Audiolab 6000N Play
The Audiolab 6000N Play is the ideal way to add high-performance wireless streaming to any home audio system.
The Audiolab 6000N Play is a wireless audio streaming player and is the latest member of the acclaimed Audiolab 6000 Series of components. Featuring DTS Play-Fi® Technology, music can be streamed over your wireless network in high-resolution format and can be easily expanded to a multi-room system if required. You can stream from any source on your wireless network, including smart-phones, tablets or PCs as well as a NAS Drive.
The 6000N Play combines the versatility of the DTS Play-Fi wireless audio platform with Audiolab’s sonic know-how to deliver a great-sounding Wi-Fi streaming solution that is simple to set up and use. Users can stream from any source on their wireless network – smartphones, tablets, PCs and Macs, as well as NAS drives and music servers – utilising the 6000N Play’s dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi. It also connects wirelessly with other Play-Fi-equipped devices, enabling a fully synchronised multi-room set-up.
Providing access to a wealth of internet music services: Spotify, Tidal, HDtracks, Deezer, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Napster, TuneIn, iHeartRadio and SiriusXM, to name a few. Users might choose to browse a radio guide listing thousands of stations and podcasts, or stream from a home media server with DLNA compatibility. The 6000N Play is hi-res audio enabled, capable of receiving data up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution over Wi-Fi – well in excess of CD-quality – without transcoding or down-sampling.
The technology used in the Audiolab 6000N Play
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 integrated 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 any audio system – simply connect the RCA analogue outputs to a regular amplifier, or a pair of active speakers. Alternatively, take a digital feed (optical or coaxial) direct to an external DAC, or an amp with digital inputs such as Audiolab’s 6000A. Naturally, the 6000A is an ideal partner for the 6000N Play; when these two components are paired digitally, an optical or coaxial cable is used to convey the audio signal while a supplied USB control cable enables control of the 6000N Play via the 6000A’s remote handset.
Direct Streaming in the Audiolab 6000N Play
The 6000N Play is configured and operated via the Play-Fi app, available for iOS, Android and Kindle Fire phones and tablets, as well as Apple and Android smartwatches and Windows PCs. It can also stream directly from Spotify via Spotify Connect, and is DLNA and UPnP compliant. There are minimal controls on the component itself – just the standby button and a set of six’ preset’ buttons. These presets operate exactly like those on a DAB or FM tuner; simply select an internet radio station, or a playlist from a compatible streaming service, and store it as a preset for speedy access – no app required.
This operational simplicity, coupled to Play-Fi’s versatility, is 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.
Key features of the Audiolab 6000N Play
- Wi-Fi streaming – DTS Play-Fi streams music over standard Wi-Fi networks, delivering perfectly synchronised audio.
- Works with everything – DLNA/UPnP compliant and compatible with all operating systems.
- Easy set-up – no complicated computer-based configuration – just download the DTS Play-Fi app and within minutes, you’re ready to listen.
- Multi-room – enjoy music in every room of your house, perfectly synchronized with no lag.
- Lossless audio streaming – stream hi-res music up to 24-bit/192kHz via Wi-Fi
- ES9018K2M Sabre32 Reference DAC chip – as used by the award-winning Audiolab 6000A integrated amplifier.
- Isolated power supply – derived from the highly acclaimed Audiolab 6000CDT CD transport.
- Ethernet connection – wired internet connection for high-bandwidth applications.
More info about the DTS Play-Fi wireless audio platform
What is DTS Play-Fi?
DTS Play-Fi technology is incorporated in audio products to enable high-performance whole-home wireless streaming and is available from a greater range of high-profile brands than any other wireless platform. Stream content with superb audio quality, from any computer or smart device you own.
Many respected audio equipment manufacturers have joined the Play-Fi ecosystem, including Arcam, Martin Logan, McIntosh, Onkyo, Rotel, Sonus Faber – and, of course, Audiolab. All Play-Fi products are seamlessly interoperable, so you can find the perfect music system or speaker for every room and know that they will all make beautiful music together.
Whole-home audio, made easy
DTS Play-Fi sends audio from mobile devices to speakers throughout the home using a proprietary streaming, synchronisation and authentication technology.
Freedom of choice
All DTS Play-Fi products work perfectly together, regardless of brand. This provides a huge range of options to customise your home, and one simple, elegant listening experience.
DTS Play-Fi offers an unparalleled selection of audio products, from compact battery-powered speakers, to powerful soundbars, to high-end audio equipment, built by some of the most respected brands in the business. No more compromising your style or taste to get a high-quality wireless audio solution.
An endless supply of music
DTS Play-Fi plays a wide variety of file formats, including MP3, MP4A, AAC, FLAC, WAV and AIFF. It comes ready-to-play with a wealth of internet-based music services, from streaming platforms such as Spotify, Tidal, Amazon Music, Qobuz and Deezer, to internet radio stations via iHeartRadio, TuneIn and SiriusXM.
Critical Listening mode
In standard mode, DTS Play-Fi streams audio up to 16-bit/48kHz – akin to CD-quality – without compression. However, Critical Listening mode allows wireless streaming of hi-res audio up to 24-bit/192kHz without transcoding or down-sampling – no wires necessary. This is an important advantage over some popular wireless/multi-room audio platforms, which do not support hi-res audio.
Works with all your devices
The DTS Play-Fi control app is available for a variety of operating systems, including Android, iOS, Kindle Fire and Windows, while Apple and Android Wear smartwatch owners can control and monitor DTS
Play-Fi devices from their wrists. Whichever smart devices you use in your daily life, DTS Play-Fi ensures your music is always at your fingertips.
DTS Play-Fi integrates with the software and hardware controls on your phone, tablet or computer. Pause or seek through tracks in the notification or lock screen, or just leave the phone in your pocket and use the volume rocker to raise volume level throughout the house.
AV synchronisation
Advanced AV synchronisation modes are another unique feature offered by the DTS Play-Fi platform. For example, you might be watching video content on a PC and streaming the audio to a Play-Fi device; the picture is wirelessly synchronised to the sound. Or, you might be using the companion DTS Play-Fi Headphones app to stream audio from the TV to one or more pairs of headphones; again, the picture and sound are perfectly synchronised, with zero latency.
REVIEWS of the Audiolab 6000N Play:
The Play is a great, affordable way to implement streaming into your system without compromising sonic quality – and with the added bonus of being able to slip into your hi-fi rack inconspicuously. Quite frankly, it’s the best budget solution we’ve had the pleasure of meeting…. What Hi-Fi Award Winner 2019
Audiolab 6000N Play Reviews & Awards What Hi-Fi? – Music Streamer of the Year:
https://www.whathifi.com/best-buys/streaming/best-music-streamers
What Hi-Fi? – Best music streamer under £500:
https://www.whathifi.com/awards/best-music-streamers-2019 What Hi-Fi? – 5 Stars:
https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/audiolab-6000n-play
Hi-Fi Choice – Yearbook 2019
Trusted Review – 5 Stars Highly Recommended
https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/audiolab-6000n-play
Hi-Fi Trends – Product Of The Year 2019
HiFi Test (DE) – 5-star Class:
https://www.hifitest.de/test/da-wandler/audiolab-6000n_play_18681
AUDIO.de Magazine – Good & Affordable
Pandian Murthy –
This was my replacement to the Marantz N6005 network Player and I am extremely happy with this unit. Plays extremely well with the DTS Play-Fi control app. Spotify sounds great and have no regrets. Also, the included DAC really improves on any music.
Vikram Chaudhary –
Sweet sounding streamer. I use it with my Tidal subscription and Spotify premium account. Has an excellent built-in Audiolab M-DAC which makes a big difference in sound quality. It has both digital and analog outputs. Considering its price, this is a good buy if you use a lot of the premium streaming services.
WHF –
Audiolab 6000N Play wins WHAT Hi-Fi Product of the Year Award. For more info, please visit -> https://www.whathifi.com/awards/best-music-streamers-2019
Danajay Shah –
I have been enjoying this unit during the lockdown period and boy it does make a difference to the sound quality when compared to my I USB DAC.
Very convenient to use good quality.
Lokesh S –
Paired it with Audiolab 6000 A Amp and KEFs. The tonality and resolution are great. Waiting to purchase Wharfies Linton, in order to get a fuller sound. AAAhhh…difficult to be an audiophile!!
Lokesh M S –
My default streamer was the google chromecast. I refused to believe that a streamer would make a difference. It was only after I heard this streamer did I realize that all electronic streamers are not the same. The “character” of this streamer is that the music sounds well defined. Connected to 6000 A amp and my old KEF Q300, I have a big and well defined soundstage. Listening to Panjaj Udhas “Ahista” on Spotify was sweet. If I closed my eyes, I could visualize the singer sitting in front of me. The guitar strumming in “Tequila Sunrise” was clear and precise. Of course, it is the entire setup that matter. But the streamer did a good job in terms of clarity and resolution. I like it paired both with AudioLab 6000A or my old Onkyo A 9030. Play-fi app that controls the streaming, needs improvement and this would make the experience even more great.
r. thampi –
The Audiolab 6000N is one of the better values in music streamers. The unit is easy to set up and all around the sound quality is excellent and is very three dimensional. Sit dead centre and the speakers just disappear, very articulate smooth sound that is very analogue in nature.
Ambrish –
Audiolab 6000N play is an excellent streamer. Setup is easy. Once done you can easily stream from a huge list of apps the the play-fi app has. The sound stage is dynamic. Music really shines. I understood the meaning of “speakers disappearing” You need to pair it with a good amp. This streamer is better than the other hifi brands costing ten times!!
As for Hifimart : the delivery was super quick and professionally packed.Yes its a great buy. Also wins the What HiFi streamer award. Should definately buy as seperate’s quality is much much better than an all in one. Never mind the absence of the display. Build quality is tough. Strongly recomended for streaming music!
Avinash Nair –
I love the sound quality that comes out of this thanks to the built-in DAC. I use it with Tidal and Spotify for the high quality audio. I also use it to play from my media server (NAS) on my internal network and the HiRes audio files sound awesome.
Lack of Airplay 2 is a big miss and the Play-Fi App is one of the worst I have seen. A big let down and Audiolab should bring in their own app. Play-Fi app on iOS is OK, but the android one is very glitchy and the PC app requires a paid subscription.