Audiolab D7 And D9 Standalone DACs – Quick Look
All Image Credit: Audiolab
Audiolab, a Cambridgeshire-based UK audio brand has announced two standalone dedicated DACs as successors to their popular M-DAC, with the launch of the compact D7 and premium D9 models. Both are available in either a black or silver finish.
Both models offer the following common connectivity and feature set; aptX HD Bluetooth, 2 x coaxial, 2 x TOSLINK and USB-A/USB-B digital inputs, output analogue is via balanced XLR and single-ended RCA and support variable or fixed analogue outputs. USB-B inputs support PCM up to 32bit/768kHz, DSD up to DSD512 and full MQA unfolding with digital output connectivity supporting TOSLINK and coax. There are five digital filters with 2x upsampling and a front panel 6.4mm headphone output that incorporates current-feedback headphone amps with wide bandwidth and high slew rate that are said to be able to drive 600mW into 20 – 600 Ohms. Control is available using the two 3.5mm 12VDC trigger outputs.
The D7 is the smaller of the two designs making ideal for desktop use and just like its larger sibling also has a front panel headphone socket. The design is based upon the ESS ES9038Q2M chip, and shares its core architecture with Audiolab’s latest 6000A MkII and 7000A amplifiers. Connectivity is diverse enough to act as a digital audio hub offering multiple USB and S/PDIF inputs, supports PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512, and includes full MQA decoding together with Bluetooth 5.1 and aptX HD. The design also includes a selection of digital filters and upsampling options. Control is available using the supplied handheld remote or front panel controls, with functions and data displayed on the front panel monochrome OLED display. Power is provided by an external power brick.
The D9 is physically larger and supports an expanded feature set plus a higher end DAC. It’s built around the ESS ES9038PRO flagship DAC chip, which allows for four channels per side in a balanced stereo configuration and also includes an ultra-precision master clock and Class A post-DAC filter to achieve low noise floor and high dynamic range. Audiolab says this differential balanced output architecture ensures high linearity and channel separation, while also minimizing noise. The larger chassis size now includes an internal analog power supply that uses an ultra-low-noise toroidal transformer and multiple discrete regulators, each feeding separate sections of the digital and analogue circuitry. Connectivity has been expanded with the addition of an AES3/EBU input and it expands its Bluetooth capabilities to include LDAC alongside aptX HD, AAC, and SBC. Control is again available using the same supplied handheld remote or front panel controls, with functions, data and various metering displayed on the front panel 2.8inch IPS LCD color display.
Specifications:
- D7
- Core Technology:
- ES9038Q2M 32-bit DAC
- MQA Full decoder (PC USB, Coax / Optical)
- OLED Display
- Bluetooth 5.1 (aptX / aptX HD) streaming
- Dedicated Current-Feedback Headphone Amp
- Supports playing USB memory device (MP3 / WMA / APE / AAC / WAV / FLAC)
- USB Firmware Upgrade
- Inputs: 2 x SPDIF (Coax), 2 x SPDIF (Optical), 1 x PC USB (USB B),1 x USB HDD (USB A), 1 x Bluetooth (aptX / aptX HD)
- Outputs: 1 x RCA, 1 x XLR, 1 x Headphone, 2 x 12V Trigger, 1 x Optical, 1 x Coax
- Sampling Frequency:
- Optical/Coaxial: 44.1kHz–192kHz
- USB HDD: 44.1kHz–96kHz
- PC USB: 44.1kHz–768kHz (PCM) / DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512
- D to A Converter ES9038Q2M
- Output Level (0dBFS, 1kHz): 2.05Vrms (RCA), 4.1Vrms (XLR)
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): < 0.001% (1kHz @ 0dBFS)
- Frequency Response: 20Hz–20kHz (+/-0.2dB)
- Output Impedance: 120 ohm
- Max. Sampling Frequency:
- USB HDD: 96kHz
- Optical, Coaxial: 192kHz
- PC USB: PCM768kHz, DSD512
- Signal-to-noise Ratio (S/N)
- > 115dB (A-weighted, RCA)
- > 117dB (A-weighted, XLR)
- Headphone Amplifier
- Total Harmonic Distortion(THD): < 0.01% (1kHz, 50mW )
- Output Impedance: 2.35 ohms
- Load Impedance: 20-600 ohms
- Dimensions (mm) (W x H x D): 180 x 208 x 56
- Power: External ‘brick’
- Core Technology:
- D9
- Core Technology:
- ES9038Pro 32-bit DAC
- MQA Full decoder (PC USB, Coax / Optical)
- 2.8″ 480×640 large size full view IPS LCD
- Bluetooth 5.1 (aptX / aptX HD / LDAC) streaming
- Dedicated Current-Feedback Headphone Amp
- VU Digital / VU Analogue Meter
- USB HDD Playback with MP3/WMA/AAC/WAV/FLAC/APE compatibility
- USB Firmware Upgrade
- Inputs: 2 x SPDIF (Coax), 2 x SPDIF (Optical), 1 x PC USB (USB B), 1 x USB HDD (USB A), 1 x Bluetooth (aptX / aptX HD), 1 x AES3/EBU
- Outputs: 1 x RCA, 1 x XLR, 1 x Headphone, 2 x 12V Trigger, 1 x Optical, 1 x COAX outputs
- Sampling Frequency:
- Optical/Coaxial: 44.1kHz → 192kHz
- USB HDD: 44.1kHz → 96kHz
- PC USB: 44.1kHz → 768kHz (PCM) / DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512
- D to A Converter ES9038Pro
- Output Level (0dBFS, 1kHz): 2.05Vrms (RCA), 4.1Vrms (XLR)
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): < 0.001% (1kHz @ 0dBFS)
- Frequency Response: 20Hz–20kHz (+/-0.1dB)
- Output Impedance: 120 ohm
- Max. Sampling Frequency:
- USB HDD: 96kHz
- Optical, Coaxial: 192kHz
- PC USB: PCM768kHz, DSD512
- Signal-to-noise Ratio (S/N)
- > 118dB (A-weighted, RCA)
- > 123dB (A-weighted, XLR)
- Headphone Amplifier
- Total Harmonic Distortion(THD): < 0.01% (1kHz, 50mW )
- Output Impedance: 2.35 ohms
- Load Impedance: 20-600 ohms
- Dimensions (mm) (W x H x D): 315 x 88.3 x 277
- Power: Internal analog low-noise toroidal power supply
- Core Technology:
MSRP (D7/D9):
- US: $600/$1,450 (approx.)
- UK: £449/£1,099
- EU: €549/€1,349
For more information visit the Audiolab website.
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