Audiolab 8003a or Cyrus One Cast for B&W CM8 S2

[Mortenblist]

Hi there

I need help figuring out how this Audiolab 8003a or Cyrus One Cast would be a good match for my B&W CM8 S2.
I know that my speakers has 88db sensible Numbers.
Can you please help me.

Yours sincerely

Morten

 

[JeremyFife]

Hi can I ask if you have any of these items yet? The amps (I also assume you mean "8300a"?) came out a few years ago. There may be alternatives worth thinking about

It would help to know what size your room is: how far from the speakers do you sit, and how loud do you listen?

A simple answer though it that either Amp should be absolutely fine - as long as you don't hear hiss/noise and you can get to the volume you want.
Both should have enough power unless you are trying to fill a large space.

 

[Mortenblist]

Hi can I ask if you have any of these items yet? The amps (I also assume you mean "8300a"?) came out a few years ago. There may be alternatives worth thinking about It would help to know what size your room is: how far from the speakers do you sit, and how loud do you listen? A simple answer though it that either Amp should be absolutely fine - as long as you don't hear hiss/noise and you can get to the volume you want. Both should have enough power unless you are trying to fill a large space.

Hi can I ask if you have any of these items yet? The amps (I also assume you mean "8300a"?) came out a few years ago. There may be alternatives worth thinking about It would help to know what size your room is: how far from the speakers do you sit, and how loud do you listen? A simple answer though it that either Amp should be absolutely fine - as long as you don't hear hiss/noise and you can get to the volume you want. Both should have enough power unless you are trying to fill a large space.

 

[Mortenblist]

Hi Jeremy
Oh yeah - sorry
It is a small room 4-5 meters, and distance between speakers 3m.
I will not play crazy loud, but will have the opportunity to hear it louder than cozy listening without distortion .
But for most - ordinary volume.
Yes the 8300A.
I think that is the better one up against 7000A.?
Maybe it is better than Cyrus, but I really like the Cyrus for the more special look + the streaming opportunities.
That said - I can buy a streamer afterwards to boot up if the Audiolab sounds better total.
That is the most important thing, and by the way - vinyl will be listened to also

 

[JeremyFife]

No worries - have you bought anything yet?

 

[Mortenblist]

Only speakers and turntable.
I have not bought any amplifier yet.
So hard to choose one, but these two I like.
What else can you recommend

 

[Mortenblist]

Thanx - I have so much resistance in the amplifier search I terms of which can drive my speakers good.

 

[JeremyFife]

Either Amp will be fine, although the Cyrus does seem expensive just to have streaming.
(Edit: I should have said, they will both sound the same unless you push them out of their design specifications - which is very unlikely)

If the two, I'd take the Audiolab. Make sure you get a good price for it though.
A company called WiiM makes tremendous streaming products with a range of options from £80 upwards.

Would you be interested in thinking about alternatives to the Audiolab?

Also, what turntable do you have, and does it have a built in phono stage?

 

[Mortenblist]

Yes WIIM looks great - especially the Ultra
I have bought a Pro-Ject Debut carbon with yellow plint.
No amplifier built in it.

 

[Mortenblist]

I can get the Audiolab for 4500,-DKK / 603 euro - nearly new and with the original box

 

[Mortenblist]

Alternatives is always interesting.

 

[JeremyFife]

You know what, there are dozens of alternatives you could consider but that just complicates things!

I'd be very happy with that Audiolab at that price, and with a WiiM streamer added when you want one.

 

[JeremyFife]

Alternatives is always interesting.

You asked

The WiiM Amp Pro is a very smart piece of kit, you'd need a phono amp.

A WiiM Ultra with a separate power amp like the new 3e A7 would be nice.
There is a power amp designed to match the WiiM ultra - by IOM. Looks great, great specs.

Both the above options give you fantastic connectivity, room correction, options for a future subwoofer and a very good DAC.

More traditionally, the Yamaha A-S701 is very well thought of here.

 

[Mortenblist]

Why do I need a phono amp

 

[JeremyFife]

Why do I need a phono amp

For the turntable, they need a separate amplification stage.
It's already built into the Audiolab, WiiM Ultra and Yamaha but not the WiiM Amp

 

[JeremyFife]

Fosi have just released a very nice new one, and there are reliable options from Schiit (Mani 2) iFi Zen, Cambridge Audio and others. It does mean an extra box.