DAC AUDIOLAB D7

Audiolab was one of the pioneering brands to offer D/A converters in the early 1990s. The Audiolab D7 continues this tradition, offering unrivalled performance in this price range.

AUDIOLAB D7: Front panel

Designed to match the Audiolab 7000 and 6000 series in terms of finish, the D7's aluminium chassis and control interface guarantee unrivalled performance and versatility at this price point. The 6.33 mm headphone output is located on the left side of the front panel.

A comprehensive remote control enhances usability while maintaining Audiolab's signature sleek and sophisticated aesthetic.

AUDIOLAB D7: Connections

The Audiolab D7 has four digital inputs, two coaxial RCA SPDIF and two optical Toslink. In addition, there is a USB HDD input for playback from external flash drives (hard drives) and a USB Type B input for PCs, Macs, smartphones or tablets (768 kHz, DSD512). It also offers the option of coaxial and optical outputs with a resolution of 192 kHz.

The RCA analogue outputs are doubled by balanced XLR outputs.

Bluetooth 5.1 reception supports multiple codecs, including aptX HD.

AUDIOLAB D7: Technology

The Audiolab D7 is equipped with a latest-generation Sabre ES9038Q2M 32-bit chip. This chip is a benchmark in DAC technology. However, thanks to its proprietary circuits, Audiolab is able to get the most out of the ESS HyperStream II architecture. This circuit is combined with an anti-jitter component. 

The D7 supports high-resolution audio with DSD up to 22.5792 MHz (DSD512) and 32-bit/768 kHz PCM via USB, or 24-bit/192 kHz PCM via S/PDIF (optical and coaxial). It is also a full MQA decoder.

Users can choose to up-sample digital audio signals to 352.8 kHz or 384 kHz. The D7 offers five filter settings to adjust performance according to source files or system components. This nuance will be greatly appreciated, given the wide variety of digital file formats supported, not to mention headphone users or different digital streaming services.


The D7 features a high-power headphone amplifier with current feedback circuitry to complement its versatility. Like the 7000A, this solution is designed for all types of headphones, ensuring exceptional clarity and dynamics.

AUDIOLAB D7: Playback

We connected our Octavio Stream G2 to the optical input of the Audiolab D7.

From the very first tracks, it revealed excellent response in the low frequencies. Everything it reproduces is rich in detail and, above all, texture. This obviously has a significant impact on musicality and realism. The network player is no longer recognisable, which in itself is no mean feat! The transparency is excellent and no detail is lost. The filters have a noticeable effect on the sound (and this effect also varies depending on the resolution and mastering). They significantly influence the overall playback. With Qobuz HD, differences can be heard depending on the album.

The Dac 7 offers an excellent balance between dynamics and nuance, while keeping the impact and energy intact. It conveys all the refinement that music needs to evoke emotion. The Audiolab D7 is a DAC that distils high-end engineering into a compact and affordable package.


Highly recommended.