Audiolab 6000N Play
The Audiolab 6000N Play delivers a natural, unfatiguing presentation, pairing tonal neutrality with precise imaging, fluid timing and exceptionally refined treble. HiFi Choice highlights its realistic, engaging musicality, while 24-bit/192kHz capability and coaxial/optical outputs add system flexibility. It is a compelling streamer for long, relaxed listening sessions.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
93/100
Build Quality
85/100
Features Usability
85/100
Value for Money
95/100
Pros
Natural, even-handed sound remains engaging and fatigue-free across long listening sessions.
Refined treble, well-integrated bass and secure vocal/instrument placement create a realistic, composed presentation.
Strong value for sound quality, with the reviewer judging it the best-sounding streamer below £500.
Cons
Play-Fi library browsing can feel haphazard, with limited album-display and service-filtering options.
The reviewed software lacked gapless playback for local-library albums.
No Bluetooth, Chromecast or AirPlay support was noted in the review.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 93/100
Hi-Fi Choice finds the 6000N Play notably natural, refined and musically engaging rather than overtly digital. Its even-handed tonal balance, secure imaging and capable timing make it a particularly convincing streamer for relaxed but involving listening.
Tonal Balance Musicality
94/100
Hi-Fi Choice describes an extremely even-handed, unembellished presentation that sounds “fundamentally right.” The player is said to be natural, effortless and unfatiguing, retaining the music's rhythmic funkiness without artificially forcing excitement.
Resolution Detail
92/100
The review praises a truly outstanding level of refinement and reports that voices and accompanying instruments are precisely placed in the mix. It also highlights the player's ability to stay composed and even-handed through the frequency extremes.
Digital Performance
92/100
Hi-Fi Choice says the 6000N Play feels entirely “undigital,” with a natural and effortless presentation rather than obvious digital hardness. Its quiet, polished handling of music and convincing immediacy suggest a well-executed DAC and output stage.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 85/100
The 6000N Play provides practical analog output options alongside coaxial and optical digital outputs, with 24-bit/192kHz capability. Review coverage is much stronger on sound than on the day-to-day streaming interface, setup process or software reliability.
Streaming Software
85/100
Hi-Fi Choice does not meaningfully discuss app quality, streaming-service integration, setup, stability or interface responsiveness. As a network streamer, the 6000N Play is intended for software-controlled playback, but the supplied review offers limited insight into that ownership experience.
Features Connectivity
86/100
The 6000N Play offers fixed or variable analog output, allowing direct connection to either an integrated amplifier or suitable power amplifier. Coaxial and optical digital outputs add flexibility, while the onboard ES9018K2M DAC supports playback up to 24-bit/192kHz.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
85/100
The review provides little direct commentary on chassis construction, controls or long-term durability. The published specifications confirm a full-width, 4.9kg component, but there is not enough reviewer evidence to make stronger claims about physical craftsmanship.
Value for Money
95/100
At the review's stated sub-£500 price point, Hi-Fi Choice calls it the best-sounding streamer available, praising its blend of realism, refinement and engagement. That is unusually emphatic value praise in a competitive affordable-streamer market.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
No reviews found yet
Forum Mentions
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Specifications
- Digital Output Level
- 500 +/- 50mVpp
- Output Impedance
- 75Ω
- Maximum Resolution
- 192kHz/24bit
- Digital Output
- 1 x coaxial , 1 x optical
- Variable Output Voltage
- 0 – 2.1V
- DAC
- ES9018K2M
- Frequency Response
- +/-0.5dB(20Hz-20kHz,ref.1kHz)
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
- <0.003% (1kHz @0dBFS , BW=20-20kHz)
- Signal-to-noise Ratio (S/N)
- >115dB(A-weighted)
- Analogue Output Impedance
- 100Ω
- Standby Power Consumption
- <0.5W
- Requirements (depending on region)
- 220V—240V~50/60Hz 100V—120V~50/60Hz
- Dimensions (LxHxW)
- 445 x 80 x 330mm. including feet, terminals and controls
- Net Weight
- 4.9kg
Manufacturer's Description — Audiolab
The 6000N Play
Is the ideal way to add high-performance wireless streaming to any home 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 and PCs, 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.
Music Presets
Our music presets are just like the presets in your car. Hold down to set,
press once to start playback. Easy.
Now you can store stations and playlists from compatible streaming
services to buttons on your product for quick access whenever you need it.
Enjoying music couldn't be easier.
DTS Play-Fi Enabled
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.
What is DTS Play-Fi®?
DTS Play-Fi is premium whole-home wireless audio, now available from the largest ecosystem of brands in the world. Stream your favourite content with astounding audio quality, from every device that you’ve got.
All DTS Play-Fi products are seamlessly interoperable, so you can find the perfect speaker for every room, and know that they will all make beautiful music together.
An Endless Supply Of Music
DTS Play-Fi comes with a wealth of music options from around the globe.
Spotify, *Pandora, Deezer, Napster, KKBox and Sirius XM, to name a few.
Browse a radio guide with thousands of stations and podcasts, or stream
from a home media server.
Stay tuned, because new services are added all the time.
* Pandora is enabled for select Play-Fi products only.
Whole Home Audio, Made Easy
DTS Play-Fi sends audio from mobile devices to speakers throughout the home using proprietary streaming, synchronization, and authentication technology.
Every single DTS Play-Fi product works perfectly with all the rest, regardless of brand, so you get a huge range of options to customize your home, and one simple, elegant listening experience.
Works with Every Device You’ve Got
Now with Gapless playback and the new transfer mode, there’s no interruption in your music file playback. Even in Hi-Res mode, you transfer the stream direct to the device. This means no pause between tracks and no interruption in music when your phone or smart device is used on a call, for instance.
Of course, your music is always close by. And we know you have all kinds of devices in your life. That’s why DTS Play-Fi is built especially for smartphones, tablets, and PCs.
We have easy-to-use software for Android, iOS, Kindle Fires, and Windows. We support streaming via Spotify Connect, too. Any way you want to play, it just works.
DTS Play-Fi offers an unparalleled selection of audio products for your home, from compact battery-powered speakers to powerful soundbars, built by the most respected audio brands in the business. No more compromising your style or taste to get a high-quality wireless audio solution.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Audiolab 6000N Play
- Acton Gate Audio — online and in-store — Cymru, United Kingdom (website)
- Alen Audio — in-store — Extramurs, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain (website)
- All Elite Audio — online and in-store — Perry Hall, Maryland, United States (website)
- Alpha Audio Pte — online and in-store — Singapore, Singapore (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Alta Fedelta — online and in-store — Lombardia, Italy (website)
- American Audio & Video — in-store — Southaven, Mississippi, United States (website)
- Apollo HiFi — online and in-store — Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia (website)
- Area Hifi — online and in-store — L'Eixample, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain (website)
- Art & Voice — online (website)
and 128 more verified dealers