This is the Audiolab 9000A. The top of Audiolab’s range.
It sits above the beloved 6000 series and the newly minted 7000 series.
The last time I checked, the 8000 series is still on their website, but the 9000 does look like a replacement.
It’s a flexible Pre/integrated/Power amp with 100 W a channel into 8 Ohms. With a built-in 32-Bit DAC, certified MQA decoding, Bluetooth 5.1, and a phono stage.
And it retails for 3499 CAD.
OVERVIEW:
4.3” (800 x 480mm) Large Size Full View IPS LCD
Built-in Certified MQA Full Decoder (PC USB, Coax/Optical)
Bluetooth 5.1 (aptX/aptX HD/AAC/LDAC) Support
Dedicated High-performance, Low-noise MM Phono Stage
Dedicated Current-Feedback Headphone AMP
Integrated / PRE-POWER / PRE-Only Modes
USB Upgrade Support
INPUTS/OUTPUTS
3 x Analogue, 1 x XLR, 1 x Phono (MM), 1 x Power Amplifier,
2 x SPDIF (Coax), 2 x SPDIF (Optical), 1 x PC USB (USB B),
1 x Bluetooth (aptX/aptX HD/LDAC), 1 x 12V Trigger
1 x PRE Amplifier
1 x Stereo Speaker
1 x Headphone
1 x 12V Trigger
PREAMPLIFIER
+6dB (Line), +53dB (Phono MM)
1Vrms (Line, Volume = 0dB);
2Vrms (XLR, Volume = 0dB),
4.4mV (Phono MM, Volume=0dB)
10K (Line); 47K // 100pF (Phono MM)
20Hz-20kHz (+/-0.1dB)
2.3V max. (Volume = 0dB)
120 ohms
> 110dB (Line & XLR, A-weighted); > 80dB (Phono MM, A-weighted)
ES9038PRO 32-bit DAC
2.1Vrms
Optical / Coaxial: 44.1kHz-192kHz;
PC USB: 44.1kHz-768kHz (PCM) / DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512
> 110dB (A-weighted)
POWER AMPLIFIER SECTION
2 x 100W (8 ohms, THD
20Hz-20kHz (+/-0.3dB)
+29dB
1Vrms
> 110dB (A-weighted)
15A
HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER
2.35 ohms
20-600 ohms
9.4kg
444 x 342 x 89
Power Cord, Remote Control, User Manual, Antennas, etc.
$2999 USD
$3499 CAD
audiolab, integrated amp, dac, power, british
This is an absolutely gorgeous amplifier. And if you’re like me and you care about the shelf appeal of your audio gear then this is one for you. The casework is a gorgeous White/ silver metal housing. It’s a minimal industrial vibe. Sleek casework with exposed screws, substantial knobs, and a full-color display. The display carries over from the other amps in the Audiolab lineup. Specifically, the Omnia all-in-one amp.
The front panel is nice and simple. From the left, the display, Source selection knob, Mode knob, headphone input, volume, and power button.
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The mode knob is a curious one. You turn it to configure the amp to be an integrated, preamp, or a stand-alone power amp as part of a Home Theater system. I love that. Though I wonder if that warranted a separate knob or whether it could have been tucked inside the menu.
Even the connections on the back are great looking too.
Connections for:
The only thing that isn’t gorgeous is the remote. But it works, and the amp looks so good I don’t really care.
The sorely missing thing is, you guessed it, tone controls.
Tone controls would make this the perfect amp. Especially as the amp is so fully featured it would be great to have this functionality built in. The Audiolab reps did note that tone control circuits tend to be designed with low-quality components and that if anything, they would have a negative impact on the signal path. It is possible to use higher-grade components, but that would drive up the cost significantly.
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The other is HDMI E-arc. This is available on the lower 7000A series. But not here. HDMI would make this a showstopper.
The screen is cool. You can toggle the display to show digital VU meters or a ‘traditional’ volume dial.
Easy as hell. It’s pretty much plug-and-play. No App is required. And for someone like me who never reads the manual, that’s just fine with me.
I used the amp with the following speakers:
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