The Audiolab 6000A MKII at a glance
The Audiolab 6000A MKII is the model that has become a reference point for people building a serious hi-fi system without stacking up a rack of separate boxes. It is a full integrated amplifier, which means it combines the preamplifier and power amplifier in one chassis, and Audiolab has gone further by adding a built in DAC, a dedicated phono stage, Bluetooth and a headphone amplifier. In other words, it is designed to be the heart of a compact yet genuinely capable system.
Audiolab has been engineering British hi-fi electronics since 1983, and the 6000A MKII carries that lineage forward. It is distributed in the US by MoFi Distribution, and All Elite Audio is proud to offer it as an authorized dealer.
What makes the 6000A MKII distinct
Class AB with CFB topology
The amplifier stage uses a Class AB design built around Audiolab's CFB (Complementary Feedback) topology. It is rated at 2x50W into 8 ohms and 2x75W into 4 ohms. The goal of this approach is a clean, controlled and musically natural presentation that holds its composure as the load gets tougher. That extra headroom into 4 ohms is meaningful when you pair it with speakers that dip lower in impedance.
ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M DAC
Inside sits an ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M 32-bit DAC. This is the digital engine that lets you connect sources directly and feed them into the amplifier without needing an outboard converter. It handles high resolution material cleanly and gives the 6000A MKII a modern, source friendly character that suits streamers, computers and disc transports alike.
A dedicated MM phono stage
Vinyl listeners are well served here. The 6000A MKII includes a dedicated low-noise moving magnet phono stage, so you can connect a turntable fitted with an MM cartridge straight in. No separate phono preamp required.
Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX and aptX HD
For casual and everyday listening, the built in Bluetooth 5.1 supports aptX and aptX HD, letting you stream wirelessly from a phone, tablet or laptop with a higher quality codec than standard Bluetooth allows.
Current-feedback headphone amplifier
The 6000A MKII carries a current-feedback headphone amplifier, a proper dedicated stage rather than an afterthought. It is a lovely feature for late night listening or for anyone whose setup lives in a shared space.
Flexible operating modes
Like Audiolab's integrateds, the 6000A MKII can be used as a full Integrated amplifier, in Pre-Power mode, or in Pre-only mode. That flexibility means the amp can grow and adapt with your system over time rather than boxing you into a single configuration.
Sound and performance character
The 6000A MKII aims for a balanced, refined and honest sound. It is designed to let the character of your source and speakers come through rather than imposing a heavy signature of its own. The Class AB CFB stage delivers tidy control and detail, while the ES9038Q2M DAC keeps digital sources clean and composed. Its clear IPS display and straightforward controls make daily use easy and intuitive.
Where it sits in the Audiolab range
The 6000A MKII is the accessible entry point into Audiolab's integrated lineup, and it packs an impressive amount of capability into a compact chassis measuring 2.6 x 17.5 x 11.8 inches and weighing 17.2 lbs. It comes in black or silver.
If you want to step up within the same family, the Audiolab 7000A and the flagship Audiolab 9000A build on the concept with more advanced implementation as you move up the range. Within the Audiolab hierarchy, moving up the models legitimately brings more, so the choice comes down to the scale of system you are building and how much performance headroom you want. The 6000A MKII remains a superb match for a focused, room friendly setup.
Building your system
Speakers
With 2x50W into 8 ohms and 2x75W into 4 ohms, the 6000A MKII pairs beautifully with efficient, well matched bookshelf and floorstanding speakers. Its extra current into 4 ohms makes it a comfortable partner for speakers that ask a little more of an amplifier. Cabling matters too, and the Audioquest Rocket 22 Full Range or the biwire Audioquest Rocket 22 BiWire are sensible, price appropriate speaker cable choices. If your speakers support biwiring and you want to move up a notch, the Audioquest Rocket 33 BiWire or the Audioquest Rocket 33 Full Range are also worth a look.
A disc source
Because the 6000A MKII has that ES9038Q2M DAC built in, it is a natural home for a pure CD transport. Remember that a CDT is a transport only and has no DAC of its own, so it relies on the DAC inside the amplifier. The Audiolab 7000CDT CD Transport is a beautifully matched partner that feeds a clean digital signal straight into the 6000A MKII. If you want the step up transport in the range, the Audiolab 9000CDT CD Transport is there as well.
How it compares within our range
All Elite Audio carries several integrated amplifiers, and the right one really comes down to how you like to listen. The LEAK Stereo 130 leans into a warm, vintage inspired presentation with retro styling. The Advance Paris X-i75 is built around a classic, robust design ethos. The Yamaha A-S801 offers Yamaha's own take on a feature rich integrated, and the Yamaha R-N800A adds network streaming in a receiver format. If your priority is a desktop or headphone centric DAC and amp, the Matrix Audio mini-i Pro 4 takes a streamer, DAC and headphone amp focused approach. The 6000A MKII distinguishes itself with its British engineered Class AB CFB design, its ES9038Q2M DAC and its all in one integrated flexibility.
Come listen at AEA
All Elite Audio is an authorized Audiolab dealer with a showroom in Timonium, Maryland. Demo units rotate and not every model is always set up, so please reach out to us to arrange a listen and we will make sure the 6000A MKII, or the right companion pieces, are ready for you.