Audiolab 9000N Network Streamer

The Audiolab 9000N is a cutting-edge streaming solution, merging a robust streaming platform with Audiolab's digital expertise, superior DAC implementation, and user-friendly 9000 series interface.

Its dedicated app grants instant access to Qobuz and Tidal, including hi-res and MQA content, as well as Spotify, TuneIn internet radio, UPnP music servers, and USB HDD-stored digital audio files. The app offers intelligent search, playlist creation, and file management features, seamlessly identifying hi-res and MQA tracks.

Notably, the 9000N offers wireless playback over Wi-Fi, alongside full album artwork and ESS9038Pro DAC chipset integration, setting it apart from competitors. Additionally, it supports Airplay II, Tidal Connect, and Spotify Connect for versatile streaming options.

The hardware of the 9000N is built around a robust Quad Arm Cortex-A53 core MCU with a speedy 1.8 GHz per core, guaranteeing smooth and stable performance. This core not only ensures seamless operation but also improves the user experience by caching album artwork for faster loading. Audiolab's expertise in DAC circuitry, honed since the acclaimed M-DAC's release over a decade ago, shines through in the 9000N, which features the ES9038PRO eight-channel DAC chip known for its exceptional performance. Audiolab's proprietary circuitry optimizes this chip's capabilities, delivering unmatched dynamic range and minimal distortion. The 9000N also provides full decoding of hi-res streaming technology, making it an ideal amplifier for Tidal's 'HiFi Plus' tier with MQA content. It's officially Roon Tested, ensuring seamless integration in a Roon audio setup.

As any audiolab fan would expect, the 9000N incorporates state-of-the-art digital-to-analogue signal conversion. The 9000N offers connectivity via analogue XLR or RCA outputs. As a standalone MQA full decoder, it can be used with any amplifier or secondary pre-amp system that offers analogue connections. Further magic is employed through the digital output and option ‘MQA Pass through functionality’. For users who may employ an equally powerful DAC (9000A owners, for instance), the 9000N can stream and throughput an untouched MQA signal (from Tidal or Qobuz, for example) which that secondary DAC can then decode. This offers further functionality and versatility, not to mention a totally unadulterated signal flow – a benefit for the purists.

The 9000 series enters the streaming realms with a view of bringing the epitome of affordable high-end audio – build quality to be proud of, versatile functionality without a hint of compromise, and a performance that delivers every detail of the music and brings it to life in captivating style. It provides remarkable sonic consistency across all manner of digital and analogue sources, always musically engaging yet also refined.