Audiolab 9000A Integrated Amplifier at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY

The Audiolab 9000A is a flagship integrated amplifier from Audiolab (Cambridge, United Kingdom), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, New York. Designed by lead engineer Jan Ertner and representing the pinnacle of Audiolab's 40-plus-year amplifier heritage, the 9000A delivers 2 x 100 watts into 8 ohms (2 x 160 watts into 4 ohms) of Class AB power, built around the ESS ES9038PRO 32-bit flagship DAC chip with full MQA decoding, a dedicated MM phono stage, and Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD and LDAC support. Its 4.3-inch full-color IPS LCD display, three operating modes (Integrated, Pre-Power, and Pre-only), and comprehensive digital and analog connectivity make the 9000A one of the most versatile and technically accomplished integrated amplifiers available in its class.

ESS ES9038PRO Flagship DAC and Hi-Res Digital Performance

At the heart of the 9000A's digital section sits the ESS ES9038PRO, the top-tier 32-bit DAC chip from ESS Technology, employing the patented HyperStream II architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator. Audiolab has worked with ESS Sabre DAC technology across multiple product generations, and the 9000A reflects the accumulated expertise of those years. The four S/PDIF digital inputs — two coaxial and two optical — accept hi-res PCM data up to 24-bit/192kHz, while the USB-B PC input extends PCM support to an extraordinary 32-bit/768kHz. DSD playback is supported through DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, and DSD512 (22.5MHz), and every major lossless format is accommodated: FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, and WAV, as well as compressed legacy formats. A suite of user-selectable digital filters allows precise tailoring of the digital response to suit the source material and system. The 9000A also incorporates a certified full MQA decoder — performing the complete three-stage unfold internally — making it an ideal match for Tidal HiFi Plus subscribers accessing Tidal Masters content. Bluetooth connectivity steps up to aptX HD, LDAC, aptX, AAC, and SBC via Bluetooth 5.1, ensuring high-quality wireless streaming from smartphones, tablets, and laptops with access to the full quality of the DAC stage.

Class AB Power Amplification, CFB Topology, and System Flexibility

The 9000A's discrete Class AB power amplifier stage delivers a genuine 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms, rising to 160 watts per channel into 4 ohms, backed by a custom-specified 320VA toroidal transformer and a total of 60,000uF reservoir capacitance (four capacitors of 15,000uF each). This combination supports firm dynamic control and wide headroom under demanding conditions. The amplifier circuit is built on Audiolab's proprietary CFB (Complementary Feedback) topology, which delivers superior linearity and consistent thermal stability by keeping idle current independent of output transistor temperature. The preamp section is deliberately minimalist, routing line-level signals through a precision analog volume stage with careful attention to shielding from noise and interference. A high-performance JFET-based MM phono stage with precise RIAA equalization serves vinyl playback, and a current-feedback headphone amplifier with a 2.35-ohm output impedance handles headphone loads from 20 to 600 ohms. Three system operating modes add further versatility: Integrated mode combines pre and power stages for standard use; Pre-Power mode separates them, enabling connection to an AV processor or insertion of an outboard processor in the signal chain; and Pre mode disables the power stage entirely, allowing external power amplification to be added as an upgrade path.

Key Features

• ESS ES9038PRO 32-Bit DAC: Flagship Sabre DAC chip with HyperStream II architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, delivering a DAC SNR of over 117dB (A-weighted) and THD below 0.001%.
• 100W Per Channel Class AB Power: Genuine 2 x 100W into 8 ohms and 2 x 160W into 4 ohms via a discrete Class AB stage with CFB topology, 320VA toroidal transformer, and 60,000uF total reservoir capacitance.
• Full MQA Decoding: Certified full three-stage MQA decoder built in for complete unfolding of MQA/Tidal Masters files without reliance on an external renderer.
• Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD and LDAC: High-resolution wireless streaming with support for aptX HD, LDAC, aptX, aptX Low Latency, AAC, and SBC protocols.
• Hi-Res PCM to 32-Bit/768kHz and DSD512: USB-B input supports the highest available PCM sampling rates alongside DSD64 through DSD512 natively.
• Dedicated MM Phono Stage: JFET-based moving magnet phono preamplifier with precise RIAA equalization, offering 53dB of gain and a 47K/100pF input impedance.
• Current-Feedback Headphone Amplifier: Wide-bandwidth, high-slew-rate headphone output with a 2.35-ohm output impedance, accommodating loads from 20 to 600 ohms.
• Three Operating Modes: Integrated, Pre-Power, and Pre-only modes give the 9000A a flexible role in integrated, home cinema, and separates-based system configurations.
• 4.3-Inch Full-Color IPS LCD Display: High-resolution 800 x 480 display with source information, file data, VU meter options, and full menu navigation, including a display-off mode.
• Balanced XLR Input: A dedicated balanced XLR analog input complements three unbalanced RCA line inputs and the MM phono input.

Technical Specifications

Connections at a Glance

• 3 x Analog RCA Line Inputs
• 1 x Balanced XLR Analog Input
• 1 x MM Phono Input (RCA)
• 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 / AAC / SBC)
• 1 x Power Amplifier Input (pre-amp bypass)
• 1 x Preamp Output (RCA)
• 1 x Stereo Speaker Output (binding posts)
• 1 x Headphone Output (6.35mm, 20-600 ohm compatible)
• 1 x 12V Trigger Input + 1 x 12V Trigger Output

What's in the Box

• Audiolab 9000A Integrated Amplifier
• Remote Control
• Power Cord
• Bluetooth Antenna(s)
• User Manual

Awards and Critical Recognition

• StereoNET Applause Award, 2023 — Awarded by StereoNET International following the publication's full review
• Pursuit Perfect System Stand Out Product of 2023 — Recognized by Pursuit Perfect System among the standout audio products of the year

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Audiolab 9000A?

The Audiolab 9000A is a flagship integrated stereo amplifier from Audiolab, a British audio brand with over 40 years of amplifier design heritage. It delivers 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms via a discrete Class AB circuit, built around the ESS ES9038PRO 32-bit DAC, with full MQA decoding, a moving magnet phono stage, Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD and LDAC, and a current-feedback headphone amplifier — all in a single chassis controlled by a 4.3-inch full-color IPS LCD display.

How does the Audiolab 9000A compare to the Naim Nait XS 3, Rega Elex-R, and Cambridge Audio EVO 150?

The Audiolab 9000A occupies a distinct position among premium integrated amplifiers. Compared to the Naim Nait XS 3 (75W, analog-focused, no built-in DAC or phono stage), the 9000A adds a flagship 32-bit ESS DAC, full MQA decoding, USB-B hi-res input, and Bluetooth 5.1 at a comparable or lower price point, while matching or exceeding it in measured power output. Against the Rega Elex-R (90W, no DAC, no Bluetooth), the 9000A provides a comprehensive digital front end alongside the analog preamplification, making it a full-system hub rather than a pure analog amplifier. Compared to the Cambridge Audio EVO 150 (streaming integrated, 150W), the 9000A trades the built-in streaming module for a more refined DAC implementation using the higher-tier ES9038PRO chip and offers the added Pre-Power and Pre-only operating modes, which the EVO 150 does not provide.

Does the Audiolab 9000A support MQA and Tidal Masters playback?

Yes. The 9000A is a certified full MQA decoder, performing the complete three-stage unfolding process entirely within the unit. This means that when connected to a computer or compatible transport running Tidal HiFi Plus, the amplifier decodes MQA files from the first unfold through the final reconstruction — no external MQA renderer or software renderer is required. This distinguishes it from products that only perform partial MQA rendering.

What is CFB (Complementary Feedback) topology and why does it matter?

CFB, or Complementary Feedback, is Audiolab's proprietary power amplifier circuit design that achieves superior linearity by keeping the idle current of the output stage independent of transistor temperature. In practical terms, this means the amplifier maintains consistent harmonic distortion and gain characteristics as it warms up during use, rather than drifting with thermal changes as simpler designs can. The result is a stable, low-distortion amplifier that behaves consistently from the first note to the last in an extended listening session.

Can the Audiolab 9000A be used as a standalone preamplifier or power amplifier?

Yes. The 9000A offers three distinct operating modes. In Pre-only mode, the power amplifier stage is disabled and the unit functions as a high-performance standalone preamplifier, allowing an external power amplifier to be connected for a separates-based upgrade. In Pre-Power mode, the preamplifier and power amplifier stages are separated, enabling the 9000A's power amp section to be driven directly — for example, from an AV processor in a home cinema system, or with an outboard signal processor inserted between the preamp out and power amp in sockets.

What turntables and cartridges are compatible with the 9000A's phono stage?

The 9000A's onboard phono stage is designed for moving magnet (MM) cartridges exclusively. It provides a JFET-based circuit with precise RIAA equalization, 53dB of gain, and a standard 47K ohm input impedance with 100pF capacitive loading — values that match the requirements of the vast majority of MM cartridges on the market, from budget to high-output moving coil designs used in MM mode. Moving coil (MC) cartridges requiring lower input impedance and higher gain are not compatible with this stage directly; an outboard MC step-up transformer or dedicated MC phono preamplifier would be needed.

Is the Audiolab 9000A compatible with Roon?

Yes. The Audiolab 9000A is Roon Tested, meaning it has been verified by Roon Labs for compatibility as a USB DAC endpoint. When connected via its USB-B input to a Roon Core running on a computer or dedicated Roon server, the 9000A appears as an available audio output and can receive PCM audio up to 32-bit/768kHz. For full Roon Ready network streaming (AirPlay or RAAT protocol), the companion Audiolab 9000N network streamer connected to the 9000A's digital inputs is the recommended solution.

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

The Audiolab 9000A is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized Audiolab dealer located in Buffalo, New York. Purchasing from an authorized dealer ensures full manufacturer warranty coverage, genuine product, and access to professional setup and after-sales support from the Vinyl Sound team.