Retro‑modern British stack

At High End Munich 2024, Audiolab paired its minimalist 9000Q analogue pre‑amp and 9000N network‑streamer with two bridged 9000P power amplifiers, then handed speaker duty to a beautifully restored pair of LEAK Sandwich 250 monitors on factory stands. The digital half (9000N) handles PCM up to 768 kHz and DSD512, while the 9000Q keeps signal paths short and fully balanced before dispatching them to the 300‑watt‑per‑channel mono‑configured 9000Ps. All three chassis share the same aluminium casework and 4.3‑inch IPS display, so the stack looks as unified as it sounds.

What you hear is a mix of classic British voicing and up‑to‑date resolution: the Sandwich 250’s 11‑inch aluminium‑foam woofer digs comfortably below 35 Hz, while the 9000N/9000Q duo maintains sub‑0.0005 % THD through the mid‑band. The result at the show was quick, punchy bass that never smeared into the cedar‑paneled mid‑range, plus a wide stereo image that stretched well beyond the speaker edges—a reminder that heritage designs can thrive when teamed with current‑generation electronics.