Luxman E-07 Reference Phono Preamplifier (Open Box)

A Reference Phono Stage Built for Serious Vinyl Systems

The Luxman E-07 Phono Preamplifier is a reference-level MM/MC phono stage engineered to preserve and amplify the extraordinarily small electrical signals generated by a phono cartridge.

Introduced as part of Luxman's 100th-anniversary era of products, the E-07 combines an all-solid-state phono equalizer circuit with newly developed Super Permalloy MC step-up transformers, extensive cartridge loading adjustments, balanced MC connectivity, independent power supplies, and sophisticated grounding and vibration-control systems.

The result is a phono preamplifier designed not around one particular cartridge, but around the flexibility to optimize a wide range of moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges—including extremely low-output MC designs.

For someone building a serious Luxman analog front end around a PD-191A or PD-151 MARK II turntable, the E-07 is the component responsible for taking the tiny signal generated at the stylus and preparing it for the rest of the system.

Three Inputs for Multiple Turntables and Cartridges

The E-07 provides three phono inputs:

• Two unbalanced RCA inputs
• One balanced XLR input

The balanced connection is particularly important for compatible moving-coil cartridges. Because an MC cartridge inherently generates a differential signal, balanced transmission can preserve that signal while helping improve channel separation, noise rejection, and stereo image localization.

Multiple inputs also make the E-07 extremely attractive for advanced vinyl systems. You can maintain different cartridges, tonearms, or even turntables and switch between them without constantly reconnecting cables.

That makes it a natural partner for a multi-arm analog setup or a collection where different cartridges are used for stereo, mono, vintage, and modern pressings.

Dedicated Super Permalloy MC Step-Up Transformers

Luxman developed new Super Permalloy-core step-up transformers specifically for the E-07.

Rather than using one transformer configuration for every moving-coil cartridge, the E-07 incorporates four MC transformers, with independent transformer arrangements for the left and right channels and for low- and high-impedance MC cartridge groups.

This allows the E-07 to better accommodate the wide range of output levels and electrical characteristics found among high-performance moving-coil cartridges.

The MC section provides two gain ranges:

MC-H: 57dB gain
MC-L: 66dB gain

The MM section provides 38dB of gain.

This gives the E-07 the flexibility to work with conventional moving-magnet cartridges, typical moving-coil designs, and extremely low-output MC cartridges.

Fine-Tune Cartridge Loading From the Front Panel

Cartridge loading can dramatically affect the performance of a moving-coil cartridge, and Luxman gives the listener unusually comprehensive control.

For MC cartridges, a six-position front-panel selector provides load impedance settings of:

4.7Ω / 10Ω / 40Ω / 100Ω / 300Ω / 1kΩ

That allows the phono stage to be matched more precisely to the electrical characteristics of the cartridge rather than forcing every MC design into a single loading value.

Moving-magnet cartridges receive similarly serious attention.

MM load impedance can be selected between:

34kΩ / 47kΩ / 56kΩ / 100kΩ

MM capacitance can also be adjusted between:

0pF / 100pF / 220pF / 320pF

This level of adjustment is particularly valuable when experimenting with cartridges because loading isn't buried inside the chassis or treated as an afterthought. The E-07 is designed to let you optimize the cartridge as part of the complete analog system.

Four Independent Ground Connections

Grounding is critical in a phono system. The signal coming from a cartridge is so small that hum and electrical noise that would be insignificant elsewhere in the system can become clearly audible after amplification.

Luxman equips the E-07 with four substantial gold-plated grounding terminals machined from solid brass.

Each of the three phono inputs has its own dedicated ground connection tied to that input circuit's reference point. A fourth frame-ground terminal connects to the main chassis.

This allows more precise grounding when multiple turntables or tonearms are connected and helps minimize hum and interference before it can contaminate the phono signal.

Three Independent Power Transformers

Luxman takes power-supply isolation unusually seriously in the E-07.

The phono stage contains three OI-type power transformers.

The left and right audio circuits each receive their own transformer, while a third independently powers peripheral functions such as indicators and relay-drive circuitry.

By separating these electrical loads, fluctuations or noise generated by one circuit are less likely to interfere with another.

Luxman backs that architecture with substantial power-supply filtering using five 10,000μF power amplifier-grade block capacitors.

It's an unusually serious power supply for a component whose job begins with signals measured in fractions of a millivolt.

Low-Noise Signal Path and Precision RIAA Equalization

The E-07 uses a low-noise phono equalizer circuit with four individual FETs connected in parallel at the first stage.

Luxman combines this architecture with carefully selected components, OFC internal wiring with spiral-wrapped shielding, and pure unplated copper conductors.

RIAA equalization accuracy is specified at an impressive:

MM: 20Hz–20kHz ±0.1dB
MC: 20Hz–20kHz ±0.3dB

Total harmonic distortion is rated at just 0.003%.

The objective is not to impose a particular sonic character on the cartridge, but to accurately amplify and equalize the information retrieved from the record groove.

Petal-Shaped Grounding Structure

The E-07 introduces Luxman's Petal-Shaped Grounding Structure (PGS) to further stabilize the reference ground used by the extremely low-level audio circuits.

Individual circuit reference points are brought together through thick steel grounding plates arranged radially so that each circuit sees a similarly short, low-impedance path.

Luxman also uses its characteristic rounded PCB trace design, avoiding unnecessary sharp angles in the signal path.

Combined with the independent input grounds and isolated power supplies, the grounding architecture demonstrates just how much engineering Luxman has devoted to controlling noise before it reaches the music signal.

Mono, Low-Cut, Phase and Articulator Functions

The E-07 isn't just about cartridge loading.

A Mono Mode provides proper playback functionality for mono records, making the E-07 particularly attractive for collectors with substantial vintage vinyl libraries.

The Low-Cut filter suppresses very-low-frequency artifacts that can result from warped records and cause excessive woofer movement.

A phase-inversion function allows the phase of the balanced outputs to be reversed to accommodate downstream equipment.

Luxman also includes its Articulator function, which uses the signal current generated during record playback to help demagnetize the cartridge and MC step-up transformer.

These aren't features designed to make a specification sheet longer—they address real issues that arise when operating sophisticated analog systems.

Built Like a Reference Luxman Component

The E-07 uses a full-width aluminum chassis with Luxman's blasted white finish, matching the company's current integrated and separate components.

Underneath, the chassis uses two ultra-thick copper base plates totaling 3.6mm, increasing chassis rigidity, lowering the center of gravity, and contributing to the grounding structure.

Luxman's density-gradient cast-iron isolation feet help prevent external vibration from reaching the sensitive phono circuitry.

Even the AC connection receives attention, with a reversed, gold-plated IEC inlet designed to provide additional support for substantial aftermarket power cables.

The Grid's Take on the Luxman E-07

The E-07 is where the Luxman analog system starts getting really interesting.

A great turntable and cartridge can retrieve an enormous amount of information from a record, but that information initially exists as an incredibly small electrical signal. The Luxman LMC-5, for example, outputs only 0.4mV.

The phono stage has to amplify that tiny signal enormously without burying it in noise or changing the information the cartridge worked so hard to retrieve.

That's why the engineering inside the E-07 matters.

You have dedicated MC transformers, three power transformers, independent grounding for every input, extensive MM and MC loading options, balanced MC capability, extremely accurate RIAA equalization, substantial power-supply reserves, and serious mechanical isolation.

More importantly, the E-07 gives us the flexibility to properly match the phono stage to the cartridge rather than simply plugging everything into a generic MC input and hoping the combination works.

Build a system around the Luxman PD-191A, LTA-710 tonearm, LMC-5 moving-coil cartridge, and E-07, and you have an analog signal chain engineered by Luxman from the stylus all the way through phono amplification.

At The Grid HiFi & Home Theater, we can help configure the E-07 around your specific cartridge, turntable, tonearm, and system—including cartridge loading, gain selection, grounding, and overall analog system matching.

Luxman E-07 Complete Specifications