Audiolab 9000N black

The Audiolab 9000N network player represents the culmination of years of research and development in the field of digital sound reproduction. Designed as the perfect complement to other components in the 9000 series, this high-end streamer offers an exceptional listening experience thanks to audiophile-grade components and optimized software architecture.

Cutting-edge technology platform

At the heart of the 9000N is a powerful quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor clocked at 1.8 GHz per core, ensuring optimal stability and performance for high-resolution audio streaming. This robust architecture is based on a Linux platform specially optimized for audio processing, unlike previous models that used DTS Play-Fi technology.

The ESS Sabre ES9038Pro 32-bit digital-to-analog converter is one of the most advanced DACs currently available on the market. This high-end eight-channel component features HyperStream II technology and jitter elimination circuits developed by ESS Technology. Audiolab has leveraged its expertise over the years to design proprietary analog circuits that fully exploit the potential of this exceptional DAC.

The analog output section delivers remarkable performance with a signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 116 dB for RCA outputs and over 120 dB for XLR outputs. Total harmonic distortion remains below 0.001% (at 1 kHz and 2.05 Vrms), ensuring sound reproduction of exceptional purity.

Extensive connectivity and usage flexibility

The 9000N stands out for its versatility in network connectivity. It supports Gigabit Ethernet connections (10/100/1000 Base-T) as well as dual-band Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4/5 GHz), offering maximum flexibility for integration into your home setup.

On the input side, the player features a USB Type-B port for connection to a computer, transforming the 9000N into a high-quality external USB DAC. A 12V trigger input allows synchronization with other hi-fi components.

The outputs are particularly comprehensive, with a pair of unbalanced RCA connectors, a pair of balanced XLR connectors for optimal signal transmission, as well as optical and coaxial digital outputs. A 12V trigger output (Link) completes the setup for integration into a home automation system.

A refined user experience

The 9000N’s user interface has been designed to combine elegance and functionality. Its 4.3-inch (10.9 cm) IPS LCD color screen offers a resolution of 800 × 480 pixels, allowing high-definition display of album covers and various playback information.

The user manual reveals several customizable display modes: Home, Artwork A (cover on the left, text on the right), Artwork B (cover on top, text below), VU Digital, VU Analogue (VU meter display), and even an Audiolab (logo) mode or Display Off for complete discretion. Brightness adjustment and sleep timer settings are also customizable to your preferences.

The buttonless rotary controls (except for the power switch) give the 9000N a sleek and sophisticated look, perfectly matching the other components of Audiolab’s 9000 series.

Full MQA decoding and high-resolution streaming

The 9000N is MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) certified and offers four different decoding modes:

• Full Decode (PCM Upsampling Off): activates the full internal MQA decoding process while allowing PCM streaming via SPDIF up to 192 kHz.
• Full Decode (PCM Upsampling On): activates full MQA decoding and upsamples MQA and PCM signals to 352.8 kHz or 384 kHz (analog outputs only).
• Core Decode: suitable for users connecting an external MQA renderer via SPDIF, up to a sampling rate of 192 kHz.
• Passthrough Mode: bypasses the MQA decoding step and allows the undecoded signal to pass through the digital outputs.

The 9000N supports a wide range of audio formats, including lossless formats such as FLAC, ALAC, WAV, and AIFF, as well as DSD formats (DSF, DIFF, DoP) up to native DSD512. PCM sampling rates are supported from 44.1 kHz up to 768 kHz (32-bit).

Intuitive mobile app and streaming services

The Audiolab 9000N app, available for iOS (11.0+) and Android (4.0+), offers an intuitive user interface to control all the features of the network player. It provides access to streaming services such as Qobuz, Tidal (with MQA support), Spotify, and TuneIn Radio, as well as UPnP/DLNA servers and files stored on USB devices.

Advanced app features include smart search, playlist management, high-resolution cover display, identification of high-resolution content (Tidal MQA, Qobuz), and playlist backup/restore.

The 9000N is also compatible with AirPlay 2, Tidal Connect, and Spotify Connect, allowing the use of native apps from these services. Its Roon Ready certification ensures seamless integration into a Roon ecosystem for an optimal user experience.

Technical Specifications

Design and Display

• Elegant format consistent with the 9000A and CDT models
• Rotary controls without buttons (except the power switch)
• 10.9 cm (4.3 inches) IPS LCD color screen with 800 × 480 pixel resolution displaying:
  • Color album covers with caching for quick loading
  • Playback information and file metadata
  • Multilingual menu options and user settings
  • Real-time analog or digital VU meter
  • Dimmed mode or complete screen off

Connectivity and Streaming

• Compatibility with multiple streaming services:
  • Qobuz and Tidal (Hi-Res and MQA)
  • Spotify Connect and TuneIn Radio
  • UPnP server and audio files via USB HDD
• Network connection:
  • Wireless via Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac, 2.4 / 5 GHz)
  • Wired via Ethernet 10/100 / 1000 Base-T
• Wireless streaming technologies:
  • AirPlay 2
  • Tidal Connect
  • Spotify Connect
  • Roon Ready (bit-perfect high-resolution playback without configuration)
• Audiolab 9000N app for advanced control (iOS 11.0+ / Android 4.0+):
  • Smart search and playlist management
  • Volume control
  • High-resolution cover display
  • Identification of high-resolution content (Tidal MQA, Qobuz)
  • Advanced playlist and tag management
  • Playlist backup and restoration

Audio Technology and Digital Processing

• Quad Arm Cortex-A53 processor clocked at 1.8 GHz per core
• ESS9038PRO digital-to-analog converter:
  • 8 channels with HyperStream II technology
  • Jitter elimination
  • Proprietary Audiolab circuit for optimal sound quality
• MQA processing:
  • Certified full MQA decoder (3 internal unfolds)
  • MQA Pass-through function for external DACs
• Roon Tested certification for seamless integration into a Roon environment
• Gapless playback

Inputs and Outputs

• Inputs:
  • 1 × network (streaming)
  • 1 × USB PC (USB Type-B)
  • 1 × Ethernet 10/100 / 1000 Base-T
  • 1 × 12 V trigger
• Analog outputs:
  • 1 pair RCA
  • 1 pair XLR
• Digital outputs:
  • 1 × optical
  • 1 × coaxial
  • 1 × 12 V trigger (Link)

Formats and Compatibility

• Lossless DSD formats:
  • DSF (DSD)
  • DIFF (DSD)
  • DoP (DSD)
• Lossless PCM formats:
  • FLAC
  • Apple Lossless (ALAC)
  • WAV
  • AIFF
• Compressed lossy formats:
  • MP3
• MQA
• Supported sampling rates:
  • PCM: 44.1 kHz to 768 kHz (705.6 kHz / 768 kHz fixed-point supported via the Audiolab 9000N app)
  • DSD: DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512 (native)

Technical Specifications

Digital Section

• Digital output voltage: 500 mV ± 50 mVpp
• Output impedance: 75 Ω
• Frequency response: -0.01 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz, ref. 1 kHz)
• Maximum sampling rate: 192 kHz / 24 bits

Digital-to-Analog Converter

• Model: ES9038Pro
• Variable output voltage: 0 - 2.05 V
• Frequency response: ±0.5 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz, ref. 1 kHz)
• Total harmonic distortion: < 0.001% (1 kHz @ 2.05 Vrms)
• Maximum sampling rate: 768 kHz / 32 bits
• Signal-to-noise ratio (A-weighted): > 116 dB (RCA), > 120 dB (XLR)
• Output impedance: 120 Ω

Physical Characteristics and Power Supply

• Dimensions (W × H × D): 444 × 89 × 333 mm
• Weight: 6.2 kg (net), 8 kg (gross)
• Standby power consumption: < 0.5 W
• Carton dimensions (W × H × D): 514 × 470 × 161 mm