audiolab 9000N – Flagship Network Streamer & DAC
High-end streaming at the heart of your 9000-series system. The audiolab 9000N is a premium network streamer and DAC designed to partner the 9000A and 9000CDT, or any serious amplifier. With a 32-bit ESS Sabre DAC, wired and wireless networking and balanced analogue outputs, it transforms your hi-fi into a fully connected, high-resolution streaming system.
- Flagship network audio streamer with integrated 32-bit ESS Sabre DAC
- Ethernet and Wi-Fi networking for high-resolution music streaming
- Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analogue outputs plus digital outs
- Full-colour front display with album art and detailed playback info
Product Overview
The audiolab 9000N is conceived as the digital centrepiece of the 9000-series, handling streaming, network playback and digital-to-analogue conversion in one refined chassis. A high-performance 32-bit ESS Sabre DAC works in tandem with carefully clocked digital stages, low-noise power regulation and a short analogue signal path to deliver precise, natural sound from modern streaming sources.
Network connectivity (wired and wireless) lets the 9000N access online streaming services and local network music libraries, while its high-quality analogue stage feeds your amplifier via balanced XLR or RCA. Digital outputs (coaxial/optical) allow the unit to act purely as a network transport into an external DAC if desired, giving you flexibility as your system evolves.
Listening Experience
The 9000N offers a clean, detailed and dynamically confident listening experience. The ESS Sabre DAC and careful analogue design provide excellent resolution and low noise, revealing fine textures and ambience in familiar recordings without sounding clinical.
Bass is firm and articulate, with plenty of definition and drive to support complex material. The midrange is open and balanced, giving vocals and instruments convincing presence and body. High frequencies are extended and refined, avoiding glare while preserving micro-detail and air. Soundstage width and depth are impressive, with stable imaging that allows instruments to occupy clearly defined positions in the mix.
Recommended System Context
The audiolab 9000N is ideal for mid- to high-end stereo systems built around revealing loudspeakers and quality amplification. Typical uses include:
- Partnering with the audiolab 9000A integrated amplifier as a reference streaming front end
- Feeding high-quality integrated amps or preamps via balanced or unbalanced analogue outputs
- Acting as a dedicated network transport into external DACs or digital preamps via S/PDIF
In smaller rooms it will highlight low-level detail and imaging; in larger spaces it scales easily, providing a solid, stable source for powerful amplifiers and full-range loudspeakers.
Streaming & Control
Designed for modern listening habits, the 9000N supports high-resolution streaming over your home network. You can browse music libraries, streaming services and internet radio from a dedicated control app or compatible network interfaces, with the front-panel colour display showing artwork, track information, format and sample rate.
The combination of network playback, USB and S/PDIF inputs allows the 9000N to centralise digital sources:
- Network streaming from NAS, music servers and compatible apps
- Playback from digital transports via coaxial/optical inputs
- Computer or streamer connections via USB (where supported)
This makes the 9000N a genuine digital hub, simplifying your system while maintaining audiophile performance.
Ideal Applications
- High-quality two-channel systems built around the audiolab 9000A and 9000CDT
- Streaming upgrade for existing integrated amplifiers and pre/power combinations
- Network transport and DAC for serious headphone rigs and desktop reference systems
- Installations where a single, elegant component should handle all digital/streaming duties
Technical Specifications
- Type: Network audio streamer with integrated DAC
- DAC: 32-bit ESS Sabre converter (flagship 9000-series implementation)
- Networking: Ethernet (RJ45) and Wi-Fi for streaming and control
- Digital inputs: Coaxial and optical S/PDIF (for external digital sources)
- USB: USB input for computer or external digital sources (where supported)
- Digital outputs: Coaxial and/or optical S/PDIF for use as a pure network transport
- Analogue outputs: Balanced XLR stereo out; unbalanced RCA stereo out
- Audio support: High-resolution PCM and DSD playback (exact max sample rates as per manufacturer specification)
- Display: Full-colour front display showing artwork, track data and format information
- Control: Front-panel controls plus app-based or network control
- Chassis: Full-width 9000-series metal enclosure with clean, minimal industrial design
- Finish: 9000-series cosmetics to match audiolab amplifiers and CD transports
Why Choose the audiolab 9000N?
The audiolab 9000N is the natural choice if you want a dedicated, no-compromise streaming front end for a serious hi-fi system. With its 32-bit ESS Sabre DAC, balanced and unbalanced outputs, network flexibility and 9000-series build quality, it anchors modern digital systems with the kind of refinement, resolution and ease of use that discerning listeners expect.
