Description
33 Premplifier
A dream team of Rob Flain & Paul McConville (the world’s most experienced QUAD service engineers), Jan Ertner (30 years of experience in QUAD design), Peter Comeau (the acoustic director behind some of QUAD’s most successful loudspeakers) and David McNeill (the industrial designer responsible for two decades of QUAD innovations) were all a part of this labour of love, making no compromise in the demand for a product that could bear the name of 33 and 303.
Design
The external design is specifically intended to continue the QUAD tradition of practical simplicity. Yet, it would be foolish to ignore the implementation of modern-day capabilities, such as an informative backlit display, delicate LED illumination and remote control functionality.
And just like the original, the overall appearance is unmistakably QUAD, albeit now with a premium machined and anodised front panel and all-metal chassis.
Function
The new QUAD 33 is supported by digital microprocessor control but is otherwise faithful to a classic analogue design.
The 33 feeds the loudspeakers via the power amplifier using dedicated stereo pre-outputs, with an RCA line-level and balanced XLR pre-out option. For additional versatility and functionality, there’s also an AUX output.
Now equipped with fully balanced XLR inputs and outputs, the 33 is set apart from other preamplifiers and even its forefather model.
The brand new phono stage is Moving Magnet and Moving Coil compatible with the ability to simply switch between the two options – no mods or board upgrades necessary. With a gain of 46dB for the MM and 63.5dB for the MC, the input stage uses ultra-low noise audio op-amps.
This ultra-low noise performance is combined with high slew rates and very low distortion specifications. The RIAA processing circuit has its own dual Bipolar/JFET Audio Operational Amplifier. The JFET portion of the input stage enables high slew rates to keep distortion low, even when large output swings are required.
Controls
The controls are comprehensive but simple. Again, this echoes the original design concept.
Logically grouped to facilitate selection and control of the programme, a backlit LCD screen relays settings, adjustments and values. The same backlighting principle is applied to each of the push buttons, further enhancing the intuitive design with a visual indication of input selection and mode.
Illumination settings for buttons and the LCD screen allow for brightness adjustment, contrast adjustment, and a simple on/off setting to suit the user’s preference.
The master volume control is a fully analogue, precision motorised ALPS potentiometer offering long-life and low-noise performance. The volume control is not only tactile and precise; its motorised operation will automatically rotate when adjustments are made via the remote control.
A further row of three endless rotary encoders offer intuitive and immediate control over the QUAD-specific fine-tuning settings.
The Tilt control, Bass control, and Balance controls are all composed of low-noise op-amps, electronic switches, and MELF low-temperature coefficient metal film resistors, forming a negative feedback adjustment circuit.
Features
- Revisiting of the original hi-fi design classic.
- Illuminated LCD screen.
- Dedicated High-Performance, Low-Noise MM / MC Phono Stage.
- Classic QUAD “Tilt” adjustment.
- Classic QUAD / Tone Controls.
- Dedicated Current-Feedback Headphone Amplifier.
Specifications
- Model: QUAD 33
- General Description: Pre Amplifier
- Inputs: 3 x RCA, 1 x Balanced XLR (pair), 1 x Phono (MM / MC switchable)
- Outputs: 1 x RCA (AUX), 1 x XLR, 1 x RCA (Pre Out), 1 x Headphone, 2 x 12 V Trigger Out
- Pre Amplifier Section
- Gain:
- 0 dB (Line / XLR)
- +46 dB (Phono MM)
- +63.5 dB (Phono MC)
- Input Sensitivity:
- 695 mV (Line / XLR)
- 3.2 mV (Phono MM)
- 460 uV (Phono MC)
- Input Impedance:
- 10 k (Line / XLR)
- 47 k/100 pF (Phono MM)
- 100 R/1.7 nF (Phono MC)
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD):
- <0.0005 % (1 kHz, Line / XLR)
- <0.002 % (1 kHz, Phono MM / MC)
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+/-0.2 dB)
- Signal-to-Noise ratio (S/N):
- >:108 dB (A-weighted, Line / XLR)
- >:82 dB (A-weighted, Phono MM)
- >:74 dB (A-weighted, Phono MC)
- Output Impedance: 120 ohms
- Headphone Amplifier
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): < 0.01 % (1 kHz, 50 mW)
- Output Impedance: 2.35 ohms
- Load Impedance: 20 – 600 ohms
- Standby Power Consumption: <0.5 W
- Net Weight: 4.0 kg
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 258 x 82.9 x 165 mm
- Finish: Classic QUAD Grey
- Power Requirements: 220 – 240 V – 50 / 60 Hz, 100 – 120 V – 50 / 60 Hz
Included
- 1 x 33 Premplifier
- 1 x Power Cord
- 1 x Remote Control
- 1 x User Manual
Full Quad Range Available
Unilet Sound & Vision are official retail partners for Quad Audio, providing sales, advice and assistance on their entire range of high-quality products. Please do get in touch if you would like a demonstration or wish to purchase.
