Audiolab 9000Q - Stereo Preamplifier

The new 9000 Series builds on the success and legacy of the 8000, 8200, and 8300 Series, expanding and incorporating the same award-winning concept into more models. This expansion aims to appeal to a wider audience and offer its benefits to larger audio systems and solutions with the new 9000Q preamplifier and 9000P power amplifier.

The 9000Q follows the series' smart aesthetic: solidly built and impeccably finished. To the untrained eye, it bears a striking resemblance to the 9000N, with dual rotary controllers and the same acclaimed 4.3" TFT color screen.

Design and construction

As a new dedicated preamplifier solution, the 9000Q is much more than a scaled-down version of the 9000A integrated amplifier. It's a beast of a preamplifier! Designed by Jan Ertner, the lead designer of the 9000 Series components (as well as many other Audiolab components over the years), the 9000Q is a dedicated preamplifier with an improved design that can only be described as greatness revamped.

Starting with the extensively upgraded DAC section, the Audiolab 9000Q features an improved implementation of the ES9038PRO DAC chip. Building on years of experience and the industry-leading adoption of ESS DAC chips, the 9000Q employs the eight-channel 9038PRO DAC chip, the highest standard in the current Sabre range. This is complemented by proprietary circuitry to take full advantage of the chip's HyperStream II architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator technology for unprecedented dynamic range and ultra-low distortion, making it the perfect preamp interface for high-resolution (and audiophile!) digital audio files.

By detaching the “pre” concept from the integrated amplifier solution, the 9000Q can further improve as a dedicated preamplifier and this extends to an improved MM Phono input with a new single-stage Class A circuit, which would make the 9000Q an exceptional phono stage on its own.

Tone controls and inputs

The 9000Q also uses a new custom transformer. Designed as an improvement over the 9000A, with a preamp that demands to deliver current on demand, and incorporating all of Audiolab's expertise, it enables controlled performance with all of Audiolab's crisp detail and signature sound.

A step up from the already impressive performance of the 9000A "Pre," the Audiolab 9000Q incorporates new tone controls for adjusting treble and bass, accessible via the menu and with a range of +/-6 dB in 2 dB increments. This allows for subtle fine-tuning to suit your room's performance, the capabilities of your speakers or power amplifier, or even just your personal preference.

Designed to be the dedicated manager of a multi-source, multi-format hi-fi system, the 9000Q hosts a multitude of inputs. It handles analogue and digital sources with 3 line-level AUX inputs, a balanced XLR stereo pair, a dedicated phono input for the aforementioned dedicated phono preamplifier, as well as 2 x COAX (S/PDIF up to 192 kHz 24-bit), 2 x Optical (S/PDIF up to 192 kHz 24-bit), a Bluetooth 5.1 receiver and a USB PC input.

Through these inputs, the preamplifier comes to the fore.

The 9000Q provides a fixed-level AUX output and three variable Pre-Outs (2 x RCA, 1 x XLR). The three variable outputs are isolated and can be used simultaneously without any impact on performance.

With additional features such as a source configuration option that allows for a fully balanced stereo XLR signal path. A direct path from input to output that passes only through the 4-channel analog volume control.

AUX 3 can also be set to "AV Direct." This allows connection from an external pre-output or AV processor with its own volume control.

And let's not forget the dedicated headphone amplifier section, which employs wide-bandwidth, high-slew-rate current feedback circuitry; the 9000Q delivers dynamic, detailed, and engaging performance across all headphone types, with that extra Audiolab sparkle added by consistent signal integrity from all inputs.

Two 12V trigger outputs allow control of external devices, such as the 9000CDT and 9000N. The new 9000P stereo power amplifier is the perfect companion in stereo or dual-bridged mono setups.

As with the standard 9000 Series, the 9000Q uses the same 4.3" color TFT display to provide access to a wide range of settings, functions, and information through an incredibly functional overall user interface. Not only does it display level, input, file format, and signal information, but it also provides access to the amplifier's menu system, which includes options such as digital upsampling, input sensitivity adjustment, balance control, automatic standby switching, and volume reduction when the amplifier is on. It can also be set to display a VU meter in either "analog" or "digital" format, showing real-time decibel levels for the left and right channels—a satisfying graphical representation of the music as it plays. And it can be dimmed or turned off entirely, depending on the user's preference.

All in all, the 9000Q raises the bar for preamps in its price category, and the 9000 Series advances as the series to beat—in terms of specifications, price, performance with intrinsic detail, and unquestionable quality.