Ed Selley
Hi-Fi Editor
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2003
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- 43
I agree. Too many people have had too many problems with the Play Fi app, and if Audiolab hasn’t fixed it then shame on them. This new product is basically an excellent amp with a flawed streaming device bolted on.No gapless = non-starter. Still cannot believe they haven't fixed this yet.
No gapless = non-starter. Still cannot believe they haven't fixed this yet.
@RugbyAl The solution you have suggested using a Chromecast Audio can do gapless if you use the HiFiCast app on your android phone. It does require the phone (or tablet) to be on all of the time because that manages the playlist as gapless but in that respect the Play-Fi controller also needs to be on all of the time and cannot do gapless.
100% agree, the added bonus is I already have 4 Chromecast audios anyway.If you're willing to accept the lack of gapless play (it doesn't bother me apart from the odd time I play some Pink Floyd) then I believe the basic 6000A with a second hand Chromecast Audio would be better. Cheaper, more stable and the ability to be flexible should streamer requirements change. These built in solutions just scream 'Obsolescence' to me.
All the stereo amplifiers that I can think of with HDMI inputs are in Mid-Price, not Budget Amps.No HDMI, no starter for me unfortunately.
I still don't get why new amps with DACs etc don't include HDMI Arc as standard nowadays. If it's a cost issue I would happily pay a bit extra for HDMI.
No HDMI, no starter for me unfortunately.
I still don't get why new amps with DACs etc don't include HDMI Arc as standard nowadays. If it's a cost issue I would happily pay a bit extra for HDMI.
This is not an AV amp and to be honest, I would want more power from an AV amp. This is a Stereo amp. and provides much better performance than Arc/eArc/Chromecast etc can provide. Play-Fi needs to be a lot better IMHO.No HDMI, no starter for me unfortunately.
I still don't get why new amps with DACs etc don't include HDMI Arc as standard nowadays. If it's a cost issue I would happily pay a bit extra for HDMI.
1. Spotify Connect does indeed bypass Play-Fi and works really well on my Quad Vena 2 Play.Thanks for the review! Much appreciated.
I'm looking to pair my Focal Chora 806s with the Audiolab 6000A Play and have a couple questions, for sanity check, if I may....
1. Spotify Connect (which the 6000A Play supports) would entirely eliminate DTS Play Fi from the streaming chain, correct?
2. When using DTS Play Fi on Windows OS, the audio is not streamed from the computer, correct? This "issue" only occurs when using the mobile app on Android/ iOS etc?
On another note, I see DTS have released version 7 of their Play Fi software. Not that I care about gapless playback, but reading between the lines, I'm thinking this may be "fixed" later this year.
Cheers.
Glad to hear you're happy with it. If i was only using Spotify Connect i wouldn't have bothered with the Node 2i but unfortunately i listen to all lossless on my Quad. They haven't even looked at integrating Tidal Connect either. Play-Fi works better on Android than iOS due to the way Android treats apps vs Android. I did still see issues with it though when streaming lossless and Hi-Res. If i didn't love how the Quad sounds i may well have binned it off by now.Thanks @ItsNotAllSnakeOil
Here are some of my thoughts after a couple weeks with the 6000A Play.
Spotify Connect works a treat, no need for any Play-Fi apps/connections to be made. This is the saving grace.
Play-Fi app on Android is rather solid, works well, only disconnected once but that could have been a Wifi issue. One can minimise the app and multitask but playback will stop if exiting or swiping up on the app.
The desktop app on Windows is a problem. The next song in a playlist often will not be played back through the 6000A Play. You have to stop the track in the Windows Deezer app, click on another song, then back again to hear the intended track as wished.
In terms of the 6000A Play, it's a keeper. The sound is very neutral/ natural, with a solid, tight bass kick. I have it in Silver, it's a solid, heavy piece of kit, looks and feels great, really fantastic build quality. Spotify Connect is the saving grace here, and for my needs, Play-Fi via Android works well enough.