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Audiolab 6000N Play network player
  • Audiolab 6000N Play network player — photo 2
  • Audiolab 6000N Play network player — photo 3
  • Audiolab 6000N Play network player — photo 4
streamerAudiolabL070%

Audiolab 6000N Play network player

streamer+DAC+preamp · in: Ethernet, Wi-Fi · out: RCA line, optical, coaxial · PCM 24/192 · Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Deezer, Qobuz, Internet radio; DLNA; neutral (spec.) · entry

44,880 RUBeachpre-order
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prices and stock as of 2026-11-05

Audiomania expert verdict

A full-size streamer with a built-in ES9018K2M DAC, variable RCA output and digital outputs on the DTS Play-Fi platform (Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, Qobuz, DLNA, internet radio). A specialist rates it “more balanced and detailed” than the Bluesound Node 2i; Trusted Reviews gave 5 stars, hifitrends 10/10 for sound. The weak spots are the Play-Fi app and the lack of AirPlay/Bluetooth. AI draft, under review

Ask about Audiolab 6000N Play

Will it suit your amplifier or room, what else to buy, what to compare with.

03

In brief

Best if you are looking for:

  • a first streamer in an existing system: “plug in and play”, ES9018K2M DAC inside, RCA straight into the amplifier AI draft, under review
  • Spotify, Tidal, Deezer and Qobuz subscribers — all four work through DTS Play-Fi, plus internet radio AI draft, under review
  • Audiolab 6000A owners: the USB link controls the amplifier's volume from the app AI draft, under review
  • direct connection to a power amplifier or active speakers — variable output 0–2.1 V AI draft, under review
  • Play-Fi multiroom with other Play-Fi devices in the house AI draft, under review

Keep in mind:

  • specialists call the DTS Play-Fi app “clunky”: it needs the phone connected, and forums report freezes AI draft, under review
  • no AirPlay, Bluetooth or Chromecast — Yandex Music and Apple Music cannot be cast to it; for an iPhone owner the specialist suggests the iFi ZEN Stream AI draft, under review
  • the USB ports are not for music: USB-B only controls the 6000A, USB-A is service-only; it will not act as a PC DAC or play from drives AI draft, under review
  • files from a NAS — only via a DLNA server; custom internet-radio stream URLs cannot be entered AI draft, under review
04

Product DNA

L070%

A structured sound passport: every value carries a source and a confidence.

Role in the system
streamer, DAC, preampcalculated0.75
Services
Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Deezer, Qobuz, Internet radiomanufacturer0.75
Protocols
DLNA/UPnP; AirPlay: 0; multiroom: DTS Play-Fi; no: Chromecast, Roon Ready, Roon Endpoint, bluetooth rx, HQPlayer NAAmanufacturer0.75
Use scenarios
good: Home stereo, Background listening, Multiroom wireless; less suitable: Near-field desktop, TV sound, Vinyl systemcalculated0.5
Optimal room area
not enough data to calculate
Tier
entrycalculated1
What else you need
amplifier, interconnectcalculated1
05

Sound profile

The profile appears after an Audiomania expert audition.

06

What the experts say

  • «Получите высококачественный стриминг музыки, не выкидывая свою существующую аудио систему»

    translated by Audiomania

    Trusted Reviews, Simon Lucas Read the review

  • «Вам непременно нужен этот завораживающий музыкальный Hi-Fi стример»

    translated by Audiomania

    hifitrends.com, P. Cash Read the review

08

Sound character

The only specialist description is relative: against the Bluesound Node 2i the 6000N Play's sound is “more balanced and detailed”. Foreign reviews give the sound top marks, but their text is not quoted on the page. AI draft, under review[3]

Technical note: a 32-bit ES9018K2M with a proprietary processing stage “to reduce distortion and widen dynamic range”, SNR > 115 dB, THD < 0.003 %, 100 Ω output impedance — a clean analogue stage on paper. AI draft, under review[4]

09

Use scenarios

Suits:

  • Spotify/Tidal/Deezer/Qobuz streaming into a stereo system whose amplifier has no DAC — RCA straight in AI draft, under review
  • paired with the Audiolab 6000A: USB volume control, matching design AI draft, under review
  • radio and playlist presets on the front buttons — background listening without the phone in hand AI draft, under review
  • DTS Play-Fi multiroom AI draft, under review

Less suited to:

  • iPhone/AirPlay, Yandex Music, Bluetooth from a phone — none of these protocols is present AI draft, under review
  • a PC as a USB source and playback from USB drives AI draft, under review
  • TV — no HDMI ARC or optical input AI draft, under review
  • DSD, MQA and Roon AI draft, under review
10

Technologies and construction

  • 32-bit ES9018K2M DAC

    What it is: An ESS ES9018K2M DAC with a proprietary signal-processing stage; PCM up to 24-bit / 192 kHz; SNR > 115 dB (A), THD < 0.003 %.

    Practical benefit: “To reduce distortion and widen dynamic range” — the same DAC as in the 6000A amplifier, so no external DAC is needed.

  • DTS Play-Fi platform

    What it is: Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, Qobuz, internet radio and DLNA over Ethernet/Wi-Fi; an app for Android, iOS, Kindle Fire and Windows; multiroom with other Play-Fi devices.

    Practical benefit: Quality “higher than Bluetooth provides”, but specialists find the app “clunky” and it needs the phone connected.

  • Variable/fixed analogue output

    What it is: RCA output 0–2.1 V in variable mode, 100 Ω output impedance; plus optical and coaxial digital outputs.

    Practical benefit: Direct connection to a power amplifier or active speakers — the streamer becomes the preamp.

  • USB link to the 6000A amplifier

    What it is: USB-B is control-only: it adjusts the volume of a connected Audiolab 6000A from the app; the second USB is for service.

    Practical benefit: One system, one app; but the port does not work as a PC USB DAC.

  • Six preset buttons

    What it is: Six front-panel buttons launch internet stations, services or playlists preset in the app.

    Practical benefit: Background listening without the phone; custom stream URLs still cannot be entered.

11

Amplifier requirements

Inputs
Ethernet, Wi-Fi
Outputs
RCA line, optical, coaxial

Audiolab 6000N Play → Audiolab 6000A: via analogue RCA (or digitally: optical/coaxial).

  • Software features verified 2025-11-06; check with a specialist for the current state.

R-SOURCE-CHAIN · rules version 1.0.0+c1.0.0 · confidence 0.9

12

Recommended system connection

Audiolab 6000N Play → Audiolab 6000A: via analogue RCA (or digitally: optical/coaxial).

  • Software features verified 2025-11-06; check with a specialist for the current state.

R-SOURCE-CHAIN · rules version 1.0.0+c1.0.0 · confidence 0.9

14

Recommended right now

over the 45-product sample

In-stock, current models only; refreshed with prices (2026-11-05). Not indexed.

rules version 1.0.0+c1.0.0

16

Comparison with similar models

  • How it differs from iFi audio ZEN Stream network transport

    Audiolab 6000N Play and iFi audio ZEN Stream are the same tier; they differ in character and in the figures below.

    Full comparison →

  • How it differs from Premiera SX1 Pro network streamer

    Audiolab 6000N Play and Premiera SX1 Pro are the same tier; they differ in character and in the figures below.

    Full comparison →
17

Specifications

Main

DAC chip
ES9018K2M (32 бит)
Formats
PCM up to: 24/192; MQA: none; files:
Volume control
RCA and XLR
SNR
115 dB
THD
0.003 %

Connection

Sample rate by input
Ethernet: 24/192; Wi-Fi: 24/192
Inputs
Ethernet, Wi-Fi
Outputs
RCA line, optical, coaxial
Analogue output
RCA
Digital outputs
optical, coaxial
HDMI ARC
none
Output level
2.1 V
Output impedance
100 Ω
Bluetooth
codecs: ; no: receive, transmit
Wi-Fi
yesmanufacturer
Network
Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Spotify Connect, DLNA; AirPlay: 0; app: DTS Play-Fi; no: Chromecast, TIDAL Connect, Roon Ready, HEOS, NAS (SMB)manufacturer
Remote
no: IR remoteAudiomania specialist

Dimensions

Dimensions (W×H×D)
445 × 80 × 330 mm

Weight

Weight
4.9 kg

Box contents

Warranty
12 months
18

Documents

19

FAQ

›Which to pick for internet radio — the 6000N Play or the iFi ZEN Stream?
The specialist first asked about the phone: for an iPhone owner “we recommend the iFi, given official AirPlay support; and DTS Play-Fi is, in our view, clunky”. The 6000N does have internet radio, but Play-Fi is only partly free: some radio services need a subscription.
›Which sounds better — the Bluesound Node 2i or the 6000N Play?
“In our view the Audiolab 6000N Play sounds more balanced and detailed.”
›Can it work as a DAC — connect a PC over USB?
No: “this port is for control with the matching amplifier” (USB-B controls the 6000A's volume); “it cannot play files from a PC”. The USB-A is service-only; hard drives do not connect.
›How do I play files from a NAS, and is a DLNA server needed?
A DLNA server is required: without one it will not take a FLAC from a network share (“no, it cannot”). The player runs over LAN (cable to the router) or Wi-Fi (manual, section 8); “DTS Play-Fi assumes a connected phone”. If you do not want a phone in the chain, the specialist suggests the Magnat MMS 730 with a remote.
›Is the DTS Play-Fi app free? Which platforms? Does it only control the player?
Platforms: Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, Windows and TVs; on Windows there is a free version and “Play-Fi HD” for $14.95. The phone only controls — the streamer pulls Spotify, Tidal, Deezer and Qobuz streams from the internet itself (“yes, that is right”).
›Can I add my own internet-radio stream URLs?
“Internet radio is supported. Entering stream addresses is not possible.”
›Which RCA cable for the amplifier (Myriad 2080; classical/jazz/electronic)?
Specialist: “Consider the Van den Hul Bay C5 Hybrid RCA cable… the Cold Ray Interconnect Line AG will also do, but it is less neutral in tonal balance.”
›Will it beat a Marantz NR1605 with an iPhone/Apple TV? What is a class above?
“There will be no fundamental difference, in sound or convenience. You need to look at higher-class systems” — e.g. the Mission 778S network player: “a modern streaming platform and rich connectivity”.
›Is there a Russian manual?
The manual on the page is in English; in 2023 the specialist answered: “we expect a translation, but not soon”.
›Can it drive active speakers or a power amplifier directly?
Yes: the analogue output switches to variable mode (0–2.1 V, 100 Ω output impedance) — “the player can be connected directly to power amplifiers or active speakers”.
20

Customer reviews

  • Борис Л., Оренбург · 2024-12-03Excellentverified purchase

    Это мой первый сетевой проигрыватель. Отличное воспроизведение, простота в использовании, ничего лишнего-включил и пользуйся. В настоящий момент наслаждаюсь любимой музыкой в высоком качестве.

22

Audiomania expert opinion

An Audiomania specialist compared it with the Bluesound Node 2i: the Audiolab's sound is “more balanced and detailed”; the foreign press agrees — 5 stars from Trusted Reviews and 10/10 for sound from hifitrends. AI draft, under review[3]

Buy it for the sound and the DAC, not for the ecosystem: Play-Fi is “clunky” and there is no AirPlay. If you are on an iPhone or listen to Yandex Music, look at the iFi ZEN Stream or the Premiera SX1 Pro; for a step up, the Mission 778S. AI draft, under review[3]