Audiolab 7000N Play Wireless Audio Streaming Player at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY

The Audiolab 7000N Play is a mid-range network streaming audio player from Audiolab (Cambridge, United Kingdom), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, New York. The dedicated streaming component of the 7000 Series — alongside the 7000A integrated amplifier and 7000CDT CD transport — the 7000N Play pairs the ESS ES9038Q2M 32-bit DAC with the DTS Play-Fi platform, Apple AirPlay 2, and Chromecast built-in, supporting hi-res streaming at up to 24-bit/192kHz across services including Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Spotify Connect, and Deezer. An isolated power supply, coaxial and optical S/PDIF digital outputs, fixed or variable RCA analogue output, five selectable digital filters, and the same 2.8-inch full-color IPS LCD display found across the 7000 Series make the 7000N Play a versatile and well-specified streaming source at its price point.

DTS Play-Fi Platform, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and Streaming Services

The 7000N Play's streaming engine is built on DTS Play-Fi, a multi-platform whole-home audio system that handles music delivery from mobile devices, tablets, PCs, NAS drives, and DLNA servers over Wi-Fi or a wired Ethernet connection. Within Play-Fi's Critical Listening mode, audio is streamed natively to the 7000N Play at up to 24-bit/192kHz — the highest resolution the platform supports — with no downsampling to the local device. Multi-room audio is supported across all DTS Play-Fi compatible devices regardless of brand, enabling the 7000N Play to anchor or participate in a whole-home audio system. The Play-Fi app provides access to Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Spotify, Deezer, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, Pandora, KKBox, Napster, TuneIn internet radio, and DLNA home media servers, with gapless playback and a transfer mode that allows the streaming device to leave the network without interrupting playback. Apple AirPlay 2 extends compatibility to Apple Music and any other AirPlay 2-capable app, enabling direct streaming from iPhone, iPad, and Mac without requiring the Play-Fi app. Chromecast built-in provides a further path for Android users and Chromecast-native services. Spotify Connect allows direct streaming from the Spotify app without routing through Play-Fi. The 7000N Play also supports DLNA and UPnP for local network music library access from NAS drives and computers, with support for MP3, AAC, FLAC, and WAV file formats up to 24-bit/192kHz.

ESS ES9038Q2M DAC, Five Digital Filters, Flexible Output Modes, and System Integration

Digital-to-analogue conversion is handled by the ESS ES9038Q2M — the same 32-bit Sabre DAC chip found in the 7000A integrated amplifier — implemented with ESS Technology's HyperStream architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator for ultra-low noise and high dynamic range, delivering a DAC SNR exceeding 115dB (A-weighted) and THD below 0.0005%. An isolated power supply for the DAC and digital circuitry separates sensitive analogue conversion from the switching and processing stages. Five user-selectable digital filters allow fine-tuning of the DAC's frequency response to match the source material and downstream system. The RCA analogue output can be set to either fixed level or variable (0 to 2.1V) from the device menu — fixed output for connection to an amplifier's line input at a constant level, or variable for direct connection to a power amplifier with the 7000N Play acting as a volume-controlled source. The coaxial and optical S/PDIF digital outputs allow the 7000N Play to feed an external DAC — such as the 7000A's built-in DAC section — rather than using the unit's own analogue conversion, providing system flexibility for users who prefer their amplifier's DAC implementation. A 12V trigger input and trigger link output enable automatic power sequencing with compatible 7000 Series components. The 7000A and 7000N Play also support linked volume control via the included USB data cable connection.

Key Features

• DTS Play-Fi with Critical Listening Mode: Whole-home wireless audio platform supporting hi-res streaming at up to 24-bit/192kHz in Critical Listening mode, with multi-room audio across all Play-Fi compatible devices regardless of brand.
• Apple AirPlay 2: Direct streaming from Apple devices and Apple Music without the Play-Fi app, with multi-room support across AirPlay 2 compatible speakers.
• Chromecast Built-In: Native Chromecast support for Android users and Chromecast-native streaming services.
• Spotify Connect: Direct streaming from the Spotify app without routing through Play-Fi for a native Spotify experience.
• ESS ES9038Q2M 32-Bit DAC: HyperStream architecture with Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, delivering DAC SNR exceeding 115dB (A-weighted) and THD below 0.0005% — the same chip as the 7000A.
• Five Selectable Digital Filters: Fine-tune the DAC's frequency response to suit source material and system character.
• Fixed or Variable RCA Analogue Output: Output level configurable between fixed and variable (0 to 2.1V) for direct connection to either an amplifier line input or power amplifier.
• Coaxial and Optical S/PDIF Digital Outputs: For connection to an external DAC or an amplifier's digital input, bypassing the 7000N Play's own analogue stage.
• Isolated Power Supply: Dedicated isolated PSU for the DAC and digital circuitry, separating analogue conversion from switching noise sources.
• DLNA and UPnP Support: Local network library playback from NAS drives, PCs, and DLNA servers with support for MP3, AAC, FLAC, and WAV up to 24-bit/192kHz.
• Gapless Playback and Transfer Mode: No interruption between tracks; Transfer mode delivers the stream directly to the device, freeing the controlling phone or tablet for other use.
• 2.8-Inch Full-Color IPS LCD Display: 480 x 640 resolution display showing streaming service, format, track detail, and VU metering (analog and digital modes) — matching the 7000A and 7000CDT display standard.
• 12V Trigger In and Link Output: For automated power sequencing with compatible 7000 Series components.

Technical Specifications

Connections at a Glance

• Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n, 2.4GHz / 5GHz) and Ethernet (wired LAN)
• 1 x Stereo RCA Analogue Output (fixed or variable)
• 1 x Coaxial S/PDIF Digital Output
• 1 x Optical TOSLINK Digital Output
• 1 x 12V Trigger Input; 1 x 12V Trigger Link Output
• 1 x USB Type-A (firmware updates)

What's in the Box

• Audiolab 7000N Play Wireless Audio Streaming Player
• Remote Control
• Power Cord
• USB Cable (for 7000A linked volume control)
• User Manual

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Audiolab 7000N Play?

The Audiolab 7000N Play is a mid-range wireless network streaming audio player from Audiolab (Cambridge, UK), forming part of the 7000 Series alongside the 7000A integrated amplifier and 7000CDT CD transport. It combines the ESS ES9038Q2M 32-bit DAC with the DTS Play-Fi streaming platform, Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, and Spotify Connect, supporting hi-res streaming at up to 24-bit/192kHz across Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Deezer, and other major services, with DLNA/UPnP local library access, fixed or variable RCA output, coaxial and optical digital outputs, and five selectable digital filters.

How does the Audiolab 7000N Play compare to the Bluesound Node, Cambridge Audio MXN10, and WiiM Pro Plus?

The Audiolab 7000N Play stands out in its price bracket through its ESS ES9038Q2M DAC implementation and the quality of its analogue output stage. Against the Bluesound Node (BluOS platform, Roon Ready, no coaxial digital output, 24-bit/192kHz), the 7000N Play adds coaxial and optical digital outputs and the 7000 Series system integration, but the Node's BluOS platform is generally regarded as more responsive than DTS Play-Fi and includes Roon Ready certification that the 7000N Play does not offer. Against the Cambridge Audio MXN10 (Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Roon Tested, 24-bit/192kHz, no display), the 7000N Play adds a 2.8-inch full-color display and coaxial digital output alongside the optical. Against the WiiM Pro Plus (AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, 24-bit/192kHz), the 7000N Play offers a higher-specification DAC in the ES9038Q2M alongside its on-device display and Audiolab system integration, though the WiiM Pro Plus includes its own room correction features that the 7000N Play does not.

What is DTS Play-Fi Critical Listening mode?

Critical Listening mode is a DTS Play-Fi feature that delivers audio to a single device — such as the 7000N Play — at the full source resolution up to 24-bit/192kHz, without downsampling or network synchronization compromises. In standard multi-room mode, Play-Fi synchronizes audio across multiple devices by reducing the stream to up to 16-bit/48kHz to maintain timing consistency. Switching to Critical Listening mode sacrifices multi-room synchronization in favor of full hi-res quality to a single device, making it the recommended setting for serious listening sessions with high-resolution Tidal, Qobuz, or local FLAC files.

Does the Audiolab 7000N Play support Roon?

No. The 7000N Play is built on the DTS Play-Fi platform, which does not include Roon Ready or Roon Tested certification. Users who require Roon network endpoint functionality in the Audiolab range should consider the 9000N network streamer, which is built on the Lumin platform and carries full Roon Ready certification, enabling network audio delivery via RAAT protocol without a USB connection.

Can the Audiolab 7000N Play be used as a standalone DAC and preamp?

Yes, with some qualification. When the RCA analogue output is set to Variable mode, the 7000N Play functions as a streaming DAC with a volume-controlled output that can drive a power amplifier directly — effectively acting as a streaming preamp. In Fixed mode, it delivers a line-level output for connection to an integrated amplifier's line input. The coaxial and optical digital outputs also allow the 7000N Play to be used purely as a network transport, sending a digital signal to an external DAC without using the unit's own analogue conversion stage.

Does the Audiolab 7000N Play support Bluetooth or DSD?

No to both. The 7000N Play does not include Bluetooth connectivity — wireless audio input is handled exclusively via Wi-Fi through DTS Play-Fi, AirPlay 2, and Chromecast. DSD file playback is also not supported; the unit handles PCM formats including FLAC, WAV, AAC, and MP3 up to 24-bit/192kHz. For Bluetooth streaming from mobile devices, the 7000A integrated amplifier in the same series includes Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD.

Where can I buy the Audiolab 7000N Play in Buffalo, NY or the United States?

The Audiolab 7000N Play is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized Audiolab dealer in Buffalo, New York. Purchasing through an authorized dealer ensures full manufacturer warranty coverage, genuine product, and access to expert setup guidance from the Vinyl Sound team for system integration and Wi-Fi configuration.