AUDIOLAB D7

Available from July

The Audiolab D7 stems from the innovative legacy of the M-DAC series, a symbol of the British brand's ability to redefine accessible DAC technology. It presents itself as a tabletop digital-to-analog converter that distills years of development into a compact, rugged, and impressively versatile form. While positioned in an affordable price range, it adopts technical solutions directly derived from Audiolab’s flagship models, such as the acclaimed 9000 series and the more recent 7000A, remaining true to the brand's philosophy: delivering uncompromising audiophile performance at a reasonable cost.

Its design reflects Audiolab’s signature understated and refined aesthetic, featuring a well-finished aluminum chassis, tactile controls, and an intuitive OLED display that provides easy access to settings and functions. Unlike many rivals in the same category, the D7 goes beyond basic buttons and LED indicators: a full-featured menu system and included remote control ensure an enhanced and user-friendly experience, ideal for both casual use and in-depth control.

At the heart of the system lies the ESS9038Q2M chip—one of the most advanced solutions for digital-to-analog conversion—capable of handling high-resolution content with remarkable precision and dynamic range. Audiolab augments the HyperStream II architecture and jitter elimination system with proprietary circuit design, drawing on extensive experience in DAC optimization, to deliver a sound that is clean, detailed, and musically engaging.

The D7 supports PCM files up to 32-bit/768kHz via USB and up to 24-bit/192kHz through S/PDIF, both optical and coaxial. It is compatible with DSD files up to DSD512 and features full MQA decoding, performing all three unfold stages internally, ensuring Master-quality playback even from streaming services. Users can also choose to upsample digital signals to 352.8kHz or 384kHz, and fine-tune performance through five selectable DAC filters tailored to the source material or system configuration.

In terms of connectivity, the D7 stands out with an exceptionally complete set of options: four S/PDIF digital inputs (two coaxial and two optical), USB-B input for PCs and mobile devices, a USB-A port for external drives, and Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX and aptX HD codec support. Output options include unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR analog connections, as well as coaxial and optical digital outputs, making the D7 a perfect hub for any home audio system.

A high-performance headphone amplifier is also included, featuring a current-feedback design to drive even demanding headphones with exceptional control and clarity. This makes the Audiolab D7 a truly complete and versatile device, capable of elevating any digital source and seamlessly integrating into a wide range of setups, while delivering outstanding sound and build quality rarely seen at this price point.

With a design consistent with the Audiolab 6000 and 7000 series, solid construction, and an unprecedented wealth of features at this level, the D7 redefines the standard for entry-level DACs—proving that excellence can also be affordable.

Technical specifications:

• DAC chip: ESS9038Q2M 32-bit with HyperStream II architecture
• Supported formats: PCM 32-bit/768kHz (USB), DSD512, full MQA decoding
• Digital inputs: 2x coaxial S/PDIF, 2x optical S/PDIF, USB-B (PC/Mac), USB-A (HDD)
• Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX and aptX HD support
• Outputs: Analog RCA (2.05Vrms), balanced XLR (4.1Vrms), optical, coaxial
• Headphone amplifier: Load impedance 20–600 ohms, THD < 0.01%
• Signal-to-noise ratio: > 115dB (RCA), > 117dB (XLR)
• DAC filters: 5 user-selectable filter options
• Upsampling: Selectable to 352.8kHz or 384kHz
• Display: OLED with intuitive menu system
• Dimensions: 180 x 208 x 56 mm
• Weight: 1.42 kg
• Finish: Available in Black and Silver