Audiolab PPA7 Phonostage – First Look
All Image Credit: Audiolab
Audiolab has announced the Audiolab PPA7, a standalone phono stage, their first in almost 20 years. It combines analogue phono amplification with a built-in headphone amplifier, Bluetooth transmission and USB recording. It is available in either a silver or black finish and is priced at £499, $699 or €599.
The PPA7 uses a compact aluminium case measuring 208 × 56 × 180mm with a 33mm OLED display is flanked by two multifunction rotary controls. A remote control is also supplied for seated operation.
The PPA7 supports both moving coil (MC) and moving magnet (MM) cartridges via separate RCA inputs. MM cartridges have a fixed 47KΩ input impedance with selectable 100pF or 220pF capacitance, while MC cartridges can be set to 100Ω or 330Ω loading. Gain is adjustable in 1dB steps over ±6dB, with maximum gain of 52dB for MM and 66dB for MC cartridges. One stereo RCA output is provided for connection to a system amplifier or powered speakers. This output can be configured as fixed or variable.
The inclusion of an analogue to digital converter (ADC) allows vinyl signals to be transmitted wirelessly and Bluetooth 5.3 is supported, along with aptX HD for compatible devices. The digitised analogue signal is also available over the USB-C output for archiving your vinyl collection to a PC or MAC. It supports 16/24-bit recording at sample rates from 44.1KHz to 192KHz, with adjustable output level from -12dB to +3dB.
Rounding the package of is a built-in dedicated current-feedback headphone amplifier that uses a front-mounted 6.35mm socket, supporting headphone loads from 20 to 600 ohms, with up to 600mW of output power.
Rear panel signal connectivity includes; 1x RCA MM and 1 x RCA MC stereo phono inputs and 1 x RCA stereo line level output. Other connections include; 1 x USB-A input for future firmware updates, 1 x 12VDC trigger I/O and a 12VDC power input.
Features At A Glance:
- High-performance MM and MC Phono Preamplifier
- User-configurable Cartridge Loading
- Dedicated Current-feedback Headphone Amplifier
- Bluetooth® Transmitter Supporting aptX HD for Bluetooth Headphones or Speakers
- USB-C Audio Recording Interface for PC & Mac
- 33mm (1.3″) OLED Display
- Low-noise Dual Power Supply Voltage Stabilising Circuit
- IR handheld remote
Specifications:
- Inputs: 1 x Phono (MM), 1 x Phono (MC), 1 x 12V Trigger
- Outputs: Bluetooth 5.3, 1 x RCA, 1 x Headphone, 1 x 12V Trigger, 1 x USB Record Output
- Pre-Amplifier:
- Gain:+46dB (Phono MM), +60dB (Phono MC)
- Input Sensitivity: 4.8mV RMS (MM Gain = 0dB, VOL = 0dB), 1mV RMS (MC Gain = 0dB, VOL = 0dB)
- Phono Input Impedance: 47k ohms (MM), 100 ohms/330 ohms (MC)
- THD: < 0.003% (1KHz, VOL=0dB)
- Input Overload Margin:
- MC Headroom = 5.9mV RMS, VOL = -20dB, THD<0.1%
- MM Headroom = 88mVrms VOL = -20dB, THD<0.1%
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20KHz (+/-0.5dB)
- Output Impedance: 120 ohms
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio:
- 80dB (MM) A-weighted
- 80dB (MC) A-weighted
- Headphone Amplifier:
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): <0.01% (1kHz, 50mW)
- Output Impedance: 2.35 ohms
- Load impedance: 20-600 ohms
- USB Record: Sample Rate 44.1-192KHz, Bit Depth 16/24bit
- Standby Power Consumption<0.5W
- Net Weight: 1.42Kg
- Dimensions (W x H x D):208 x 56 x 180 mm
- Finish: Silver/Black
- Power Requirements: (depending on region)110-240V ~ 50/60Hz
- Standard Accessories: Power adaptor, Remote Control, User Manual
Pricing:
- UK: £499.00
- US: $699.00
- EU: €599.00
For more information visit the Audiolab web site.
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