At Last: Audiolab Drops Not One, but Two M-DAC Successors D7 & D9

ducurguz
May 3
2 min read

The wait is over—Audiolab has unveiled the follow-ups to its iconic M-DAC: say hello to the sleek D7 and the fully-loaded D9. Compact, powerful, and stylish, these two models bring serious next-gen upgrades in familiar form factors. Welcome to the next chapter of Hi-Fi cool.

Silver audio amplifier labeled "audiolab" with knobs and digital display showing "D9" on a wooden table, sunny garden view outside.

What the D7 & D9 Have in Common

Whether you go D7 or D9, you're getting a seriously versatile digital hub that’s prepped for both old-school and modern listening setups.

🔌 Digital Inputs

USB-B (for PCs) + USB-A (for external drives or streamers)
2 x Coaxial (SPDIF)
2 x Optical (TOSLINK)
aptX HD Bluetooth for high-quality wireless audio

🎧 Analog & Digital Outputs

Balanced XLR + Unbalanced RCA outputs
Switchable between Fixed or Variable output (DAC or preamp mode)
TOSLINK and Coaxial Digital Outs – perfect for flexible system integration
6.3mm Headphone Out: Drives 600mW into 20–600 Ohm headphones

🎵 Format Support

PCM up to 32-bit / 768kHz
DSD playback up to DSD512
MQA full decoding support (Tidal fans, rejoice)
5 Digital Filters for tailoring the sound
2x Upsampling for enhanced resolution

Black audiolab D7 audio device with knobs and antenna on a white background. Display shows "audiolab D7". Red LED indicator lit.

“The D9 combines our flagship DAC chip with a master clock and Class A post-DAC filter to deliver breathtaking sonic performance.”

⚖️ What Sets the D7 and D9 Apart?

Feature	D7	D9
Display	Monochrome OLED	2.8” Full-Color IPS LCD
Bluetooth	aptX HD	aptX HD + LDAC
Extra Input	—	AES/EBU (Pro-level XLR digital input)
Power Supply	External 12V DC Brick	Internal Linear PSU via IEC Cable
DAC Chip	ESS ES9038Q2M (2-channel)	ESS ES9038PRO (8-channel flagship)
Chassis Size	Compact	Slightly Larger
Price	£449 / €549	£1099 / €1349

Why It Matters:

D9's ES9038PRO chip is ESS Labs' top-tier DAC silicon—designed for supreme dynamic range and detail retrieval.
Combined with Audiolab’s ultra-precision clocking, Class A post-DAC analog stage, and premium components, the D9 promises truly high-end performance in a mid-size box.

Audiolab says: “The D9 is essentially our £2K 9000N streamer—just without the streaming module, and with Bluetooth added instead.”

Silver audio equipment on a wooden table, with a headset and laptop nearby. A painting of a dog is partially visible on the wall.

Who Are These For?

D7: Audiophile-grade performance in a compact package. Ideal for desktop setups, minimalists, or M-DAC fans who want modern features without the frills.
D9: Studio-worthy detail and dynamic muscle, perfect for premium two-channel systems or anyone wanting the best DAC performance under £1200.