Audiolab 8300CDQ CD Player / DAC / Preamplifier
To this speciļ¬cation the new 8300CDQ adds high-quality analogue preamp circuitry, coupled to three stereo pairs of line-level RCA inputs to connect analogue sources. The preamp circuitry is kept as simple as possible using high-quality components to maintain signal purity, with line input signals passing to a precision analogue volume stage. Much eļ¬ort has gone into the physical layout of the 8300CDQās circuitry, protecting the sensitive preamp section from noise interference.
Taking it to the next level the 8300CDQ now includes MQA technology, which enables you to play back MQA audio files and streams, delivering the sound of the original master recording. MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) is an award-winning British technology that delivers the sound of the original master recording. The master MQA file is fully authenticated and is small enough to stream or download.
Overview
The 8300CDQ adds further ļ¬exibility by incorporating a dedicated direct-coupled headphone amp with current-feedback circuitry. Accessed via a front-mounted 6.35mm socket, its gain bandwidth and high slew rate ensure a dynamic, detailed and engaging performance with all manner of headphone types.
The ļ¬nal key feature introduced in the 8300CDQ is decoding of MQA (Master Quality Authenticated). The brainchild of Meridian Audio co-founder Bob Stuart, MQA is a digital audio format designed for high-resolution music streaming and is available via subscription to Tidalās āHiFiā tier (among other sources). The 8300CDQ unpacks MQA data ā received via the USB input ā at the original ļ¬leās full resolution and passes the signal through its DAC and preamp stages, ready to feed a power amp or active speakers.
FEATURES
ā¢Ā ExemplaryĀ jitterĀ reduction
Around the DAC chip are extensive measures to reduce jitter (digital distortion) to vanishingly low levels. Careful circuit layout and low-noise power supplies complement the DACās patented Sabre32 sample rate converter and clever DPLL (Digital Phase Locked Loop) circuit, radically reducing time domain errors from all digital input sources.
ā¢Ā TimeĀ domainĀ isolation
While the Sabre32 sample rate converter virtually eliminates jitter within the digital domain, external āanalogue domainā induced artefacts caused by RF breakthrough, PSU coupling and so on will aļ¬ect the DACās sonic performance. Audiolab resolves this issue via its CATDA (Cascaded Asynchronous Time Domain Attenuator) circuit. This circuit isolates the DAC substrate from sonically deleterious artefacts that aļ¬ect non-synchronous digital input data. To achieve the best possible performance, three identical cascaded stages are used ā each individual stage provides increased isolation, thereby maximising timing performance, even at higher RF frequencies.
ā¢Ā SelectableĀ digitalĀ ļ¬lters
As digital audio reproduction technology has progressed, the importance of the characteristics of reconstruction digital ļ¬lters has become more appreciated. The Audiolab 8300CDQ features seven user-selectable ļ¬lters for PCM audio data (including CD) and four ultrasonic ļ¬lters for DSD data. These settings allow the user to tune the 8300CDās performance according to system conļ¬guration, digital ļ¬le quality and personal taste.
ā¢Ā DiscreteĀ ClassĀ AĀ analogueĀ stagesĀ andĀ sophisticatedĀ powerĀ supply
The 8300CDQās analogue output stages and power supply are exceptionally well speciļ¬ed in the pursuit of sonic excellence. The circuitry includes a large, low-noise toroidal transformer, a plethora of reservoir/smoothing capacitors, an impressive number of regulator chips and discrete transistor (instead of op-amp) analogue stages at the output with ultra-low impedance to drive any cable and any load. The power supply incorporates 29 regulated supply rails including multiple ultra-low-noise regulators, with extensive measures against power supply contamination and cross-coupling.
Audiolab 8300CDQ Specifications
Finish | Fine Textured Aluminium (Black / Silver) |
Display | POLED 128x64 pixels 2.7" |
Standby Feature | Yes |
12V Trigger | Yes |
CD Mechanism | Slot-Loading |
DSD Compatible | Yes (DSD64 / DSD128 / DSD256) |
Disc Compatibility | CD/CDR |
DAC | ESS Sabre32 9018 chip |
Resolution | 32 bits |
Sampling Frequency | Optical,Coaxial, AES: 32kHz - 192kHz |
Ā | USB:32kHz - 384kHz(PCM) / DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 |
Maximum Sampling Frequency | Optical,Coaxial, AES: 192kHz |
Ā | USB: 384kHz (PCM) / 11.2M (DSD256) |
Output Voltage | 4.2Vrms Ā±0.1 (Balanced) |
Ā | 2.1Vrms Ā±0.1 (Unbalanced) |
Output Impedance | 10Ī© |
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) | <0.002% (1kHz, 0dB, 20Hz ~ 20kHz, A weighted) |
Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Ā± 0.2dB) |
Signal to Noise Ratio (S/N) | <-100dB A Weighted (Balanced) |
Ā | <-98dB A Weighted (Unbalanced) |
Dyanmic Range (A Weighted) | >100dB (Balanced) |
Ā | >98dB (Unbalanced) |
Crosstalk (@1kHz) | <-130dB (Balanced) |
Ā | <-120dB (Unbalanced) |
Standby Power Consumption | <0.5W |
Power Requirements | 240V ~ 50 - 60Hz |
Ā | 230V ~ 50 - 60Hz |
Ā | 115V ~ 50 - 60Hz |
Ā | 100V ~ 50 - 60Hz |
Dimension(mm) (W x H x D) | 444 X 80 X 317 |
Carton size(mm) ( W X H X D) | 500 x 140 x 455 |
Weight | 6.0kg (Net) |
Ā | 7.5kg (Gross) |