Audiolab has introduced two new digital-to-analog converters. The compact D7 is designed for desktop applications, while the larger D9 is suited for integration with other high-fidelity components. Both models are available in silver and black finishes. Based in Cambridgeshire, Audiolab is making a return to the standalone DAC market with the release of the D7 and D9, which are positioned as successors to the M-DAC series. These new models leverage the company’s extensive expertise in digital audio design, marking the first standalone DAC launch since the M-DAC Mini in 2017.
Audiolab D7
The D7’s architecture is based on ESS Technology’s ES9038Q2M DAC chip, sharing its core architecture with Audiolab’s latest 6000A MkII and 7000A amplifiers. According to the company, this implementation includes a precision master clock and proprietary Class A post-DAC filtering for low noise and high dynamic range.
The D7 is designed to function as a digital audio hub and offers multiple USB and S/PDIF inputs. Digital signal inputs can be provided at maximum resolutions of PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512, with MQA support also included. In keeping with the times, the D7 can also receive music wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.1 and aptX HD. Audiolab also offers a selection of digital filters and upsampling options, allowing users to tailor playback performance based on the content and their preferences.
Audiolab D9
The D9 is the new top-of-the-line model, boasting expanded functionality and a stronger focus on engineering. It’s built around the ES9038PRO, ESS Technology’s flagship DAC chip, which enables four channels per side in a balanced stereo configuration. According to Audiolab, this differentially balanced output architecture ensures high linearity and channel separation while minimizing noise. According to the company, this is crucial for resolving low-level detail and preserving musical nuances.
Power delivery has also been given priority in the D9, with a linear power supply based on a toroidal transformer and multiple discrete regulators, each feeding separate parts of the digital and analogue circuits. Audiolab claims that this multi-rail approach improves channel separation and overall sound quality, particularly during high-resolution playback.
In addition to its internals, the D9 features an AES3/EBU input for studio-quality digital interfacing, and expands its Bluetooth capabilities to include LDAC in addition to aptX HD, AAC and SBC. Output options mirror those of the D7, with balanced XLR, single-ended RCA connectors (switchable between fixed and variable output), and a powerful headphone amplifier capable of driving a wide range of headphones.
A bright, 2.8-inch color display completes the front of the D9. Mirroring the aesthetic of Audiolab’s flagship 9000 series, it displays playback information, input selection, real-time dB meters and more. Users can toggle between display modes, or turn it off completely for a more discreet look.
Headphone amplifier
The D7 and D9 feature wide-bandwidth, high-slew-rate current-feedback headphone amplifiers. Audiolab claims they deliver up to 600mW into a wide impedance range, ensuring clean, distortion-free power delivery even through demanding headphones.
