About The Audiolab 9000Q Preamplifier
The Audiolab 9000Q is a preamplifier that embodies the audio excellence of the flagship 9000 series. This refined preamplifier embodies a symphony of innovation and craftsmanship, featuring functional enhancements that elevate your listening journey. With its tone controls and fully balanced signal paths, the 9000Q empowers you to explore your music with unparalleled versatility and precision. Embrace the power of sound and let the 9000Q ignite your passion for music, transforming every note into a powerful emotional experience.
The 9000 series builds upon the success and precedents of the 8000, 8200, and 8300 series, expanding and incorporating the same award-winning concept into more models. This expansion aims to appeal to a wider audience and deliver its benefits to more extensive audio systems and solutions with the new 9000Q preamplifier and 9000P power amplifier.
The 9000Q follows the smart aesthetic of the series - solidly built and impeccably finished. To the untrained eye, it bears a striking resemblance to the 9000N with dual rotary controllers and the same acclaimed 4.3" colour TFT screen.
Design and Build: As a new dedicated Preamplifier solution, the 9000Q is far more than a trimmed down version of the 9000A integrated amplifier. It's a beast of a Pre! Designed by Jan Ertner, the lead designer in the 9000 series components (as well as many other Audiolab components over the years), the 9000Q is a design enhanced dedicated preamplifier that can be described as greatness improved.
Starting with the much complemented DAC section, the Audiolab 9000Q has an improved implementation of the ES9038PRO DAC chip. Building on the years of experience, and class-leading adoption of ESS DAC chipsets, the 9000Q employs the eight-channel 9038PRO DAC chip, the highest standard in the current Sabre range. This is accompanied by proprietary circuitry to make the most of the chip's HyperStream II architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator technology for unprecedented dynamic range and ultra-low distortion, making it the perfect preamplifier interface for high-resolution digital audio files (and audiophiles!).
In detaching the 'pre' concept from the integrated amplifier solution, the 9000Q is allowed to further improve as a dedicated preamplifier and this extends to an enhanced MM Phono input featuring a new single stage Class-A circuit, which would make the 9000Q an exceptional phono stage alone.
Tone Controls and Inputs: The 9000Q also uses a new, custom-specified transformer. Engineered as an improvement over the 9000A, and with all the Audiolab know-how, it enables a controlled performance with all the crisp detail and Audiolab sound signature.
The Audiolab 9000Q incorporates new tone controls for treble and bass adjustment, accessible via the menu, and with a range of +/-6dB in 2dB steps. This allows delicate fine-tuning to suit room performance, speaker or power amplifier capabilities or even just personal preference.
Designed to be the dedicated management of a multi-source, multi-format, hi-fi system, the 9000Q accommodates a multitude of inputs. It caters for analogue and digital sources with 3 x line level Aux inputs, a balanced XLR stereo pair, a dedicated phono input for the aforementioned dedicated phono preamplifier, as well as 2 x Coax (S/PDIF up to 192kHz 24Bit), 2 x Optical (S/PDIF up to 192kHz 24Bit), a Bluetooth 5.1 receiver and a PC USB input.
The 9000Q provides a fixed level Aux output, and three variable Pre outputs (2 x RCA, 1 x XLR). The three variable outputs are isolated and can be used simultaneously without any impact on performance.
Another feature is the source configuration option that allows for a fully balanced stereo XLR signal path - a direct path from input to output only passing through the 4-channel analogue Volume Control.
Aux 3 can also be set to "AV Direct". This allows connection from an external pre-output or AV processor with its own volume control.
And let's not forget the dedicated headphone amplifier section which employs current-feedback circuitry with wide bandwidth and high slew rate; the 9000Q ensures a dynamic, detailed and engaging performance with all manner of headphone types, with that extra added Audiolab sparkle and consistent signal integrity from all inputs.
Two 12V Trigger Outputs allow for control of external devices, such as the 9000CDT and 9000N. The new 9000P stereo power amplifier is the perfect companion in stereo or dual bridged mono configurations.
As with the 9000 series standard, the 9000Q uses the same 4.3" full colour TFT display to offer access to a wealth of setting, functions and information via an incredibly functional General User Interface. Not only displaying level, input, file format and signal information, it gives access to the amp's menu system, which includes such options as digital up-sampling, 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 – a satisfying graphical representation of the music as it plays. And it can be dimmed or turned off completely, as the user prefers.
All-in-all, the 9000Q raises the bar for preamplifiers within its price category and the 9000 series strides forward as the series to beat – in terms of specification, price, performance with intrinsic detail and unarguable quality.
Our Take
The Audiolab 9000Q is a flagship preamplifier that epitomises the excellence of the 9000 series, offering an unmatched fusion of innovation and craftsmanship. Designed by Jan Ertner, it is a dedicated preamplifier that elevates sound management for audiophiles with its enhanced ES9038PRO DAC implementation and a fully balanced signal path. Its versatility shines through features like tone controls, a phono input with a Class-A circuit, and support for various analogue and digital sources, including Bluetooth 5.1 and USB. The 9000Q's 4.3" colour TFT screen provides intuitive control and detailed information, while its dedicated headphone amplifier ensures dynamic and engaging performance. With its robust build, refined aesthetics, and comprehensive functionality, the 9000Q sets a new benchmark for high-performance preamplifiers in its class.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: Fully Featured Preamplifier with Analogue & Digital Inputs
- The Audiolab 9000P Power Amplifier is the perfect companion in stereo or dual bridged mono configurations
- Design Philosophy and Core Technology
- ES9038Pro 32-bit DAC
- MQA Full decoder (PC USB, Coax/Optical)
- 3" 800 x 480 IPS LCD
- Bluetooth 5.1 (aptX/aptX HD/LDAC) streaming
- Dedicated Current-Feedback Headphone Amp
- Dedicated High Performance Low Noise MM Phono stage
- Inputs
- 3 x Analogue, 1 x XLR, 1 x Phono (MM)
- 2 x SPDIF (Coax), 2 x SPDIF (Optical)
- 1 x PC USB (USB B), 1 x Bluetooth (aptX/aptX HD/LDAC)
- Outputs
- 2 x RCA
- 1 x XLR
- 1 x Headphone
- 2 x 12V Trigger
- Sampling Frequencies
- Optical/Coaxial: 44.1-192kHz
- PC USB: 44.1kHz-768kHz (PCM) / DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD5, DSD512
Preamplifier / DAC
- D to A Converter: ES9038Pro
- Input Sensitivity
- 1Vrms (Line, Volume = 0dB)
- 2Vrms (XLR, Volume = 0dB)
- 5mV (Phono MM, Volume = 0dB)
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): < 0.001% (1KHz @ 0dBFS)
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz (+/-0.1dB)
- Output Impedance: 120 Ohms
- Sampling Frequency
- Optical, Coaxial: 192KHz
- PC USB: PCM768kHz, DSD512
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio (S/N)
- 113dB (A-weighted, RCA)
- 117dB (A-weighted, XLR Direct)
Headphone Amplifier
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): < 0.01% (1kHz, 50mW )
- Output Impedance: 2.35 Ohms
- Load Impedance: 20-600 Ohms
General
- Standby Power Consumption: <0.5W
- Included Accessories: Power Cord, Remote Control, User Manual, Antennas
- Removable Power Cable: Upgrade to a Premium Power Cable for better performance
- Available Finishes: Black, Silver
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 444 x 90 x 328mm
- Weight: 6.2 kg
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 2 Years
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.