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Audiolab D7 external DAC / headphone amplifier
  • Audiolab D7 external DAC / headphone amplifier — photo 2
  • Audiolab D7 external DAC / headphone amplifier — photo 3
  • Audiolab D7 external DAC / headphone amplifier — photo 4
DACAudiolabL079%

Audiolab D7 external DAC / headphone amplifier

DAC+preamp+headphone amp · in: coaxial, optical, USB-B (DAC), USB host, Bluetooth receive · out: RCA line, XLR line, 6.3 mm headphone, 12 V trigger, optical, coaxial · PCM 32/768, DSD512, MQA, headphone amp · musical (spec.) · entry

49,880 RUBeachin store· Elektrozavodskaya (Moscow)

Instalment: Buy now, pay later: 0-0-10 at our expense

Delivery by: 2026-11-09

Buy on audiomania.ruCompareBook a listening session

prices and stock as of 2026-11-05

Audiomania expert verdict

A desktop DAC-preamp on the ES9038Q2M with the richest connectivity at its price: 2+2 S/PDIF, PC USB up to 768/DSD512, USB drives, Bluetooth aptX HD, RCA and XLR, a 20–600 Ω headphone amp, a remote and triggers. Specialists promise “a noticeable gain” over the built-in DACs of streamers (WiiM Ultra, CXN) and amplifiers (LEAK 230); buyers note the scale of the sound. AI draft, under review

Ask about Audiolab D7

Will it suit your amplifier or room, what else to buy, what to compare with.

03

In brief

Best if you are looking for:

  • a “digital hub” for a PC, transport, TV and phone: 2 coax, 2 optical, PC USB, USB drives, Bluetooth 5.1 aptX HD AI draft, under review
  • headphones from 20 to 600 Ω — a built-in current-feedback amplifier (2.35 Ω output impedance) AI draft, under review
  • an upgrade over built-in DACs in streamers and amplifiers: vs the WiiM Ultra — “a noticeable gain in detail, stage depth and musicality”; vs the LEAK 230/Cambridge CXN — “there will definitely be a gain in quality” AI draft, under review
  • uncompromised Hi-Res over USB: PCM 768 kHz, DSD512, a full MQA decoder on USB, coax and optical AI draft, under review
  • a balanced system: a 4.1 V XLR output, two 12 V triggers, a remote, an OLED display AI draft, under review

Keep in mind:

  • stereo only: multichannel 5.1 DSD over USB “is either not recognised or returns an error” AI draft, under review
  • PC USB under Windows needs drivers from the Audiolab site (link in documents) AI draft, under review
  • USB drives: capacity is not limited by the manufacturer (FAT16/FAT32/exFAT), but such devices usually cap out at 2,000–5,000 files/folders; USB HDD playback only up to 96 kHz AI draft, under review
  • no Wi-Fi or streaming services — it is a DAC, not a streamer; the only wireless input is Bluetooth AI draft, under review
04

Product DNA

L079%

A structured sound passport: every value carries a source and a confidence.

Role in the system
DAC, preamp, headphone ampcalculated0.5
Services
spec sheet1
Protocols
bluetooth rx; AirPlay: 0; no: Chromecast, DLNA/UPnP, Roon Ready, Roon Endpoint, HQPlayer NAAspec sheet1
Use scenarios
ideal: Near-field desktop; good: Home stereo, TV sound; acceptable: Background listening; less suitable: Multiroom wireless, Vinyl systemcalculated0.5
Optimal room area
not enough data to calculate
Tier
entrycalculated1
What else you need
amplifier, interconnectcalculated1
05

Sound profile

The profile appears after an Audiomania expert audition.

08

Sound character

No audition or professional review yet — below are only facts from the specs and calculations.

Technical reference

DAC chip
ES9038Q2M (32 бит)spec sheet1
Formats
PCM up to: 32/768; DSD up to: DSD512; MQA: full; files: MP3, WMA, APE, AAC, WAV, FLACspec sheet1
Role in the system
DAC, preamp, headphone ampcalculated0.5
09

Use scenarios

Suits:

  • a desktop system: PC over USB, 20–600 Ω headphones, active monitors over XLR AI draft, under review
  • a DAC upgrade in a system with a WiiM/CXN streamer or a LEAK amplifier AI draft, under review
  • a TV and CD transport over optical/coax, a phone over Bluetooth aptX HD AI draft, under review
  • music from a USB drive without a computer (FAT/exFAT, folder navigation) AI draft, under review

Less suited to:

  • Wi-Fi streaming and services — a streamer is needed (ZEN Stream over coax/USB) AI draft, under review
  • multichannel DSD and downmixing AI draft, under review
  • balanced headphones — the headphone output is single-ended only AI draft, under review
10

Technologies and construction

  • 32-bit ES9038Q2M DAC

    What it is: An ESS ES9038Q2M; PCM up to 768 kHz and DSD512 via PC USB, up to 192 kHz over coax/optical; THD < 0.001 %, SNR > 115 dB (RCA) / > 117 dB (XLR).

    Practical benefit: Its own power supply and “a more interesting circuit around the chip” — what, per the specialist, gives the gain over built-in DACs.

  • Full MQA decoder

    What it is: Full MQA decoding on the PC USB, coax and optical inputs.

    Practical benefit: Tidal Masters unfold completely on any digital input — the transport only needs to pass the stream.

  • Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX / aptX HD

    What it is: A Bluetooth 5.1 receiver with aptX and aptX HD codecs.

    Practical benefit: An Android phone streams music (incl. Yandex Music) at aptX HD quality; an iPhone uses AAC/SBC.

  • Current-feedback headphone amplifier

    What it is: A current-feedback design; 20–600 Ω loads, 2.35 Ω output impedance, THD < 0.01 % (1 kHz, 50 mW).

    Practical benefit: “A convenient solution not only for a home system but for personal listening” — one box for speakers and headphones.

  • USB drive playback, OLED display, RCA and XLR outputs

    What it is: USB HDD (USB A): MP3, WMA, APE, AAC, WAV, FLAC up to 96 kHz; FAT16/FAT32/exFAT; an OLED display; RCA 2.05 V and XLR 4.1 V; two 12 V triggers; a remote.

    Practical benefit: Music without a computer: folder navigation from the knob (Folder View), “folder” / “all folders” modes.

11

Amplifier requirements

Inputs
coaxial ×2, optical ×2, USB-B (DAC), USB host, Bluetooth receive
Outputs
RCA line, XLR line, 6.3 mm headphone, 12 V trigger ×2, optical, coaxial

Audiolab D7 → Audiolab 6000A: via analogue RCA (or digitally: optical/coaxial).

  • Software features verified 2025-11-06; check with a specialist for the current state.

R-SOURCE-CHAIN · rules version 1.0.0+c1.0.0 · confidence 0.9

12

Recommended system connection

Audiolab D7 → Audiolab 6000A: via analogue RCA (or digitally: optical/coaxial).

  • Software features verified 2025-11-06; check with a specialist for the current state.

R-SOURCE-CHAIN · rules version 1.0.0+c1.0.0 · confidence 0.9

14

Recommended right now

over the 45-product sample

In-stock, current models only; refreshed with prices (2026-11-05). Not indexed.

rules version 1.0.0+c1.0.0

16

Comparison with similar models

  • How it differs from iFi audio ZEN DAC Signature V2 external DAC

    Audiolab D7 and iFi audio ZEN DAC Signature V2 are the same tier; they differ in character and in the figures below.

    Full comparison →
17

Specifications

Main

DAC chip
ES9038Q2M (32 бит)
Formats
PCM up to: 32/768; DSD up to: DSD512; MQA: full; files: MP3, WMA, APE, AAC, WAV, FLAC
Volume control
variableAudiomania
Storage playback
folder navigation; fs: FAT16, FAT32, exFATAudiomania specialist
Multichannel
noAudiomania specialist
SNR
115 dB
± 1

sources disagree

  • 117 dB spec sheet1

    По балансному XLR — более 117 дБ

THD
0.001 %
Power supply
внешний адаптер питания (220–240 В или 100–120 В, 50/60 Гц)

Connection

Sample rate by input
USB-B (DAC): PCM 44,1–768 кГц, DSD64–DSD512; coaxial: 44,1–192 кГц; optical: 44,1–192 кГц; USB host: 44,1–96 кГц; Bluetooth receive: aptX HD
Inputs
coaxial ×2, optical ×2, USB-B (DAC), USB host, Bluetooth receive
Outputs
RCA line, XLR line, 6.3 mm headphone, 12 V trigger ×2, optical, coaxial
Analogue output
RCA and XLR
Digital outputs
optical, coaxial
HDMI ARC
none
Output level
2.05 V
± 1

sources disagree

  • 4.1 V spec sheet1

    Балансный XLR — 4,1 В RMS

Output impedance
120 Ω
Headphone amplifier
jacks: 6.3 mm; impedance, Ω: 2.35; load, Ω: 20–600; no: balanced
Bluetooth
receive; version: 5.1; codecs: aptX, aptX HD; no: transmit
Wi-Fi
no
Remote
IR remote

Dimensions

Dimensions (W×H×D)
180 × 56 × 208 mm

Weight

Weight
1.42 kg

Box contents

Warranty
12 months
In the box
адаптер питания, пульт ДУ, руководство пользователя
18

Documents

19

FAQ

›Does it handle 5.1 multichannel DSD and downmix to stereo?
No: “the device is designed as a two-channel component. A multichannel signal… is either not recognised or returns an error, as the chip works in two-channel mode only.”
›Where do I get drivers for the PC USB input?
“The drivers are here: https://www.audiolab.co.uk/pages/firmware-drivers” (the firmware-drivers section of the Audiolab site; the manual refers to it as a “separate manual”).
›Will detail improve over the DACs in a LEAK 230 and a Cambridge CXN?
“There will definitely be a gain in quality. The DAC has its own power supply and a more interesting circuit around the chip.”
›I don't need a streamer — will it beat a WiiM Ultra (optical/coax/USB drive)?
“Moving from the WiiM Ultra to the external Audiolab DAC brings a noticeable gain in sound quality, especially in detail, stage depth and musicality.”
›Is the Denafrips Enyo 15th a different league?
“Yes, it is a different approach — R2R architecture… a fully balanced 24-bit R-2R ladder… characterised by musicality and precision. If the budget allows, I definitely recommend it.”
›What USB drive size can it handle and how are folders played (2 TB SSD)?
“The manufacturer sets no hard limit on external drive capacity in terabytes. Important: the device supports drives formatted FAT16, FAT32 and exFAT”; such devices usually cap at 2,000–5,000 files/folders. Folders: a short press of the knob opens Folder View, short presses go up a level, a long press exits; play “selected folder only” or “all folders in sequence”. Formats: MP3, WMA, APE, AAC, WAV, FLAC up to 96 kHz.
›Is there a point in a D7 before active monitors with built-in DSP (Edifier MR5, via XLR)?
“Yes, the DSP will adjust the sound, but a quality signal will improve it anyway. The DSP works on any input” — the monitors' built-in DAC is not bypassed over XLR.
›Which headphones suit the built-in amplifier?
Per the manufacturer — models from 20 to 600 Ω; 2.35 Ω output impedance (fine for low-impedance models too), THD < 0.01 % at 50 mW. Power into 32 Ω is not stated on the card — ask about hard-to-drive planars.
›How do I connect it to an amplifier — RCA or XLR?
Both: RCA at 2.05 V and balanced XLR at 4.1 V (SNR > 117 dB over XLR). With an XLR input on the amplifier and runs over 2 m, prefer XLR; otherwise RCA. Two 12 V triggers power the amplifier together with the DAC.
›Will a TV connect?
Yes — via an optical input (two optical and two coax S/PDIF, up to 192 kHz); the D7 has no HDMI ARC.
20

Customer reviews

4.8 of 5 · 4 ratings

  • Эдуард Г., Анапа · 2026-09-12Excellentverified purchase

    Первое впечатление: ОТЛИЧНО! Подключил ч/з RCA кабель к AudioPro A48W... Масштаб сразу заметен, позже подключу к пассивным напольникам... Спасибо, Аудиомания!

  • Дмитрий Ш., Архангельск · 2026-09-04Excellentverified purchase

    ЦАП отвечает всем заявленным параметрам

22

Audiomania expert opinion

Audiomania specialists describe the D7 by comparison: moving from a WiiM Ultra “brings a noticeable gain in sound quality, especially in detail, stage depth and musicality”; against the built-in DACs of the LEAK 230 and Cambridge CXN “there will be a gain” thanks to its own power supply and “a more interesting circuit around the chip”. AI draft, under review[2]

The next step, in the specialist's view, is an R2R DAC such as the Denafrips Enyo 15th (“musicality and precision”, “if the budget allows, I definitely recommend it”); the D7 remains the most versatile on inputs and the only one of the pair with a headphone amplifier. AI draft, under review[3]