Audiolab 9000Q Digital / Analogue Preamplifier at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY

The Audiolab 9000Q is a flagship digital and analogue preamplifier from Audiolab (Cambridge, United Kingdom), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, New York. Designed by lead engineer Jan Ertner as the dedicated preamplifier component of the premium 9000 Series, the 9000Q pairs the ESS ES9038PRO 32-bit DAC with a fully balanced differential analogue circuit, delivering a DAC SNR exceeding 117dB (XLR Direct, A-weighted) and preamp THD below 0.001%. It accommodates analogue and digital sources across ten inputs — including balanced XLR, three RCA line inputs, a Class A MM phono stage, four S/PDIF digital inputs, USB-B at PCM 768kHz and DSD512, and Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD and LDAC — with three simultaneous variable preamp outputs (two RCA, one XLR), a fixed AUX output, tone controls, digital upsampling, and five selectable digital filters, all controlled through a 4.3-inch full-color IPS LCD display.

ESS ES9038PRO DAC, Fully Balanced Signal Path, and XLR Direct Mode

The 9000Q's digital conversion platform is built around the ESS ES9038PRO — the same flagship eight-channel 32-bit Sabre DAC found in the 9000A integrated amplifier and 9000N network streamer — implemented here with a dedicated Class A post-DAC active filter and Audiolab's proprietary DC-coupled high-gain circuitry, optimized specifically for the preamp context rather than adapted from an integrated amplifier design. The four S/PDIF inputs accept PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz, while the USB-B input handles PCM to 32-bit/768kHz and native DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, and DSD512. Full certified MQA decoding is performed internally via S/PDIF and USB inputs. Five user-selectable digital filters allow precise response tailoring, and a digital upsampling mode converts all incoming digital streams to 352.8kHz or 384kHz before conversion. The analogue section employs a differential balanced topology throughout, with a 4-channel analogue volume control as the only element in the direct signal path from input to output. XLR Direct Mode, selectable via the front panel display, maintains a fully balanced signal path from the balanced XLR input through to the XLR preamp output — a dedicated mode for purists seeking the shortest, most transparent analogue route. The 40VA ultra-low-noise toroidal power transformer, combined with advanced power supply filtering derived from Audiolab's DC Block technology series, underpins the 9000Q's measured noise performance: SNR exceeding 113dB via RCA outputs and over 117dB in XLR Direct Mode (both A-weighted).

Tone Controls, AV Direct Mode, Headphone Amplifier, and System Integration

Beyond pure signal transparency, the 9000Q incorporates practical tuning tools that the companion 9000A integrated amplifier does not offer. Accessible via the menu, the tone controls provide independent bass and treble adjustment in 2dB steps across a +/-6dB range — useful for compensating for room acoustics, speaker voicing characteristics, or personal preference without permanent signal processing. The AUX 3 input can be configured as AV Direct, enabling a direct connection from an AV processor's preamp output with its own volume control, integrating the 9000Q cleanly into a home cinema system without volume conflicts. Three variable preamp outputs — two RCA and one XLR — are fully isolated and can be used simultaneously, allowing connection to multiple power amplifiers or recording devices without mutual interference. A fixed-level RCA AUX output is also provided for connection to a recording device or secondary amplifier at unity gain. The dedicated headphone amplifier employs current-feedback circuitry with wide bandwidth and high slew rate, accommodating loads from 20 to 600 ohms with a 2.35-ohm output impedance, matching the headphone stage specification of the 9000A. Two 12V trigger outputs enable automatic power sequencing of partnering components such as the 9000CDT CD transport, 9000N network streamer, or 9000P power amplifier. Roon Tested certification confirms compatibility as a USB DAC endpoint within the Roon ecosystem.

Key Features

• ESS ES9038PRO 32-Bit DAC: Flagship eight-channel Sabre DAC with HyperStream II architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, implemented with a dedicated Class A post-DAC active filter for ultra-low noise and a DAC SNR exceeding 117dB in XLR Direct Mode.
• Fully Balanced Differential Analogue Circuit: Differential balanced topology throughout the analogue signal path, with XLR Direct Mode maintaining end-to-end balance from XLR input to XLR output, passing only through the 4-channel analogue volume control.
• PCM to 32-Bit/768kHz and Native DSD512: USB-B input supports full PCM hi-res playback alongside DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, and DSD512 natively.
• Full Certified MQA Decoding: Complete three-stage internal MQA decoder for Tidal Masters content via S/PDIF and USB inputs.
• Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD and LDAC: High-resolution wireless streaming from mobile devices with the full DAC stage and filter options available to the wireless input.
• Tone Controls with +/-6dB Range: Independent bass and treble adjustment in 2dB steps, accessible via the display menu, for room and system fine-tuning.
• Three Simultaneous Variable Preamp Outputs: Two isolated RCA outputs and one XLR output, all variable and fully independent, plus one fixed-level RCA AUX output for recording or secondary amplifier use.
• AV Direct Mode: AUX 3 input can be configured for direct connection to an AV processor's fixed-level output, enabling seamless home cinema integration without volume conflict.
• Class A MM Phono Stage: Moving magnet phono preamplifier with precise RIAA equalization, 4.5mV input sensitivity, and standard 47K/100pF input impedance.
• Current-Feedback Headphone Amplifier: Wide-bandwidth headphone output with 2.35-ohm output impedance, accommodating loads from 20 to 600 ohms.
• Digital Upsampling and 5 Selectable Filters: All incoming digital streams can be upsampled to 352.8kHz or 384kHz, with five digital filter options for response tailoring.
• Roon Tested: Verified compatibility as a USB DAC endpoint within the Roon ecosystem.
• Dual 12V Trigger Outputs: For automated power sequencing of connected 9000 Series components.

Technical Specifications

Connections at a Glance

• 3 x Analogue RCA Line Inputs
• 1 x Balanced XLR Analogue Input
• 1 x MM Phono Input (RCA, Class A stage)
• 2 x S/PDIF Coaxial Digital Inputs
• 2 x S/PDIF Optical (TOSLINK) Digital Inputs
• 1 x USB-B PC Input (PCM to 768kHz / DSD512)
• 1 x Bluetooth 5.1 (aptX HD / LDAC / aptX)
• 2 x Variable RCA Preamp Outputs
• 1 x Variable XLR Balanced Preamp Output
• 1 x Fixed RCA AUX Output (AV Direct configurable)
• 1 x Headphone Output (6.35mm, 20-600 ohm compatible)
• 2 x 12V Trigger Outputs

What's in the Box

• Audiolab 9000Q Digital / Analogue Preamplifier
• Remote Control
• Power Cord
• Bluetooth Antenna(s)
• User Manual

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Audiolab 9000Q?

The Audiolab 9000Q is a flagship digital and analogue preamplifier-DAC from Audiolab (Cambridge, UK), forming the dedicated preamp component of the premium 9000 Series. It combines the ESS ES9038PRO 32-bit DAC with a fully balanced differential analogue circuit, ten inputs (including balanced XLR, three RCA line, Class A MM phono, four S/PDIF digital, USB-B at PCM 768kHz/DSD512, and Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD and LDAC), three simultaneous variable preamp outputs, tone controls, digital upsampling, and a current-feedback headphone amplifier — delivering a DAC SNR exceeding 117dB in XLR Direct Mode.

How does the Audiolab 9000Q compare to the Rotel RC-1590 MkII, Musical Fidelity M6 PRE, and Parasound Halo P 6?

The Audiolab 9000Q distinguishes itself from competing preamplifiers through its integration of a flagship-grade DAC alongside the analogue preamp circuitry. The Rotel RC-1590 MkII (32-bit DAC, no phono, no Bluetooth) provides a clean analogue preamp with basic digital inputs but lacks the 9000Q's ES9038PRO DAC tier, native DSD support, full MQA decoding, and Bluetooth 5.1 with LDAC. The Musical Fidelity M6 PRE (no internal DAC, no digital inputs) is a pure analogue preamplifier without any digital source capability, making it a fundamentally different proposition for those who want to avoid an outboard DAC. The Parasound Halo P 6 (32-bit DAC, MM/MC phono, no MQA, no Bluetooth) adds moving coil phono compatibility that the 9000Q lacks, but does not match the 9000Q's DAC specification, SNR measurement, full MQA decoding, LDAC Bluetooth, or digital upsampling and filter options.

What is XLR Direct Mode and when should I use it?

XLR Direct Mode is a selectable signal path configuration on the 9000Q in which the analogue input signal travels from the balanced XLR input through only the 4-channel analogue volume control and directly to the balanced XLR preamp output, bypassing all other processing including tone controls and DAC circuitry. This mode is intended for users connecting a balanced analogue source — such as a balanced DAC, network streamer, or CD transport — who want the most transparent and direct signal path possible. In XLR Direct Mode the 9000Q achieves its highest measured SNR of over 117dB (A-weighted), reflecting the inherent noise rejection advantage of balanced differential signal handling throughout.

Can the Audiolab 9000Q be used as the centre of a home cinema system?

Yes. The AV Direct configuration on the 9000Q's AUX 3 input is specifically designed for home cinema integration. When AUX 3 is set to AV Direct, the input bypasses the 9000Q's volume control and accepts a line-level signal directly from an AV processor's preamp output — which has its own volume control — allowing the 9000Q to function as a pure power amplifier driver for the front stereo channels within a surround sound setup. The two 12V trigger outputs also enable automated power sequencing of a partnering power amplifier, such as the 9000P, from the 9000Q's power state.

Does the Audiolab 9000Q support moving coil (MC) cartridges?

No. The 9000Q's onboard phono stage is a Class A moving magnet (MM) design with a 4.5mV input sensitivity and 47K ohm input impedance — values that match the output characteristics of MM cartridges but are not suited to the low-output, low-impedance nature of moving coil designs. Users with an MC cartridge would require an external MC-capable phono preamplifier or step-up transformer connected to one of the 9000Q's RCA line inputs.

Is the Audiolab 9000Q compatible with the 9000A integrated amplifier as a system?

Yes, with some important context. The 9000Q is designed as the dedicated preamplifier for users who want to separate the preamp and power amplifier functions, typically pairing with the companion 9000P power amplifier. The 9000A's Power Amp In socket accepts a line-level signal from the 9000Q's RCA preamp output, enabling the 9000Q to drive the 9000A's 100W power stage directly. In this configuration, the 9000A's own preamp section is bypassed, and the 9000Q takes full control of source selection, DAC processing, volume, and tone adjustment. The system remote control is shared across all 9000 Series components.

Where can I buy the Audiolab 9000Q in Buffalo, NY or the United States?

The Audiolab 9000Q 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 the Vinyl Sound team's expertise for system configuration and setup guidance.