Audiolab's new flagship 9000N streamer is a real class act, then. It boasts excellent functionality and decent connectivity – although I'd have loved a coaxial digital input – plus excellent sound that's as good as or better than any streamer I've heard at or near its price. The app is good, too, although it can't quite match the brilliance of the Auralics – few can, in my view.

Audiolab has rounded out its premium 9000 series with a streamer/DAC of real charm. The modern-looking hardware design, plus excellent display and app, appeal from the off, and its performance is assured – music of any flavour is in its wheelhouse thanks to a clear, detailed and unfussy presentation. A minor niggle? Stack the 9000N with its amp and CD siblings and you'll end up with two 'identical' DACs!

To conclude this review is pretty easy, I am a fan of Audiolab 9000 range, purely because it wins over my heart every single time even when my head might want to tell me something else and if you have good speakers and subwoofers maybe then you will reap the benefits of your investment in it every listening session.

I expected I would be making more direct comparisons to the Cyrus in this review because the two units have passed through at the same time at the same price. The reality is that they are very different beasts. Their expected points of difference are there though. The Cyrus has a great interface that’s going to help it drop into a huge ecosystem of devices, supporting streaming services that the Audiolab has no answer for. The 9000N by contrast, supports formats and sample rates that BluOS has no means of rivalling. It’s as pleasant as the Cyrus to use but it really is a standalone device unless you splash out for Roon too.

The 9000N is a formidable new arrival and the streamer that we all knew Audiolab was capable of making. It’s a pleasure to use and ensures that its comprehensive specification is easy to access. It goes on to deliver an incredibly unembellished performance that brings you the true character of the music you love with absolutely nothing added.

The 9000N is a terrific performer that delivers class-leading precision and insight, though it lacks some common features