AUDIOLAB LAUNCH NEW FLAGSHIP SERIES WITH AUDIOLAB 9000A INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER AND AUDIOLAB 9000CDT CD TRANSPORT

The Audiolab 9000A Integrated Amplifier is the first component in Audiolab’s new flagship range, the 9000 Series., it’s joined by the Audiolab 9000CDT and soon, a streamer.

AUDIOLAB 9000A INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER

The 9000A introduces a smart new aesthetic, as befits a new flagship range. Three rotary controls and an absence of buttons (except for the power switch) give the 9000A’s fascia a clean appearance, augmented with a 4.3 inch colour screen.

Audiolab 9000A Integrated Amplifier And Audiolab 9000CDT CD Transport

COLOUR SCREEN

The screen displays a variety of information including volume level, input selection, format data and more. It gives access to the amp’s menu system, which includes such options as digital upsampling, input sensitivity adjustment, balance control, automatic standby switching, and volume curtailment when the amp is powered up. It can even be set to display a VU meter in ‘analogue’ or ‘digital’ form, showing real-time decibel levels for the left and right channels. And it can be dimmed or turned off completely, as the user prefers.

Audiolab 9000A Integrated Amplifier

AUDIOLAB 9000A INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER DESIGNED BY JAN ERTNER

The 9000A’s lead electronics designer is Jan Ertner, the same man responsible for the 6000A, as well as many other award-winning audio components over the years. He was posed the significant challenge of creating Audiolab’s best-ever integrated amplifier.

CONNECTIVITY

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

BLUETOOTH

Those wishing to stream wirelessly from smartphones, tablets and computers can take advantage of the 9000A’s high-spec Bluetooth facility, which is Bluetooth 5 compliant. Decoding is included for high-definition Bluetooth formats aptX HD and LDAC, as well as aptX Low Latency, regular aptX, AAC and SBC.

AUDIOLAB 9000A INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER DAC

The 9000A incorporates the ES9038PRO, an eight-channel DAC chip. This is accompanied by proprietary circuitry to make the most of the chip’s HyperStream II architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator technology.

The 9000A’s hi-res audio support handles PCM 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.

Audiolab 9000A Integrated Amplifier rear panel

MQA AND ROON

The 9000A also delivers full decoding of MQA, the hi-res streaming technology. This means that the complete ‘three unfold’ decoding process is performed internally, as opposed to just the final unfold in the manner of an MQA renderer. The 9000A is officially ‘Roon Tested’ too,

Users can opt to upsample digital audio signals to 352.8kHz or 383kHz, and five DAC reconstruction filter settings allow the listener to adjust the sound to suit the source material.

ANALOGUE CIRCUITRY

The 9000A Class AB amplification, with a rated output of 100W per channel into eight ohms. The 9000A’s power amplifier is a dual-mono design with entirely separate power supplies for the left and right channels. A low noise 320VA toroidal transformer combines with 60,000uF reservoir capacitance and four output transistors per channel, specifically configured to improve linearity under difficult load conditions and capable of delivering a maximum output current drive of 15A per channel.

This high current drive capability ensures the output stage remains under minimum stress, leaving the rest of the amplifier free to operate under optimal conditions.

The preamp section is kept as simple as possible to maintain signal purity, with line input signals passing to a precision, microprocessor-controlled analogue volume stage.

TURNTABLES AND HEADPHONES

Audiolab has developed a new, improved MM phono stage for the 9000A, with a low-noise circuit with precise RIAA equalisation, precision input filtering and an upgraded power supply. The phono stage handles moving magnet cartridges but is not switchable to suit low output moving coil types.

Headphone listeners are equally well served by the 9000A’s dedicated headphone amplifier with a current-feedback design and high slew rate.

AUDIOLAB 9000A INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER PRE AND POWER OPERATIONAL MODES

As is traditional with Audiolab’s integrated amps, the 9000A offers three distinct operational modes, reflecting its discrete internal architecture and enabling it to adapt as its user’s requirements evolve.

The primary mode is ‘Integrated’ which combines the pre and power amp stages, for the connection of digital and analogue sources to the amp’s inputs and a pair of speakers to its binding posts.

‘Pre-Power Mode’ disconnects the pre and power amp stages. This allows the 9000A to be used solely as a power amp, for example, connected to an AV processor in a home cinema system

Finally, ‘Pre Mode’ disables the power amp stage, turning the 9000A into a standalone DAC/preamp. This enables external power amplification to be added, thus providing a possible upgrade path.

AUDIOLAB 9000CDT CD TRANSPORT

The Audiolab 9000CDT CD Transport is designed as a CD-playing companion to Audiolab’s flagship 9000A integrated amplifier.

It incorporates a new, high-end transport mechanism, featuring a high precision optical system and low-friction loading tray. A read-ahead digital buffer reduces disc-reading failures, enabling the 9000CDT to play damaged discs that may be rejected by other CD players.

Audiolab 9000CDT CD Transport

The 9000CDT’s construction, with its sturdy aluminium base and chassis, combats the effect of vibrations generated both externally and by the mechanism’s high-spin-velocity motor. By mounting the transport in its own, electromagnetically shielded enclosure, and including a dedicated power supply, the digital signal extraction from any CD is as accurate and precise as possible.

The 9000CDT’s master clock is controlled by a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator, enabling the digital output from its coaxial and optical sockets to exhibit low levels of jitter. In addition, the coaxial output is fed from a differential line driver to ensure a flawless digital signal reaches the accompanying DAC. As well as spinning CDs, the 9000CDT features a USB Type A input, enabling playback from USB storage devices. FAT12, FAT16 and FAT32 formatted devices are supported, and WAV, WMA, AAC and MP3 files can be played, with file navigation available via the front panel controls and remote handset.

Audiolab 9000CDT CD Transport rear panel

The 9000CDT’s aluminium casework shares the same design as the 9000A, with a matching 4.3in colour display and rotary function selector. The display shows track information from CDs and USB-connected storage devices, and also provides access to functions such auto-standby settings, language selection, 12V trigger activation for system control, and dimming of the display itself (or the option to switch it off entirely).

AUDIOLAB  9000A INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER  SPECIFICATIONS

Integrated stereo amplifier with hi-res DAC

Class AB power amplification: 2x100W into 8 ohms

DAC stage based around flagship ES9038PRO Sabre chipset

Supports PCM to 32-bit/768kHz, DSD 64/128/256/512 and full MQA decoding

Digital upsampling and five user-selectable DAC reconstruction filters

Class A post-DAC active filter

Bluetooth 5 streaming with LDAC and aptX HD support

Certified ‘Roon Tested’

High-performance MM phono stage

Dedicated current-feedback headphone amp

Three operational modes: Integrated Mode; Pre-Power Mode; Pre Mode

4.3in colour IPS LCD display

Cable inputs:

1x USB Type B digital (768kHz)

4x S/PDIF digital (192kHz)

1x stereo XLR balanced analogue

4x stereo RCA analogue (3x line; 1x MM phono)

1x stereo RCA power amp in

1x USB Type A for firmware updates

1x 12V trigger

Cable outputs:

Gold-pated speaker binding posts

1x 6.3mm headphone out

1x stereo RCA preamp out

1x 12V trigger

The Audiolab flagship pair in black

AUDIOLAB  9000A INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER AND AUDIOLAB 9000CDT CD TRANSPORT PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

The 9000A is available from mid-November in a choice of silver or black, at an RRP of £1999. The Audiolab 9000CDT CD transport is available from mid-November in a choice of silver or black, at an RRP of £999.

A separate, dedicated audio streamer for the 9000 Series is set to arrive in early 2023.

HiFi Pig Says: This new series from Audiolab will be well received at these prices, with the soon-to-be-launched streamer completing the set.