December 23, 2024

Audiolab 7000N Network Streamer

Audiolab-7000N-Network-Streamer Audiolab 7000N Network Streamer (with 7000A)

What is 7000N?

Those with a penchant for high fidelity digital streaming are unlikely to be impressed with the “presumably” 48kHz upsampling of Smart TV digital tracks through HDMI ARC. Though, the rest of the family will be fine. But serious listeners need more. And there is more to be unearthed - much much more – thanks to Audiolab’s 7000N.

7000N is a wireless audio streaming player from Audiolab featuring an inbuilt Sabre ES9038Q2M Reference DAC – the very same DAC found within 7000 Series’ integrated amplifier, 7000A. It has a 2.8" Full View IPS LCD colour display for streaming service information, system settings, format, folder, and track details like sample rate display, which, let’s face it, when you’re a serious digital music junkie, is rather reassuring (knowing that what the service provides is precisely what’s playing through your system). It also comes with Apple Airplay II compatibility, allowing Apple Music using family members or friends to quickly connect and play. Plus, the whole thing is running on the multi-source compatible DTS Play-Fi ecosystem.

Audiolab-7000N-Network-Streamer-(Apple Airplay)

Audiolab 7000N Network Streamer (with AirPlay II)

Play-Fi: The Good. The Bad. The Future.

At the outset, it’s important not to shy away from Play-Fi’s shortcomings, of which there are a couple. So, let’s address the elephant in the room. There’s both the lack of true gapless and the browsing compromises in transfer mode – that’s when your smart device passes off the stream to the 7000N unit itself, basically becoming a remote control. And both issues are highlighted by Dark Audio in his review of Audiolab’s 6000A Play, which is also based on the Play-Fi ecosystem (and I’ll link to that video for you to watch). But, with all that in mind, Play-Fi is one of the largest wireless ecosystems in the world, used in a variety of products from some of the biggest names in audio, and this is with good reason. The interface is simple to navigate. It offers 24/192 HiRes streaming. And… maybe most importantly, it works natively with Spotify Connect.

Now, before every audiophile in the room chokes on their Nes Cafe Blend 23, let me plead my case. Because, when Spotify eventually gets its shit together and delivers on its promise of high resolution audio, the world’s largest catalogue of music, with the most intuitive navigation, the best enhanced search and discovery tools for new and unfamiliar music, this behemoth of a streaming service, will be the streaming platform of choice – audiophiles included. It won’t even be close. And you’ll be able to bypass the Play-Fi ecosystem altogether, eliminating any of those previously mentioned shortcomings, instead using the Spotify app itself to play all your favourite tunes… in HiRes. So, a network player like 7000N, with its use of the Play-Fi ecosystem, might not be the compromise you’re inclined to believe. In fact, you might go so far as to call it an investment.

Audiolab 7000N Network Streamer (Play-Fi)

While the native Play-Fi interface is a little finicky right now, it will let you play up to 24/192, which is kinda the whole point of a serious digital listening session, right. You will have to play an entire album all the way through before you can then search for the next album or track. At the moment, you can’t do both of these at the same time. But this little bug might very well be a feature. But what it does do is make you slow down and pay attention to the music you’re listening to, drawing your entire focus in on the music itself rather than shuffling through choice tunes you might enjoy listening to in the future. What a very present, inconvenenient approach to digital listening.

And when it comes to Spotify’s connect, it’s a little like Field of Dreams: build it and they will come. So, buy it – the 7000N with Play-Fi’s native Spotify Connect and Spotify Hi-Fi will come… one day. But when it does this seriously capable network player will offer the most intuitive HiRes streaming experience on the planet. Because the most intuitive streaming experience isn’t third party – not Play-Fi not Bluos not even Roon. The most intuitive streaming experience is directly through the streaming service itself.

In addition to streaming app compatibility with all the major players – Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon, Apple Music, and Spotify – DTS Play-Fi can also find and play stored music files from PCs and NAS drives. So, all your wireless digital music bases are covered.

Audiolab 7000N Network Streamer (Black)

ESS Inbuilt DAC

For Audiolab integrated owners, the inbuilt ESS Sabre Reference DAC might not be much of a benefit – most especially 7000A owners. But, if you’re a 6000A owner looking to include a network streamer this is a serious upgrade. And if you’re using another brand of integrated, without the inclusion of a DAC, the ES9038Q2M Reference DAC is not only a life saver; it’s a beast. And there are a wealth of potential listeners out there in that boat for which this thoughtful inclusion is a real gem.

7000N's Build Quality

7000N's build quality is everything you’ve come to expect in an electronic component from Audiolab. A robust external chassis made of high-grade aluminium available in Audiolab’s quintessential matt silver and black finishes. It comes equiped with optical, coaxial and RCA outputs, with the option of both WiFi or Ethernet connections to your home internet service.

But 7000N isn’t the only digital music component within the 7000 series delivering serious musical fidelity. There’s also 7000CDT