Audio Section
Variety Of Sources
Display & Control
Audio Section
Discrete Class AB Amplification: The Audiolab 9000A's discrete Class AB power amp stage delivers 100W x 2Ch into 8 ohms or 160W x 2Ch into 4 ohms, with a maximum current delivery of 9 Amps into difficult loads. The output stage of the discrete power amp circuits uses a CFB (Complementary Feedback) topology, ensuring superior linearity and excellent thermal stability, as the idle current is kept independent of the temperature of the output transistors. A substantial 320VA toroidal transformer, followed by 4x15000uF reservoir capacity (60,000uF in total), helps the amp to maintain firm control of the music and enabling excellent dynamic range. Although the 9000A is an integrated amplifier, it can also function as a separate preamp or power amplifier.
- Integrated Mode: In Integrated Mode, the preamplifier section and power amplifier are connected and both active. The unit's preouts are still operational in this mode, so a second power amplifier can be connected for bi-amplification or a powered subwoofer can be added to your speaker system.
- Pre-Power Mode: In Pre-Power Mode, the preamplifier section is internally disconnected from the power amplifier. The 9000A can then be used as a stand alone power amplifier in an AV setup. This mode can also be used if additional signal processing is required; connecting the preouts to an external signal processor and then take the output from the processor to the 9000A's Power Amp Input.
- Pre Mode: In Pre Mode, all signals to and from the power amplifier of the 9000A are disconnected. In this mode the 9000A functions only as a stand-alone preamplifier, so it can be connected to a stereo power amplifier or two mono-block amplifiers.
Simple Preamp Circuitry: Much effort has gone into the physical layout of the 9000A's circuitry, protecting the sensitive preamp section from noise interference. The preamp section is kept as simple as possible to maintain signal purity, with line input signals passing to a precision analog volume stage. The volume range is from -78dB to 0dB in steps of 2dB and 1dB (step resolution increases with volume position).
32-Bit DAC with Upsampling: The Audiolab 9000A's digital circuitry delivers the level of quality one might expect of a high-performance standalone DAC. The 9000A utilizes an ESS Sabre32 Reference chip DAC (ES9038Pro) to perform D/A conversion, featuring ESS Technology's 32-bit HyperStream architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator to deliver ultra-low noise and high dynamic range. The 9000A will automatically upsample the incoming digital audio signal (SPDIF or PC USB) to 352.8kHz or 384kHz. The 9000A also incorporates a post-DAC filter based upon Class A topology and proprietary DC-coupled high-gain electronic amp designs to deliver ultra-low noise and high dynamic range. You can choose between 5 digital filters to configure the built-in DAC to your listening preference.
- Linear (Fast): This is the most common filter with clean overall suppression and excellent rejection, best for music with large transients. Provides crisp clean highs.
- Linear (Slow): A low group delay and symmetrical input response with less ringing than ‘Linear-phase fast roll-off’. It offers punchier bass than ‘Linear-phase fast roll-off’, with clean highs. (Default)
- Minimum (Fast): This offers minimal pre-ringing. It is usually preferred for imaging and sound stages. It offers no aliasing in the frequency domain and stronger bass than ‘Linear Phase’, with clean highs.
- Minimum (Slow): A Non-Symmetrical filter designed to minimize pre-ringing. It offers a strong punchy bass with a good transient attack.
- Hybrid: This is the combination of ‘Linear-phase’ and ‘Minimum-phase’. It offers a fast transient attack, strong punchy bass and crisp highs.
Dedicated Headphone Amp: The Audio lab 9000A incorporates a dedicated headphone amp with current-feedback circuitry and a front-panel 1/4" (6.3mm) headphone jack. Its gain bandwidth and high slew rate ensure a dynamic, detailed and engaging performance with all manner of headphone types. The dedicated headphone amp can support headphones with an impedance of 20 to 600 ohm. When a set of headphones is connected the audio from the integrated amplifier's loudspeaker terminals are turned off.
Binding Post Speaker Terminals: The Audiolab 9000A is outfitted with a set of binding post terminals that will accept bare wire (up to 10AWG), pin-connectors, spade-lugs, and banana plugs (single or dual). You can connect a pair of 8 ohm or 4 ohm loudspeakers.
Stereo RCA Preouts: The stereo RCA preouts can be used to connect an external power amplifier, powered subwoofer, or signal processor. The stereo RCA preouts are full-range.
Variety Of Sources
Balanced & Unbalanced Analog Inputs: The Audiolab 9000A integrated amplifier is outfitted with both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA stereo analog line-level inputs. There is one balanced stereo XLR input and three unbalanced stereo RCA inputs. Balanced connections provide greater dynamic range and lower noise. You can adjust the input sensitivity (+/- 6dB) of the individual analog inputs to help achieve a more uniform playback volume level when switching from one source to another.
High Performance Phono Stage: The all-new phono pre-amp section of the 9000A offers compatibility for turntables with moving magnet (MM) cartridges using a JFET-based circuit with precise RIAA equalization for excellent sound reproduction.
Optical & Coaxial Digital Inputs: The Audiolab 9000A is outfitted with two optical (toslink) and two coaxial (RCA) digital inputs for connection of a CD player, Blu-ray, media streamer, and/or TV. The digital inputs supports 2ch PCM audio up to 24-bit/192kHz. The DPLL setting (Normal or Wide) is used for changing the bandwidth of the digital phase lock loop of the D/A converter to accommodate different levels of jitter on the incoming SPDIF signal.
- Normal Mode: Normal mode should be selected for signals with low jitter
- Wide Mode: Wide mode should be selected for signals with abnormal jitter.
Note: The digital inputs do not support Dolby Digital, DTS, or other multichannel audio formats.
USB-B Port: The Audiolab 9000A is equipped with a USB-B port for connection to your Windows PC or Mac computer, so you can play your digital music files (including PCM and DSD) through the integrated amplifier. Supported digital music files include 2ch PCM (up 32-bit/768kHz), DSD (up to 22.5MHz), and MQA. A dedicated USB audio driver is required for Windows PC.
- MQA (Master Quality Authenticated): The 9000A will playback and decodes MQA content via USB-B and your Windows PC or Mac computer. Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) is a revolutionary end-to-end technology that captures and delivers master quality audio. MQA lets you hear music exactly as it was created in the studio just the way the artist intended with precision and detail.
- Roon Tested: As a Roon Tested partner, the Audiolab 9000A integrated amp is certified to work seamlessly work with Roon hardware and software. Roon is a rich and engaging way to browse, organize, and listen to music. Artist photos, credits, bios, reviews, lyrics, tour dates, and composers are located automatically, then interconnected by links to build a surf able digital magazine. Roon is also a multi-room, multi-user networked audio platform, it offers features such as bit-perfect playback, DSD and PCM up sampling, multichannel support, and Signal Path display
Note: There is also a rear-panel USB-A port that can only be used for service and firmware update purposes. This USB-A port does not support any type of media playback or charging.
Bluetooth 5.1: The Audiolab 9000A is equipped with built-in Bluetooth 5.1 with support for wireless audio music streaming (A2DP). You'll be able to stream stored music, music apps, and other audio content from your Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer to the Audiolab integrated amplifier. You'll still use your Bluetooth source device to control playback. You can pair multiple devices to the amplifier, but only one source device can be connected and used for playback at a time. The 9000A supports SBC, aptX, aptX HD, and aptX LL codecs.
- SBC: The SBC (Sub-Band Coding) is Bluetooth's standard audio codec that is universally compatible with all Bluetooth-enable devices. SBC supports up to 320kbps.
- aptX: aptX is an audio codec that can provide "CD-quality" music (up to 16-bit/44.1kHz). The RS250 will automatically utilize aptX when connected to a source (such as Android) that supports aptX.
- aptX HD: The RS250 also supports the higher resolution aptX HD for 24-bit/48kHz wireless audio. If your Bluetooth source device utilizes aptX HD then that resolution will be utilized automatically.
- aptX LL: In addition, the RS250 features aptX LL (Low Latency) which automatically ensures a wireless Bluetooth connection can deliver sound in sync with visual media. It reduces delay and improves end-to-end speed of the audio transmission, resulting in a high quality, synchronized user experience with any transmitting device that supports aptX LL.
Notes:
- To utilize any of the aptX codecs, your Bluetooth-enabled source device must also support that version of aptX.
- There is an external Bluetooth antenna included in the box that must be connected on the back of the integrated amplifier to use Bluetooth.
Display & Control
Front-Panel IPS Display: The 9000A integrated amplifier features a vibrant and visually informative 4.3" IPS display on the front-panel. The 4.3" IPS display includes a detailed, but simple-to-use GUI (graphic user interface). The GUI includes settings for the digital phase lock loop of the D/C converter (DPLL), brightness, and operational modes. It can even be set to display a VU meter in analog or digital form; showing real-time decibel levels for the left and right channels - a graphical representation of the music as it plays. It also provides song/artist/album text information for your music files on your computer via USB-B, as well as music from your Bluetooth source devices.
IR Remote: The included IR remote control provides wireless operation of the A9000A integrated amplifier, as well as other Audiolab components - such as CD transports and network audio streamers (sold separately).
Note: No batteries are included for the remote. The remote takes two "AAA" batteries.
12V Trigger In/Out: The 9000A features a 12V trigger output and 12V trigger input. Each input consists of a 3.5mm minijack. The 12V trigger output can be used to control and synchronize the Power On/Off of another component with a 12V trigger input with the Audiolab 9000A. The 12V trigger input can be used to control and synchronize the Power On/Off of the 9000A integrated amplifier with another component that features a 12V trigger output.
Auto Standby: The 9000A integrated amplifier will automatically enter standby mode after 20 minutes or 1 hour of no audio signal and control inactivity.
Detachable AC Power Cord: The Audiolab 9000A comes with a detachable 6.5' IEC 2-prong AC power cord.
