The Audiolab 9000 Series at a Glance
The 9000 Series represents the flagship tier of Audiolab, the British hi-fi electronics maker founded in 1983 and engineered in the UK. It is a family of matched components that share a common visual and engineering language, so you can start with one piece and build a full system that looks and sounds cohesive. Every model wears the same 4.3 inch IPS display, the same slim chassis footprint, and the same considered British approach to clean, musical reproduction.
Because this is a modular lineup, the right choice depends on what you already own and how you like to listen. Below we explain the shared design, group the models by role, and then give you clear scenario based recommendations.
The Shared Audiolab Design
Several engineering threads run through the 9000 Series and help explain why these components work so well together.
ESS Sabre ES9038PRO DAC
The 9000A integrated, the 9000Q preamplifier, and the 9000N network streamer all use the reference grade ES9038PRO 32-bit ESS Sabre DAC. This is the same converter family Audiolab reserves for its highest tier, and it is a key reason these sources sound so refined. Note that the 9000CDT is a pure CD transport and has no built-in DAC of its own.
Class AB with Audiolab CFB
The amplification models, the 9000A integrated and the 9000P power amplifier, use Class AB output stages with Audiolab CFB, the Complementary Feedback topology the company has long favored for its blend of linearity and control.
Certified MQA Full Decoding
The DAC equipped models are certified MQA full decoders, so they unfold MQA material completely rather than performing only the first stage.
Additional Shared Touches
Across the source and control components you will find a dedicated low-noise MM phono stage and a current-feedback headphone amplifier on the 9000A and 9000Q, Bluetooth 5.1 with high-quality codecs on the 9000A and 9000Q, and consistent black or silver finish options throughout. If you want to protect any of these components from noisy mains, a DC Block cleans incoming power and makes no sound of its own.
The Lineup by Role
The One Box Heart of a System: 9000A
The Audiolab 9000A is the flagship integrated amplifier and the most self contained way into the series. It delivers 2x100W into 8 ohms and 2x160W into 4 ohms from its Class AB CFB output stage, and it packs in the ES9038PRO DAC, certified MQA full decoding over PC USB, coax and optical, Bluetooth 5.1, a dedicated MM phono stage, and a current-feedback headphone amplifier. It also offers Integrated, Pre-Power and Pre-only operating modes, which means it can grow with you later if you add outboard amplification.
The Separates Duo: 9000Q and 9000P
For listeners who prefer separate control and amplification stages, Audiolab offers the 9000Q preamplifier and the 9000P power amplifier as a matched pair. The 9000Q is a flagship preamplifier with a built-in ES9038PRO DAC, high-resolution PCM and DSD support, certified MQA full decoding, balanced connectivity, an MM phono stage, a current-feedback headphone amp, and Bluetooth 5.1. The 9000P is a dual-mono Class AB CFB power amplifier rated at 100W per channel into 8 ohms and 160W into 4 ohms, with a custom 320VA toroidal transformer. Notably, the 9000P can also run in bridged monoblock mode, delivering 300W into 8 ohms or 380W into 4 ohms per chassis when you use a pair.
The Digital Sources: 9000N and 9000CDT
The 9000N is a Roon Ready network streamer with its own ES9038PRO DAC and certified MQA full decoding. It supports TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, Qobuz and TuneIn, along with gapless playback and USB storage playback. Because it has no built-in amplifier, it is a dedicated source that feeds an integrated or preamplifier.
The 9000CDT is a pure CD transport with no internal DAC. It reads discs into a read-ahead digital buffer and sends the signal out over low-jitter coaxial and optical outputs to an outboard DAC, and it can also play files from a USB HDD. Pair it with a 9000A or 9000Q so the flagship ES9038PRO DAC does the conversion.
Which Should You Buy by Scenario
You Want the Simplest Full Featured Setup
Choose the 9000A. Add a pair of speakers and you have a complete system with a reference DAC, phono for vinyl, Bluetooth, and a serious headphone stage built in.
You Are a Streaming First Listener
Pair the 9000N streamer with the 9000A. The 9000N brings Roon, TIDAL, Qobuz and Spotify Connect, while the 9000A provides amplification and everything else.
You Still Love Physical Discs
Add the 9000CDT to a 9000A or 9000Q. Remember the transport has no DAC of its own, so it relies on the flagship ES9038PRO conversion in the amplifier or preamplifier.
You Want a Separates System
Build around the 9000Q preamplifier and 9000P power amplifier. The 9000Q handles source switching, the built-in DAC, phono and balanced connections, while the 9000P delivers dual-mono Class AB power.
You Have Demanding Speakers or Want Room to Grow
The bridged monoblock capability of the 9000P is designed for listeners who want more headroom. Run a pair in mono for 300W into 8 ohms per chassis, driven by the 9000Q.
You Own a Great Amp Already and Want a Front End
The 9000N works as a standalone digital source with its own ES9038PRO DAC, and the 9000Q can serve as a preamplifier and DAC feeding an existing power amplifier.
How the Models Relate Within the Series
Within the 9000 Series, each model is designed for a specific job rather than as a better or worse version of another. The 9000A concentrates control, amplification, DAC and sources into one chassis for simplicity, while the 9000Q and 9000P split those duties across dedicated boxes for those who prefer separates and the flexibility of monoblock operation. The 9000N and 9000CDT are focused digital sources that partner with either approach. Choosing among them is a matter of matching the design goal to your system and listening habits.
Come Have a Listen
All Elite Audio is an authorized Audiolab dealer with a showroom in Timonium, Maryland. Demo units rotate and not every model is always set up, so please reach out to AEA to arrange a listen and confirm what is currently on display. We are happy to help you match the right 9000 Series pieces to your room and system.