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The 7000N Play is Audiolab’s capable mid-range network streamer, and £350 GBP is a fair price rather than a bargain. It sits above the £280 GBP median in this 355-listing sample, but remains comfortably below the £448 GBP 75th percentile; the remote, manual and complete packaging help justify the premium.
Its strengths are genuine: a good ESS Sabre DAC, clean RCA analogue output, coaxial and optical digital options, Ethernet or Wi-Fi, and support for Play-Fi, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Qobuz and network playback. It handles PCM to 24-bit/192kHz and makes a versatile partner for an integrated amplifier or external DAC. At £350 GBP, this is a sensible buy for a complete, clean example—provided the seller can demonstrate reliable network connection, app control and a functioning display.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Audiolab emerged from the frustration of two Imperial College students, Philip Swift and Derek Scotland, who in 1983 founded the brand in Britain to deliver high-quality hi-fi without exorbitant prices or needless complexity. Their debut 8000A integrated amplifier swiftly became a benchmark, praised for its robust build, transparent sound, and minimalist design that prioritized musical purity over gimmicks. This origin story rooted Audiolab in a philosophy of accessible excellence, evolving from kitchen prototypes to a lineup of landmark components like the 8000S preamp, 8000T tuner, and 8000M monoblocs.
The brand focuses on core hi-fi categories, excelling in integrated and power amplifiers, preamplifiers, DACs, CD players, tuners, and phono stages, with forays into AV processors and multi-channel amps during its TAG McLaren era from 1997 to 2004. Since joining the International Audio Group in 2004, Audiolab has refined its no-nonsense aesthetic while expanding to modern streaming and digital sources, always emphasizing engineering that extracts maximum performance from any system.
Audiolab holds a solid mid-tier position in the hi-fi market, renowned among discerning buyers for exceptional value—delivering near-high-end sound quality at approachable prices. It appeals to purists seeking reliable, unadorned British engineering rather than boutique exotica or vintage collectibles, maintaining a loyal following for its enduring reputation in straightforward, music-first performance.
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