About The Audiolab 6000N Play Music Streamer
Enter the Audiolab 6000N Play music streamer that adds extensive wireless streaming facilities to any high-quality audio system. You can stream from almost any source on your wireless network; including smartphones, tablets or computers as well as a NAS Drive. A beautiful slimline design that complements the award-winning Audiolab hi-fi components.
A music streamer for around $1,000? With Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity? Plus analogue and digital outputs? Until recently, Sonos had this market sown up but now there are new contenders and the Audiolab 6000N Play needs to be on your list along with the Bluesound Node. If a music streamer otherwise known as a Network Music Player is a new concept, they (6000N Play) allow you to stream your music over your wireless network in high-resolution format. The extra bit you need to know about the Audiolab 6000N Play is that it can be easily expanded to a multi-room system if required. You can stream from almost any source on your wireless network; including smartphones, tablets or computers as well as a NAS Drive. Let's take a closer look at the key features.
ESS Sabre32 DAC: The 6000N Play incorporates a high-quality DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Converter), utilising the same ES9018 Sabre32 Reference chip found in the highly acclaimed Audiolab 6000A stereo amplifier. ESS Technology's 32-bit HyperStream architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, coupled to Audiolab's own circuitry, delivers ultra-low noise and high dynamic range. The circuit design also draws inspiration from Audiolab's 6000CDT CD transport, incorporating the same isolated power supply with a high-efficiency toroidal transformer for optimum signal purity. The inclusion of a DAC stage ensures the 6000N Play can be used with practically any audio system; simply connect the RCA analog output to an integrated amplifier or a pair of active speakers.
- Supported Music Files: The Audiolab 6000N Play supports music file formats such as MP3, AAC, FLAC, and WAV. The system will recognise music files up to 24-bit/192kHz and wirelessly stream these files at up to 24-bit/192kHz to a single speaker (Critical Listening Mode) or up to 16-bit/48kHz to multiple speakers (CD Quality). Some down-sampling may occur to ensure virtually lossless distribution throughout a home network.
- Critical Listening Mode: For those who wish to hear high resolution audio as originally intended, Critical Listening mode will enable native rendering of high resolution files up to 24-bit/192kHz, with no down-sampling or network synchronisation adjustment. In this way, audio files retain their original audio integrity. Critical Listening Mode is only available on one DTS Play-Fi product and does not supported for multiroom audio distribution.
Wired or Wireless Network: The Audiolab 6000N Play offers an Ethernet (RJ45) port and built-in, dual-band (2.4GHz + 5GHz) WiFi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) to connect to your home's network for access to internet radio, select online music services, and the music libraries on your Apple iOS or Android device and Windows PC or DLNA/UPnP music server via DTS Play-Fi wireless technology. When using WiFi, a dual-band "N" or better router is recommended for the most reliable wireless network connection. There are two methods for connecting the DTS Play-Fi speaker system to your wireless home network.
Alexa Compatible: In addition to the Play-Fi app, the Audiolab 6000N Play supports voice control of select DTS Play-Fi music apps (such as Amazon, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, & Spotify Connect) from an Amazon Alexa device (sold separately) that is connected to the same WiFi network. Voice control functions include initiating playback of an Artist, Album, Song, Station or Podcast from a compatible music app on a specific speaker/player or zone/room; as well a playback controls such as Volume Up/Down, Play/Pause/Resume, Previous/Next Track, Random/Repeat and Like/Unlike.
Multiroom Audio: You can play the same source in each zone or a different song in each room. Eight separate wireless source devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.), each with its own source, are supported simultaneously and any wireless source device can stream to eight DTS Play-Fi playback devices. Due to the bandwidth limitations of most wireless networks, no more than 16 wireless DTS Play-Fi products on a single WiFi network at one given time is recommended.
Spotify Connect: The integration of Spotify Connect will enableSpotify users (premium or free) to instantly select and wirelessly stream music to the Audiolab 6000N Play from within the Spotify app. Spotify is a digital music service that gives you on-demand access to one of the largest music libraries in the world (over 50 million tracks and counting). Spotify makes it easier than ever to discover, manage, and share music with your friends. You can browse music by artist, album, track, or most popular; and create your own music library with customized playlists.
Mobile Device Music Libraries: DTS Play-Fi provides you with the ability to stream your music wirelessly in high-quality lossless audio from your Apple iOS & Android device running the Play-Fi app. Up to eight separate wireless mobile devices running the Play-Fi app, each with its own source, are supported simultaneously and any wireless source device can stream to eight DTS Play-Fi playback devices. The music files must be physically stored on the Apple iOS or Android OS device (not in the cloud).
DLNA/UPnP Compliant: The DTS Play-Fi system automatically discovers and indexes music from DLNA and UPnP servers on your network. DLNA and UPnP music servers can consist of a Windows PC, Mac computer, or NAS Drive. You can select and stream files in multiple formats (MP3, AAC, FLAC, and WAV) via DTS Play-Fi, including premium tracks encoded at CD quality or even 24-bit/192kHz. lossless content.
6 Presets: There are six buttons on the front-panel of the Audiolab 6000N Play network audio player that allows you to store and easily access up to six of your favorite online music services and internet radio stations. This allows you to select your favorite online music service or internet radio station from the front-panel of the unit without having to access it through the DTS Play-Fi app. You can also access these same six preset from the Play-Fi app.
Analogue & Digital Outputs: The Audiolab 6000N Play is outfitted with both analog & digital outputs to connect to an AV receiver, integrated amplifier, preamplifier, or powered speaker. There is one stereo RCA analog audio output, one optical (toslink) digital output, and one coaxial (RCA) digital output. The digital outputs support 2ch PCM audio up to 24-bit/192kHz.
Our Take
Audiolab has a fantastic reputation for top quality gear but at reasonable prices. Behind that modest facade, the 6000N Play exudes an air of quiet confidence, borrowing tech and features from the acclaimed6000A amplifier and 6000CDT CD transport. Buying an Audiolab 6000N Play doesn't mean you have to get rid of your CD's and LP's but is a great way to get started in a format that is not going to disappear in a hurry. It's price-point doesn't ask you to take out a loan, but its contemporary design and host of quality features and exceptional sound make it hard to resist. As one writer said: "Quite frankly, it's the best budget solution we've had the pleasure of meeting."
The operational simplicity, coupled to Play-Fi's versatility, is yet another key to the 6000N Play's appeal. For some, it is the perfect way to stream music from the likes of Spotify, Tidal and Deezer, with all the additional functionality of Play-Fi including multi-room audio. For others, it is simply the best way of adding radio to their hi-fi system, with the huge choice of stations available via the internet – the traditional hi-fi 'tuner' component, reinvented for the streaming age. Call us to talk more.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: Component Music Server (also known as Network Music Player)
- Installation/Set Up: Easy with no complicated computer-based configuration. Just download the DTS Play Fi app and within minutes, you're ready to listen.
- DAC: ES9018 Sabre32 32-bit/192kHz digital-to-analogue converter for high-performance playback of digital sources
- Connection: Connect to your home network via wired either Ethernet or Wi-Fi for music streaming:
- stream from compatible services like Spotify Premium, TIDAL, HDtracks, Deezer, Qobuz, Amazon Music and Napster (subscriptions may be required)
- Internet Radio: Choose either TuneIn, iHeartRadio
- Streaming Resolution: 24-bit/192kHz
- Presets: Six programmable presets for quick access to favourite stations or playlists
- DTS Play-Fi® app lets you wirelessly play music and create a multi-room music system with other Play-Fi speakers and components
- available for Apple iOS, Android, Kindle, and Windows PC
- Frequency Response: 20-20,000 Hz (±0.5dB)
- Isolated Power Supply: Derived from the highly acclaimed Audiolab 6000CDT CD transport
- Analogue Output: Stereo RCA output
- Optical Digital Output: Yes
- Coaxial Digital Output: Yes
- RJ-45 Ethernet Port: Makes for a better wired connection to your network
- Type B USB Control port: Connect to Audiolab 6000A stereo amplifier (cable included)
- allows DTS Play-Fi app to control amp volume
- Type A USB Port: Service updates only
- 12-volt Trigger: Both in and out
- Power Cord: The Audiolab 6000N Play network audio player comes with a detachable IEC AC power cord. Click here to see upgrade options.
- Available Finishes: Silver & Black
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 445 x 80 x 330mm. Including feet, terminals and controls
- Net Weight: 4.9 kg
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 1 year
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE