- The new Audiolab 9000Q and Audiolab 9000P are the preamplifier and power amplifier of the Audiolab 9000 Series.
The company IAG Ltd. describes the Audiolab 9000 Series as the flagship series of the Audiolab brand, as a product line that can appeal to even the most demanding HiFi enthusiasts, as it leaves nothing to be desired and no compromises have to be made. In principle, at least, because until now this product line has lacked an essential option that is particularly important for HiFi enthusiasts, namely a preamplifier and power amplifier combination.
This gap is now to be closed, because with the Audiolab 9000Q and Audiolab 9000P systems, IAG Ltd. is now presenting just such a preamplifier and power amplifier combination, the new flagship duo, which is intended to take the sound potential of the Audiolab 9000 Series to an even higher level.
True to the philosophy of the Audiolab 9000 Series
The two components Audiolab 9000Q and Audiolab 9000P follow the philosophy pursued by IAG Ltd. with the Audiolab 9000 Series, according to which users can expect the finest solutions that are characterised by good features and extensive functions, flexibility, performance and, last but not least, an elegant design.
The two systems Audiolab 9000Q and Audiolab 9000P are thus intended to be a perfect complement to the Audiolab 9000N and Audiolab 9000CDT solutions already available and serve as a higher-quality alternative to the existing Audiolab 9000A stereo integrated amplifier.
Audiolab 9000Q – The flexible control centre
IAG Ltd. describes the new Audiolab 9000Q preamplifier as the perfect control centre for both analogue and digital source devices. Four high-level inputs are available here, in the form of one pair of XLRs for balanced devices and three pairs of RCAs for unbalanced devices. There is also a phono preamp, although this is only designed for turntables fitted with MM cartridge systems. Two optical and two coaxial S/PDIF interfaces are available for digital sources and a USB-B port is provided for direct connection to a PC or Mac.
For all those who want to integrate mobile devices such as smartphones, the preamplifier offers Bluetooth, whereby the aptX, aptX HD, aptX Low Latency and LDAC codecs are supported in addition to SBC and AAC.
In terms of outputs, the preamp has two pairs of RCA sockets and one pair of XLR so that an unbalanced or balanced connection can be established with power amplifiers.
It should be emphasised that the Audiolab 9000Q has an AV Direct mode for uncomplicated integration into a home cinema. In addition to a connection for headphones, two 12 V triggers are also available.
Symmetrical design
The Audiolab 9000Q relies on a fully balanced circuit design, as the manufacturer emphasises, and this is designed for maximum signal purity for an unadulterated sound. Only high-quality components are used for this, right down to the D/A converter, which relies on a 32-bit Sabre DAC from ESS Technology Inc., specifically an ESS ES9038PRO DAC. A solid power supply based on a 40 V toroidal transformer also contributes to the impeccable quality of the preamp.
Convenient operation
As with all Audiolab 9000 Series solutions, the new preamplifier is designed for ease of use, with a 4.3-inch IPS colour display at the forefront. This shows all relevant information, but can also be used as a VU meter.
All parameters are accessible via a rotary encoder, allowing you to set the input sensitivity and balance for each input separately and access the new microprocessor-controlled, but ultimately analogue sound control. To emphasise this explicitly, the volume control is also carried out solely on an analogue level.
Audiolab 9000P
The Audiolab 9000P power amplifier is designed as the ideal partner for the Audiolab 9000Q preamplifier just described, whereby the focus here is on an amplifier designed in the so-called dual-mono circuit design, which operates in Class AB.
This dual-mono design starts with the power supply, which is based on a 320 V toroidal transformer. Based on this, the power amplifier can deliver 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms or 160 watts into 4 ohms. If desired, the power amplifier can also be operated in bridge mode, so that 300 watts into 8 ohms are available when using two power amplifiers per channel.
The culmination of decades of experience
Incidentally, the new Audiolab 9000 Series preamp and power amplifier was developed by an experienced team led by Jan Ertner, as the company emphasises.
“In addition to embodying the Audiolab philosophy in terms of design, functionality and quality, Jan and his team were also tasked with ensuring that all models in the 9000 Series are the best devices we have ever built. Accordingly, it is essential that the 9000Q and 9000P deliver the absolute best sonic performance both individually and together. Getting to the point that they set a new benchmark, not only within the Audiolab portfolio, but for the industry as a whole at this price point.”
Jamie O’Callaghan, Audiolab Director
Prices and availability
The Audiolab 9000 Series preamplifier and power amplifier combination should be available from specialist retailers these days, with the Audiolab 9000Q preamplifier priced at € 1.799,- and the Audiolab 9000P power amplifier at € 1.499,-.
Getting to the point
The Audiolab 9000 Series is designed to fulfil the high expectations of even the most demanding HiFi enthusiasts, so it is all the more important that a preamplifier and power amplifier combination is offered as an alternative to the stereo integrated amplifier previously available in this series. This is exactly what IAG Ltd. is now doing in the form of the new Audiolab 9000Q and Audiolab 9000P.
| PRODUCT | Audiolab 9000Q and Audiolab 9000P |
|---|---|
| Price | Audiolab 9000Q € 1.799,- Audiolab 9000P € 1.499,- |
| Brand | AUDIOLAB |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | IAG Ltd. |
| Distribution | IAD Audio GmbH |
| More about this manufacturer at HIFI BLOG |
