Description
CDThe audiolab 8300CDQ adds high-quality analogue preamp circuitry, coupled to three stereo pairs of line-level RCA inputs to connect analogue sources.
The preamp circuitry is kept as simple as possible using high-quality components to maintain signal purity, with line input signals passing to a precision analogue volume stage.
Much effort has gone into the physical layout of the 8300CDQ’s circuitry, protecting the sensitive preamp section from noise interference.
MQATaking it to the next level the 8300CDQ now includes MQA technology, which enables you to play back MQA audio files and streams, delivering 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 ScienceThe 8300CDQ adds further flexibility by incorporating a dedicated direct-coupled headphone amp with current-feedback circuitry. Accessed via a front-mounted 6.35mm socket, its gain bandwidth and high slew rate ensure a dynamic, detailed and engaging performance with all manner of headphone types.
The final key feature introduced in the 8300CDQ is decoding of MQA (Master Quality Authenticated). The brainchild of Meridian Audio co-founder Bob Stuart, MQA is a digital audio format designed for high-resolution music streaming and is available via subscription to Tidal’s ‘HiFi’ tier (among other sources). The 8300CDQ unpacks MQA data – received via the USB input – at the original file’s full resolution and passes the signal through its DAC and preamp stages, ready to feed a power amp or active speakers.
Audiolab’s MQA decoding solution was developed by John Westlake, one of Britain’s foremost digital audio experts. There are various ways to enable MQA playback on audio devices, and not all are equal sonically. Westlake’s solution maximises the format’s potential, just as the 8300CDQ’s design draws the best sound quality from other audio codecs and, of course, CDs.
Aside from the additional functionality outlined above, the 8300CDQ draws upon the exemplary circuitry contained with the existing 8300CD, including:
• Slot-loading CD transport mechanism
Fast in operation and neat in design, the 8300CDQ’s slot-loading CD transport delivers excellent reliability. A read-ahead digital buffer reduces disc-reading errors, enabling scratched CDs that are unreadable by conventional mechanisms to be played.
• High-resolution digital inputs
Five digital inputs comprise 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 enables driverless control of 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 nestling at its heart, utilising HyperStream architecture and ESS Technology’s Time Domain Jitter Eliminator to deliver ultra-low noise and high dynamic range. No company knows more about making the most of this 32-bit, eight-channel hybrid multi-bit Delta-Sigma DAC technology than Audiolab.
• Exemplary jitter reduction
Around the DAC chip are extensive measures to reduce jitter (digital distortion) to vanishingly low levels. Careful circuit layout and low-noise power supplies complement the DAC’s patented Sabre32 sample rate converter and clever DPLL (Digital Phase Locked Loop) circuit, radically reducing time domain errors from all digital input sources.
• Selectable digital filters
As digital audio reproduction technology has progressed, the importance of the characteristics of reconstruction digital filters has become more appreciated. The Audiolab 8300CDQ features seven user-selectable filters for PCM audio data (including CD) and four ultrasonic filters for DSD data. These settings allow the user to tune the 8300CD’s performance according to system configuration, digital file quality and personal taste.
• Discrete Class A analogue stages and sophisticated power supply
The 8300CDQ’s analogue output stages and power supply are exceptionally well specified in the pursuit of sonic excellence. The circuitry includes a large, low-noise toroidal transformer, a plethora of reservoir/smoothing capacitors, an impressive number of regulator chips and discrete transistor (instead of op-amp) analogue stages at the output with ultra-low impedance to drive any cable and any load. The power supply incorporates 29 regulated supply rails including multiple ultra-low-noise regulators, with extensive measures against power supply contamination and cross-coupling.
Finish | Fine Textured Aluminium (Black / Silver) |
Display | POLED 128x64 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) |
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Refund Policy
Returns
Our policy lasts 30 days. If 30 days have gone by since your purchase, unfortunately we can’t offer you a refund or exchange.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.
Additional non-returnable items:
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To complete your return, we require a receipt or proof of purchase.
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There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)
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Refunds (if applicable)
Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. We will also notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund.
If you are approved, then your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within a certain amount of days.
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Next contact your bank. There is often some processing time before a refund is posted.
If you’ve done all of this and you still have not received your refund yet, please contact us at info@yorkshireav.co.uk.
Sale items (if applicable)
Only regular priced items may be refunded, unfortunately sale items cannot be refunded.
Exchanges (if applicable)
We only replace items if they are defective or damaged. If you need to exchange it for the same item, send us an email at info@yorkshireav.co.uk and send your item to: Yorkshire AV LTD, Toffee House, Doncaster Road, GOOLE, DN14 0JB, United Kingdom.
Gifts
If the item was marked as a gift when purchased and shipped directly to you, you’ll receive a gift credit for the value of your return. Once the returned item is received, a gift certificate will be mailed to you.
If the item wasn’t marked as a gift when purchased, or the gift giver had the order shipped to themselves to give to you later, we will send a refund to the gift giver and he will find out about your return.
Shipping
To return your product, you should mail your product to: Yorkshire AV LTD, Toffee House, Doncaster Road, GOOLE, DN14 0JB, United Kingdom
You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.
If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.