Audiolab 9000 Series

The new Audiolab 9000CDT CD transport player is part of a brand new premium 9000 series from Audiolab. Also available is the 9000A Integrated Amplifier and there will also be a wireless audio streamer the 9000N available in the near future.

The 9000CDT builds on the reputation of the highly respected 6000CDT, engineered to make the most of any still-treasured CD collection. It incorporates a new, high-end transport mechanism, featuring a high-precision optical system and low-friction loading tray.

Following in a long list of award-winning audiolab CD playback devices, the 9000CDT uses a high-precision optical system with an electronic data buffer for accurate and seamless CD playback. The read-ahead digital buffer to reduce disc-reading failures, helping the 9000CDT play scratched and damaged CDs that may be unreadable by conventional mechanisms.

To ensure a flawless signal reaches the accompanying DAC, the coaxial output of the 9000CDT is fed from a differential line driver. The master clock is controlled by a high-accuracy crystal oscillator, enabling the digital output from both coaxial and optical sockets to exhibit vanishingly low levels of jitter (digital distortion).

The low-friction loading tray, sturdy aluminium base and chassis of the 9000CDT work to tackle vibrations that are experienced due to the mechanics of a high-spin-velocity motor. Further, the transport is mounted in its own, electromagnetically shielded enclosure with a dedicated power supply. All of which contribute to the exemplary digital signal extraction, while the proven resonance reduction further improves performance and onward effect in ancillary Hi-Fi equipment and signal chains.

In addition to the class-leading CD playback design, the 9000CDT also offers digital music file compatibly via a dedicated USB ‘Type A’ connection, to the rear of the unit. Every significant hi-res and lossless audio format is catered for, including WAV, AAC and WMA, as well as compressed legacy MP3 formats.

Sporting a 4.3” IPS LCD screen with a detailed but simple to use GUI, the 9000CDT offers a vivid representation of information including system settings, format, folder, track details and other data.

Model 9000CDT
General Description CD Transport and USB HDD player
USB Storage Device Audio Format MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV file compatible
USB Storage Device File System FAT12, FAT16 and FAT32 device compatible
Digital Output Amplitude 500 +/-50mVpp
Output Impedance 75Ω
Frequency Response -0.01dB (20Hz-20kHz, ref.1 kHz)
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) < 0.002%
Sampling Rate 44.1kHz (48kHz files can be played via the 9000CDT
but will be resampled to 44.1kHz)
Digital Output Interface 1 x Coaxial , 1 x Optical
Standby Power Consumption < 0.5W
Power Requirements (according to region) 220-240V – 50/60Hz
100-120V – 50/60Hz
Product Size (mm) (W x D x H) 444 x 322 x 89
Carton Size (mm) (W x D x H) 514 x 470 x 161
Net Weight 5.74kg
Gross Weight 7.6kg

 

The Audiolab 9000N hi-fi streamer is designed to go with the flagship Audiolab 9000 series amplifier. It has been developed over three years to offer stable, high-resolution digital music playback. A world-beating DAC is combined with a capable streaming platform to deliver the ultimate streaming solution.

You have immediate access to Qobuz and Tidal as well as full access to hi-res MQA content. Also, there are hundreds of internet radio stations and you can access locally stored files on USB or NAS. The versatile 4.3-inch screen can be used as a VU meter as well as to show track information.

Audiolab’s most sophisticated streamer to date, the 9000N features the high-end ESS Sabre ES9038Pro 32bit DAC and gives you access via Audiolab’s app to Tidal and Qobuz with support for high-res content.

Unlike many lesser streamers, the 9000N also features full decoding of MQA files with a full three-stage unfold process occurring internally – not just the final unfold as is the case with many MQA renderers. This makes it a great choice if you subscribe to Tidal’s Hi-Fi Plus subscription option.

Versatile 4.3in on-screen display

The Audiolab 9000N Streamer features a large 4.3-inch display that can be used to show a VU meter as well as information about the playing track. The front is kept simple and elegant with only two controls. Moreover, the display shows a plethora of information, including full-colour album artwork.

The intelligent Audiolab app

The Audiolab app can be used with the Audiolab 9000N Streamer as well as other Audiolab devices. This intelligent app can create user-defined playlists, folders, and album groups. Moreover, all the compilation functions are easily accessible. Qobuz and Tidal users are well catered for as Hi-res and MQA files can be easily identified with icons in the app itself.

Unusually, the Audiolab 9000N Streamer offers wireless playback over a WIFI connection. It does not depend on a wired Ethernet connection. Lastly, you can also use Airplay II as well as Tidal or Spotify Connect.

Roon ready

Roon is a music software platform that works with compatible devices such as the Audiolab 9000N Streamer. Roon has one of the most comprehensive user interfaces and will direct the flow of music to whatever device you select. Bit-perfect high-resolution playback is made simple with Roon-enabled devices.

Powerful Digital circuits

The Audiolab 9000N Streamer is based on a Quad Arm® Cortex®-A53 core MCU with 1.8 GHz per Core. This powerful system ensures seamless and fast operation. Moreover, the fast processor features faster loading for album artwork files and other system functions.

Audiolab is renowned for its high-performance DAC circuitry. Next, the Audiolab 9000N Streamer features the ES9038PRO. This eight-channel DAC chip represents the best of ESS Technology’s current Sabre range. Moreover, the surrounding circuitry is designed to make the most of the chip’s HyperStream II architecture.

Additionally, the Time Domain Jitter Eliminator technology gives amazing dynamic range and ultra-low distortion. These DAC chips are difficult to use and Audiolab has perfected the circuit design to ensure that they work to their best potential.

Versatile connectivity

The output of the Audiolab 9000N Streamer is via either balanced XLR connectors or standard RCA connectors. There is also an optical or coaxial digital output. Notably this unit can provide an MQA pass-through signal. This can be fed straight to a high-end DAC and remains untouched throughout. The MQA signal can be obtained from streaming services such as Tidal or Qobuz. Other connections include wired Ethernet as well as USB. There is also a trigger input and output.

Product Specifications

Inputs –

1 x Network Streaming

1 x PC USB (USB Type-B)

1 x Ethernet 10/100 / 1000 Base-T Ethernet

1 x 12V Trigger

Outputs –

1 x RCA (pair)

1 x XLR (pair)

1 x Optical

1 x Coaxial

1 x 12V Trigger (Link)

Supported File Formats –

DSD Lossless: DSF (DSD), DIFF (DSD), DoP (DSD)

PCM Lossless: FLAC, Apple Lossless (ALAC), WAV, AIFF

Compressed (lossy) Audio: MP3 MQA

Sampling Frequency –

PCM: 44.1kHz-768kHz (705.6kHz / 768kHz Fixed-point supported via Audiolab 9000N App streaming),DSD: DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512 (Native)

DAC –

ESS Sabre ES9038Pro 32bit DAC

App Features –

Native support for TIDAL, MQA, Qobuz and TuneIn Radio

Tidal MQA icons to easily identify high-res music

Qobuz high-res icons to identify high-res music

Volume control

High-resolution album artwork display

Dimensions (W x H x D) –

444 x 89 x 333mm

Weight –

8kg


AUDIOLAB 9000 SERIES
Brand:

Audiolab