Audiolab D9 DAC

Vinyl Sound USA Verified independent store

→

Audiolab D9 DAC and Headphone Amplifier at Vinyl Sound Buffalo NY USA The D9 is a reference-class DAC and headphone amplifier from Audiolab (Cambridge, England), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA. Successor to the legendary M-DAC and M-DAC+ lineage, the D9 represents Audiolab's return to the standalone DAC after nearly a decade, arriving as the brand's most accomplished digital converter to date. At its core is the ESS Technology ES9038PRO 32-bit DAC, the flagship eight-channel Sabre32 chip, implemented with Audiolab's proprietary master clock, linear power supply with toroidal transformer, discrete voltage regulators, and Class A post-DAC filter, delivering a signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 123dB (A-weighted, XLR) and THD below 0.001% at 1kHz. Supporting PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz, DSD512, full MQA decoding, Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD and LDAC, AES/EBU input, and a current-feedback headphone amplifier rated for 20-600 ohm loads, the D9 is both a versatile digital hub and a high-fidelity statement piece, finished in an all-aluminium chassis with a 2.8-inch full-colour IPS display. ESS Sabre32 ES9038PRO: Eight-Channel Reference DAC Implementation The ES9038PRO is ESS Technology's flagship DAC chipset, and its eight-channel architecture is the key differentiator that separates the D9 from more common two-channel implementations. Audiolab uses all eight channels to construct a fully balanced stereo signal path, assigning four channels per side to reduce correlated noise through inherent averaging of the multiple converters. Combined with Audiolab's HyperStream II architecture exploitation and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, the implementation achieves ultra-low phase noise and timing accuracy that preserves the three-dimensional spatial information embedded in high-resolution recordings. The result is a measured THD of less than 0.001% at 1kHz and a noise floor more than 123dB below the signal level on the balanced XLR output. Five selectable DAC reconstruction filters allow users to adjust the transient response and high-frequency rolloff characteristics of the converter to suit their system and source material, and an optional upsampling mode processes digital audio to 352.8kHz or 384kHz to allow the DAC to operate further from its transition band for a more relaxed filter response. Linear Power Supply with Toroidal Transformer and Discrete Regulation Unlike many DACs at this level that use switching power supplies, the D9 is built around a high-quality linear power supply anchored by a low-noise toroidal transformer. Multiple discrete voltage regulators service each section of the circuitry independently, preventing noise generated in one stage from propagating into adjacent circuits. This architecture mirrors what Audiolab deploys in the flagship 9000 Series components and is a primary reason the D9 achieves its measured noise floor. The Class A post-DAC active filter that follows the ES9038PRO ensures that the analogue output signal is shaped and buffered by a topology that operates entirely within its linear region, avoiding the crossover distortion associated with Class AB or switching output stages. Combined with the all-aluminium chassis that shields internal circuitry from external electromagnetic interference, the D9's power and analogue architecture directly contribute to the measured performance figures rather than being merely cosmetic engineering decisions. Current-Feedback Headphone Amplifier The D9 incorporates a dedicated current-feedback headphone amplifier section with a 2.35-ohm output impedance, compatible with headphones from 20 to 600 ohms. Current-feedback topology offers a fundamentally faster slew rate and wider bandwidth than conventional voltage-feedback designs, which benefits transient response and high-frequency extension when driving demanding full-size planar magnetic or dynamic headphones. Measured THD from the headphone output is below 0.01% at 1kHz at 50mW, and the high slew rate characteristic means the amplifier does not compress or round off rapid signal transitions in complex musical passages. The headphone output is independent of the analogue outputs, allowing the D9 to drive headphones and feed a preamplifier or integrated amplifier simultaneously from the same source. Connectivity and High-Resolution Format Support The D9 supports every major digital input format in a single chassis. The PC USB input (USB Type-B) accepts PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD up to DSD512 (22.5MHz) from Windows and Mac computers. The two coaxial and two optical S/PDIF inputs handle PCM up to 192kHz, while the AES/EBU balanced digital input adds professional-grade connectivity for studio equipment and high-end network players. A USB Type-A port supports direct playback from USB hard drives and flash drives with MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC, and APE compatibility at up to 96kHz. Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD and LDAC enables high-resolution wireless streaming from smartphones and computers, with LDAC supporting up to 990kbps over Bluetooth for near-lossless wireless delivery. Digital outputs including coaxial and optical S/PDIF allow the D9 to function as a digital switcher and reclocker, feeding other DACs or processors downstream. Two 12V trigger outputs integrate the D9 into automated system control environments. Key Features ESS Technology ES9038PRO 32-Bit DAC: Eight-channel Sabre32 flagship chipset with HyperStream II architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, deployed in a fully balanced stereo configuration for maximum noise rejection and dynamic range. SNR over 123dB (XLR), THD below 0.001%: Reference-class measured performance from the balanced output, with 4.1Vrms XLR output level and 2.05Vrms RCA output level at 0dBFS. Full MQA Decoding: Complete MQA unfolding and rendering from PC USB, coaxial, and optical inputs for authenticated master-quality playback from Tidal and local MQA files. PCM 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512 Support: Highest-resolution playback over PC USB, with 192kHz maximum over coaxial and optical S/PDIF. Roon Tested Certification: Confirmed compatible with Roon audio management software for seamless integration into Roon-based system ecosystems. Five Selectable DAC Reconstruction Filters: User-adjustable digital filter modes allow fine-tuning of transient sharpness and high-frequency rolloff to match system character and source material. Upsampling to 352.8kHz or 384kHz: Optional upsampling mode processes incoming digital audio to high multiples of the base sampling rate for a relaxed filter transition band and enhanced musical detail retrieval. Linear Power Supply with Toroidal Transformer: High-quality linear regulation with a low-noise toroidal transformer and multiple discrete regulators per circuit section, matching the architecture of the Audiolab 9000 Series. Class A Post-DAC Active Filter: Pure Class A buffering and filtering between the DAC chip and analogue outputs eliminates crossover distortion from the analogue signal path. Current-Feedback Headphone Amplifier: High slew rate, wide bandwidth amplifier for 20-600 ohm headphones, with 2.35-ohm output impedance and THD below 0.01% at 50mW. Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD and LDAC: High-resolution wireless streaming with Sony LDAC support for up to 990kbps over Bluetooth from Android and other LDAC-equipped devices. AES/EBU Balanced Digital Input: Professional-grade XLR digital input for network players, disc transports, and studio equipment using the AES3 interface standard. USB HDD Playback: Direct file playback from USB hard drives and flash drives without a computer, supporting MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC, and APE formats up to 96kHz. Coaxial and Optical Digital Outputs: S/PDIF digital outputs allow the D9 to feed downstream DACs, processors, or recording equipment in the digital domain. 2.8-Inch Full-Colour IPS Display: 480x640 resolution colour screen with real-time audio meter modes, input and format readout, artist and track information for USB HDD and Bluetooth sources, and multilingual menu support. Two 12V Trigger Outputs: Low-voltage trigger outputs for automated system switching with compatible amplifiers and processors. All-Aluminium Chassis: Full aluminium enclosure provides electromagnetic shielding and structural rigidity, finished in black or silver. Technical Specifications DAC Chip ESS Technology ES9038PRO (32-bit, 8-channel) Output Level (0dBFS, 1kHz) 2.05Vrms (RCA) / 4.1Vrms (XLR) THD (DAC Output) 118dB A-weighted (RCA) / >123dB A-weighted (XLR) Frequency Response 20Hz - 20kHz (+/-0.1dB) Max PC USB Sampling Rate PCM 32-bit/768kHz; DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512 Max Optical / Coaxial Rate PCM 192kHz Max USB HDD Rate 96kHz MQA Full decoder (PC USB, Coaxial, Optical) DAC Reconstruction Filters 5 selectable Upsampling 352.8kHz or 384kHz Headphone THD Show more