 7000A Integrated Amplifier + Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 Floorstanding Speakers
Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 Floorstanding Speaker - Pair - Black
The more compact of the Wharfedale DIAMOND 12 series floorstanding options, the DIAMOND 12.3 loses none of the accuracy and musicality of the standmount (bookshelf) options. With enhanced presence and power, the DIAMOND 12.3 is refined and the perfect, affordable floorstanding speaker for 2-channel hi-fi systems, or as the front pair of a seriously impressive home theatre system.
Configured in a 2.5 way system with exception crossover technology, the DIAMOND 12.3 utilises dual 130mm (5”) KlarityTM drivers for impactful yet refined mid-range and bass frequencies, while the 25mm (1”) dome tweeter delivers open and smoothly extended high frequencies.
Klarity affords focus
NEW Klarity™ cone material, formulated from a blend of Polypropylene and mica adds stiffness to reduce flexing, enabling a lightweight cone with high rigidity, low colouration and lightning-fast response.
Low colour and expression
The Klarity™ cone is fitted with a low-damping surround, thereby achieving both low colouration and expressive dynamics. By simulating many different cone shapes and adding ribs to provide further stiffening, a flat response curve was achieved without resorting to a high-damping surround, thereby striking the ideal balance.
A magnet of forces
A precision-made magnet system with an aluminium compensation ring to minimise the effect of variations in inductance as the voice coil travels. This contributes to an absence of distortion and intermodulation generated by the ‘motor system’.
A voice coil beyond this class
The voice coil is wound on a high-power epoxy/glass fibre bobbin highly unusual in speakers at this price level. This has the advantage of not adding eddy currents and delivering greater power handling than an aluminium bobbin, whilst also being much stiffer than the Kapton type associated with this price-class.
DIAMOND highs
The 25mm dome is made from a woven polyester film with a high-loss coating to deliver open and smoothly extended high frequencies. The magnet system and the front plate have been optimised for wide dispersion and uncompressed behaviour. The front plate is flat and exposes the dome as much as possible; only a very short duct on the front plate balances the acoustic load and improves the SPL (sound pressure level) measurement.
A crossover of style
The crossover network uses an acoustic LKR 24dB topology. This includes air-core inductors of the type more commonly found in high-end speakers, selected because they produce the lowest distortion of all inductor types. As the resistance of the coil is higher than a standard laminated steel or ferrite core inductor, the magnetic structure of the mid/bass driver has been modified to compensate, resulting in fast, clean bass with no distortion from the inductor.
Firm and fair
The DIAMOND 12.1 ’s rear-ported enclosure is precisely sized so that the internal volume works in harmony with the drive unit system to deliver the desired sonic result. A multi-layered sandwich design subdues the identifiable characteristics of the cabinet’s ‘sound’. Even the resonant properties of the glue between the layers was measured to determine the optimum combination.
Brace yourself
Inside the cabinet, Intelligent Spot Bracing connects opposite walls with a specific form of the wood brace to achieve an optimal reduction of cabinet resonance. These braces are precisely modelled by computer simulation to improve upon the commonplace ‘figure of eight’ brace, which may simply transfer resonance from one wall to another.
Specifications
| General description |
2.5-way floorstanding speaker |
| Enclosure type |
bass reflex |
| Bass driver |
5"(130mm) advanced PP Cone |
| Midrange driver |
5"(130mm) advanced PP Cone |
| Treble driver |
1"(25mm) Textile Dome |
| AV shield |
No |
| Sensitivity(2.83V @ 1m) |
89dB |
| Recommended amplifier power |
30-150W |
| Peak SPL |
102dB |
| Nominal impedance |
8Ω Compatible |
| Minimum impedance |
5Ω |
| Frequency response(+/-3dB) |
45Hz ~ 20kHz |
| Bass extension(-6dB) |
40Hz |
| Crossover frequency |
2.2kHz |
| Cabinet Volume (in litres) |
26.6L |
| Dimensions ( H x W x D ) |
(925+50) x 180 x (320+28) mm |
| Net weight |
19.5kg/pcs |
Audiolab 7000A Integrated Amplifier - Silver
7000A
Nestled between the 6000 and 9000, the 7000 fuses premium traits into a pricing category that follows the mantra of class-leading performance.
Outwardly resembling the sequential series and therefore offering a brand-wide visual aesthetic match, the audiolab 7000A improves on the 6000A with a genuine 70W per channel output, a new DAC, a new full-colour IPS LCD screen and more! More compact than the 9000 series, it maintains crisp ergonomics, high-quality engineering, a useful range of facilities and an excellent all-around acoustic performance and connectivity.
Classes of A and B
audiolab pulls no punches with the genuine nature of our power rating. The 7000A’s discrete Class AB power amp stage delivers 70W per channel into eight ohms, with a maximum current delivery of 9A amps into difficult loads. A new standard in audiolab amplifiers, the output stage of the discrete power amp circuits uses a CFB (Complementary Feedback) topology, ensuring superior linearity and excellent thermal stability, as the idle current is kept independent of the temperature of the output transistors. Critically specified by Jan Ertner (lead engineer for the audiolab brand); the newly developed power supply features a substantial 250VA toroidal transformer, followed by 4x15000uF reservoir capacity (60000uF in total), helps the amp to maintain firm control of the music whilst enabling excellent dynamic range.
Name Your Source
Whatever the input source – analogue, digital, wireless or TV – the 7000A has been crafted to the same level of detail one has come to expect from audiolab, all with the latest tech to be fully equipped to cover many bases, yet it maintains a price point that keeps the audiolab brand at the forefront of quality home audio. Dual analogue inputs cater for CD players and line-level sources, dual Coax and SPDIF inputs expand this for the digital sources while a Bluetooth aptX receiver serves up a solution for wireless audio playback and smart devices. Following the growing trend for direct living room integration of premium audio electronics and there for more in tune as the centrepiece of your home audio system, the 7000A takes connectivity to a new dimension with a built-in Audio Return Channel (ARC) connection for use with screens – thus bringing the audiolab dynamic to TV-app based music playback and home theatre. And let’s not forget the direct-to-PC connection via USB.
Flagship DAC
As is standard with audiolab integrated amplifiers, the 7000A reaffirms the natural integration and synergy with an ESS ES9038Q2M chip. Improving on the 6000A with this latest iteration and taking learnings from the 9000A, the 7000A utilises ESS Technology’s 32-bit HyperStream architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator. As with the 9000A, the 7000A uses a post-DAC filter based upon Class A topology and proprietary DC-coupled high-gain electronic amp designs to deliver ultra-low noise and high dynamic range for the digital audio connoisseur.
Streaming Technology
What’s more, the 7000A also delivers full decoding of MQA, the hi-res streaming technology from a custom-engineered MQA-certified DAC solution. This means that the complete ‘three unfold’ decoding process is performed internally, as opposed to just the final unfold in the manner of an MQA ‘renderer’, which makes the 7000A an excellent system choice for subscribers to Tidal’s ‘HiFi Plus’ tier where Tidal Masters (MQA) content can be found.
Tables Are Turning
The 6000A is applauded for its ability to offer an integrated phono pre-amp solution. The 7000A builds on this with a further improved phono stage for moving magnet phono cartridges – using an improved version of the high-quality, low noise MM Phono circuit and precise RIAA equalisation that sets the benchmark in ‘built-in’ phono preamplifier solutions. Same with the dedicated headphone output. Enhancing the versatility claims of the 7000 series, the dedicated headphone amp with current-feedback circuitry caters for the head-fi that lurks in the audiophile! Its gain bandwidth and high slew rate ensure a dynamic, detailed and engaging performance with all manner of headphone types – more boxes ticked for this most integrated of integrated amplifiers.
Improved Interface
As the engineers in the audiolab camp have learned with every model and series; greatness can be improved upon. Taking the 6000A as the standard, audiolab know that the regular audio enthusiast’s thirst for specification and features would mean that the eagerly anticipated linear upgrade from the 6000A would instinctively also offer an improved display and general user interface (GUI); hence the vibrant and visually informative 2.8″ (48 x 64mm) IPS display. The detailed but simple-to-use GUI also carries through a general theme of information and structure from the 9000A, just in a more compact style. The GUI includes settings for the digital phase lock loop of the D/C converter
Satisfying Graphics
(DPLL), brightness, and operational modes. It can even be set to display a VU meter in ‘analogue’ or ‘digital’ form; showing real-time decibel levels for the left and right channels – a satisfying graphical representation of the music as it plays. As with all audiolab electronic hi-fi components, the audiolab 7000A yet again delivers with remarkable sonic consistency, a plethora of source and connectivity options and crisp styling. Regardless of the source material and format, the 7000A is lively and engaging but also never loses focus on the musicality and detail. Broadness, depth and toe-tapping rhythm are assured. The benchmark in this price class is elevated – it’s now in the 7000 series domain!
Specifications:
| Model |
7000A |
| General Description |
Integrated Amplifier |
| Design Philosophy and Core Technology |
- 2 x 70W (8 ohms) / 2 x 110W (4 ohms) Class AB
- ES9038Q2M 32-bit DAC
- 2.8" (480x640mm) Full View IPS LCD
- Built in Certified Hardware MQA Full Decoder (PC USB, Coax / Optical)
- Bluetooth 5.0 (aptX / aptX LL) Support
- Low Noise Moving Magnet Phono Stage
- Dedicated Current-Feedback Headphone amp
- Integrated / PRE-POWER / PRE only Modes
- VU Digital / VU Analogue Meter
- USB Upgrade Support |
| Inputs |
3 x Analogue, 1 x Phono (MM), 1 x Power Amplifier,
2 x SPDIF (Coax), 2 x SPDIF (Optical), 1 x HDMI ARC,
1 x PC USB (USB B - Windows / mac OS only), 1 x Bluetooth (aptX/aptX LL), 1 x 12V Trigger |
| Outputs |
1 x PRE Amplifier, 1 x Stereo Speaker, 1 x Headphone, 1 x 12V Trigger |
| Sampling Frequency |
Optical / Coaxial: 44.1kHz - 192kHz;
PC USB: 44.1kHz-768kHz (PCM) / DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512 |
| Preamplifier Section |
|
| Gain |
+6dB (Line); +55dB (Phono MM) |
| Input Sensitivity |
820mV (Line, Volume = 0dB); 3.1mV (Phone MM, Volume = 0dB) |
| Input Impedance |
10K (Line); 47K // 100pF (Phono MM) |
| Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) |
< 0.0005% (1kHz @ 2V, Volume = 0dB) |
| Frequency Response |
20Hz-20kHz (+/-0.1dB) |
| Output Voltage |
2.3V max. (Volume = 0dB) |
| Output Impedance |
100 ohms |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio |
> 110dB (Line, A-weighted); > 76dB (Phono MM, A-weighted |
| DAC |
|
| D to A Converter |
ES9038Q2M |
| Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) |
< 0.0005% (1KHz @ 0dBFS) |
| Output Level (0dBFS, 1kHz) |
2.1Vrms |
| Max. Sampling Frequency |
Optical, Coaxial: 192kHz;
PC USB: PCM768kHz, DSD512 |
| Power Amplifier Section |
|
| Gain |
+29dB |
| Rated Power Output |
2 x 70W (8 ohms, THD<1%); 2 x 110W (4 ohms, THD<1%) |
| Frequency Response |
20Hz-20kHz (+/-0.3dB) |
| Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) |
<0.003% (1kHz @ 40W / 8 ohms) |
| Input Sensitivity |
720mV |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio (S/N) |
> 110dB (A-weighted) |
| Max. Output Current |
9A |
| Headphone Amplifier |
|
| Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) |
< 0.01% (1kHz, 50mW) |
| Output Impedance |
4.7 ohms |
| Load Impedance |
20-600 ohms |
| General |
|
| Standby Power Consumption |
<0.5W |
| Net Weight |
8.4kg |
| Gross Weight |
10.7kg |
| Dimensions (mm) (W x D x H) |
444 x 340 x 78 |
| Carton Size (mm) (W x D x H) |
500 x 455 x 140 |
| Finish |
Black / Silver |
| Power Requirements |
220-240V ~ 50/ 60Hz; |
| (depending on region) |
100-120V ~ 50/ 60Hz |
| Standard Accessories |
Power Cord, Remote Control, User Manual, Antennas, etc. |
