My Reference Amp Gave Up, Supports Not Answering... Matrix Mini-I 4 Review DMP-A6 Comparison

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[@SteveD-m6z]

As part of the IAG Group, Audiolab products are proudly designed and engineered in the UK and proudly manufactured in China.

[@mikecampbell5856]

I feel bad for you Matt. My beloved 1983 Harman Kardon PM-650 integrated amplifier is fading in the left channel. This amp feels like part of the family.It's always been part of my main system. I'm afraid it might be out of warranty. LOL

[@MattCoykendall1]

Ha that one might just be out of warranty

[@timleelim9930]

I remember that Japnese-made HK amp, great sound, if a little on the bright and sharp side up top. If you pried 40 years of service from it, can't say you didn't get your money's worth 😂.

[@mikecampbell5856]

@@timleelim9930 Yes it paid for itself. My wife surprised me with it and a matching tuner one day. LOL

[@riccitone]

Oh man! Hope this gets resolved soon for you. I know that’s a bad feeling when a main component suddenly fails. Have to also thank you for having spent time with the Rivo, ended up getting one after your review. I’ve used their software before, your concerns about it were completely warranted! Aside from some ocasional bugginess - and some weird issues with the usb out and my Dac - easily the best source I’ve ever had. Also improves even further with an aftermarket lps 🙏🏼

[@peterlundskow4061]

It will be interesting to compare to the Wim to be coming out at about half the price. Thanks for the review & interesting to see how the repair support goes.

[@MattCoykendall1]

I feel we have alot of interesting comparisons with the ultra coming. As for the support they made first contact after around 3 days so let’s see what happens there..

[@Evolved_ue7]

The length of time it takes to get something repaired or ultimately replaced, is unacceptable from most manufacturers, 3 to 9 months is common place, and they need calling out for it .. Know your rights !!

[@HIFIDaydreaming]

Recently I had problem with Marantz Model 50, right channel was not working out of the box. But had a great experience with retailer, who switched my amp right away, and now everything works greatly.. Hopefully this will be resolved, I mean you have guarantee for at least 2 years, and you will enjoy great 9000a again. This falls under that.

[@1Hiprascal]

Heh, I also have the Model 50. Glad to hear you've got a good retailer who fixed you right. I really like my unit. No issues. It sounds real good. Bass firm and accurate. I just experimented with sponge hockey pucks as isolators. Nice tweak under this amp and bigger gear. Not good under speakers.

[@timleelim9930]

I feel your pain, but I suspect Audiolab will come through with the support you need. I also had a main component die on me, and the manufacturer is doing a great job ignoring all requests for support. It's a high end German brand that had their factory in China (no more, apparently) and given there are proprietary parts therein ( a digital gain control module), it does look like the amp will be moving on into its new role as a boat ballast.

[@eshimko1]

Its in the price category of the Bluesound Node. Compering the two would mark another mis - a Sub out + bass management.

[@alwayspushing2031]

Customer service, customer service, customer service unfortunately I had a singular issue with Starke and without going into detail, well let's just say they could learn a thing or two about customer service. 🤘🏼💯🎼🔊🔊🔊🔊

[@FunFiEmpire]

Thanks for the awesome comprehensive and honest review. There was a lot to cover. So it's a potayto / potahto comparison in terms of sound characteristics? I'm so sorry to hear about your Audiolab. I hope the support is responsive and you can get it serviced in the US if not the Midwest by an authorized dealer.

[@MattCoykendall1]

Right on with the sound, using the internal DAC’s they sound quite indistinguishable, it’s more so everything else on this comparison, price/connections/software. A US based Audiolab distributer just reached out with some initial questions after around 3 days, more updates to come.

[@MrRperez26]

I wish these companies would just make a great streamer without a Dac. And a screen with just VU meters that you can choose the colors of the meters to match your amp.Only for the meters and nothing else. We all have a Dac already for the most part. Like the Rivo streamer. That’s a great streamer,but you have to use volumio. By eliminating the Dac all can save some money. I like my Dac. So having it on a streamer makes no sense on paying for a Dac you will not use. Imagine a nice streamer with just VU meters

[@michaelwright1602]

Pick up a ToneWinner AD-2PRO+ integrated. I own one, and so does my friend, the 50 year + audiophile... No clue what they did, but neither of us have had a piece of gear like this in the house, nothing this good. My buddy compares it to a $12,000 Mark Levinson integrated. The DAC in this thing is outstanding. We have thrown PS Audio at it, Bel Canto, Denafrips, GD Audio, SimAudio, Cambridge, etc... We own a few DACs between the two of us. This ToneWinner is magical. Speakers, Zu DW6 Supremes, Magnepan LRS+, Fritz Carbon 7 SE MKII, and a pair of Tyler Woodmeer II. Check out the ToneWinner AD lineup... It will put the Audiolab to bed.

[@MattCoykendall1]

I will definitely look into it, not the most familiar with their product line.

[@RosemarySoriano-n6v]

Thank you so much for the honest review.♥

[@m4nc1n1]

Just got the Marantz M1 and replaced my WiiM Amp. It is way better than the WiiM Amp and worth the extra money when it comes to power and sound.

[@PhillioDoede]

Not having Wi-Fi is pretty much an instant fail for most consumers.... which is too bad because otherwise it looks like an interesting option. Aside from the big miss of no Wi-Fi I think a multifunction dial would be nice so it can more easily be used as a pre-amp for those that want to use it that way. XLR also seems like a odd choice given the fact its mid-range product, a subwoofer output with bass management would be more useful. Also random request, I'm not sue if you've done much with Plex and Plex Amp but I think that could make a good series of videos as a local streaming Roon alternative. I know Wiiim Amp is working on native support and I believe EverSolo already has it.

[@MrRperez26]

It only happened to me once. And I had to ship it back and pay for the shipping

[@0bvious]

I had an amazing experience from Audiolab tech support. But I am based in the UK, so it's possible I have a more direct contact with them through my dealer. It would be interesting to know how your 9000a failed. There is a known issue with the 9000a and the USB input (with a promised firmware update coming soon to fix it). I can explain more if you want, but I guess you have unplugged everything and tried several of the 9000a inputs before determining it is kaput? Worth knowing.

[@MattCoykendall1]

I am not giving up on them yet, I really enjoy the product so I hope everything works out. My US distributor picked up the ticket so we will see how it all plays out. What’s going on with the USB?

[@Unavintage]

...And every manufacturer is limiting the quantity of digital inputs. TV and other gear with optical outputs cannot be conected at the same time.

[@adaboy4z]

Thats bad a newer amp dying. I have amps ranging in age from 38-49 yrs old that still perform.

[@michaelsegel8758]

Yeah the lack of wi-fi is a head scratcher. In terms of cost... not that expensive to add it and a 'must have'. Imagine living in an apartment where you don't have pre-wired rooms and you're away from your wireless access point / router.

[@jonsays3762]

Apos is boss for support.

[@cpta03]

No WiFi, no optical out, no Amazon Music. Three strikes and you’re out. Not for me.

[@stevezeidman7224]

Wired connection only is an immediate fail. Next! To comment on unboxing, they’ve never been my thing.

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

i didn’t enjoy my fancy-streamer experience. nowadays i’m leaning toward picking up a MacBook Air to improve the functionality of my basic iPad, which has served me well the last four years, but has only one USB out, whereas i need at least two (for my DAC and a USB drive). as a streaming USB audio source, that basic iPad sounds wonderful but maybe i have a tin ear? i bought one of the fancy streamers and it sounded exactly the same as my iDevices but had much much worse software and network performance, and offered a horrible user experience. i returned it at a huge loss to overseas shipping and import fees. anybody else had this experience? is there a good reason from your own experience to keep looking for a dedicated streamer, or should i just go ahead and get a lightweight mobile computer? mind you MacBook has an interface to every streaming service, a big touchscreen, outstanding software and support, etc., etc.

[@Mullster]

18:36 what is the multi channel thing on the DMP A6… anyone know?

[@ryanlee6157]

Nice!

[@garyd2698]

No wifi what?

[@MattCoykendall1]

Not on this model, no WiFi until you move to their pro model unfortunately.

[@rich.e]

No wi-fi? No included remote for a device with such limited physical controls? No Bluetooth? No Amazon Music? Errm.... no. Thank you.

[@driftology]

the mini i4 pro has wifi

[@Douglas_Blake_579]

Find a technician near you .... If you bought this used factory service will cost you more than a brand new one. FWIW ... most "totally dead" failures are either fuses or power supply issues and tend to be rather easy to fix.

[@MattCoykendall1]

Yeah, as it’s out of warranty anyways I may just take a look first.

[@Douglas_Blake_579]

@@MattCoykendall1 The good old days when you could run it over to "Fred's TV Repair" are long gone. But there are still quite a few technicians working out of their homes and the occasional Vintage Stereo stores. Some of these guys really know their stuff and it is worth getting to know at least one or two. No harm in taking a look inside. Check fuses, connectors, etc. But, unless you have the needed skills I would strongly advise against taking things apart... (And yes I'm aware of the epidemic like proportions of the Dunning-Kruger syndrome, in today's society. Grin) I'm in a whole other country, or I would suggest sending it over.... The shipping alone would make it "not worth fixing".