AUDIOLAB D7 AND D9 LAUNCH: TWO NEW DACS CONTINUE THE M-DAC LEGACY

Audiolab has announced the launch of two new standalone DACs, Audiolab D7 And Audiolab D9 marking the brand’s first such releases in eight years.

These models follow in the footsteps of the M-DAC, which debuted in 2011 and played a pivotal role in establishing Audiolab’s reputation in digital-to-analogue conversion.

AUDIOLAB D7

The Audiolab D7 is a compact DAC housed in an aluminium chassis, measuring 180x56x208mm. Inside, it features the ES9038Q2M Sabre DAC chip – the same used in Audiolab’s 7000A and 6000A MkII integrated amplifiers. The D7 includes a Class A post-DAC active filter, a proprietary low-noise power supply, and clocking architecture aimed at maximising performance from high-resolution audio sources.

VERSATILITY AT ITS CORE: AUDIOLAB D7 CONNECTIVITY

The D7 offers a comprehensive array of input options including USB Type B and A, along with two coaxial and two optical S/PDIF connections. Wireless support includes Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD, and the unit also supports PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512. MQA decoding and Roon Tested certification ensure wide compatibility with modern streaming and digital audio platforms. Balanced XLR, single-ended RCA, optical and coaxial outputs are also included, making the D7 a versatile hub for any HiFi setup.

 AUDIOLAB D9

Positioned as the flagship model, the Audiolab D9 builds upon the D7’s foundation with significant enhancements. Housed in a larger chassis (315x88x277mm), it features the ES9038PRO DAC chip – an eight-channel version that enables a fully balanced stereo signal path. This chip is implemented with proprietary circuitry including a precision master clock and Class A analogue filter.

AUDIOPHILE DESIGN: AUDIOLAB D9 CIRCUITRY

The D9 includes a high-quality linear power supply, a low-noise toroidal transformer, and multiple discrete regulators to maintain optimal power delivery throughout the audio circuitry. This architecture mirrors that of Audiolab’s 9000 Series, minus the built-in network streaming. A 2.8-inch IPS LCD screen with custom GUI echoes the aesthetic of the 9000 series components, offering intuitive control and clear information readout.

AUDIOLAB D9 CONNECTIVITY

The D9 expands on the D7’s connectivity with an additional AES3/EBU input and enhanced Bluetooth capability, including LDAC support. Like the D7, the D9 includes both fixed and variable analogue outputs (XLR and RCA), coaxial and optical digital outputs, and a 6.35mm headphone jack. Upsampling options and five digital filter modes provide further sonic tailoring to user preference and music type.

DESIGNED FOR HEADPHONES: SHARED AMPLIFICATION IN AUDIOLAB D7 AND D9

Both the D7 and D9 feature a dedicated headphone amplifier section, capable of delivering up to 600mW across 20 to 600 ohms. This makes them suitable for a broad range of headphones, including more demanding planar magnetic models. The design ensures low output impedance, high slew rate, and wide bandwidth, delivering a spacious and dynamic headphone listening experience.

AUDIOLAB D7 AND AUDIOLAB D9 DAC FEATURE COMPARISON

Feature	Audiolab D7	Audiolab D9
DAC Chipset	ES9038Q2M (2-channel)	ES9038PRO (8-channel)
Max PCM/DSD Support	32-bit/768kHz PCM, DSD512	32-bit/768kHz PCM, DSD512
MQA Support	Full decoding	Full decoding
Roon Certification	Roon Tested	Roon Tested
Digital Inputs	USB-B, USB-A, 2x Optical, 2x Coaxial	USB-B, USB-A, AES3/EBU, 2x Optical, 2x Coaxial
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.1, aptX HD	Bluetooth 5.1, LDAC, aptX HD, aptX Low Latency
Analogue Outputs	Balanced XLR, RCA (fixed/variable)	Balanced XLR, RCA (fixed/variable)
Digital Outputs	Coaxial, Optical	Coaxial, Optical
Headphone Output	6.35mm	6.35mm
Headphone Amp Power	Up to 600mW (20–600Ω)	Up to 600mW (20–600Ω)
Upsampling Options	2x (352.8kHz or 384kHz)	2x (352.8kHz or 384kHz)
Digital Filter Modes	5 user-selectable	5 user-selectable
Display	Monochrome OLED	2.8” Colour IPS LCD
Power Supply	External PSU, low-noise design	Internal linear PSU with toroidal transformer
Build Dimensions (WxHxD)	180 x 56 x 208 mm	315 x 88 x 277 mm
Chassis Finish	Silver or Black	Silver or Black
Price	£449	£1099

AUDIOLAB D7 AND AUDIOLAB D9 PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

The Audiolab D7 and D9 will be available in black or silver from mid-May 2025. The Audiolab D7 is priced at £449, while the Audiolab D9 will retail at £1099.

The pair will launch at High End Munich 2025.

HiFi PiG Says: A fab looking pair of DACs from Audiolab!