Halloween DealsAmazon USHalloween week deals: useful picks before month-endAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run ScanHalloween DealsAmazon USOctober picks are moving - compare before checkoutAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
FREEDOM251

Freedom251 › Blog › Audiolab 9000A

Audiolab 9000A adds an MM phono stage, Bluetooth and USB audio to a headphone-ready integrated amplifier

By Freedom251 Team · · 4 min read

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The Audiolab 9000A is an integrated amplifier built to connect an MM turntable, digital sources and Bluetooth devices, then power passive speakers or wired headphones. Its new phono stage supports vinyl playback, while the amplifier also provides high-resolution PC USB input and a dedicated headphone circuit. Despite the headline’s wording, Audiolab’s published specifications do not confirm that the 9000A can record vinyl to a computer over USB.

What the Audiolab 9000A is

The 9000A combines a phono preamplifier, digital-to-analogue converter, power amplifier and headphone amplifier in one component. Audiolab describes it as having “loaded” analogue and digital source connections, wireless connectivity for portable devices, an all-new phono stage and Class AB amplification for loudspeakers and headphones.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

For a vinyl system, the connection is straightforward: plug a moving-magnet (MM) turntable into the 9000A’s phono input, connect passive speakers to its speaker outputs, and use the amplifier’s volume control. You can also listen privately through wired headphones without adding a separate headphone amplifier.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The new phono stage and cartridge compatibility

MM-only support

Audiolab specifies the 9000A’s phono input for moving-magnet cartridges. The circuit uses JFET devices and precise RIAA equalisation, the standard correction curve required to restore the tonal balance cut into a vinyl record.

#1 Best Overall
Elebase USB to USB C Adapter for iPhone 18 Pro Max,USBC Car Charger Adapter | 4Pack Type C Female to A Male Cable Converter for Apple Duo 17 16 15 14 Plus,iWatch Watch 12 11 10,iPad 9 8 Air,Airpods 5 4
  • Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
  • Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
  • Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
  • Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
  • 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.

That means the published specification does not establish support for moving-coil (MC) cartridges. If your turntable uses an MC cartridge, you would need a separate MC-compatible phono stage or an appropriate step-up arrangement before connecting to a line-level input.

What you still need

  • An MM-equipped turntable or an external phono stage that supplies a line-level output.
  • Passive loudspeakers if you want room-filling playback; the 9000A is not a powered-speaker controller.
  • A standard stereo RCA connection from the turntable to the phono input, with the turntable’s ground wire attached where required to minimise hum.

Bluetooth, USB and digital playback

Bluetooth codecs

The 9000A includes Bluetooth 5.1 and supports aptX, aptX HD, AAC and LDAC. A compatible phone, tablet or computer can therefore send wireless audio directly to the amplifier. The codec actually used depends on the source device and its operating system; Bluetooth does not guarantee that every device will use LDAC or aptX HD.

Rank #2
Sale
Anker USB-C Hub, 5-in-1 USB Hub for Laptops, 4K HDMI Multiport Adapter | USB C Dongle with 90W Max Power Delivery, 3×5Gbps USB A Data Ports, for MacBook, Dell, and More (Charger Not Included)
  • 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
  • 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
  • Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
  • 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
  • What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.

PC USB input

The specification lists one PC USB input using a USB-B connector. It accepts PCM audio from 44.1 kHz up to 768 kHz and DSD from DSD64 through DSD512. This is intended for computer playback: connect the computer to the USB-B input, select that input on the 9000A and play audio through the amplifier.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

USB recording is not confirmed

The headline’s reference to USB recording needs qualification. Audiolab’s published input and output tables identify PC USB as an input. They list preamplifier, stereo-speaker, headphone and 12V-trigger outputs, but do not list a USB audio output or an analogue-to-digital converter for sending a turntable signal to a computer. On the available specifications, the 9000A should be treated as a USB playback device, not a confirmed vinyl-recording interface.

Rank #3
Sale
Anker USB C Hub, 7in1 Multi-Port USB Adapter, 4K@60Hz USBC to HDMI Splitter | 85W Max PD, 2 USB 3.0 & 1 USBC Data Ports, SD/TF Card Reader, for Laptops/Mac and Other Type C Devices (Charger Not Included)
  • Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
  • Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
  • Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
  • Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
  • What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.

To archive records digitally, you would need a separate ADC or USB audio interface with a suitable line-level connection, unless Audiolab documents a recording function in a current manual or later product statement.

Amplification and headphone output

Speaker power

Audiolab rates the Class AB amplifier at 2 × 100 watts into 8 ohms and 2 × 160 watts into 4 ohms. Those are the manufacturer’s figures; real-world volume and headroom also depend on speaker sensitivity, room size, listening distance and impedance behaviour.

Rank #4
Sale
UGREEN USB to USB C Adapter Combo 4-Pack, 10Gbps USB C Converter Space Gray | Data transfer & Fast charging for MacBook, iPhone 17/16/15, iPad, Samsung Galaxy, Apple Watch
  • Dual Converters, Infinite Potential:Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
  • Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
  • Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
  • Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
  • Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft

Wired headphones

The dedicated current-feedback headphone amplifier is specified for loads from 20 to 600 ohms. That range covers many portable, studio and high-impedance home headphones, although sensitivity and connector compatibility still matter. Plugging in headphones provides a private listening route without changing the turntable or digital-source setup.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

DAC and internal signal hardware

Digital conversion is handled by an ESS ES9038PRO 32-bit DAC. Audiolab calls it a flagship 32-bit device. The DAC serves the 9000A’s digital sources, including PC USB and Bluetooth, while the phono input remains an analogue path.

Best Value
Sale
Anker USB C Hub, 5-in-1 USBC to HDMI Splitter with 4K Display | 85W Max PD, 1 Powered USB-C 5Gbps & 2 Powered USB-A 3.0 5Gbps Data Ports, for MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Dell and More (Black)
  • 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
  • Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
  • Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
  • HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
  • What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Connections at a glance

Feature Published detail Practical use
Phono input MM cartridge; JFET-based circuit; precise RIAA equalisation Connect an MM turntable directly
Bluetooth Version 5.1; aptX, aptX HD, AAC and LDAC Wireless playback from compatible devices
PC USB USB-B input; PCM 44.1–768 kHz; DSD64–DSD512 High-resolution computer playback
Power output 2 × 100 W at 8 ohms; 2 × 160 W at 4 ohms Drive passive stereo speakers
Headphone amplifier Current-feedback design; 20–600 ohm loads Use wired headphones directly
DAC ESS ES9038PRO, 32-bit Convert digital sources to analogue
USB audio output for recording Not stated in the published specifications Do not assume direct vinyl-to-computer recording

How to build a system around it

  1. Confirm that the turntable has an MM cartridge, or plan to use an external phono stage for another cartridge type.
  2. Connect the turntable’s left and right RCA leads to the 9000A phono input and attach the ground wire if the turntable provides one.
  3. Connect passive speakers, observing left/right channels and the amplifier’s speaker-terminal instructions.
  4. For computer playback, connect a USB-B cable from the computer to the PC USB input and choose the 9000A as the computer’s audio output.
  5. For wireless playback, pair the phone or tablet over Bluetooth, then select the Bluetooth input.
  6. For private listening, connect wired headphones rated within the published 20–600 ohm range and select the headphone output as needed.

Who should consider the 9000A

  • Vinyl listeners with MM cartridges: the integrated phono stage removes the need for a separate MM phono box.
  • Mixed analogue and digital households: Bluetooth, PC USB and the DAC handle modern sources alongside a turntable.
  • Speaker-and-headphone users: one chassis provides both passive-speaker amplification and a specified 20–600 ohm headphone output.
  • MC-cartridge owners or vinyl archivists: verify additional equipment needs, because MC support and USB recording are not established by the published specifications.

What is not established yet

Audiolab’s published material does not provide an independent listening assessment, launch price, current street price or sales-availability information. Those details can vary by territory and date, so they should be checked with an authorised seller or Audiolab before purchase.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Audiolab 9000ABluetooth audioheadphone amplifierIntegrated Amplifierphono stageUSB audiovinyl

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.