Audiolab 8000C Pre Amplifier – Black

The 8000C was the first preamplifier produced by British specialist maker Audiolab. Alongside its matching power amplifier, the 8000P and Integrated brother the 8000A it has become a real classic. Our example is in the Black finish, in good fully working condition, cosmetically some marking to the front – please see photographs. It will come suitably packaged, with manual, mains cable and our usual three month warranty.
Audiolab Say….
Formed in the early 1980s by Philip Swift and Derek Scotland, Audiolab earned worldwide acclaim with the 8000A – an integrated stereo amplifier that became a classic ‘step-up’ from the budget models of the time.
During the ensuing years, the 8000A established itself as one of the most successful British amps ever produced, and was joined by a range of electronics including CD players, pre/power amps and an FM tuner. The brand switched hands in 1997, changing its name to TAG McLaren Audio; and it so was known until 2004 when Audiolab became part of the International Audio Group and returned to its original name.
The Audiolab 8000C is a versatile control pre-amplifier. It offers outstanding sound quality, with design and performance refinements that have hitherto only been available from a small number of far more expensive products. It is fully compatible with all modern Hi-Fi components and loudspeaker systems and will do full justice to the finest traditional Hi-Fi System yet has the facilities and flexibility to complement modern equipment such as Compact Disc players, video recorders and digital sound recorders.
With its slim styling and attractive finish, the Audiolab 8000C is easily accommodated in your living environment. The controls are carefully positioned and spaced for maximum operating convenience. You can tell at a glance the setting of each control. All connecting leads, whilst easily accessible, are neatly hidden at the rear of the amplifiers. A comprehensive instruction manual explains how the amplifiers should be installed for optimum performance. If required, the Audiolab Pre-Amplifier can be combined with other makes of amplifier.
The 8000C includes a set of inputs, outputs and controls which interface perfectly with all types of Hi-Fi components. Critical attention has been given to the choice of electronic components, materials, circuits and layouts so that sound quality is never compromised.
Phono inputs are provided for both MC (Moving Coil) and MM (Moving Magnet) cartridges. Each input is optimised for low noise and high overload margin. The inputs are compatible with all modern pickup cartridges. The input impedance of the MM input can be altered to meet special requirements by connecting loading plugs to the MM LOAD sockets. A special anti-slewing circuit isolates the sensitive phono amplifiers from transient and high frequency noise originating on the AC mains supply.
Separate INPUT and RECORD selector switches allow tape copying from one deck to another, with full tape monitoring. It is possible to record from one input while listening to a different source. The tape outputs are resistively buffered so that non-linearities, which often occur when a recorder is connected but not powered up, are eliminated.
The line amplifier accepts inputs from TUNER, DIGITAL DISC player and 2 TAPE decks. It is a wide bandwidth, low distortion, class A design which remains “transparent” to the audio signal under all operating conditions. Quiescent current and temperature are automatically stabilised by a current mirror biased output stage. Two low output impedance PRE AMP OUTPUTS are available so that power amplifiers, or other equipment, can be connected directly to the 8000C.
All types of dynamic headphones can be used with the 8000C. The headphone amplifier is a miniature class A power amplifier which operates when the pre-amp output is muted.
The Audiolab tone control system has many original features which avoid the colouration and distortion associated with conventional circuits. Special phase compensation and frequency contouring allows subtle tonal adjustments to compensate for frequency response imbalances in loudspeakers, pickup cartridges and some programme material. So that no overload can occur signal boost is limited at the extremes of the audio range. In its FLAT position the TONE button cancels any BASS and TREBLE setting to give a laboratory FLAT response.
Whenever the POWER switch is operated the PRE AMP OUTPUTS are automatically muted so that switching noises are eliminated. The OUTPUT switch on the front panel allows the pre-amp outputs to be muted, in a typical installation this effectively turns off the loudspeakers.
Specifications:
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.01%
Signal to Noise Ratio: 75 dB (MC), 79 dB (MM), 90 dB (line)
Channel Separation: 60 dB (MM), 60 dB (MC), 60 dB (line)
Output: 100 mV (line), 0.707 V (Pre out)
Dimensions: 445 (W) x 335 (D) x 74 (H) mm
Weight: 6.0 kg