Audiolab 8300CDQ - Black - CD Player - DAC - Preamplifier

About the Audiolab 8300CDQ - Black - CD - DAC - Preamplifier:

The new Audiolab 8300CDQ CD DAC Preamplifier features high-quality analog preamp circuitry, coupled with three line-level stereo pairs of RCA inputs to connect analog sources. The preamplifier circuitry has been kept as simple as possible, with high-quality components for signal purity, with line-level input signals being passed to a precise analog volume stage. Great attention has been paid to the physical layout of the 8300CDQ's circuitry to protect the sensitive preamp section from noise interference.

MQA from the Audiolab 8300CDQ - Black - CD - DAC - Preamplifier

The 8300CDQ was taken to the next level and now includes MQA technology, which allows you to play MQA audio files and streams and delivers 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).

The Sound of Science

The 8300CDQ adds even more flexibility through its dedicated and directly coupled headphone amplifier with current feedback circuitry. This is available via a front-mounted 6.35 mm jack. Its gain bandwidth and high slew rate ensure dynamic, detailed and engaging performance when using headphones of different brands and types.

Another important feature introduced with the 8300CDQ is MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) decoding. The brainchild of Meridian Audio co-founder Bob Stuart, MQA is a digital audio format designed for high-resolution music streaming, available via subscription to Tidal's "HiFi" layer, among others. The 8300CDQ extracts MQA data (received via USB input) at the full resolution of the original file, sends the signal through the DAC and preamp stages, then "feeds" the power amplifier or active speakers.

Audiolab's MQA decoding solution was developed by John Westlake, one of Britain's foremost digital audio experts. There are several ways to enable MQA playback on audio devices, but not all of them are equal when talking about quality. Westlake's solution maximizes the potential of the format, just as the design of the 8300CDQ extracts the best sound quality from other audio codecs and the classic CD.

The original Audiolab CD players 8200CD and 8200CDQ designed by Westlake were launched in 2010 and widely praised for their excellent sound quality and flexibility. Then in 2015 came the 8300 series and both 8200 players were replaced by the 8300CD (building on the formidable reputation of respective predecessors). It has taken until now for the 8300CD to be accompanied by the improved 8300CDQ, once again expanding and completing Audiolab's classic line of CD players.

In addition to the additional functionality described above, the 8300CDQ uses the circuitry of the existing 8300CD, as well as:

CD Transport Mechanism with Slot

The 8300CDQ is fast to use, has an attractive design and is reliable. A read-ahead digital buffer reduces reading errors, allowing playback of scratched CDs that are unreadable by conventional mechanisms. High disc stability and low sensitivity to resonance contribute to the 8300CDQ's excellent CD sound quality.

High-Res Digital Inputs from the Audiolab 8300CDQ - Black - CD - DAC - Preamplifier

Five digital inputs, 1x asynchronous USB and 4x S/PDIF (2x coaxial and 2x optical). Hi-res digital audio is supported up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256, and USB HID compatibility allows driverless control from a connected PC, Mac or media player.

32-bit ESS Sabre DAC

The CD transport and digital inputs feed a DAC section with an ESS Sabre32 Reference chip that sits at the heart of the system. It uses HyperStream architecture and ESS Technology's Time Domain Jitter Eliminator to deliver ultra-low noise and high dynamic range. Audiolab is vastly experienced in making the most of this 32-bit, eight-channel hybrid multi-bit Delta-Sigma DAC technology. The 8200CD and 8200CDQ were among the first audio components to use it, and the company has been honing its implementation ever since. The conversion process involves 512 DAC elements (256 per channel), each operating at 84.672 MHz. All digital audio sources, regardless of sampling frequency, are up-sampled or oversampled to this frequency.

Reduction of Jitter

Extensive measures have been taken around the DAC chip to reduce jitter (digital distortion) to negligible levels. Careful circuit layout and low-noise power supplies complement the DAC's patented Sabre32 sample rate converter and smart DPLL (Digital Phase Locked Loop) circuitry, radically reducing time domain errors from all digital input sources.

Time Domain Isolation

While the Sabre32 sample rate converter on the one hand eliminates jitter in the digital domain, the performance of the DAC on the other hand can still be affected by external "analog domain"-induced artifacts, such as RF breakthrough, PSU coupling, and so on. Audiolab solves this problem via the CATDA (Cascaded Asynchronous Time Domain Attenuator) circuit. This circuit isolates the DAC substrate from sonically harmful artifacts affecting non-synchronous digital input data. Three identical stages are used to achieve the best possible performance. Each individual stage provides more isolation, maximizing timing even at higher RF frequencies.

Selectable Audiolab 8300CDQ Digital Filters - Black - CD - DAC - Preamplifier

As digital audio reproduction technology advanced, the importance of digital reconstruction filters became more appreciated. The Audiolab 8300CDQ features seven selectable filters for PCM audio data (including CD) and four ultrasonic filters for DSD data. These settings allow the user to match the 8300CD's performance to system configuration, digital file quality and personal taste.

Discrete Class A Analog Stages and Sophisticated Power Supply

The 8300CDQ's analog output stages and power supply have been exceptionally well developed during its constant quest for perfection. The circuitry includes a large low-noise toroidal transformer, an abundance of reservoir/smoothing capacitors, an impressive number of regulator chips and discrete transistor (rather than op-amp) analog stages at the output with ultra-low impedance to drive every cable and load. The power supply contains 29 regulated supply rails, including multiple ultra-low noise regulators, with extensive measures against power supply contamination and cross-coupling.

Specifications of the Audiolab 8300CDQ - Black - CD - DAC - Preamplifier

• Finish: Fine Textured Aluminum (Black / Silver)
• Display: POLED 128×64 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
  • USB:32kHz - 384kHz(PCM) / DSD64, DSD128, DSD256
• Maximum Sampling Frequency:
  • Optical,Coaxial, AES: 192kHz
  • USB: 384kHz (PCM) / 11.2M (DSD256)
• Output Voltage:
  • 4.2Vrms ±0.1 (Balanced)
  • 2.1Vrms ±0.1 (Unbalanced)
• Output Impedance: 10Ω
• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): <0.002% (1kHz, 0dB, 20Hz ~ 20kHz, A weighted)
• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz (± 0.2dB)
• Signal to Noise Ratio (S/N):
  • <-100dB A Weighted (Balanced)
  • <-98dB A Weighted (Unbalanced)
• Dyanmic Range (A Weighted):
  • >100dB (Balanced)
  • >98dB (Unbalanced)
• Crosstalk (@1kHz):
  • <-130dB (Balanced)
  • <-120dB (Unbalanced)
• Standby Power Consumption: <0.5W
• Power Requirements:
  • 240V ~ 50 - 60Hz
  • 230V ~ 50 - 60Hz
  • 115V ~ 50 - 60Hz
  • 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)
  • 7.5kg (Gross)

Audiolab 8300CDQ CD DAC Preamplifier view on the manufacturer's website.

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