Luxman E-07 Phono Amplifier

Description

The role of a phono equalizer amplifier is to accurately and carefully amplify the emotional nuances of the music detected by the phono cartridge from the record and pass it to the next stage amplifier. LUXMAN, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025, has developed the E-07, an all-solid-state phono equalizer amplifier that sets a new benchmark in performance and sound quality. This model is designed to further enhance the enjoyment of deep analog vinyl playback.

Compatible with various analog playback environments, including balanced connections for MC cartridges

The E-07 features a slim chassis designed to match the width of LUXMAN’s separate amplifiers and integrated amplifiers, complemented by a blasted white finish front panel for design consistency. It incorporates the performance and diverse functions required for a modern phono equalizer amplifier, enhancing the enjoyment of deep analog playback. Our newly developed step-up transformer for MC cartridges utilizes a super permalloy core with high responsiveness to small signals. It comprises two independent units for each channel and Low/High gain, allowing for optimal transformer selection based on the chosen impedance group. Additionally, it supports balanced inputs that can receive differential signals from MC cartridges without loss of output energy, improving left-right stereo separation and image localization. The input options include one balanced pair (XLR) and two unbalanced pairs (RCA) terminals, enabling the construction of versatile analog playback environments through connection with various amplifier devices.

All-solid-state, high-quality NF-type phono equalizer amplifier

Since phono equalizer amplifiers must handle minute audio signal voltages generated by analog audio products, the E-07 excels by applying LUXMAN’s extensive experience and expertise in amplifier circuit technology. This unit features a high S/N ratio, MM/MC compatible RIAA curve and high-quality NF-type transistors, utilizing a low-noise circuit design, achieved by paralleling four individual FETs in the primary stage. This phono amplifier incorporates carefully selected components prioritized for supreme audio quality; including high-end, original, custom developed components, all of which have gone through extensive listening tests, resulting in a rich, dynamic sound, worthy of LUXMAN’s approval. The chassis, a crucial element influencing sound quality and tonal characteristics, employs a loopless chassis structure that isolates the power supply from the amplifier sections while minimizing ground impedance generated by chassis currents. Additionally, the OFC cable, used for all internal wiring, has precise, spiral-wrapped shielding and pure, unplated copper cores to ensure natural signal transmission and clarity. The design features gold-plated, reversed AC inlet that supports heavy IEC cable weight across the terminals, further enhancing the essential elements required for optimal analog playback.

Precise load adjustment for optimal cartridge performance

The E-07 features a six-position rotary load impedance selector for MC cartridges (4.7/10/40/100/300/1kΩ) on the front panel. The rear panel has load impedance selector switches for MM cartridges (34/47/56/100kΩ) as well as load capacitance selector switches (0/100/220/320pF). This allows for more precise adjustments to fully maximize the sound quality across a wide range of phono cartridge types.

Large capacity power transformer with independent filtering

The E-07 features a total of three robust power transformers, configured independently for left and right audio processing circuitry, as well as a separate transformer for the indicators and relay drive circuits. This design creates an ideal power environment where load fluctuations in each circuit block do not interfere with one another. Additionally, it is equipped with excellent, independent power supply regulation that yields an extremely stable current supply, thanks to our power amplifier-grade, large value block capacitors (10,000μF x 5).

Large independent brass grounding terminals for each input

For the E-07, we have introduced large grounding terminals machined from solid brass with a gold-plated finish. Each input terminal (Unbalanced 1, Unbalanced 2, and Balanced 1) is equipped with a dedicated phono ground terminal connected to that circuit's reference point, along with a traditional frame ground terminal connected to the main chassis, for a total of four terminals. This ensures the secure grounding wire connections and minimizes the occurrence of hum, noise and other interference.

A Variety of functions to enhance convenience

The E-07 features an articulator function that defeats magnetization of the cartridge and MC transformer using the signal current from the record being played. LUXMAN has added a low-cut switch that suppresses woofer instability by cutting low frequency artefacts often caused by warped records. The Mono Mode switch offers convenient playback of mono records and a phase inversion switch on the front panel reverses the phase of the balanced outputs according to your connected next-stage equipment.

Low-impedance Ground Connection Structure

In the E-07, to enhance transmission stability in circuits that handle minute signals, we developed a petal-shaped grounding structure (PGS) that consolidates each circuit’s signal reference point into a single location. Ultra-thick steel plates connect the ground in a radial pattern to each section at an identical low impedance and uniform distance. Additionally, LUXMAN’s unique rounded pattern PCB tracing has been adopted to enable smooth current transmission, thoughtfully designed to facilitate the natural flow of music signals.

Ultra-thick, highly rigid chassis base with thorough vibration control

The slim, fully sized E-07 aluminum chassis features a beautiful, blasted white finish front panel, equipped with a variety of toggle and rotary switches and a slim display window. The bottom of the chassis consists of two ultra-thick copper plates (total 3.6mm thick) stacked together, enhancing ground mass, lowering the center of gravity and improving chassis rigidity. Additionally, density gradient cast iron insulator feet are installed to isolate the unit from unwanted vibrations during music playback.