A British Hi-Fi Maker Gives Its Popular Affordable Amplifier a Stellar Upgrade

The stereo amplifier promises improved performance while maintaining an entry-level price tag.

Published March 21, 2025

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Updated March 21, 2025

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Audiolab is a British hi-fi manufacturer that is well-known for its high-quality audio components. In fact, its entry-level 6000A has been one of the most popular stereo amplifiers for those looking to build a traditional hi-fi system on a relatively modest budget.

Well, after roughly seven years, the company has released a next-gen model of its standout amplifier that promises improved performance and modern functionality while maintaining a sub-$1,000 price tag.

Audiolab 6000A MkII

A new entry-level amp

Audiolab has stayed true to its tried-and-true formula. The 6000A MkII looks almost identical to its predecessor, which was released in 2018. It has the same metal chassis, large rotary dials (for volume, inputs, and mode), and a simple OLED display.

There are a lot more similarities, too.

Like its predecessor, the 6000A MkII is an integrated stereo amplifier with Class A/B amplification that delivers 50 watts per channel into 8 ohms. It switched between three modes and used as an integrated amplifier, or standalone power amplifier or pre-amplifier.

Additionally, the 6000Mk II has a built-in phono preamp (that supports MM cartridges) for easy turntable connectivity. It has a dedicated headphone amp with a 6.3mm jack on its front. And it supports Bluetooth streaming, so you can bring your traditional setup into the modern age.

Improved performance and connections

As you probably guessed, most of the improvements with the 6000Mk II are under the hood.

The next-gen amplifier features a new higher-end ES9038Q2M DAC — the same one found in Audiolab’s higher-end 7000A amp — as well as an upgraded toroidal transformer and improved power supply. This promises to deliver a higher-fidelity sound with less distortion.

Maybe the most significant improvement is that Audiolab has given the 6000Mk II an HDMI eARC connection so that, unlike the original 6000A, it can be connected to your TV and used as the hub of a home theater system.

The 6000Mk II also has Bluetooth 5.0 and supports aptX HD, so it can stream higher-quality audio over Bluetooth.

Price and availability

Right now, Audiolab has only announced the availability of the 6000Mk II in the UK, Europe and Australia — it’s expected to be released in April 2025. We’ll update this post when we can confirm its availability in the US.

The Audiolab 6000Mk II will cost €899 (or roughly $970), which is slightly more than its predecessor. It will be available in silver or black finishes.