QUAD 33 Preamplifier and QUAD 303 Power Amplifier – Back to the Future
27.10.2022 08:00 | ~2 minutes read
British brand QUAD has announced the revival of its legendary QUAD 33 preamplifier and QUAD 303 power amplifier, originally made in 1967. These classic amps have been reimagined, offering a modern take on design.
The QUAD 33 preamplifier retains its compact size and unique appearance, with updated features to suit today’s audio systems. The new preamp now includes bass, tilt and balance controls, giving users the ability to fine-tune their sound. The tilt control simultaneously alters both ends of the frequency response graph, either cutting the bass and boosting the treble, or boosting the bass and cutting the treble, in 1dB steps. In effect, it tilts the graph around 700Hz, thereby adjusting the overall sonic balance to a warmer or cooler tone without changing the volume or adding colour to the sound.
The new QUAD 33 preamplifier features both single-ended RCA and balanced XLR analogue inputs. There is also a buid-in phonostahe, which works with both moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridges. The output switching also allows for unbalanced and balanced connections. The QUAD 33 also has a headphone amplifier.
The QUAD 303 stereo Class A/B power amplifier also uses proprietary “triples” output stages - an invention of QUAD founder Peter Walker, providing low distortion and high thermal stability. The new QUAD 303 power amplifier delivers up to 50 watts per channel when driving a 8 Ohm load and 70 Wt into a 4 Ohm load. The amplifier also supports bridged mode, which means it can deliver up to 140 Watts into an 8 Ohm load. Connection possibility - via both unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR inputs.
The 2024 versions of the QUAD 33 preamplifier and QUAD 303 power amplifier will be available in mid-November 2024 at recommended retail prices of €1,499 or $1,599 each.
Specifications
This product is in the Hi-Fi and High End Electronics and Acoustics database
Preamplifiers — QUAD 33 Preamplifier
Model name
33 Preamplifier
Analog inputs (balanced)
1
Analog inputs (single-ended)
4
Analog outputs (balanced)
1
Analog outputs (single-ended)
2
Gain (dBu)
29
Input sensitivity (mV)
N/A
Output voltage (V)
N/A
Input impedance (balanced) (Ω)
10000
Input impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
N/A
Output impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Output impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
N/A
Maximum output level (balanced) (dBu)
N/A
Maximum output level (single-ended) (dBu)
N/A
Volume control range (dBu)
N/A
Frequency response low +/- 3dB (Hz)
20
Frequency response high +/- 3dB (Hz)
20000
Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR, unweighted) (dB)
106
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (THD+N) (%)
0.01
Dimensions (mm)
258 x 82.9 x 165
Weight (kg)
4
Official link
Image from https://quad-hifi.co.uk/
More content
Thrax Audio Cotys – an Uncompromising MC-Phonostage from Bulgaria
The innovative Thrax Audio Cotys phono preamplifier is presented – a model designed for fans of High-End equipment and developed in Bulgaria. The device is designed to work with MC cartridges and uses a fully balanced RIAA equalizer based on LCR filters. The innovative differential input stage and nanocrystalline inductors set a new standard for noise levels – it does not exceed 70 nV! Fully adjustable load/gain (100 – 1,000 Ohms and 50 – 70 dB) is the cherry on the cake.
Evolution Acoustics SYSTEM THREE – Large-Scale Loudspeakers
Evolution Acoustics has completed a series of ten years of research and development with the release of the impressive Evolution Acoustics SYSTEM THREE acoustic system, which has become the successor to the iconic top model of the MM-series.
Sonoro Orchestra Slim Gen.2 – Bookshelf Loudspeakers with Bass from 45 Hz
Sonoro has released bookshelf loudspeakers – the second generation of the famous model is called Sonoro Orchestra Slim Gen.2. The manufacturer claims the ideal partnership of the speakers with the proprietary Sonoro Maestro Smart receiver, as well as any third-party amplification
SOtM's New Eunhasu OS Offers Direct Ethernet Connection Option
The well-known manufacturer of High-End digital equipment, SOtM has updated its own operating system Eunhasu OS (based on an upgraded Linux kernel) to version 0.5.9 (the software is used in the company's streaming products, such as the server SOtM sMS-1000SQ Eunhasu, which is shown in the photo).
Coturn by Thorens CT-01 – Take Vinyl on the Road
The original concept of the Coturn CT-01 turntable was developed by designer Benjamin Großjohann more than five years ago. He also produced the turntable in small batches – now serial production has been organized by Thorens, and the model is called Coturn by Thorens CT-01.
