audiolab D7 DAC and Headphone Amplifier - Black

A Small Box Between Your Sources and Your System

The Audiolab D7 is a DAC, a digital preamp and a headphone amplifier in one case about the size of a hardback. It sits between a digital source and the rest of your system, and takes over the job of turning ones and zeros back into sound.

That matters because the converter inside a computer, a television or a budget disc player is usually the cheapest part of it. Hand the job to the D7 instead and voices come through clearer, with instruments easier to pick apart.

The Chip, and What Audiolab Adds to It

At the center is an ESS ES9038Q2M. Plenty of makers use that chip, so Audiolab surrounds it with its own clock and its own power supply circuits, which is where the noise floor is actually won or lost. Full MQA decoding is included.

Enough Inputs to Leave Everything Plugged In

USB carries PCM up to 768kHz and DSD up to DSD512. Coaxial and optical take a disc transport or a television. Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD covers a phone, and a USB-A socket plays files straight off a flash drive with no computer involved.

Five reconstruction filters and an upsampling mode sit in the menu, so you can nudge the character of the sound a little without changing anything else in the system. The front OLED shows input, volume and format.

Fixed or Variable, Your Choice

Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs run in fixed mode into an integrated amplifier, or in variable mode so the D7 controls the volume of a power amp or a pair of active speakers. The headphone stage delivers 500 milliwatts and handles 20 to 600 ohms.

What Reviewers Are Saying

What Hi-Fi? called the D7 "a capable performer that’s well built and generously equipped," praising "a broadly neutral and even-handed presentation that impresses for its clarity and detail resolution."

The magazine also singled out its sense of scale. "We love the sense of spaciousness the DAC imparts," the review said, adding that it sounds "controlled and composed regardless of the music you play."

Who Is This DAC Best For?

• Your television or computer is the weak link — moving conversion to the D7 lifts every source you own at once, rather than replacing them one at a time.
• You want one box for headphones and speakers — 500 milliwatts drives 20 to 600 ohm headphones, and the line outputs feed the main system, so nothing has to be unplugged.
• You are short on space — at 7.1 by 8.2 inches and 3.1 pounds it fits a desk or a crowded shelf, which means better sound without rearranging the room.
• You want to skip the preamp — switch the outputs to variable and the D7 drives a power amp or active speakers directly, taking a box and two cables out of the chain.
• You want the streaming platform to be your choice — the D7 converts and switches; add one of our music streamers for the apps

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Wired sources go into the USB-B, coaxial or optical inputs, and a flash drive into the USB-A port. Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD handles a phone or tablet. The front panel and the included remote both switch between them.

On the way out, RCA and balanced XLR can be set fixed for an integrated amplifier, or variable for a power amp or active speakers. Headphones plug into the front.

Pairs Well With

Building your system? Here are some great companions:

• Headphones: Put that headphone stage to work — see our Headphones.
• Integrated Amplifier: To finish a speaker-based system — browse our Integrated Amplifiers.
• Cables: Balanced or single-ended, the run matters — see our Interconnect Cables.
• Audio Rack: Give it a permanent home — see our Audio Racks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the D7 drive powered speakers or a power amp directly?

Yes. Set the RCA or XLR outputs to variable mode and the D7 takes over volume control.

Do I still need an amplifier for passive speakers?

Yes. The D7 is a converter and preamp, not a speaker amplifier, so passive speakers need an integrated or power amp.

Can I use it with a television?

Yes, over the optical or coaxial input. The D7 then feeds an amplifier, active speakers or headphones.

What resolution does it handle?

PCM up to 768kHz and DSD up to DSD512 over USB, with full MQA decoding.

Which headphones will it drive?

Anything rated from 20 to 600 ohms, with up to 500 milliwatts on tap.

How does the D7 differ from the D9?

The D9 steps up to the ES9038PRO chip, adds LDAC Bluetooth, an AES/EBU input, a color touchscreen and a larger power supply.

See It in Action

Audio Visual Revolution puts the D7 next to its bigger brother:

And The Listening Post unboxes one and walks around the back panel:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about DACs, headphone amplifiers, or building a digital system? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.