Audiolab Updates Flagship 9000 Series With Pre And Power Amp

British Hi-Fi brand Audiolab is adding to its flagship 9000 Series with a new range-topping amplifier system consisting of the 9000Q preamplifier and 9000P stereo power amplifier. The announcement follows on from the recent announcement of a classic 33/303 pre and power amp combo by Quad, also based in Cambridge.

Audiolab has been known for its highly regarded integrated amplifiers since the launch of the iconic 8000A in 1983. Over the years, the company has made many multi-chassis amp systems from the original 8000C/8000Q preamps and 8000P power amp to more recent 8200 and 8300 models.

However, there have been no new Audiolab pre/power components since the launch of the 8300XP power amp more than eight years ago… until now. Today Audiolab has announced the 9000Q preamplifier and 9000P stereo power amplifier which join the award-winning 9000N network streamer, 9000CDT CD transport/media player and 9000A integrated amplifier in the brand’s flagship 9000 Series.

The new pieces share the same 9000 Series aesthetic and the 9000Q preamplifier has been engineered to handle digital and analog sources. The crisp design lines are complemented by two rotary controls and a left-aligned 4.3-inch color display.

Combining graphics and data in the same style as other 9000 Series components, the 9000Q’s IPS screen displays a range of information such as volume level, input selection and format data. It also provides access to the menu system, which includes options like digital upsampling, input sensitivity adjustment, balance control and automatic standby switching.

Bass and treble tone controls are a new feature that’s been added to the 9000Q’s menu system. Although microprocessor-controlled, these operate entirely in the analog domain just like the volume control. The controls offer precision adjustment of +/-6dB in 2dB steps. Individual settings can be assigned to different digital and analog inputs or the tone controls can be removed from the signal path completely.

As with other 9000 Series components, display options include a VU-style meter showing decibel levels for the left and right channels as music plays. The display can also be simplified, dimmed or turned off completely for late-night listening.

The 9000Q incorporates innovative digital-to-analog signal conversion, enabling digital sources to be connected directly without an external DAC. A USB Type B input works with PCs, Macs, smartphones, tablets and digital storage devices, alongside four S/PDIF digital inputs with two coaxial and two optical. There are also four line-level analog inputs—three stereo RCA and one stereo XLR for balanced connectivity—plus a phono input for a turntable.

Anyone wanting to stream music wirelessly from smartphones, tablets and computers can use the 9000Q’s high-spec Bluetooth function, which is Bluetooth 5 compliant for optimum range, speed and reliability. Decoding is included for high-definition codecs like aptX HD and LDAC, as well as aptX Low Latency, regular aptX, AAC and SBC.

A pair of stereo RCA preamp outputs enable two stereo power amps to be connected—in bridged mode, for example—alongside stereo XLR. The latter benefits from the 9000Q’s balanced circuit topology and ‘XLR Direct’ facility, which enables a fully balanced signal path from input to output.

Further flexibility is provided with ‘AV Direct’ mode, which delivers a fixed-level throughput from one of the 9000Q’s RCA inputs. This is useful for connecting an AV processor or other device with its own volume control. A line-level stereo RCA output is also provided, as well as a headphone output and a pair of 12V trigger outputs for automated system power up/down.

Audiolab was an early adopter of DAC chips made by ESS Technology and the 9000Q uses the ES9038PRO DAC from the top tier of ESS’s current range. The DAC’s eight channels deliver a balanced stereo signal, eradicating noise and distortion alongside proprietary Audiolab circuitry including an ultra-precision master clock. This makes the most of the chip’s HyperStream II architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, enabling exceptional signal-to-noise performance and dynamic range.

Sabre DAC chips are challenging to implement and need to be integrated into a product’s circuit design with care to achieve their full sonic potential. The post-DAC active filter is a critical element and Audiolab has developed a new Class A circuit for its 9000 Series components that is tailored to make the most of the ES9038PRO.

The 9000Q can handle PCM files up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD to 22.5MHz (DSD512). Every significant hi-res and lossless audio format is catered for, including FLAC, ALAC, AIFF and WAV, as well as compressed legacy formats. Full MQA decoding is also included, while the preamp is certified to work seamlessly in a Roon audio environment.

Users can choose to upsample digital audio signals to 352.8kHz or 384kHz, and five DAC reconstruction filter settings enable the listener to adjust the sound to suit the source. This is particularly useful given the variable quality of digital formats and streaming services. Whether connected via USB, S/PDIF or Bluetooth, every digital source benefits from the quality of the 9000Q’s DAC stage.

The 9000Q’s audio circuitry is well specified, including a low-noise 40VA toroidal transformer and high-grade reservoir/smoothing capacitors and regulators. Its differential balanced topology is designed for maximum signal purity, incorporating a four-channel analog volume control for full control of a balanced signal when used in XLR Direct mode, providing a short, direct signal path that remains fully balanced throughout. When other options such as tone adjustment are switched into the signal path, the precision-engineered application of these microprocessor-controlled functions maintains optimal signal purity.

Audiolab says it has further improved the phono stage previously developed for its 9000A, ensuring vinyl gets the same attention as digital sources. Thanks to a high-quality, low-noise circuit with precise RIAA equalization, input filtering and an upgraded power supply, all the detail lurking in a record’s grooves can be recovered.

The phono stage handles moving magnet (MM) cartridges but is not switchable to suit low-output moving coil (MC) types. Audiolab says this is for good reason. Phono stages built into integrated amps and preamps that cater to both MM and MC cartridges are usually a compromise; a good MC cartridge will benefit from a high-quality offboard phono stage. Rather than cover both bases to an adequate degree, Audiolab decided to focus solely on making an excellent MM phono stage for users of this more common cartridge type and should be the only phono stage they need.

Headphone listeners will appreciate the 9000Q’s dedicated headphone amplifier. Its current-feedback design and Audiolab says its low output impedance delivers dynamic and detailed performance with all manner of headphones, even tough loads that many headphone outputs can struggle to drive.

The 9000Q’s power supply has 11 regulated supply rails including ultra-low-noise regulators, plus extensive measures against contamination and cross-coupling. The DAC circuitry has multiple discrete regulators supplying power separately to the left and right channels for each stage of the digital-to-analog conversion process.

Uniquely, the 9000Q’s power supply has integrated filtering technology developed from Audiolab’s DC Block and DC Block 6 mains optimization devices. This removes RFI/EMI from the mains supply, reducing differential-mode noise (exacerbated by cheap switch-mode power supplies in many home appliances) and common-mode noise (aggravated by airborne interference from phones, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth). This sinks the noise floor further for greater focus and clarity.

With an identically form factor of the other 9000 Series components, the 9000P stereo power amplifier is a visual match. The right-aligned power button, LED and etched Audiolab logo are identical. Around the back, the 9000P has stereo RCA and XLR inputs alongside a 12V trigger input to automatically switch the power amp on/off in line with the connected system. A set of gold-plated binding posts is provided to connect a pair of speakers.

The inclusion of a separate power amplifier in the 9000 Series broadens the range of potential system configurations. The 9000P can also be connected directly to source devices that have their volume controls and pre-out sockets such as the Audiolab 9000N network streamer.

With a rating of 100W per channel into 8Ω, the output stage uses a Complementary Feedback design for superior linearity and thermal stability as the idle current is kept independent of the temperature of the output transistors. A low noise 320VA toroidal transformer combines with 60,000uF reservoir capacitance and four output transistors per channel capable of delivering a maximum output current of 15A per channel.

This high current drive capability ensures the output stage stays under minimum stress, leaving the rest of the amplifier free to operate under ideal conditions. Along with the generous power output, this enables the 9000P to drive power-hungry speakers with ease and still have plenty in reserve.

Like the 9000Q preamp, the 9000P’s power supply has sophisticated mains filtering, boosting its sonic performance. The net result is an amplifier that Audiolab describes as “wide-ranging, free breathing dynamics, whilst retaining a vice-like grip on the music and revealing the subtlest details in any recording, whatever the volume setting.”

The 9000P also offers an upgrade path by connecting two 9000Ps in bridged mode, combining each power amp’s stereo channels into a single mono channel so each unit drives a single speaker. This increases the power output to 300W per channel into an 8Ω load, elevating sonic muscle without compromising the 9000P’s finesse.

Pricing & Availability: The Audiolab 9000Q preamplifier and 9000P stereo power amplifier are available from December in a choice of silver or black, at RRPs of $1,999 / £1,499 / €1,799 and $1,499 / £1,099 / €1,499 respectively. They can also be purchased together for a package price of £2,499.

Tech Specs:

Audiolab 9000Q Preamplifier

• Digital inputs 1 x USB Type B; 2x coaxial; 2x optical; Bluetooth 5.1,
• Analog inputs: 1 x stereo XLR; 3 x stereo RCA line level; 1 x stereo RCA phono (MM).
• Analog outputs: 1 x stereo XLR; 2 x stereo RCA; 1 x stereo RCA line-level; 1 x headphone; 2x 12V trigger.
• DAC: ES9038PRO 32-bit DAC with Class A post-DAC active filter.
• Maximum digital sample rates: PCM 768KHz; DSD512.
• Balanced analog circuitry: Differential balanced topology; XLR Direct – fully balanced input to output.
• Sonic tuning options: Digital upsampling; 5x selectable digital filters; input-assignable analog EQ.
• Color display: 4.3in 800 x 480 IPS panel.
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 444 x 90 x 328mm.

Audiolab 9000P Stereo Power Amplifier

• Amplifier type: Dual-mono Class AB with Complimentary Feedback design.
• Power output – stereo: 2 x 100W (8Ω, THD<1%); 2x 160W (4Ω, THD<1%).
• Power output – bridged: (2 x 9000P) 2 x 300W (8Ω, THD<1%); 2x 380W (4Ω, THD<1%).
• Distortion (THD): <0.002% (1kHz 8Ω @ 2/3 max. power).
• Maximum current delivery: 2 x 15A.
• Inputs: 1 x stereo XLR; 1 x stereo RCA; 1 x 12V trigger.
• Outputs: 1 x stereo speaker binding posts.
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 444 x 90 x 328mm.