Audiolab has introduced the PPA7, a compact phono preamplifier designed to sit alongside the brand’s D7 DAC and give vinyl collectors a flexible, feature-rich way to bring a turntable into a modern system. Shown at High End 2026 in Vienna, the Audiolab PPA7 pairs serious analogue phono-stage engineering with digital conveniences that go well beyond a typical standalone preamp.
Built for MM and MC cartridges
At its core, the PPA7 is a dedicated phono preamplifier supporting both Moving Magnet and Moving Coil cartridges. MM loading offers 47kOhm impedance with selectable 100pF or 220pF capacitance, while MC loading can be set to 100 or 330 Ohms, letting owners match the preamp precisely to their cartridge of choice. Audiolab specifies a gain of +46dB for MM and +60dB for MC, with a signal-to-noise ratio of 80dB (A-weighted) on both inputs and total harmonic distortion below 0.003% on the line output.
Headphone amp, Bluetooth and USB-C recording
Beyond the phono stage itself, the PPA7 adds a dedicated current-feedback headphone amplifier for direct monitoring from vinyl. Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX HD transmission lets the signal be sent wirelessly to headphones or a pair of powered speakers, while a USB-C port doubles as a digitising interface, capturing records at up to 192kHz/24-bit with adjustable gain from -12dB to +3dB. A 33mm OLED display on the front panel keeps track of settings at a glance.
Design that matches the D7
Housed in an aluminium chassis available in Black or Deep Silver, the PPA7 is styled to complement Audiolab’s D7 DAC and sit comfortably alongside the brand’s 6000 and 7000 Series components. At 208 x 56 x 180mm and 1.42kg, it is compact enough to tuck beside a turntable or integrated amplifier without demanding much shelf space. Full details are available via Audiolab’s own product page.
Pricing and availability
The Audiolab PPA7 carries a launch price of €599 and is expected to reach dealers from September 2026 onward, in Black or Deep Silver finishes. Audiolab’s UK site does not list pricing directly, so the figure above reflects show and retailer coverage at launch; local availability and pricing may vary by market.
Key specifications
- Phono preamplifier for MM (47kOhm, 100pF/220pF) and MC (100/330 Ohm) cartridges
- Gain: +46dB (MM) / +60dB (MC); S/N ratio 80dB (A-weighted, both inputs)
- THD: <0.003% (line output), <0.01% (headphone, 1kHz/50mW)
- Dedicated current-feedback headphone amplifier
- Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX HD transmission to headphones or speakers
- USB-C recording interface, 44.1-192kHz / 16-24-bit, adjustable gain -12dB to +3dB
- 33mm OLED front-panel display
- Aluminium chassis in Black or Deep Silver; 208 x 56 x 180mm, 1.42kg
- Designed to complement the Audiolab D7 DAC and 6000/7000 Series
- Price: €599; availability from September 2026
For more on Audiolab’s current lineup, see our coverage of the Audiolab D7 and D9 DACs.
