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Audiolab 6000N Play
Audiolab extends its award-winning, entry-level 6000 Series with the 6000N Play - a network audio player that adds extensive wireless streaming facilities to any high-quality audio system. 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 - utilizing the 6000N Play's dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi. It also connects wirelessly with other Play-Fi-equipped devices, enabling a fully synchronized multi-room set-up.
The 6000N Play provides 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/192 kHz resolution over Wi-Fi - well in excess of CD quality - without transcoding or down-sampling. The 6000N Play incorporates a high-quality DAC, utilizing 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 analog 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. 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. The Audiolab 6000N Play network audio streamer is available from May in a choice of black or silver. Wi-Fi streaming - DTS Play-Fi streams music over standard Wi-Fi networks, delivering perfectly synchronized 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.
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. DTS Play-Fi sends audio from mobile devices to speakers throughout the home using proprietary streaming, synchronization and authentication technology. All DTS Play-Fi products work perfectly together, regardless of brand. This provides a huge range of options to customize 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. 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. In standard mode, DTS Play-Fi streams audio up to 16 bit/48 kHz - akin to CD-quality - without compression. However, Critical Listening mode allows wireless streaming of hi-res audio up to 24 bit/192 kHz 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.
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. Advanced AV synchronization 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 synchronized 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 synchronized, with zero latency. Info and photos by Audiolab.