Audiolab D7 DAC Headphone Amplifier with Meze 109 Pro Open-Back Headphones

Since the launch of the original M-DAC in 2011, Audiolab has been a driving force in reshaping the affordable audiophile DAC landscape. The M-DAC set a precedent for future Audiolab products, laying the groundwork for the brand’s integration of class-leading DAC technology into a wide range of award-winning hi-fi components. This trajectory has culminated in the highly acclaimed 9000 series. Continuing Audiolab’s commitment to performance and value, the new D7 model carries forward the brand's philosophy of high-end engineering in a compact and attainable package. Drawing from the development expertise behind the 6000 and 7000 series, the D7 benefits from trickle-down technology to challenge expectations in its class.

State-Of-The-Art Chipset

Compact yet feature-rich, the D7 reflects Audiolab’s distinctive design language with robust construction, a sleek aluminium chassis, and a user-friendly OLED display. Unlike many DACs at this price point, the D7 features a comprehensive and intuitive menu system with full remote control functionality—surpassing the basic interfaces of many rivals. Central to its performance is the ESS9038Q2M DAC chipset, also found in the 7000A, enabling high-precision digital-to-analogue conversion. This advanced chip supports integration with a wide array of sources, including CD transports and wireless streamers, ensuring smooth connectivity across diverse listening setups.

Comprehensive Connectivity

The D7 boasts versatile connectivity options with four S/PDIF inputs (two coaxial, two optical), USB inputs for external drives and PC/Mac connections, plus Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD support for high-quality wireless streaming. Outputs include coaxial, optical, RCA, and fully balanced XLR, providing flexibility for integration into virtually any system. In terms of audio performance, the D7 supports high-resolution formats up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 via USB, with full internal MQA decoding—offering a true audiophile experience regardless of source material. Audiolab’s expertise with HyperStream II architecture and jitter reduction ensures a clean, detailed signal with ultra-low noise.

Above & Beyond

Beyond its impressive DAC credentials, the D7 includes a high-performance headphone amplifier with current-feedback circuitry, delivering excellent clarity and drive across a wide range of headphone types. Users can further tailor their listening experience with five DAC filter options and upsampling to 352.8kHz or 384kHz, allowing fine adjustment based on system characteristics or file format. Matching the design and quality of the 6000 and 7000 series, the D7’s build quality, tactile controls, and sleek appearance uphold Audiolab’s high standards. With its combination of high-end features, thoughtful design, and accessible price point, the D7 redefines what is possible in entry-level DAC performance.

Meze 109 Pro Open-Back Headphones

Through its open-back design, we wanted the 109 PRO to be vivid and exciting, empowering the listener to connect with music on a deeper level.

Carefully tuned by our in-house engineering team, it offers emotionally engaging sound with great detail, clarity and just the right amount of punch. Its organic character, paired with superior dynamics, excellent imaging, and full-bodied vocals bring soul-stirring details to life. Besides, it’s easy to drive from most devices, whether we’re talking portable sources or intricate home setups.

Made of cellulose composite enforced with carbon fiber, the W-shaped dome is able to reproduce high-frequencies with incredible detail, clarity and definition. More durable than conventional alternatives used in dynamic drivers, yet lightweight, this composite helps us avoid resonances that may lead to harmonic distortion.

The ultra-thin torus surrounding the dome is composed of Beryllium-coated semicrystalline polymer, measuring 22 microns in thickness. With the Beryllium coating applied through Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD), we aimed to increase the stiffness and durability of the driver, while still keeping it light enough to achieve a fast transient response.

Beryllium's high damping qualities also help suppress unwanted resonances, giving the 109 PRO its neutral, vivid and transparent character. Around the membrane, the ring-shaped stabilizer made of copper-zinc alloy improves the absorption of vibrations to further reduce distortion.

The diaphragm is encased in a high-precision machined aluminum frame that has superior rigidity to typical plastics frames and retains perfect surface flatness, which is essential for the precision assembly with the diaphragm.

The spider-shaped structure and the acoustically transparent grill inside the earcup expose the driver from both sides, creating our most open pattern to date. Following the principles of anthropometrics, we positioned the driver at a precise angle and distance from the ear, to achieve an ideal anatomical fit.

Velour cushions comfortably surround the ears, providing the optimal seal to create natural sound. As velour is far softer and more breathable than leather, it also prevents sweat and overheating during lengthy listening sessions.

The self-adjusting headband spreads the weight out to deliver even pressure for any head shape and size.

Superior Build

The 109 PRO is all about comfort – from the structural design of the headphone to the choice of materials, all decisions were carefully made to ensure the final product rises to our highest standard, in terms of ergonomics. Once placed on your head, the headphones have to become unnoticeable, leaving you with nothing but the music.

With this perspective in mind, we combined walnut wood, zinc, manganese steel and vegan leather in a comfortable, lightweight, yet highly durable structure.

Sustainability

The black walnut wood we use for our headphones comes strictly from sources with a certificate of origin, harvested from mature trees that have reached the end of their life cycle. This way, the environment is being protected, leaving room for new life, while the old trees are shining once again, in the shape of a Meze headphone.

Longevity in Mind

The 109 PRO is crafted with utmost care for sustainability. As our choices of today can have a great impact in the world of tomorrow, we design products that last. We believe that a longer product lifespan means a smaller footprint Following this philosophy, the 109 PRO can be taken apart and serviced endlessly if ever needed, which can extend the life of the product beyond limit.

D7 DAC Headphone Amplifier Specifications

109 Pro Open-Back Headphone Specifications