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Audiolab Omnia
Blurring the lines that generally differentiate hi-fi and lifestyle, Omnia brings all of the pedigree that helps make audiolab electronics the connoisseur’s choice. Yet, indulgence in design, material aesthetics, and useability mean it has all of the functionality to make it a sleek, convenient and easy-to-use center-piece, for an uncompromising home audio system.
High-Performance CD Drive
Extremely robust and reliable; the Omnia’s CD drive builds on the class-leading 6000CDT CD transport with a read-ahead digital buffer to reduce disc-reading failures. Such is the performance of this CD mechanism, Omnia is able to play scratched and damaged CDs that are unreadable by conventional mechanisms.
Connectivity Options for Traditional Audio Sources
Utilising high-quality analogue preamp circuitry, akin to the acclaimed audiolab 6000 series, coupled to line-level RCA inputs to connect analogue sources, the preamp circuitry is kept as simple as possible. Using high-quality components to maintain signal purity, with line input signals passing to a precision analogue volume stage, Omnia is an outstanding pre-amp, in its own right.
A dedicated MM phono input means a turntable can be directly connected to Omnia via a high-quality, low-noise, phono stage with precise RIAA equalisation. This phono stage is continue evolution on the award winning 6000 series – engineered to make the most of the music nestling within an LP’s grooves.
Networked Audio Playback
For networked audio playback, the audiolab Omnia is equipped with an ethernet port, lending itself to a wired connection and the wider bandwidth requirements of high-resolution digital audio.
For the most convenient access to wireless music playback, Omnia offers Bluetooth connectivity with high-quality, low latency, with the Bluetooth aptX standard.
The Omnia’s Wi-Fi networking is powered by DTS Play-Fi: an app-controlled platform enabling high-quality, whole-home wireless audio, capable of streaming hi-res music up to 24-bit/192kHz and supported by a greater range of established audio brands than any other wireless platform.
USB DAC Section & More
The USB DAC section is based upon audiolab’s long-term partner, and multi-award-winning, pedigree. The new ESS9038 Q2M SABRE 32 Reference DAC performs D/A conversion, utilising ESS Technology’s 32-bit HypersStream II architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator to deliver ultra-low noise and high dynamic range.
No company knows more about making the most of this technically excellent, but challenging, DAC technology than audiolab; the universally acclaimed M-DAC was one of the first home audio components to incorporate an ESS chip back in 2011, and the company has been honing its implementation ever since.
Via the USB DAC section, the audiolab Omnia also offers full decoding of MQA (Master Quality Authenticated). MQA is an award-winning British technology that delivers the sound of the original master recording. The Omnia includes MQA decoder technology, which enables you to play back MQA audio files and streams – received via the USB input – at the original file’s full resolution and passes the signal through its DAC and preamp stages. MQA files are available via subscription to TIDAL’s ‘HiFi’ tier (among other sources).
IPS LCD Screen
Firmly planting itself as a very useable piece of high-tech equipment, the audiolab Omnia makes use of a colour IPS LCD screen, offering a higher clarity of colour and lower power consumption than TFT displays. Via the captivating display, the audiolab Omnia offers a simplified general user interface and a graphical integration with your music source and playback formats. It also uses a brand new protocol for a real-time VU meter display, adding a touch of hi-fi finesse to the very functional, equally good-looking, display interface.
ROON
Further to this, the audiolab Omnia is also Roon tested, thus opening up to the world of Roon. Roon’s fundamental goal is to provide a consistently stellar user experience. This goal doesn’t stop at the software… the experience extends all the way down to the audio playback hardware, regardless of manufacturer. As a Roon Tested partner, audiolab has provided equipment to Roon for testing with a variety of different operating systems and computers and shared information about its design and capabilities. We have a direct relationship with Roon and in many cases, the Roon support team has our devices on hand, so you can confidently choose to use audiolab hardware with Roon.
Roon transforms the experience of browsing music. Artist photos, credits, bios, reviews, lyrics, tour dates, and composers are located automatically, then interconnected by links to build a surfable, searchable digital magazine about your collection.
And Roon finds all the same links between your personal files and the millions of tracks available on TIDAL, so you can start with the music you know, then explore and discover new music from the world beyond your collection.
In addition to music browsing, Roon is a multi-room, multi-user networked audio platform built to the exacting standards of audiophiles. It offers features like bit-perfect playback, DSD and PCM upsampling, multichannel playback, and signal path display. Click here for more information on Roon
Like To Use Headphones
The Omnia incorporates a dedicated headphone amp with current-feedback circuitry. Its gain bandwidth and high slew rate ensure a dynamic, detailed and engaging performance with all manner of headphone types – more boxes ticked for this most all-in-one of all-in-one systems!
Connect With Zero Complexity
Powering your speakers is a doddle with zero complexity, in terms of configuration. Simply connect your passive speakers to the audiolab Omnia and you have access to a world of audio sources with impeccable playback.
The discrete Class AB power amp stage delivers 50W per channel into 8 ohms, with a maximum current delivery of 9 Amps, into difficult loads. The output stage of the discrete power amp circuits uses a CFB (Complementary Feedback) topology, ensuring superior linearity and excellent thermal stability, as the idle current is kept independent of the temperature of the output transistors. A substantial 200VA toroidal transformer, followed by 4×15,000uF reservoir capacity (60,000uF in total), helps the amp to maintain firm control of the music whilst enabling excellent dynamic range. More than just a class-leader, the Omnia is a class-beater in terms of amplifier performance!
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Professional Reviews 90/100
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
90/100
Build Quality
86/100
Features Connectivity
93/100
Value for Money
90/100
The Omnia delivers a smooth, authoritative sound with impressive openness, giving vocals focus and instruments plenty of texture. Backed by a vast feature set, it combines CD playback, streaming, phono input and headphone amplification in one polished box. What Hi-Fi? calls it easy to live with and highly capable.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Smooth, authoritative presentation that stays clear, spacious, and easy to listen to
Exceptionally well equipped, with streaming, CD playback, phono input, USB and headphone output
Strong build quality overall, with sturdy casework and a smart aluminium finish
&
Cons
Does not deliver the same dynamic punch, rhythmic accuracy, or energy as some rivals
The CD tray feels flimsy compared with the rest of the chassis
Bluetooth playback sounds weaker than the other inputs and sources
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 90/100
Reviewers describe the Omnia as clear, defined, and authoritative, with a presentation that is weighty yet easy to live with. It comes across as smooth and natural rather than etched or bright, with fine texture on piano and guitars and a sound that remains comfortable over long listening sessions.
Transparency Resolution
91/100
The Omnia is described as clear and defined, with deep textures and resonances around piano notes and treble that is crystal clear without becoming bright. That points to a convincing level of detail and openness without obvious hardness.
Tonal Balance Musicality
92/100
Reviewers repeatedly emphasize the amp’s smooth, skilled, and easygoing character. The balance is described as authoritative and musical, with no sense of brightness and a presentation that can be listened to for hours without fatigue.
Dynamics
89/100
The Omnia is said to have good dynamic contrast, handling both heavier, charging passages and quieter moments with skill. Reviewers also note that it shows off its power and has ample grunt, though the overall delivery is more controlled and smooth than explosive.
Soundstage Imaging
88/100
What Hi-Fi describes the presentation as open and spacious, with vocals focused and forthright. The review suggests a solid sense of placement and scale, though there is less evidence of exceptional depth or holographic layering.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
86/100
Reviewers praise the Omnia’s sturdy, well-built casework and say it feels every bit of its price. The only real criticism is the CD tray, which feels flimsy compared with the rest of the chassis, so the construction looks strong overall with one noticeable weak point.
Features Connectivity
93/100
This is a very fully equipped integrated amp, with multiple analogue inputs, phono stage, USB, coax and optical digital inputs, USB drive playback, headphone output, Bluetooth, streaming, and multi-room or multi-speaker group support. What Hi-Fi calls it the most well-specced and feature-laden streaming product of its kind, and the review also notes stable app control and improved wireless stability from the antenna setup.
Value for Money
90/100
The review language is clearly positive on value, ending with a recommendation that it is well worth an audition. Given the wide feature set and the strong overall performance, it sounds competitively priced rather than extravagant for its class, though the review stops short of calling it a bargain.
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Authorized dealers for Audiolab Omnia
- 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 — 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 127 more verified dealers