I bought this amplifier for my home office desktop audiophile system for my PC and Mac.Here is the configuration:1)Digital Streamer: WiiM Streamer (connected to DAC using optical audio cable).2)Computer: PC and Mac (connected to DAC using USB audio (midi) cable).3)DAC: Cambridge Audio DAC Magic 200M (Connected to amplifier using RCA cable)4)Amplifier: Audiolab 6000a (connected to speakers using banana speaker cables).5)Speakers: KEF LS50 metaFirst, let's get the important fact out of the way. If you search through the reviews from professional audio reviewers on the web, then you will find there is a consensus that this amplifier is quite possibly the best amp for around $1000. So this would be one of the top amps you can buy for around $1000.Nonetheless, there is no way this dynamo amplifier can truly compete against the $5000+ amplifiers. Yes, the law of diminishing marginal return applies and a $5000 amp will not sound 5x better. But any discerning ear would more than likely find that $5000 amp would sound significantly better.The more difficult question, in my opinion, is how does this amplifier compare to the ones that cost $2000-$3500 price range? Surprisingly well, but not without shortcomings. Compared to Hegel H120, for example, which costs $3000, this amplifier has slightly more distortion and slightly lacks the sound stage and crystal detailed imaging. The H120 also clearly dominates in volume headroom (which is a weakness for 6000a). Having said this, it is not like H120 is in different stratosphere. You would need to really listen for the differences. This is not a knock on Hegel's superb H120, but really a praise for Audiolab 6000a.I did not use the DAC\bluetooth\headphone portion of 6000a and only used the amplifier portion.As for the sound, there is little distortion and it hits all the notes in all ranges with precision and control. There is also very little sound fatique even at higher volumes. You will get quality music out of this amplifier, but there are better (and far more expensive) amplifiers out there.One of the main reason why I purchased this amplifier is its thin size allows me to stick this amplifier beneath my computer monitor stand (with some room for heat dissipation). It also helps that this amp runs rather cool so I do not have any overheating issues.The main downside of this amplifier for me is its lower volume headroom. In practice, this amplifier can generate enough volume to satisfy me. It also somewhat lacks the reserve power to bring that sudden oomph to the music. But if you want an amplifier that would blow the roof off of your house, then this is not that amplifier.Addendum: I just tested the DAC on this amplifier. Some famous reviewer has said that the DAC on 6000a rivals that of DACMagic 200M. I beg to differ (strongly). Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M is simply superior. It has superior resolution, sound stage, imaging, and tonality. I would go as far as stating that Audiolab 6000a running through its own DAC is not very impressive sounding. BUT, hook it up with a quality external DAC, like I did, and you will notice a huge bump in sound quality.Pros:1)Best bang for the buck amplifier. One of the best amps for around $1000.2)Small size (particularly height) allows me to put it under my monitor stand.3)Wonderful sound with clarity, precision, and sound stage. Very little distortion or sound fatique. People love the sound of my system generated by this amplifier. It is impressive.4)It runs cool in major part because it only outputs 50W per channel.Cons:1)Volume headroom is merely sufficient. At 50W per channel, this amplifier will not test the decimal limits of your speakers.2)I would pay 50%-100% more for fully integrated system that has more volume headroom, higher quality DAC, and USB audio (midi) connection. But it doesn't so I had to purchase a separate component (the wonderful Cambridge Audio DAC Magic 200M).3)Addendum: The internal DAC is only OK and the this amplifier sounds rather dull running on its own internal DAC. I would recommend getting a quality $400+ external DAC for this amplifier as a quality external DAC would upgrade the sound immensely.
