Audiolab 9000A Integrated Amplifier

Meet the 9000A Integrated Amplifier

 

Brought to you by Audiolab

The 9000A is the centre of the audiolab focus in being the beating heart of any high-performance audio system. It’s more powerful, capable and feature-packed than any of the preceding models – the most advanced audiolab integrated amplifier yet.

Versatility is key to audiolab’s integrated amplifier appeal, and the 9000A offers to cater for audiophiles of all creeds. Loaded with digital and analogue source connection, wireless connectivity for portable devices, an all-new phono stage to cater for vinyl playback and the usual, class-leading amplification for loudspeakers and headphones.

 
Digital Face

Audiolab 9000A Integrated Amplifier features a full-colour IPS LCD screen, offering clear and informative playback, source and file information as well as a host of menu options for optimum performance and user-defined settings.

A number of display options are provided including two VU meter options, allowing the 9000A to be visually informative or, in the case of ‘display off’ settings, a discreet centrepiece of any audio system.

Flexible and capable

Differentiating itself from rivals within its category, the audiolab 9000A blends digital capability with an analogue pedigree. Premium level D/A conversion allows a range of digital sources (over four digital inputs) to be connected directly to this high-power integrated unit.

The 9000A also caters for analogue device integrations (via three AUX, balanced XLR and a dedicated phono input) and also supports wireless connectivity via Bluetooth and digital audio via a PC USB connection.

Design Initative

The 9000A is the brainchild of lead designer, Jan Ertner. Famed for a plethora of class-leading and award-winning audio electronic models, Jan has pushed the 9000A to the highest levels of performance by evolving and redeveloping the principles that created the 8300A and uber-successful 6000A, to deliver the most exceptional performance ever seen in an audiolab integrated amplifier.

 

Flagship DAC

The 9000A features the latest ESS 9038PRO flagship 32-bit DAC chip. Using the critically acclaimed patented HyperStream® II architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, the ES9038PRO delivers an unprecedented performance level that will satisfy the needs of the most demanding audio applications.

Years of experience and countless ESS-equipped models mean that audiolab is more than familiar with making the most of this technically excellent but challenging DAC technology. Great attention has been paid in developing a system that allows audiolab electronics and ESS DAC technology to offer the best in audiophile performance.

Input Edge

The amp’s four S/PDIF digital inputs – two coaxial and two optical – handle hi-res PCM data up to 24-bit/192kHz and benefit from a host of user-selectable digital filters that allow the user to optimise the response to suit the source file and bandwidth of the partnering equipment.

PCM audio is supported to 32-bit/768kHz, alongside DSD to 22.5MHz (DSD512). Every significant hi-res and lossless audio format is catered for, including FLAC, ALAC, AIFF and WAV, as well as compressed legacy formats.

ROON Tested

The audiolab 9000A is Roon tested, opening up to the world of Roon.

Roon’s fundamental goal is to provide a consistently stellar user experience. This goal doesn’t stop at the software… the experience extends all the way down to the audio playback hardware, regardless of manufacturer. A

s a Roon Tested partner, audiolab has provided equipment to Roon for testing with a variety of different operating systems and computers and shared information about its design and capabilities.

MQA All The Way

The 9000A also delivers full decoding of MQA, the hi-res streaming technology from a custom engineered MQA certified DAC solution. This means that the complete ‘three unfold’ decoding process is performed internally, as opposed to just the final unfold in the manner of an MQA ‘renderer’, which makes the 9000A an excellent system choice for subscribers to Tidal’s ‘HiFi Plus’ tier where Tidal Masters (MQA) content can be found.

As expected for modern audio playback convenience, Bluetooth connectivity is featured as standard with the 9000A stepping up to the aptX HD protocol for sonically superior and easy wireless streaming from smartphones, tablets, laptops and more. Bluetooth-paired devices also benefit from the quality of the amp’s DAC section and filter options.

A Class all of its Own

The discrete Class AB power amp stage delivers 100W per channel into 8 ohms (160w per channel into 4 ohms!). Unlike over-specified competitor models, the genuine 100W per channel will put the 9000A up against the best in its class. Referring to the standards set with the audiolab 6000A (rated at 50W per channel), the 9000A’s 100W per channel will undoubtedly satisfy the most demanding of loudspeakers and their power-hungry masters.

A key to the audiolab performance is the world-famous CFB (Complementary Feedback) topology, which ensures superior linearity and excellent thermal stability, as the idle current is kept independent of the temperature of the output transistors. An all-new and custom specified 320VA toroidal transformer, followed by 4 x 15,000uF reservoir capacity (60,000uF in total), helps the amp to maintain firm control of the music whilst enabling excellent dynamic range.

In an effort to maintain consistent signal purity, with line input signals passing to a precision analogue volume stage, the preamp section is kept as simple as possible. As with all of Jan Ertner’s designs, the circuity is a work of art in more than layout and architecture. The very design protects the sensitive preamp section from noise interference and colouration – a key cornerstone of the audiolab philosophy.

High-Performance Phono Stage

The all-new phono pre-amp for 9000A offers compatibility for moving magnet – a JFET-based circuit with precise RIAA equalisation offers the best of both worlds for the turntable using audiolab fans.

Similarly, for the headphone output stage employing current-feedback circuitry with wide bandwidth and high slew rate; the 9000A ensures a dynamic, detailed and engaging performance with all manner of headphone types, with that extra added audiolab sparkle from the consistent signal integrity from all inputs.

The audiolab 9000A continues with the theme of flexibility in audio system integration. As is a staple to the audiolab integrated amplifier design, the 9000A offers three variations of operating mode, making it a versatile and essential component in any system.

 

Power to the People

The primary mode is ‘Integrated’ – this combines the pre and power amp stages, for the connection of digital and analogue sources to the amp’s inputs and a pair of speakers to its binding posts.

‘Pre-Power Mode’ disconnects the pre and power amp stages. The allows the 9000A to be used solely as a power amp – for example, connected to an AV processor in a home cinema system. It also enables additional signal processing to be added, by connecting the 9000A’s ‘preamp out’ socket to an external processor, then returning the processor’s output to the amp’s ‘power amp in’ socket, making the most of its gargantuan 100W per channel performance and critical performance characteristic of the 9000A’s pre-section, regardless of what magic the users wants to implement in between! 

Technical Specifications

General Description
Integrated Amplifier

Design Philosophy and Core Technology

2 x 100W (8 ohms) / 2 x 160W (4 ohms) Class AB
ES9038Pro 32-bit DAC
4.3" (800 x 480px) Large Size Full View IPS LCD
Built-in Certified MQA Full Decoder (PC USB, Coax/Optical)
Bluetooth 5.1 (aptX/aptX HD/AAC/LDAC) Support
Dedicated High-performance, Low-noise MM Phono Stage
Dedicated Current-Feedback Headphone AMP
Integrated / PRE-POWER / PRE Only Modes
USB Upgrade Support

Inputs
3 x Analogue, 1 x XLR, 1 x Phono (MM), 1 x Power Amplifier
2 x SPDIF (Coax), 2 x SPDIF (Optical) 
1 x HDMI ARC, 1 x PC USB (USB B - Windows / mac OS only), 1 x Bluetooth (aptX/aptX LL), 1 x 12V Trigger

Outputs
1 x PRE Amplifier, 1 x Stereo Speaker, 1 x Headphone, 1 x 12V Trigger

Sampling Frequency
Optical / Coaxial: 44.1kHz-192kHz
PC USB: 44.1kHz-768kHz (PCM) / DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512

Preamplifier Section

Gain
+6dB (Line); +53dB (Phono MM)

Input Sensitivity
1Vrms (Line, Volume = 0dB)
2Vrms (XLR, Volume = 0dB), 4.4mV (Phono MM, Volume=0dB)

Input Impedance
10K (Line); 47k/100pF (Phono MM)

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
Frequency Response
20Hz-20kHz (+/-0.1dB)

Output Voltage
2.3V max. (Volume = 0dB)

Output Impedance
120 ohms

Signal-to-Noise Ratio
>110dB (Line, A-weighted); > 80dB (Phono MM, A-weighted) 

DAC

D to A Converter
ES9038Pro
 

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
Output Level (OdBFS, 1kHz)
2.01 Vrms

Max.Sampling Frequency
Optical, Coaxial: 192kHz
PC USB: PCM768kHz, DSD512

Signal-to-Noise Ratio
>117dB (A-weighted)

Power Amplifier Section

Gain
+29dB

Rated Power Output
2 x 100W (8 ohms, THD
2 x 160W (4 ohms, THD

Frequency Response
20Hz-20kHz (+/-0.3dB)

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
Input Sensitivity
1Vrms

Signal-to-Noise Ratio
>110dB (A-weighted)

Max. Output Current
15A 

Headphone Amplifier Section

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
Output Impedance
2.35 ohms

Load  Impedance
20-600 ohms

General Information

Standby Power Consumption
Power Requirements (depending on Region)
220-240V ~ 50/ 60Hz
100-120V ~ 50/ 60Hz

Finishes
Black
Silver

Dimensions (W x H x D)
444 x 89 x 342 mm - including feet, terminals and controls

Weight
9.4  kg

Included Assessories
Power Cord
Remote Control
User Manual
Antennas, etc.
 

 

*This information has been obtained from Manufacturers website. We advise that Price, Features & Specifications are subject change without notice.

E&OE