John Darko
At last! Audiolab has announced the successor to its exceedingly popular M-DAC. In fact, it has announced two successors: the D7 and the D9. Both models come wrapped in chassis that borrow from the M-DAC’s compact form factor. Hello, Kallax-Fi!
What do the D7 and D9 have in common?
Both offer aptX HD Bluetooth, 2 x coaxial, 2 x TOSLINK and USB-A/USB-B digital inputs. Both output analogue via balanced XLR and single-ended RCA. Both offer variable or fixed analogue outputs for DAC or pre-amplifier functionality. Both USB-B inputs support PCM up to 32bit/768kHz, DSD up to DSD512 and MQA. Both additionally give us TOSLINK and coaxial digital outputs, 5 digital filters with 2x upsampling and a 6.4mm headphone output that, according to the press release, can drive 600mW into 20 – 600 Ohms.
What are the differences between the D7 and the D9?
The D7 has a monochrome OLED display, the D9 a 2.8″ colour IPS LCD. The D9 adds LDAC support to the Bluetooth input and an AES/EBU input socket to the back panel. The D7 is juiced by an external power brick whereas the D9’s IEC socket connects to an internal transformer. That might be one reason why the D9 is larger than the D7.
Perhaps the biggest difference lies in their DAC circuitry. The D7’s D/A conversion is built around a 2-channel ESS Labs’ ES9038Q2M chip (as found in the Eversolo DMP-A6). However, the D9’s circuitry centres on ESS Labs’ flagship ES9038PRO chip. This is the 2025 equivalent of the 8-channel ES9018 chip used in the M-DAC, which sold for £600 (or £870 in modern money) when first released in 2011.
From the press release, “[The D9’s 9038PRO chip] combines with proprietary Audiolab circuitry including an ultra-precision master clock and Class A post-DAC filter to deliver remarkable sonic clarity and breathtaking dynamics.” According to Audiolab, the D9 is essentially the 9000N streaming DAC with the streaming components removed and Bluetooth added.
The D7 and D9 will sell for £449/€549 and £1099/€1349 respectively when they begin shipping in May. Your choice of black or silver finishes.
Further information: Audiolab
