Audiolab 8000AP

We did indeed have a First Test of the Audiolab planned for the Nov issue, but we have had to hold fire on publishing it as Audiolab still has some logo licensing issues to resolve with the product.

Rest assured, we will publish the review just as soon as we can. 

Andy

 Thanks for getting back so quickly. How did this 8000AP compare sonically to the 8000AV with DVD and CD playback?

As AC said, we're holding fire on reviewing it until the licensing issues are resolved. 

I'm afraid I can't comment on that until we publish the 'official' review in the magazine. Apologies for the delay, but we have to ensure the Audiolab has gone through all the necessary licensing approval first.

Thank you for letting me know.

The letter page that refers to it, gives a little detail... something like "best 2 box AV amp in it's class" or summat. Check the mag for more details.

jules.

I was expecting a review of the 8000x7 which I now, happily own - at least I think I'm happy. Either it's a very transparant power amp and my DVD player sucks sonically, or it's not as good as I was hoping. As I already thought the DVD player sucked sonically, I'm now after a new one!

Either way, I'm hoping the review will enlighten me, when it comes out though frankly I have no idea what it's got to do with you whether their trademark licence is up to date or transfered correctly.

I bought the darn machine, can't just just say if it's tosh or not?

 They couldn't guarantee the product we reviewed wouldn't be changed because of the licensing issues. We're not in the habit of publishing reviews that could be misleading, so we're leaving it until we get reassurance that we actually have the same model as in the shops!

It's frustrating, as our early testing suggested a very promising set-up.... 

How might it have changed? In name on the faceplate?

Also, as Audiolab's gear is currently really heavily discounted, will the star ratings be based on value for money at the price at the till or value for money at the manufacturers price? Be great to have both really.

This does bring me back to the comment many threads ago wanting a more outright performance scale for hi-fi gear. Be really interesting to look along a quality ladder seeing which machine was better and then see the prices along the side. They would no doubt be interesting to read. A bit like a version of the Top Gear Fastest Lap ladder. But with prices alongside. It would clear up a lot of "which is better" arguements.

If there's a licensing issue re surround-sound formats, the whole processing/decoding section of the product could change. Add that to the fact that other tweaks may be made in the meantime and you could have a product that sounds different. WHF isn't about second-guessing these things, so we'll wait to see what IAG comes up with.

 And yes, we will test the product - as we do every product - based on what you can buy it for as well as the list price, so we can determine its true value.

Nice idea re the ladder. The Awards issue, in a way, offers a similar thing: a best buy is the top product in its price class until the next best buy above it. In other words, it shows you exactly how much more you have to spend to get a better performance-per-pound ratio - and where your next upgrade could be coming from.

Jolly good point Clare.

Am really looking forward to the awards issue!

Update on the 8000AP - http://whathifi.com/forums/p/5340/54215.aspx#54215