8300CDQ Specifications
AudioLab
audiolab 8300CDQ - CD Player, DAC and Pre-Amplifier - Silver
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The 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.
MQA
Taking 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• High-resolution digital inputs
• 32-bit ESS Sabre DAC
• Exemplary jitter reduction
• Selectable digital filters
• 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) |