The Audiolab 8300A sits at the top of Audiolab's current integrated amplifier range, succeeding the well-regarded 8200A with a ground-up redesign by Jan Ertner. Where the 8200A delivered 60W per channel, the 8300A raises output to 75W into 8 ohms and 115W into 4 ohms, backed by a substantially upgraded power supply and a dual mono circuit layout that keeps left and right channels fully separated.
Circuit Design and Power Supply
At the heart of the 8300A is a 300VA toroidal transformer feeding 60,000µF of reservoir capacitance — a generous specification for an integrated amplifier at this level. The dual mono power amplifier section uses four bipolar output transistors per channel running in Class A/B, delivering a maximum current of 15A into difficult loads. Audiolab's Active Current Delivery system monitors the output stage and intervenes at the clipping threshold, ensuring clean output right up to the amplifier's limits without audible distortion.
Versatile Operation
The 8300A offers three distinct operational modes: as a conventional integrated amplifier, as a standalone preamplifier (using the pre-out connections to drive an external power amplifier such as the 8300XP or 8300MB monoblocks), or as a power amplifier fed from an external preamplifier or processor. This flexibility makes it equally suited to a straightforward two-channel system or as part of a more ambitious multi-amplifier setup.
Phono Stage and Connectivity
A notable addition over its predecessor is the built-in MM/MC phono stage, fed by its own dedicated power supply section for low-noise performance with both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges. Beyond the phono input, the rear panel provides five line-level RCA inputs (CD, Video, Tuner, Aux 1, Aux 2) and one balanced XLR input. A 12V trigger input and output allow automatic power sequencing with other components in the system.
Build and Presentation
The 8300A is housed in a full-width aluminium chassis measuring 444 × 80 × 330mm and weighing 7.8kg. An OLED display on the front panel provides clear status and volume information. The amplifier is available in Black and Silver finishes.
| Power Output (8 ohms) | 75W per channel |
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| Power Output (4 ohms) | 115W per channel |
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| Maximum Current | 15A |
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| Amplifier Class | Class A/B |
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| Design | Dual mono |
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| Transformer | 300VA toroidal |
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| Reservoir Capacitance | 60,000µF |
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| Line Inputs | 5 × RCA, 1 × balanced XLR |
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| Phono Input | MM/MC |
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| Frequency Response (Line) | ±0.1dB (10Hz–20kHz), ±3.0dB (1Hz–100kHz) |
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| Frequency Response (Phono RIAA) | ±1.0dB (20Hz–20kHz) |
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| Signal-to-Noise (Line) | >107dB (>109dB A-weighted) |
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| Signal-to-Noise (Phono MM) | >73dB (>78dB A-weighted) |
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| Signal-to-Noise (Phono MC) | >68dB (>73dB A-weighted) |
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| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 444 × 80 × 330mm |
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| Weight | 7.8kg |
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| Also Available As | Silver |
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