Vincent Audio SA-T7 Diamond Edition Preamplifier
Category: other
Four Telefunken Tubes, and No More After That
Vincent built the SA-T7 Diamond around a find. The company secured a reserve of new old stock Telefunken PCF803 tubes, made in Germany, and designer Frank Blöhbaum rebuilt the SA-T7 circuit to suit them. Four of them run in each unit, with an 85A2 regulator steadying the supply.
That reserve is finite. When the tubes are gone, the Diamond stops. It is not a faceplate edition with a new badge, and it is not a model Vincent can simply build more of.
The chassis carries six RCA line inputs and two pre-output pairs, plus a record output. Two 3.5mm power-control jacks switch Vincent amplifiers on and off with it. It measures 430 by 135 by 370mm and weighs 8.5kg, in silver or black, with a two-year warranty.
A Tube Preamp With a Digital Front Door
Most tube preamplifiers make you buy a converter. This one does not. An optical input and a coaxial input feed a PCM5102 DAC running to 24-bit/192kHz, and Bluetooth 5.0 handles a phone. A TV or a CD transport plugs straight in.
The measurements do not read like nostalgia. Frequency response spans 10Hz to 100kHz within a tenth of a decibel. Distortion sits below 0.001% at 1kHz. Signal-to-noise is typically better than 100dB A-weighted. Gain is 13.3dB, from an input sensitivity of 430mV for two volts out.
Power draw tops out at 58 watts, which is modest for a valve design. It can stay switched on through an evening without heating the rack or the room around it.
Who Is This Preamplifier Best For?
- You have always wanted a Telefunken-equipped preamplifier — four NOS PCF803 valves, in a circuit rebuilt around them. When the reserve runs out the model ends, so this is the window to own one.
- You stream and still play discs — optical, coaxial and Bluetooth 5.0 all feed the 24-bit/192kHz converter inside. A TV, a CD transport and a phone all arrive without an outboard DAC to buy.
- You run Vincent power amplifiers — two 3.5mm power-control jacks bring them up and down with the preamp, so one button starts and stops the whole stack.
- Your rack is already full — six RCA line inputs, and two pre-output pairs. You can feed two amplifiers, or an amplifier and a powered subwoofer, without adding a splitter.
- You play records — the Diamond handles line and digital sources, so a turntable needs a phono stage in front of it. Pick one to suit your cartridge from our phono preamplifiers and run it into any of the six line inputs.
How Does It Connect to Your System?
Run either RCA pre-output to your power amplifier. Use the second pair for a subwoofer or a second amplifier. Analog sources fill the six line inputs, and the record output feeds a recorder at fixed level.
Digital sources join by optical or coaxial, and a phone pairs over Bluetooth. Wire the 3.5mm power-control jacks to a Vincent amplifier and the pair switch together.
Pairs Well With
Building around the SA-T7 Diamond? Here are some great companions:
- Power Amplifier: The power-control jacks are waiting — see our Amplifiers.
- Phono Stage: Bring a turntable into the system — see our Phono Preamplifiers.
- CD Transport: Feed the coaxial or optical input — see our CD Players & Transports.
- Interconnects: Good RCA cable suits a tube front end — see our Interconnect Cables.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tubes does it use?
Four Telefunken PCF803 valves, new old stock from German production, plus one 85A2 voltage regulator in the power supply.
What makes the Diamond different from the standard SA-T7?
The Telefunken tube set, and a circuit reworked around it by Frank Blöhbaum. Production is limited to the tube reserve Vincent holds.
Does it have a built-in DAC?
Yes. A PCM5102 converter handles up to 24-bit/192kHz, fed by the optical and coaxial inputs.
Can I stream from my phone?
Yes, over Bluetooth 5.0. Pair the phone once and it connects to the preamp as its own input.
How many inputs and outputs are there?
Six RCA line inputs, one optical, one coaxial and Bluetooth. Out: two RCA pre-output pairs, a record output, and two 3.5mm power-control jacks.
What finishes and warranty are available?
Silver or black, with a two-year warranty.
See It in Action
Our own walkthrough of the SA-T7 Diamond Edition and its Telefunken tube set:
Why Audio Advisor?
- 40+ Years of Expertise — Since 1981, we've helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.
- 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee — Take your time. Listen, enjoy, and make sure it's right for you.
- Real Experts, Real Help — Our team is here to answer your questions at 800-942-0220, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.
- Free Shipping — On orders over $49, delivered to your door.
- Flexible Payment Options — Financing available so you can start listening now.
Learn More
Want to learn more about tube preamplifiers, built-in DACs, or matching a preamp to a power amplifier? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.
