Стримеры — Audiolab 7000N Play

The 7000N Play is the network player of the Audiolab 7000 series, announced in early February 2023 together with the 7000A integrated amplifier and the 7000CDT CD transport. It extends the DTS Play-Fi streaming platform that Audiolab introduced earlier and adds Apple AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect. The UK launch price was GBP 549, while American buyers pay USD 999. Buyers choose between black and silver aluminium finishes.

Key specs that matter

An ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M chip converts the digital signal, which Audiolab also fits in the 7000A. Files and streams are accepted up to 24-bit and 192 kHz, with gapless playback. Audiolab lists THD below 0.0005% at 1 kHz and 2.1 V, a signal to noise ratio above 115 dB A-weighted and a frequency response within 0.5 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The analogue RCA pair delivers a variable level from 0 to 2.1 V through an output impedance of 100 ohm. Coaxial and optical S/PDIF sockets sit beside it, plus a USB port reserved for firmware updates and a 12 V trigger. Each unit measures 444 x 340 x 78 mm, weighs 5.0 kg and draws under 0.5 W in standby.

Engineering and use context

Compared with the 6000N Play, the converter was moved up from the ES9018K2M to the newer ES9038Q2M, whose HyperStream II architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator are combined with Audiolab's own circuitry around it. The power supply is taken from the 7000CDT - an isolated design built around a low-noise toroidal transformer - and the clock uses a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator. Network access runs over dual-band Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet. The front carries a 71 mm IPS colour screen of 480 x 640 pixels that shows track, format and system data, with selectable VU meter views, adjustable brightness and animations. Digital filters can be chosen by the user, preset buttons are fitted, and a remote handset is supplied. Control comes from the Play-Fi app on Android, iOS, Kindle Fire and Windows PC, with Amazon Music, TIDAL, Qobuz, Deezer, Napster, Pandora, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, KKBox, QQ Music and internet radio available, as well as music stored on a NAS. Play-Fi also links the player into a multi-room group with other compatible devices.

Pairing

Because the analogue level is adjustable, the 7000N Play may be wired straight into a power amp or set to full level for an integrated amplifier's line input. Used as a network transport, its coaxial or optical output can go to an external converter such as the Audiolab D7. The 7000A and 7000CDT share its display style and aluminium casework, and the trigger lets the system switch on together.

Alternatives

The Audiolab 6000N Play is the lower-priced network player with the earlier ES9018K2M Sabre32 converter.