A pre amplifier and power amplifier combo has always been something to aspire to in hi-fi. Pre/power combos generally offer much better performance than a single box amplifier as the separate components have been built to perform their function perfectly without cutting corners – as is often the case in single box models.

The Audiolab 8000Q is a simple, high quality, remote control pre amplifier, offering 6 inputs (including 3 tape loops – which can also be used for CD recorders or other recording devices). The 8000Q manages to achieve something rare in pre amplifiers under £1000 – neutrality. All signals are switched with audiophile signal relays and the volume control is a motorised potentiometer. The low impedance line amplifier is a miniature class A power amplifier with current mirror bias – which is also ideal for use with long interconnects to multiple power amplifiers.

Specifications :

• Input impedance : 20 kohms nominal
• Input level vs Gain setting : 500 mV at 0 dB (relative to 0.5 V output), 350 mV at 3 dB (relative to 0.5 V output), 250 mV at 6 dB (relative to 0.5 V output), 175 mV at 9 dB (relative to 0.5 V output), 125 mV at 12 dB (relative to 0.5 V output), 90 mV at 15 dB (relative to 0.5 V output)
• Signal to Noise (line level) : Greater than 97 dB (relative to 0.5 V ouput)
• Frequency response (-3 dB) : 0.1 Hz - 75 kHz
• Frequency response(20 Hz - 20 kHz) ± 0.2 dB
• Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise(20 Hz - 20 kHz):  Less than 0.007%
• Channel separation : Greater than 100dB at 1 kHz
• Crosstalk rejection : Greater than 100dB at 1 kHz
• Polarity : Non-inverting for all inputs and outputs
• Preamplifier output impedance : 100 W nominal
• Preamplifier maximum output Greater than 7.7 V rms (20 dBm)
• Record output impedance : 1 kW nominal
• Record output gain : 0 dB (i.e. the record output level is the same as the input level)
• Headphone maximum output : Greater than 7.7 V rms emf
• Headphone amplifier gain : 18 dB (additional to 0 - 15 dB variable gain
• Headphone output impedance : 100 W (suitable for headphones of 8 W - 2 kW impedance)
• Signal to Noise(headphone output) : Greater than 80 dB
• Muting attenuation : Greater than 63 dB
• Power Supply : 220 - 240 V 50/60Hz
• PowerConsumption : Less than 25 W
• Dimensions : Width 445mm x Height 75mm x Depth 336mm