Audiolab 7000N Play
Contents
We have a brand new device in this lineup: the Audiolab 7000N has really just hit the market. The originally British brand has made great strides and now comes with devices in the higher end as well. The 7000N is very affordable at 649 Euros. But you do get a lot in return.
The reproduction
We immediately hear that in the past 7 years digital technology has made great strides. Compared to the Yamaha, the stereo image is clearly larger and has more depth. Chris Whitley’s National steel guitar is given more definition, the acoustic bass is recognizable as a wood instrument and the drummer is clearly placed behind Whitley’s guitar and voice. It is a subtle recording and the Audiolab shows it.
Joan Osborne’s vocals take on more weight, the emotion in the lyrics coming across better. The electric guitar sounds more pointed and detached from the left speaker. A clear reverb of the studio space can be heard. You are in the studio and Joan Osborne’s band is playing live in front of you.
In “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers, Audiolab shows that they clearly fit into the tradition of the British HiFi industry: the rhythmic drive of the song stands out and the violins become warmer in sound than with the particularly neutral-sounding Yamaha. 200 Euro extra and a new generation of digital technology shows a big step over the Yamaha.
The only thing we feel hesitation about is Audiolab’s choice to hook up with the DTS Play-Fi platform, rather than BluOs or Volumio. In our opinion, it detracts from the wonderful product Audiolab has created because using Play-Fi is a frustrating experience. As an iPhone or Mac user, I would consider the 7000N if I listen primarily through Apple Music, as few other streamers with DAC offer as much quality and listening pleasure per dollar. Audiolab has a name to uphold that they offer great quality at an acceptable price and once again they do.
Specifications Audiolab 7000N
| Price | 649 Euro |
| DAC | 9038Q2M |
| Outputs | Coaxial, Optical, RCA |
| Inputs | Wifi, Ethernet |
| Airplay | Yes |
| Else | DTS PlayFi |
| ROON | Yes |
| Own app | Yes + web interface |
| Power supply | Internal |
The Primo is interesting…I’ve been using a Pi2design Mercury (CM4 rpi based streamer) with Volumio to really good effect. The software has some adjustability via pluggins that can improve the sound further – particularly Sound shield which can quiet the cpu and lower its functions while playing music. Then also a lps (all the typical things like cabling etc that you guys have covered with great care). Crazy how small and well-placed tweaks can go a long way.
And now of course, that Eversolo DMP is looking to be yet another paradigm shift in this arena and similar price range. Would love your impressions of that one!
Hello John. It seems the Eversolo is the new WiiM. All of the internet is praising it. We’ll see if we can get a review sample (at some point).
Thank you Marrjin! That would be great. Yes, everyone is going kind of crazy over it. But I know you guys would render a very balanced comparo. So many out there now 🙏🏼
Pardon me, misspelled: Martijn
I have toes for thumbs 😂 🙏🏼
Very nice comparison, and I know you can’t compare all streamers in this price category. However I must admit I was a little disappointed to first see my streamer in the list to be tested (cambridge CXN v2) and then noticed it wasn’t present anymore when I sat down to listen to the shootout. Still curious how it would have compared, just like the Innuos ZENmini MK3 which I also have (or the more recent model the Innuos Pulsemini). Maybe in a future test after all you like doing mega tests :-). Like the recent excellent bookshelf speaker test. In any case succes in future shootouts!
Cambridge never send us the unit. Innuos doesnt have samples at the moment. But we get the Zen pretty soon!
Hey Rico!
You know you can switch languages with the language-flag in the menu? :-).
The Node n130 is somewhere in the middle, I think. The Volumio wins, we know for a fact. I don’t know the Node X yet. Maybe I will get a sample.
aaah ok i see the flag now.. thank you for the respons. I get the X in a few days and will compare it with the N130.
Hello Alpha
Would have like 2 see the bluesound node n130 between these streamers. Curious how it would compare.
I ordered the new node X, hopefully 🤞 it has the same powerboard, so I could change it and hook up the sBooster. Pretty interesting product, new DAC an pretty 🤩
Hoi Rico, ben benieuwd hoe de X bevalt en hoe deze zich verhoudt tot de N130? Mvg Guus
Dag Guus. Ik zie nu pas je bericht. Ik ben erg tevreden over de nieuwe node X. Helaas had ik de N130 al verkocht voordat ik de X binnen had. Maar dit is duidelijk beter. Heb wel gelijk een externe voeding aangesloten en alleen zo beluisterd via Roon.