Audiolab 7000N Play Wireless Audio Streaming Player at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The 7000N Play is a wireless audio streaming player from Audiolab (Cambridge, United Kingdom), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Part of the acclaimed 7000 series, the 7000N Play builds on the legacy of the multi-award-winning 6000N Play by introducing the ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M 32-bit DAC, Apple AirPlay 2 compatibility, and an upgraded DTS Play-Fi streaming module with enhanced power supply circuitry. It delivers high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/192kHz across a comprehensive range of streaming services — Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, and more — through Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or AirPlay 2, with a clear 2.8-inch full-colour IPS LCD display for at-a-glance control without requiring the app.

DTS Play-Fi Streaming Platform with AirPlay 2

The 7000N Play is powered by DTS Play-Fi, a premium whole-home wireless audio platform supporting a wide ecosystem of brands and services. Via the DTS Play-Fi app, listeners can access Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Deezer, Napster, KKBox, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, Pandora, QQ Music, thousands of internet radio stations, and home media servers via DLNA. The platform supports multi-room audio, allowing the 7000N Play to be grouped with other Play-Fi compatible products for synchronized playback across multiple rooms. Gapless playback and a direct transfer mode ensure no interruption between tracks even in hi-res mode. The addition of Apple AirPlay 2 in the 7000N Play further opens the platform to Apple Music users and any AirPlay 2-compatible source, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple TV. Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect are also supported for direct app-based playback control.

ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M DAC and Signal Path

At the heart of the 7000N Play is the ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M 32-bit DAC chip — the same chipset used in the Audiolab 7000A integrated amplifier — with an isolated power supply for reduced noise floor and improved channel separation. The DAC delivers THD below 0.0005% and a signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 115dB (A-weighted), with a maximum sampling frequency of 192kHz/24-bit via both the DAC section and the digital S/PDIF outputs. The analogue output stage provides a variable output of up to 2.1Vrms via a stereo RCA pair, with an output impedance of 100 ohms for compatibility with a wide range of amplifiers. Coaxial and optical digital outputs are also provided for connection to an external DAC or amplifier with digital inputs, making the 7000N Play an equally capable digital transport as well as a standalone streamer.

Key Features

• ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M 32-Bit DAC: The same chip used in the Audiolab 7000A amplifier, with isolated power supply, delivering THD below 0.0005% and SNR above 115dB for transparent, detailed analogue output.
• DTS Play-Fi Streaming Platform: Premium whole-home wireless audio supporting Tidal, Spotify, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Deezer, Napster, KKBox, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, Pandora, QQ Music, DLNA/UPnP, and internet radio.
• Apple AirPlay 2: Full AirPlay 2 support for Apple Music and any AirPlay 2 source, enabling multi-room grouping within the Apple ecosystem alongside Play-Fi devices.
• Multi-Room Audio: Group the 7000N Play with other DTS Play-Fi or AirPlay 2 compatible products for synchronized whole-home playback across multiple zones.
• Gapless Playback with Transfer Mode: Continuous playback between tracks in hi-res mode with no interruption even when the controlling device takes a call or notification.
• 2.8-Inch Full-Colour IPS LCD Display: Shows streaming service, system settings, format, track details, and a real-time VU meter (analogue or digital style) for left and right channels.
• Wired Ethernet and Wi-Fi: Dual connectivity options — wired for maximum bandwidth and stability, wireless for placement flexibility throughout the home.
• RCA Analogue Output: Stereo RCA line output with variable voltage up to 2.1Vrms for direct connection to any integrated amplifier or preamplifier.
• Coaxial and Optical Digital Outputs: S/PDIF outputs at up to 192kHz/24-bit for connection to an external DAC or digital amplifier input.
• 12V Trigger: Automatic equipment activation for integration with a compatible amplifier or preamplifier, enabling one-touch system power-on.
• Cross-Platform App Control: Controlled via the DTS Play-Fi app on Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, and Windows PC, with full playlist management and search functionality.
• Firmware Upgradeable via USB: Future-proof design with USB-based firmware updates to support new features and streaming service compatibility.

Technical Specifications

Connections at a Glance

• Network: Wi-Fi (DTS Play-Fi) and Wired Ethernet (RJ45)
• Analogue Output: 1x RCA stereo line output
• Digital Outputs: 1x Coaxial S/PDIF, 1x Optical TosLink
• USB: Firmware upgrade input
• Trigger: 12V Trigger In and Link Out

What's in the Box

• Audiolab 7000N Play Wireless Audio Streaming Player
• Power Cord
• USB Cable
• User Manual

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Audiolab 7000N Play?

The Audiolab 7000N Play is a wireless audio streaming player from Audiolab (Cambridge, UK), built around the ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M 32-bit DAC and the DTS Play-Fi streaming platform with Apple AirPlay 2. It supports high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/192kHz, multi-room playback, gapless streaming, and a wide range of services including Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Amazon Music, and more, with a 2.8-inch colour display for at-a-glance control.

How does the Audiolab 7000N Play compare to the Bluesound Node?

Both the Audiolab 7000N Play and the Bluesound Node are well-regarded mid-range wireless streamers. The 7000N Play uses the ES9038Q2M DAC and DTS Play-Fi with AirPlay 2, giving it access to a broader streaming service ecosystem including Amazon Music, SiriusXM, and Pandora natively. The Bluesound Node uses the BluOS platform, which is recognized for its mature multi-room ecosystem and strong Tidal and Qobuz integration. The 7000N Play offers a larger colour display and includes separate coaxial and optical digital outputs alongside the analogue RCA output, while the Node is typically the stronger choice for users already invested in a BluOS multi-room environment.

Does the Audiolab 7000N Play support Apple Music?

Yes. The 7000N Play supports Apple Music via AirPlay 2, which allows streaming directly from the Apple Music app on iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV to the 7000N Play. AirPlay 2 also enables multi-room grouping with other AirPlay 2 compatible devices simultaneously.

What is DTS Play-Fi and how does it work?

DTS Play-Fi is a premium whole-home wireless audio platform that streams music from mobile devices, tablets, and PCs to compatible speakers and streamers over a home Wi-Fi network. It supports high-resolution audio, gapless playback, multi-room synchronization, and a broad range of streaming services. All DTS Play-Fi products are interoperable regardless of brand, and the platform is controlled via the DTS Play-Fi app on Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, and Windows.

Can the 7000N Play be used with an existing amplifier?

Yes. The 7000N Play is a dedicated streaming source component, not an amplifier. It connects to any integrated amplifier or preamplifier via its RCA analogue output, or to any amplifier or DAC with digital inputs via its coaxial or optical S/PDIF outputs. It pairs naturally with the Audiolab 7000A or 6000A MkII integrated amplifiers for a matched system.

Does the 7000N Play support multi-room audio?

Yes. Via DTS Play-Fi, the 7000N Play can be grouped with other Play-Fi compatible products for synchronized multi-room playback. Via AirPlay 2, it can also be grouped with other AirPlay 2 devices across iOS and macOS. Both platforms support independent per-room volume control.

Where can I buy the Audiolab 7000N Play in Toronto, Canada?

The Audiolab 7000N Play is available at Vinyl Sou