Much of an upgrade?

I currently own a Audiolab 8000A which feeds Kef 103/4 speakers. I have got hold of a 8000P finally to biamp using the A to drive the highs and the P to drive the lows.

My source equipment is a Marantz 63KI.

I am wondering if it will be much of an upgrade to replace this with a Audiolab 8000CD.

The benefit would be a system of similar looking units. But is the Audiolab much of an improvement over the Marantz?

Any other areas I can improve. I am using Nordost Flatline 2 biwire speaker cable. Have an old Audioquest interconnect between amp and cd but have just ordered some Van Den Hul D102 III's.

By going the Audiolab route at least I can upgrade as time goes on and add a DAC to the CD or another P later. Even change the A for a S if that is worthwhile (can you still biamp using S to drive highs and P lows?)

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

I wouldn't have thought so. You could always add a DAC to the Marantz.

 

Bit of a sideways move, though the Audiolab stuff is well built and reliable. A lot will depend on the condition and cost of the 8000CD. If it's minty and cheap then yeah, I'd go for it.

I like the old Audiolab amps which don't deserve the bashing the got from certain elements of the press.

 

the audiolab 8000S is very much better than the 8000a; this is especially the case for the preamp, which is the weakest part of the 8000a.

I would do that upgrade first, and would also back the idea of adding a dac but in truth I have not listened to the 8000cd.

 

the 63i..is a good player , your going to need to go a long way to get better. Its quite a good match to the [imo] rather forward sound of the 8000 series.

 

I've just been looking at ebay, where I see that there are two 8000S for sale, the blurb for one says: "This is a very versatile little amp.*Replaced the 8000A*and is*considerably better having*an*upgraded pre-amp, not to knock the*8000A as it is also a good amp. 'What Hi Fi' rated*the 8000S*at 5 stars and was Highly Recommended in*their 1996 Awards described as 'EFFORTLESS POWER*and OPEN, DETAILED soundstage'.

To anyone who is unfamiliar,*it*is an integrated amp*that can also operate as an*standalone pre or power amp, the pre-amp being very good, which makes it ideal*for upgrade at a later date.* It is pretty punchy and refined as*an integrated amp at 60 watts but when used as a pre-amp and hooked up to an 8000P power amp the control and depth*are further improved"

btw, I have an 8000S spare, which is currently doing AV duties.

 

Does that mean that you can use the S like I will be my A, ie S feeding the highs and P feeding the lows so in essence bi-amping?

 

yes, S can do all that the A can do and much more. PM Shrink for the fine detail as he has had lots of experience with Audiolab and bi-wiring.