Audiolab 9000Q Digital / Analogue Preamplifier at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The 9000Q is the flagship standalone preamplifier from Audiolab (Cambridge, United Kingdom), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Designed by lead engineer Jan Ertner as the natural system companion to the 9000N streamer and 9000P power amplifier, the 9000Q marks Audiolab's return to dedicated pre/power amplifier separation after an eight-year hiatus. It shares the same ESS Sabre ES9038PRO 32-bit DAC as the 9000A and 9000N, features a fully balanced XLR signal path from input to output, certified MQA Full Decoding, Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD and LDAC, a dedicated current-feedback headphone amplifier, a high-performance moving magnet phono stage, and a 4.3-inch full-colour IPS LCD display — all in the same precision aluminium chassis that defines the 9000 series aesthetic. The 9000Q supports PCM up to 768kHz/32-bit and native DSD512 via PC USB, and drives both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs simultaneously for maximum system flexibility.

Flagship DAC and Fully Balanced Signal Architecture

At the core of the 9000Q is the ES9038PRO — the same eight-channel flagship DAC chip from ESS Technology used in the 9000A and 9000N — with HyperStream II architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator delivering THD below 0.001% at 0dBFS and a signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 117dB via the balanced XLR outputs. The 9000Q is a certified MQA Full Decoder, performing the complete three-stage internal unfolding from both the PC USB and S/PDIF inputs, making it the ideal digital front-end for Tidal HiFi Plus subscribers. The fully balanced signal path from the XLR line input through to the XLR outputs ensures maximum common-mode noise rejection in demanding system environments. A four-channel analogue volume control — confirmed by SoundStage! Hi-Fi reviewers as running all XLR inputs through the balanced domain — preserves signal integrity at every listening level. Two RCA outputs and one XLR output allow connection to multiple power amplifiers or active speaker systems simultaneously.

Comprehensive Source Integration and Tone Controls

The 9000Q is designed to consolidate every digital and analogue source in a high-performance system into a single, authoritative control point. Its analogue inputs include three RCA line inputs, a balanced XLR input, and a dedicated moving magnet phono stage with high-performance, low-noise RIAA equalisation and input sensitivity of 4.5mV. On the digital side, two coaxial S/PDIF and two optical S/PDIF inputs handle sources up to 192kHz/24-bit, while the PC USB Type-B input extends support to 768kHz/32-bit PCM and native DSD512. Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX, aptX HD, and LDAC enables high-resolution wireless streaming from smartphones, tablets, and laptops. A dedicated current-feedback headphone amplifier handles loads from 20 to 600 ohms with THD below 0.01%. Two 12V trigger outputs enable automatic power management for the 9000P and other compatible components. The 9000Q also features tone controls for bass and treble adjustment — a practical addition for optimizing the listening experience with different loudspeakers and room acoustics without compromising the core signal path when bypassed.

Key Features

• ESS Sabre ES9038PRO 32-Bit DAC: The same eight-channel flagship chip used in the 9000A and 9000N, delivering SNR above 117dB (XLR, A-weighted) and THD below 0.001% at 0dBFS for reference-level digital-to-analogue conversion.
• Fully Balanced XLR Signal Path: Balanced connections from XLR input through four-channel analogue volume control to XLR output for maximum noise rejection and signal integrity in demanding system configurations.
• Certified MQA Full Decoder: Complete three-stage internal unfolding of MQA content from PC USB and S/PDIF sources, delivering full Tidal Masters resolution without an external decoder.
• Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD and LDAC: High-resolution wireless streaming from mobile devices at quality levels approaching or meeting hi-res standards, with three codec options for maximum source compatibility.
• Dedicated Moving Magnet Phono Stage: High-performance, low-noise circuit with precise RIAA equalisation and 4.5mV input sensitivity for high-fidelity vinyl playback from any MM cartridge.
• Current-Feedback Headphone Amplifier: Drives headphones from 20 to 600 ohms with THD below 0.01% at 50mW, using the same circuit topology as the 9000A for consistent, engaging headphone performance.
• Dual Analogue Output Configuration: Two RCA outputs and one XLR balanced output operate simultaneously, enabling connection to multiple power amplifiers, active speakers, or recording devices.
• Tone Controls: Independent bass and treble adjustment for practical room and speaker optimization, bypassable for a pure signal path when preferred.
• 4.3-Inch Full-Colour IPS LCD Display: Shows source, format data, playback information, and VU meters in the same 800 x 480px display format as the 9000A, 9000N, and 9000CDT for a fully matched system appearance.
• PC USB High-Resolution Input: Type-B USB input supporting PCM up to 768kHz/32-bit and native DSD64 through DSD512 for direct connection to a computer-based audio system.
• Dual 12V Trigger Outputs: Enables automated power sequencing for the 9000P power amplifier and additional compatible components in a multi-unit system.
• 9000 Series Aesthetic Matching: Identical chassis footprint and front panel design to the 9000A, 9000N, and 9000CDT for a visually cohesive stacked system.

Technical Specifications

Connections at a Glance

• Digital Inputs: 2x Coaxial S/PDIF, 2x Optical S/PDIF, 1x PC USB Type-B (Type B), 1x Bluetooth 5.1 (aptX / aptX HD / LDAC)
• Analogue Inputs: 3x RCA Line, 1x XLR Balanced, 1x Phono MM (RCA)
• Outputs: 2x RCA Analogue, 1x XLR Balanced Analogue, 1x Headphone 6.35mm, 2x 12V Trigger

What's in the Box

• Audiolab 9000Q Digital / Analogue Preamplifier
• Power Cord
• Remote Control
• User Manual
• Antennas

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Audiolab 9000Q?

The Audiolab 9000Q is the flagship standalone digital and analogue preamplifier from Audiolab (Cambridge, UK), featuring the ESS Sabre ES9038PRO 32-bit DAC, a fully balanced XLR signal path, certified MQA Full Decoding, Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD and LDAC, a dedicated moving magnet phono stage, a current-feedback headphone amplifier, tone controls, and dual 12V trigger outputs. It supports PCM up to 768kHz/32-bit and native DSD512 via PC USB, and is designed to partner with the Audiolab 9000P power amplifier or any compatible power amplifier.

How does the Audiolab 9000Q compare to the Audiolab 9000A?

The 9000A is an all-in-one integrated amplifier delivering 100W per channel, combining the preamplifier and power amplifier in a single chassis. The 9000Q is a dedicated preamplifier with no onboard power stage, designed to be paired with a separate power amplifier such as the 9000P for greater system flexibility and the potential for higher performance through component specialization. The 9000Q adds tone controls and dual RCA outputs absent from the 9000A, and its fully balanced four-channel volume control runs the XLR domain end-to-end. For most listeners, the 9000A offers a simpler, more compact solution; the 9000Q and 9000P combination suits those building an expandable, high-performance separates system.

What power amplifier should I pair with the Audiolab 9000Q?

The Audiolab 9000P is the natural and purpose-designed partner for the 9000Q. The 9000P delivers 100W per channel into 8 ohms (160W into 4 ohms) in stereo, or 300W into 8 ohms in bridged monoblock configuration, via a Class AB power stage with CFB topology and 12V trigger input for automated power sequencing from the 9000Q's trigger output. The 9000Q's balanced XLR output connects directly to the 9000P's XLR input for a fully balanced end-to-end signal path. The 9000Q can also drive any third-party power amplifier with RCA or XLR inputs.

Does the Audiolab 9000Q support vinyl playback?

Yes. The 9000Q includes a dedicated moving magnet phono stage with high-performance, low-noise RIAA equalisation and an input sensitivity of 4.5mV, compatible with any moving magnet cartridge. The phono stage signal runs through the same precision four-channel volume control and can be output via both the RCA and XLR outputs for connection to a power amplifier or active speakers.

Is the Audiolab 9000Q compatible with Roon?

The 9000Q itself is a preamplifier and DAC without built-in network streaming, so it does not hold standalone Roon Ready certification. When paired with the Audiolab 9000N — which is Roon Ready certified — the 9000N acts as the Roon endpoint and delivers its analogue or digital output to the 9000Q's inputs, creating a fully Roon-integrated system with the complete 9000 series stack.

What headphones work with the Audiolab 9000Q?

The 9000Q's current-feedback headphone amplifier supports loads from 20 to 600 ohms, accommodating everything from low-impedance in-ear monitors to high-impedance planar and dynamic headphones such as the Sennheiser HD 800 S, Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro, or Audeze LCD-2. THD measures below 0.01% at 1kHz and 50mW for clean, detailed headphone listening using any connected source.

Where can I buy the Audiolab 9000Q in Toronto, Canada?

The Audiolab 9000Q is available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound is an authorized Audiolab dealer serving audiophiles across the Greater Toronto Area and Canada. Shop online at vinylsound.ca or visit the showroom to hear the complete 9000 series — 9000N, 9000Q, and 9000P — as a full separates stack.