The Audiolab D9 external DAC is a new top-of-the-line model that features more functionality and a greater focus on technology. The new product is based on the ES9038PRO chip, ESS Technology’s flagship DAC chip, which provides four decoding streams for each channel in a balanced configuration. According to Audiolab, this differential-balanced architecture provides high linearity and channel separation, while minimizing noise. According to the company, this is crucial for reproducing the smallest details and preserving the musical nuances of the sound canvas.
The Audiolab D9 DAC prioritizes power delivery: the linear source uses a toroidal transformer and several discrete regulators, each of which powers separate parts of the digital and analog circuits. Audiolab claims that this multi-channel approach improves channel separation and overall sound quality, especially when playing high-resolution material.
The Audiolab D9 DAC’s switching arsenal includes an AES3/EBU input for a studio-quality digital interface and expands Bluetooth capabilities with support for the LDAC codec, along with aptX HD, AAC, and SBC. Analog switching is similar to that of the Audiolab D7: balanced XLR outputs, unbalanced RCA (with the ability to switch between fixed and variable output), and a powerful headphone amplifier capable of driving a wide range of headphones.
The front panel of the Audiolab D9 DAC is adorned with a bright 2.8-inch color display, which we saw on the components of the flagship Audiolab 9000 series. The display can show information about the content being played, the active input, the signal level in real time, and much more. Users can switch between display modes or turn off the display completely.
The Audiolab D9 external DAC features wide-band headphone amplifiers with current feedback and a high slew rate. According to the manufacturer, they deliver up to 600 mW of power across a wide range of headphone impedance, ensuring clean, distortion-free power even when using headphones that demand amplification.
Audiolab D9 specifications:
- DAC ES9038Pro 32-bit
- Full MQA decoder (PC USB, coaxial / optical)
- Large 2.8″ 480×640 full-screen IPS LCD display
- Bluetooth 5.1 streaming (aptX / aptX HD / LDAC)
- Dedicated headphone amplifier with current feedback
- Digital VU meter / analog VU meter
- USB HDD playback with MP3 / WMA / AAC / WAV / FLAC / APE compatibility
- Inputs 2 x SPDIF (coaxial), 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 Headphones, 2 x 12V trigger, 1 x optical, 1 x Coaxial Output
- Sampling Frequency Optical/Coaxial: 44.1 kHz → 192 kHz, USB HDD: 44.1 kHz → 96 kHz, PC USB: 44.1 kHz → 768 kHz (PCM) / DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512
- Output Level (0 dBFS, 1 kHz) 2.05 Vrms (RCA), 4.1 Vrms (XLR)
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) < 0.001% (1 kHz @ 0 dBFS)
- Frequency Response 20 Hz–20 kHz (+/- 0.1 dB)
- Max. Sampling Frequency USB HDD: 96 kHz, Optical, Coaxial: 192 kHz, PC USB: PCM768 kHz, DSD512
