Intro
Contents
The amazing Audiolab 9000N has only just been returned and there are already three more boxes from the same manufacturer waiting to be opened. Let’s check out the 9000Q and 9000P.
Three large boxes containing respectively an Audiolab 9000Q preamplifier and two Audiolab 9000P power amplifiers. Brand new and fresh! Would we like to put them on the test bench? Of course. You don’t have to ask us twice!
Construction and appearance
The Audiolab 9000Q and 9000P are the latest additions to the 9000 series, Audiolab’s reference line, which now consists of five models. That the Q and P have been added to the 9000 series seems like a smart move to us. The previous power amplifier, the 8300XP, dates back to 2016 and their last analog preamplifier we don’t even remember. The 9000Q and 9000P both build on the design of the 9000A but obviously need to present better performance. Therefore, a lot of things have been tweaked and improved in these separates.
The Audiolab 9000Q preamplifier
The 9000Q is a versatile unit with a nice Class A preamp and plenty of connections. Here we go. 1 XLR and 2 RCA outputs. 5 RCA inputs (one mm phono) and 1 XLR input.
The dac has 2 optical inputs, 2 coaxial inputs and 1 USB input. The 9000Q uses the same 9038 PRO Sabre chip with the same filters as in the 9000A and 9000N. Bluetooth is provided including the new LDAC codec.
Up front we see the now familiar LED screen, volume knob and input switch. And the 9000Q also has a 6.3mm headphone jack.
Inside the Audiolab 9000Q, compared to the 9000A, the balanced circuit has been further developed with better power supplies and the dac circuit also received a better power supply. That sounds like music to our ears.
The inside of the 9000Q looks like a DIY box full of Lego bricks and colorful ribbons. It all looks very neat and tidy. Special technology has been added to further reduce noise to an absolute minimum and the 9000Q is now fully balanced via the XLR output. The operational part has remained the same, but a few things have been added such as tone control, equalizer and an anti-jitter mode. The phonostage has also been improved over the 9000A.
The Audiolab 9000P power amplifier
The 9000P has an unobtrusive front panel with only a standby button that indicates via a red LED whether the unit is activated. On the back we see the expected XLR and RCA connections, as well as the speaker terminals.
Useful are the two black push buttons. One to choose between balanced and unbalanced and one to switch between stereo and mono.
Chief engineer Jan Ertner has been a fixture for many years and is responsible for developing new series and ensuring continuity. With the d/a converters, we already noticed an evolution. Now Audiolab also wants to take a step forward in terms of amplification.
The inside of the Audiolab 9000P is built even more sparingly compared to the 9000Q. Logical, because even fewer components are needed. Most of the considerable weight comes from the large toroidal transformer. It delivers 2×100 watts into 8 Ohms. Class A/B that is. Bridged, that becomes a potent 300 watts.
Furthermore, the four large capacitors and cooling fins that perfectly separate each component stand out. These, by the way, do an excellent job because the 9000P never gets really hot even after a serious workout. The entire construction of this power amplifier is in dual mono with each channel having its own power supply. Again, the noise floor has been brought down considerably by means of previously unused technology.
The design of both units is typical Audiolab, sleek and clean. We like it. With the 9000P there is only a single vertical line, almost invisible on the black version, that interrupts the monotonous front panel. That line is in exactly the same place where the screen ends on the 9000Q.
The 9000Q’s front remains uncluttered despite the LED screen, two dials and headphone jack. Both units exude calmness on our Bassocontinuo furniture and do not draw unnecessary attention to themselves.