Meet the Audiolab 7000A
The Audiolab 7000A is a step-up integrated amplifier that gathers an enormous amount of capability into one clean, purpose-built chassis. Audiolab has been engineering hi-fi electronics in the UK since 1983, and the 7000A carries that heritage forward with a design philosophy that puts musical clarity and everyday flexibility side by side. This is an all-in-one hub for a modern listening room: amplifier, digital-to-analog converter, phono stage, headphone amplifier and connectivity center, all in a single elegant box.
If you have been looking for a component that can anchor a system without demanding a rack full of separate boxes, the 7000A was built with exactly that reader in mind.
Audiolab Design and Technology
Class AB with CFB amplification
At its core the 7000A uses a Class AB amplifier with Audiolab's Complementary Feedback (CFB) topology, rated at 2x70W into 8 ohms and 2x110W into 4 ohms. This is a well-proven approach to amplification that aims for low distortion and stable, controlled delivery across a range of loudspeaker loads. In practical terms it gives the 7000A the headroom to drive real-world speakers with an even, composed character rather than forcing you into a narrow menu of easy-load partners.
ES9038Q2M DAC and certified MQA
Built in is an ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M 32-bit DAC handling the digital duties, so you do not need a separate outboard converter to enjoy your digital sources. The 7000A is also a certified hardware MQA full decoder, which means it unfolds MQA files completely rather than relying on partial software decoding. For anyone streaming or storing MQA content, that full decode happens right inside this amplifier.
Connectivity that fits real rooms
The 7000A includes HDMI ARC, which lets you connect a compatible television and route its audio directly to the amplifier for far better sound than built-in TV speakers. Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX and aptX LL is on board for convenient wireless playback. There is a low-noise MM phono stage for a moving magnet turntable, and a current-feedback headphone amplifier for private listening. A crisp 2.8 inch IPS display with a VU meter keeps you informed and adds a touch of classic hi-fi character to the front panel.
Three operating modes
One of the most useful features for future-proofing is the 7000A's flexibility of role. It offers Integrated, Pre-Power and Pre-only modes. That means you can run it as a complete integrated amplifier today, use it as a preamplifier feeding a separate power amplifier later, or use it as a power stage. This adaptability makes the 7000A a component you can grow with rather than replace.
Sound and Performance Character
The 7000A leans toward a clean, articulate and well-organized presentation. The CFB topology and the ES9038Q2M DAC work together toward a sound that stays composed with detail intact, letting instruments and voices sit in their own space. With a sensible pair of speakers you get an even tonal balance and enough grip to keep bass tight and dynamics lively. It is the kind of amplifier that rewards good source material without becoming harsh or fatiguing over a long listening session.
Where the 7000A Sits in the Range
Within Audiolab's integrated lineup the 7000A occupies the middle ground, and it is helpful to understand its neighbors.
The Audiolab 6000A MKII is the more compact starting point in the family, a superb entry into Audiolab integrated amplification for those building a first serious system or working within a smaller footprint.
Stepping up, the Audiolab 9000A is the flagship integrated, moving to the higher-tier ES9038PRO DAC and a larger, more ambitious design brief for listeners who want Audiolab's most capable single-box statement.
The 7000A slots neatly between them, offering a generous helping of features and performance with the added HDMI ARC and three-mode flexibility that make it such a versatile system center.
How It Compares to Other Integrateds
Every listener has different priorities, so it is worth knowing the alternatives AEA carries. The TEAC AX-505 is a compact stereo integrated with its own tidy design goals. The LEAK Stereo 230 offers a retro-styled British approach for those drawn to its distinct aesthetic and character. The Yamaha R-N1000A is a network receiver aimed at listeners who want built-in network streaming as a first priority. The Cambridge Audio EXA100 and the Onkyo Icon A-50 each bring their own design philosophies as well. The 7000A's particular strengths are its certified full MQA decoding, its ES9038Q2M DAC, HDMI ARC and its three operating modes, so if that combination matches how you listen, it makes an especially strong case.
Building a System Around the 7000A
Speakers
The 7000A pairs happily with a range of passive loudspeakers. The Mission 750 Bookshelf Loudspeakers are a natural match for a room-friendly setup with classic British voicing. The LEAK Sandwich 150 Bookshelf Loudspeakers bring a warm, characterful presentation that complements the amplifier's clarity. If you want a fuller sound, these bookshelf options can also be considered against larger floorstanding choices as your room allows.
Note that the Klipsch The Fives II Powered Speakers are active speakers with their own amplification, so they suit a different kind of system rather than being driven by the 7000A. Keep that in mind if you are choosing between an integrated-plus-passive approach and an all-in-one powered speaker approach.
Cables
For speaker cable, the AudioQuest Rocket 44 BiWire is a sensible partner, and the AudioQuest Rocket 88 Full Range is available if you want to step up the cable within your system.
Sources
Because the 7000A already has a high-grade DAC on board, adding a pure CD transport makes a tidy and logical pairing. The Audiolab 7000CDT is the ideal companion, a dedicated CD transport designed alongside the 7000A. Remember that a CDT is a transport only with no built-in DAC, so it relies on the 7000A's converter to make sound, which is exactly how this pairing is meant to work. If you want a more ambitious transport, the Audiolab 9000CDT is a step up in that same role.
Who the 7000A Is For
The 7000A is a strong choice if you want one component to handle streaming over Bluetooth, television audio via HDMI ARC, vinyl through the MM phono stage, headphones through the current-feedback amp and digital sources through the built-in DAC. It suits the listener who values a clean, uncluttered setup that still leaves room to evolve thanks to its Pre-Power and Pre-only modes. In a small to medium room with well-matched speakers, it makes a genuinely complete and satisfying system heart.
Come Have a Listen
AEA 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 be glad to help you hear the 7000A and its potential system partners for yourself.