Source: Press Release, Last Accessed: 2025/05/31

Audiolab’s track record of producing exceptional DACs stretches back more than 30 years. From the 8000DAC in the 1990s to 2011’s all-conquering M-DAC and its successor the M-DAC+, the Cambridgeshire-based company’s expertise in the field have led to a succession of class-leading devices, each expertly engineered to maximize the sound quality of all forms of digital audio.
The new DACs are direct descendants of the legendary M-DAC – a seminal device that remained dominant in the DAC world for over half a decade, the company says. Housed in a sturdy aluminum case measuring 180x56x208mm (wxhxd), the D7 is a compact DAC, while the D9 is a larger device (albeit still smaller than a “full width” Hi-Fi component) with dimensions of 315x88x277mm, benefiting from the same technical, build and design qualities as Audiolab’s top-tier 9000 Series amplification and streaming components.
Combining DAC, preamp and headphone amp functionality, both DACs are as accomplished at the heart of a high-performance Hi-Fi system as they are on a desk for headphone listening, Audiolab states.
The D7 features ESS' ES9038Q2M – a high-specification 32-bit Sabre DAC chip also utilized by Audiolab’s 7000A and just-launched 6000A MkII integrated amplifiers. This is accompanied by proprietary circuitry to make the most of ESS Technology’s HyperStream II architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator for ultra-low noise and high dynamic range.
Proprietary clock and power supply circuitry elevates the DAC’s performance, alongside a Class A post-DAC active filter. Hi-res audio support is state-of-the-art, handling PCM to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD to 22.5792MHz (DSD512) via USB. Full MQA decoding is also included and the D7 is certified as “Roon Tested” for use in a Roon audio environment.
The D9 bears close comparison with Audiolab’s 9000N music streamer. At its heart lies the ES9038PRO – a DAC chip from the top tier of ESS Technology’s current range. While the ES9038Q2M used in the D7 is a two-channel chip, the “PRO” version’s architecture incorporates eight channels. The D9 utilizes all eight of these to deliver a balanced stereo signal – four for the left and four for the right – realizing further benefits in the eradication of noise and distortion.
The D7 offers a versatile connectivity suite. Digital inputs include USB Type B to connect PCs, Macs and so on, and USB Type A for the direct connection of USB drives (content from such drives can be navigated via the D7’s display). These are joined by four S/PDIF inputs – two optical and two coaxial.
Bluetooth is also included for convenient wireless reception including aptX HD, and Bluetooth 5.1 compliance for optimum range and speed. Output options are also extensive, including balanced XLR and single-ended RCA on the analogue side, plus optical and coaxial digital outputs. Headphones are catered for by a 6.35mm socket. The D9’s connectivity array adds an AES3/EBU digital input to the D7’s complement of asynchronous USB-B, USB-A, two optical and two coaxial inputs. The D9’s Bluetooth implementation adds support for Sony’s LDAC high-definition format, alongside aptX HD, aptX Low Latency, regular aptX, AAC and SBC.

For more information: https://www.audiolab.co.uk/

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