Audiolab PPA7 Phonostage
AUDIOLAB PPA7 PHONO STAGE ADDS HEADPHONE, BLUETOOTH AND USB FEATURES
Audiolab has announced the Audiolab PPA7, a standalone phono stage designed for both traditional vinyl playback and modern listening systems.
The Audiolab PPA7 Phonostage is Audiolab’s first standalone phono stage in almost 20 years and combines analogue phono amplification with a built-in headphone amplifier, Bluetooth transmission and USB recording.
AUDIOLAB PPA7 PHONOSTAGE
The PPA7 provides separate stereo RCA inputs for moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridges, with RCA outputs for connection to a system amplifier or powered speakers. The output can be configured as fixed or variable, with the latter allowing the PPA7 to be connected directly to a power amplifier.
MM cartridges have a 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.
AUDIOLAB PPA7 HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER
A built-in headphone amplifier allows headphones to be connected directly to the PPA7. The front-mounted 6.35mm socket supports headphone loads from 20 to 600 ohms, with up to 600mW of output power.
BLUETOOTH AND USB RECORDING
An integrated ADC (Analogue-to-Digital Converter) enables vinyl playback to be transmitted wirelessly to compatible headphones and speakers. Bluetooth 5.3 is supported, along with aptX HD for compatible devices.
The PPA7 can also digitise vinyl through its USB-C output, connecting to a PC or Mac for recording and storage. It supports 16- and 24-bit recording at sample rates from 44.1kHz to 192kHz, with adjustable output level from -12dB to +3dB.
DESIGN AND CONNECTIVITY
The PPA7 uses a compact aluminium case measuring 208 × 56 × 180mm and shares its desktop-sized format with Audiolab’s D7 DAC. A 33mm OLED display is flanked by two multifunction rotary controls, with further operation available through the supplied remote control.
A USB-A input is provided for future firmware updates, while 12V trigger inputs and outputs allow integration with compatible system components. The internal power supply converts the 12V DC input into a regulated ±8.5V supply for the analogue circuitry.
AUDIOLAB PPA7 PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
The Audiolab PPA7 will be available from late October 2026 in black or silver finishes, with an RRP of £499.
HiFi PiG says: The Audiolab PPA7 looks like a practical option for vinyl listeners wanting more than a conventional phono stage, with MM/MC adjustment, headphone output, Bluetooth and USB recording all built in.
