Audiolab - PPA7 Phono Preamplifier — MM/MC, Headphone Amp, Bluetooth & USB Recording

Making more of your vinyl. The Audiolab PPA7 is a compact, high-performance phono preamplifier supporting MM and MC cartridges with user-configurable loading, a dedicated current-feedback headphone amplifier, Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX HD, and USB-C recording at up to 192kHz/24-bit. Dual regulated power supply. 33mm OLED display. Remote control included. Black or Silver.

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Making More of Your Vinyl

A phono stage handles one of the smallest and most delicate signals in any hi-fi system. The electrical output generated at the stylus requires significant amplification and precise equalisation before it is ready for an amplifier — making the quality of the phono stage fundamental to the performance of any turntable. The PPA7 gives that signal the attention it deserves.

Whether upgrading from the phono input built into an amplifier or building a dedicated vinyl system from the ground up, the Audiolab PPA7 provides a compelling step up — bringing purpose-designed analogue circuitry, accurate RIAA equalisation, and carefully controlled gain to every record in the collection.

MM and MC — Made to Match

Different cartridges place different demands on a phono preamplifier. The PPA7 is designed to accommodate both Moving Magnet and Moving Coil cartridges, with carefully selected loading options that allow performance to be optimised as your vinyl system evolves.

For MM cartridges, the standard 47kΩ input impedance is complemented by selectable 100pF and 220pF capacitance — allowing the phono stage to be better matched to the cartridge and cabling for improved tonal balance and openness. Moving Coil users can select between 100Ω and 330Ω impedance loading, providing practical matching for a wide range of low-output MC cartridges.

This isn't flexibility for the sake of a specification sheet. Correct cartridge matching helps deliver the tonal balance, openness, and control your cartridge was designed to provide — whether you're using the cartridge you own today or the one you upgrade to tomorrow.

Analogue by Design — Dual Regulated Power Supply

The tiny signal generated by a phono cartridge leaves little room for compromise. Input noise, grounding, gain structure, power supply regulation, circuit layout, and output-stage design can all influence what eventually reaches your amplifier.

The PPA7 has been engineered as a dedicated analogue component rather than simply a phono input in another box. While powered from a compact 12V DC supply, separate internal regulation stages generate symmetrical +8.5V and -8.5V power rails for the analogue circuitry — providing stable operating conditions throughout the phono amplification, equalisation, and output stages, helping minimise noise and preserve the fine detail contained within the groove.

Its purpose-designed analogue output stage delivers a clean, stable line-level signal to an integrated amplifier, preamplifier, power amplifier, or active loudspeaker system — with THD below 0.003% at 1kHz and a frequency response of 20Hz–20kHz within ±0.5dB.

Dedicated Current-Feedback Headphone Amplifier

Great vinyl listening doesn't always need loudspeakers. The PPA7 incorporates a dedicated current-feedback headphone amplifier — designed with a high slew rate and wide gain bandwidth to deliver a dynamic, detailed listening experience across a broad range of headphone types, from 20Ω to 600Ω. THD is below 0.01% at 1kHz/50mW, and output impedance is just 2.35Ω for excellent damping control.

It makes the PPA7 equally at home in the main hi-fi system, a desktop setup, or late-night listening sessions when loudspeakers aren't an option.

Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX HD — Vinyl Without the Wires

The PPA7 brings another dimension to headphone listening with integrated Bluetooth 5.3 transmission and aptX HD. Pair compatible Bluetooth headphones and your record collection is no longer tied to the listening chair. The PPA7 can also transmit to compatible Bluetooth speakers, opening up greater flexibility for turntable placement and everyday listening.

Wired playback remains the audiophile reference — but when convenience matters, Bluetooth gives the PPA7 another dimension, bringing vinyl to wireless headphones and speakers without changing the source that started it all.

USB-C Recording — Vinyl to Digital Library

Some records deserve to be preserved beyond the shelf. Rare pressings, treasured albums, and versions unavailable on streaming services can be archived directly to a PC or Mac through the PPA7's USB-C recording interface.

Selectable sample rates from 44.1kHz to 192kHz, combined with 16-bit or 24-bit recording, provide the flexibility to create high-quality digital transfers. Adjustable USB recording gain from -12dB to +3dB allows the recording level to be optimised for different cartridges and records — maximising signal capture while reducing the risk of clipping on hotter pressings.

Compact Audiolab Build — OLED Display, Remote Control

The PPA7's compact 208 × 56 × 180mm footprint belies its build quality. An aluminium chassis, tactile rotary controls, a crisp 33mm OLED display, and full remote operation make it feel every bit an Audiolab component. Cartridge loading configuration and everyday operation are accessible through the front panel user interface — no hidden switches or inaccessible rear-panel adjustments.

Available in Audiolab's signature Black or Deep Silver, the PPA7 complements the D7 DAC and sits naturally alongside 6000 and 7000 Series components — understated, purposeful, and built around the system rather than the specification sheet.

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Feature Cards

🎵 MM & MC — User-Configurable Cartridge Loading

47kΩ MM input with selectable 100pF/220pF capacitance. 100Ω/330Ω MC impedance loading. +46dB MM gain / +60dB MC gain. Configured through the front panel — not hidden switches.

🎧 Dedicated Current-Feedback Headphone Amplifier

High slew rate, wide gain bandwidth, 2.35Ω output impedance, <0.01% THD, 20–600Ω load compatibility — a headphone amplifier that takes vinyl playback seriously.

📡 Bluetooth 5.3 aptX HD + USB-C Recording

Transmit to wireless headphones or speakers via Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX HD. Record directly to PC or Mac at up to 192kHz/24-bit with adjustable recording gain via USB-C.

⚡ Dual Regulated Power Supply — ±8.5V Analogue Rails

Internal regulation stages generate symmetrical ±8.5V rails for the analogue circuitry — providing stable, low-noise operating conditions throughout amplification, equalisation, and output stages.

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Editorial Blockquote

"Making more of your vinyl. The Audiolab PPA7 brings purpose-designed analogue circuitry, accurate RIAA equalisation, and carefully controlled gain to every record in the collection." — Audiolab

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At-a-Glance Bullets

• High-performance MM and MC phono preamplifier
• MM gain: +46dB — MC gain: +60dB
• MM input impedance: 47kΩ — selectable capacitance: 100pF / 220pF
• MC input impedance: selectable 100Ω / 330Ω
• Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz (±0.5dB)
• THD (phono): < 0.003% (1kHz)
• SNR: 80dB A-weighted (MM and MC)
• Output impedance: 120Ω (line) / 2.35Ω (headphone)
• Dedicated current-feedback headphone amplifier — 20–600Ω
• Headphone THD: < 0.01% (1kHz, 50mW)
• Bluetooth 5.3 transmitter — aptX HD
• USB-C recording output: 44.1–192kHz / 16-bit or 24-bit
• Adjustable USB recording gain: -12dB to +3dB
• Dual regulated internal power supply: ±8.5V analogue rails
• Inputs: 1 × Phono MM, 1 × Phono MC, 1 × 12V Trigger
• Outputs: RCA line, headphone, Bluetooth 5.3, USB Record, 12V Trigger
• 33mm OLED display — full remote operation
• Aluminium chassis
• Standby power: < 0.5W
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 208 × 56 × 180mm — Weight: 1.42kg
• Includes: power adaptor, remote control, user manual
• Available in Black and Deep Silver

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Finish / Colour Options

• Black
• Deep Silver

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Specifications

Phono Preamplifier

Headphone Amplifier

USB Recording

Connectivity

General

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Closing Quote

"From cartridge matching to headphone amplification, Bluetooth transmission to high-resolution digital archiving — the Audiolab PPA7 brings the full modern vinyl experience into one beautifully engineered component."