CD/SACD-проигрыватели и транспорты — Audiolab 8300CDQ

The 8300CDQ is a CD player, DAC and preamplifier from Audiolab, the British brand, and part of its 8300 series alongside the 8300A integrated amplifier and 8300MB and 8300XP power amplifiers. It extends the 8300CD, which already offered digital inputs and digital volume control, by adding a true analogue preamplifier with three line inputs, a dedicated headphone amplifier and full MQA decoding, so it can serve as the control centre of a system sending its output straight to power amplification or powered monitors.

Key specs that matter

Conversion uses an ESS Sabre32 ES9018 chip with 32-bit resolution. Digital inputs are asynchronous USB (up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256), two coaxial, two optical and AES/EBU (up to 192kHz), and three RCA line inputs handle analogue sources. Outputs are balanced XLR (4.2V) and unbalanced RCA (2.1V) at 10 ohms, plus digital outputs. Frequency response is 20Hz to 20kHz (+/-0.2dB), THD is below 0.002%, signal-to-noise ratio is better than 100dB balanced and 98dB unbalanced, and crosstalk is below -130dB balanced. A 2.7-inch POLED display, 12V trigger and front 6.35mm headphone socket are included. The chassis measures 444 x 80 x 317mm and weighs 6kg.

Engineering and use context

The ES9018 is a 32-bit, eight-channel hybrid multi-bit delta-sigma chip using ESS's HyperStream architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, and Audiolab was among the first manufacturers to adopt it, in its 8200 series. Selectable digital filters are provided. The analogue preamplifier is kept simple, with line inputs passing to a precision analogue volume stage, and Audiolab paid particular attention to the physical layout so the sensitive preamplifier section is shielded from noise generated by the digital circuits and transport. The slot-loading CD mechanism holds the disc firmly for stability and low susceptibility to resonance, and it is tolerant of scratched or dirty discs. MQA decoding over USB was developed by digital designer John Westlake, unfolding MQA files to full resolution before conversion. The headphone amplifier is direct-coupled with current-feedback circuitry, offering wide gain bandwidth and high slew rate to drive a range of headphones. USB HID compatibility lets the player control playback on a connected computer without drivers.

Pairing

With analogue volume control and balanced outputs, the 8300CDQ can drive Audiolab's 8300MB monoblocks or 8300XP stereo power amplifier directly, or active speakers, removing the need for a separate preamplifier. The digital inputs take a streamer, TV or computer, and the trigger output switches the power amplifiers on with it.

Alternatives

Audiolab's own 8300CD is the simpler version with digital inputs and digital volume but no analogue preamplifier or headphone amplifier.