Audiolab 9000Q black

9000 Series Stereo Preamplifier and DAC

Eight years after the 8300XP power amplifier, Audiolab returns to separate components with a preamplifier that does more than simply reuse the preamp section of the 9000A integrated amplifier. Digital conversion, a phono input, a headphone output and tone controls fit inside a 9 cm-high aluminium chassis, controlled via a colour screen. It pairs with the 9000P power amplifier, but can just as easily drive another stereo power amplifier.

Electronics redesigned from the 9000A

Jan Ertner, responsible for designing the entire 9000 series, went back to basics rather than extracting the preamp from the integrated amplifier. The transformer is custom-made and sized to deliver more current than the one in the 9000A, and the power supply features mains filtering derived from the brand’s DC Block conditioners, designed to eliminate the DC component and interference present on the mains supply.

Volume control remains analogue, across four channels: each stereo channel passes through two signal paths, one for each phase of the balanced connection, and the volume acts on all four simultaneously. This allows a fully balanced path from XLR input to XLR output, without converting back to an unbalanced signal along the way. A direct mode further shortens the signal path, leaving only the volume control between input and output. The figures reflect this: a signal-to-noise ratio above 113 dB via RCA and 117 dB via XLR in direct mode, harmonic distortion below 0.001%, and a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz at ±0.1 dB.

An ES9038PRO converter supporting up to DSD512

The digital section is built around the ES9038PRO, the eight-channel chip at the top of ESS’s Sabre range. Audiolab surrounds it with its own circuitry to take advantage of HyperStream II modulation and the built-in jitter reducer, which corrects minor clock irregularities in the incoming digital stream that can blur treble and stereo imaging.

Via the USB input, a computer can send PCM up to 768 kHz and DSD up to DSD512, enough to play the most demanding high-resolution files. The two coaxial and two optical inputs accept up to 192 kHz at 24 bits and accommodate a television, a console, a network player or the 9000CDT CD transport. Upsampling can be enabled in the menu. Bluetooth 5.1 rounds out the package with aptX, aptX HD and LDAC codecs, the latter transmitting far more information than basic SBC for good-quality occasional listening from a phone.

MM phono and tone controls to suit the room

The phono input uses a new single-stage Class A circuit, with a sensitivity of 4.5 mV suited to moving magnet (MM) cartridges, the most common type found on turntables. Moving coil (MC) cartridges, which deliver a much lower voltage, will require a step-up transformer or an external phono preamp connected to a line input.

New compared with the 9000A, the bass and treble controls are adjustable in the menu from -6 to +6 dB in 2 dB steps. They help compensate for a room that boosts the low end or speakers that sound a little bright, and can be bypassed with a single action. The same menu provides access to balance and per-input sensitivity adjustment, matching the levels of different sources to avoid a jump in volume when switching from the turntable to the CD player.

Three variable outputs to expand the system

On the rear panel, two pairs of RCA outputs and one XLR output provide a variable-level signal. They are electrically isolated from one another and operate simultaneously, opening the door to bi-amping, adding a subwoofer or driving two power amplifiers. A fixed-level output feeds a recorder or an external headphone amplifier, independently of the volume control.

Three analogue line inputs and a balanced XLR input complement the phono input for conventional sources. Two 12 V trigger outputs remotely switch connected devices on and off, notably the 9000N and 9000CDT, at the same time as the preamplifier. The 120 Ω output impedance remains low and accommodates long cable runs to a remotely positioned power amplifier without audible loss.

A current-feedback headphone amplifier

The headphone output is not simply tapped from the line output: it has its own current-feedback stage. This type of circuit responds very quickly to signal changes (high slew rate) and maintains a wide bandwidth, two qualities useful for transients and treble extension.

Its very low output impedance of 2.35 Ω prevents the frequency response from changing with the headphones connected, and the load range extends from 20 to 600 Ω. This covers sensitive portable headphones as well as high-impedance studio models, with distortion below 0.01% at 50 mW.

Colour screen, level meter and two front-panel knobs

The front panel shares the design of the other components in the series and closely resembles that of the 9000N network player: two rotary knobs, a 4.3-inch 800 × 480 IPS screen positioned on the left, and clean lines in a full-width aluminium chassis (444 mm). The screen displays the source and settings, and can switch to an analogue- or digital-style level meter that tracks each channel’s level in real time. Its brightness is adjustable, and it can be switched off completely for listening in the dark.

The menu also manages automatic standby and the power-on volume limit, a precaution that prevents the system from returning to the previous day’s volume level. The 9000Q is available in black or silver, and can be operated using the supplied remote control.

Technical specifications

Preamplifier and digital-to-analog conversion

• Digital-to-analog converter: ES9038Pro, offering excellent conversion quality
• Input sensitivity:
  • Line: 1 V RMS
  • XLR: 2 V RMS
  • Moving magnet (MM) phono: 4.5 mV
• Total harmonic distortion
• Frequency range: 20 Hz - kHz 20
• Output impedance: 120 Ω
• Maximum sampling rate:
  • Optical and coaxial inputs: 192 kHz
  • Computer USB input: PCM 786 kHz, DSD512
• Signal-to-noise ratio:
  • RCA: > 113 dB
  • XLR: > 117 dB

Headphone amplifier

• Total harmonic distortion
• Output impedance: 2.35 Ω
• Load impedance: 20 to 600 Ω

Connections

• Highly flexible preamplifier connectivity
• Inputs: 3 analog, 1 phono, 2 coaxial, 2 optical, 1 Bluetooth, 1 computer USB
• Outputs: 2 RCA, 1 XLR, 1 headphone, 2 12 V trigger outputs

Included accessories

• User manual
• Power cord
• Remote control

Dimensions and weight

• Dimensions (depth × width × height): 328 mm × 444 mm × 90 mm
• Weight: 6.2 kg