As a new dedicated Preamplifier solution, the 9000Q is far more than a trimmed down version of the 9000A integrated amplifier. It’s a beast of a Pre! Designed by Jan Ertner, the lead designer in the 9000 series components (as well as many other Audiolab components over the years), the 9000Q is a design enhanced dedicated preamplifier that can be described as greatness improved.
Starting with the much complemented DAC section, the Audiolab 9000Q has an improved implementation of the ES9038PRO DAC chip. Building on the years of experience, and class-leading adoption of ESS DAC chipets, the 9000Q employs the eight-channel 9038PRO DAC chip, the highest standard in the current Sabre range. This is accompanied by proprietary circuitry to make the most of the chip’s HyperStream II architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator technology for unprecedented dynamic range and ultra-low distortion, making it the perfect preamplifier interface for high-resolution digital audio files (and audiophiles!).
In detaching the ‘pre’ concept from the integrated amplifier solution, the 9000Q is allowed to further improve as adedicated preamplifier and this extends to an enhanced enhanced MM Phono input featuring a new single stage Class-A circuit, which would make the 9000Q an exceptional phono stage alone.
Tone Controls and Inputs
The 9000Q also uses a new, custom-specified transformer. Engineered as an improvement over the 9000A due to a preamplifier requiring delivering current when demanded, and with all the Audiolab know-how, it enables a controlled performance with all the crisp detail and Audiolab sound signature.
A step forward over the already impressive 9000A ‘Pre’ performance, the Audiolab 9000Q incorporates new tone controls for treble and bass adjustment, accessible via the menu, and with a range of +/-6dB in 2dB steps. This allows delicate fine-tuning to suit room performance, speaker or power amplifier capabilities or even just personal preference.
Designed to be the dedicated management of a multi-source, multi-format, hi-fi system, the 9000Q accommodates a multitude of inputs. It caters for analogue and digital sources with 3 x line level AUX inputs, a balanced XLR stereo pair, a dedicated phono input for the aforementioned dedicated phono preamplifier, as well as 2 x COAX (S/PDIF up to192kHz 24Bit), 2 x Optical (S/PDIF up to 192kHz 24Bit), a Bluetooth 5.1 receiver and a PC USB input.
Across these inputs, the preamplifier comes to shine.
The 9000Q provides a fixed level AUX output, and three variable Pre outputs ( 2 x RCA, 1 x XLR). The three variable outputs are isolated and can be used simultaneously without any impact on performance.
With additional features such as a source configuration option that allows for the fully balanced stereo XLR signal path. A direct path from input to output only passing through the 4-channel analogue Volume Control.
AUX 3 can also be set to “AV Direct”. This allows connection from an external pre-output or AV processor with its own volume control.
And let’s not forget the dedicated headphone amplifier section which employs current-feedback circuitry with wide bandwidth and high slew rate; the 9000Q ensures a dynamic, detailed and engaging performance with all manner of headphone types, with that extra added audiolab sparkle from the consistent signal integrity from all inputs.
Two 12V Trigger Outputs allow for control of external devices, such as the 9000CDT and 9000N. The new 9000P stereo power amplifier is the perfect companion in stereo or dual bridged mono configurations.
As with the 9000 series standard, the 9000Q uses the same 4.3” full colour TFT display to offer access to a wealth of setting, functions and information via incredibly functional General User Interface. Not only displaying level, input, file format and signal information, it gives access to the amp’s menu system, which includes such options as digital upsampling, input sensitivity adjustment, balance control, automatic standby switching, and volume curtailment when the amp is powered up. It can even be set to display a VU meter in ‘analogue’ or ‘digital’ form, showing real-time decibel levels for the left and right channels – a satisfying graphical representation of the music as it plays. And it can be dimmed or turned off completely, as the user prefers.
All-in-all, the 9000Q raises the bar for preamplifiers within its price category and the 9000 series strides forward as the series to beat – in terms of specification, price, performance with intrinsic detail and unarguable quality.
