From a options perspective, it might be more straightforward to record what’s lacking at the Audiolab 9000N streamer such is the extensiveness of its providing. We’re used to seeing tune streamers tick this field and that, regardless of their value level, however Audiolab’s new flagship streamer should be one of the flexible and feature-rich round.
First spied on the Prime Finish Munich 2023 display and now beginning to hit cabinets, the 9000N brings community streaming to the British emblem’s top-tier circle of relatives of separates, which already contains the 9000A built-in amplifier and 9000CDT CD delivery. A lot in the similar method the 6000N Play and 7000N Play do to Audiolab’s entry-level and mid-range sequence respectively. Whilst related to its streaming siblings in some ways, the 9000N has an important level of differentiation. As an alternative of utilising the DTS Play-Fi platform to supply its core streaming and person enjoy, the new flagship is according to a platform constructed from the bottom up round a Linux-based running gadget. Therefore the absence of ‘Play’ in its identify.
To that finish, the 9000N’s has a number one keep an eye on app that gives simple get right of entry to to streaming products and services comparable to Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify and TuneIn Radio. Audiolab says this platform is large on person enjoy, providing at hand options comparable to Clever seek purposes and the facility to create multi-source playlists. Spotify and Tidal may also be streamed at once from their local apps, too, due to ‘Attach’ improve for each, whilst AirPlay 2, UPnP and Roon are supported to spherical out a complete catalogue of streaming options.
Report improve is solely as all-encompassing – PCM as much as 32-bit/768kHz and local DSD as much as 22.5MHz (DSD512) throughout Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB, with complete MQA deciphering additionally at the menu. Along with USB-A and USB-B inputs (for plugging in USB sticks and laptops/computer systems respectively) are quite a lot of outputs – RCA, XLR, coaxial and optical – in order that the streamer can be utilized with an exterior DAC.
In fact, a a success streamer isn’t only a box-ticking workout; it must sound simply as whole. In a bid to succeed in that purpose, Audiolab as soon as once more has constructed its design round an ESS Generation DAC chip – this time the eight-channel ES9038PRO from the company’s perfect vary. The British emblem has leveraged the chipset’s digital-to-analogue conversion abilities with its personal proprietary circuitry, together with an ultra-precision grasp clock for tip-top timing plus “outstanding signal-to-noise ratio and outstanding dynamic vary”. Moreover, a new Elegance A circuit has been advanced for the 9000N’s design, and as in earlier Audiolab designs the DAC level has been given its personal energy provide to supply blank energy to the left and proper channels in my opinion.
The Audiolab 9000N community streamer is to be had now in a collection of black or silver, priced at £2499 / $3499 / AU$5499. That places it at once within the firing line of Naim’s veteran Award winner, the ND5 XS 2, so remember that we stay up for seeing how Audiolab’s apex fulfillment stacks up.
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