Стримеры — Audiolab 7000N

The 7000N, sold by Audiolab under the full name 7000N Play, is a network streaming player with an internal DAC in the British company's 7000 series. Streaming is handled by DTS Play-Fi technology, and the unit is also Apple AirPlay 2 compatible. Two case colours are offered, black and silver.

Key specs that matter

Conversion is carried out by an ESS Sabre32 ES9038Q2M Reference DAC chip, and the maximum sampling rate is 192 kHz at 24-bit. Frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.5 dB. Total harmonic distortion is below 0.0005% at 1 kHz with a 2.1 V RMS output, while A-weighted noise sits more than 115 dB below signal. The analogue output has an impedance of 100 ohms. Outputs comprise a single analogue RCA pair plus coaxial and optical digital sockets, which means the 7000N can pass an untouched digital stream to outboard decoding hardware as well. A wired Ethernet port sits beside the wireless connection, and a USB input exists only to load new firmware. The case measures 444 x 340 x 78 mm and the net weight is 5.0 kg.

Engineering and use context

Audiolab fits an isolated power supply. Standby consumption is under 0.5 W, and regional versions run from 220 to 240 V or 100 to 120 V mains at 50 or 60 Hz. The front panel carries a 71 mm Full View IPS LCD with a resolution of 480 x 640 pixels, which can show playback information or a configurable VU meter display in digital or analogue style. Control runs through the DTS Play-Fi app, with versions for iOS and Android phones, Kindle Fire tablets and Windows computers. In the Play-Fi Critical Listening mode files are played at their native resolution. Gapless playback is supported, and a transfer mode keeps files playing without interruption. Services reachable through the platform include Spotify, TIDAL, Amazon Music, Deezer, Qobuz and SiriusXM as well as internet radio, and music stored on a NAS drive can be played through DLNA. Several Play-Fi devices can be grouped for synchronised multi-room or multi-speaker playback.

Pairing

A 12 V trigger and link connection lets the 7000N switch on other equipment automatically. Its analogue signal goes to a line input on an integrated amp or a separate preamp, and HD Tracks, Napster and KKBox are among further services on the platform.

Alternatives

The Audiolab 6000N Play is the streaming player of the smaller 6000 series and uses an earlier ESS Sabre ES9018 DAC chip.