Connections to the V33 output
Best results will be obtained when the balanced output is used, feeding a balanced preamplifier
input. If balanced downstream input is not present and a single-ended connection is necessary, use
the Cinch connector output. The latter will yield 6dB reduced gain compared to a fully balanced
interconnection and no common-mode noise rejection between V33 and the rest of the system.
However, the benefits of a balanced turntable to V33 interconnection, as described in options 1 and
2 of the previous section, are still important to maintain.
A blue circle with a white letter i in it
Description automatically generated with low confidenceIn general, XLR-to-Cinch adapters directly
short the inverted phase signal present on pin3 of the XLR connector to pin1, i.e. the ground pin.
Under no circumstances should such an XLR-to-Cinch adapter be connected to the output of V33,
as it will short the output circuitry of V33 and may result in equipment damage.
Another output interconnection option which can yield good results is the use of a balanced to
single-ended high quality transformer. In this scheme the full V33 gain is utilized and common-
mode noise at the output of V33 is rejected.
Adjustments and Operation
There are two rotary controls on the front side of the unit. The left one has five positions and selects
the cartridge termination resistance between 50, 100, 220, 470 and 1000 Ohms, respectively, in a
clockwise direction. Consult your cartridge manufacturer for recommendations on the optimum
cartridge loading value. You can also tailor the sound to your liking to some extent through this
setting. The setting may be changed freely during unit operation, so finding the optimum setting is
practical.
The rotary control to the right of the unit has three positions and sets the gain between 56, 62 and
68dB respectively. These gains apply to a fully balanced connection between the output of V33 and
the preamplifier or integrated amplifier to which the unit is connected. On the single-ended Cinch
output the gain is correspondingly 6dB less. In general, a lower output level phono cartridge
requires a higher gain setting, but this is also dependent on the entire system gain.
We recommend that you start critical listening evaluation with the gain set to its minimum value,
and start increasing it only if you find that the overall system gain is not enough. This helps
maintain the lowest noise and distortion characteristics, as, contrary to other units, V33 offers its
lowest noise floor at the lowest gain setting. Overload margin is also higher at lower gain settings.
Azog-audio preamplifiers need to be broken in. We recommend at least one week of running in, but
expect sound quality of a new unit to keep improving roughly over the first month of operation.
Design highlights
• Fully-balanced circuitry from input to output
• DC coupled throughout
• Extremely low noise discrete transistor input stage
• No series connected switches or relays in the signal path
• Mundorf RIAA filter capacitors
• External discrete-regulated power supply
• No clocked digital devices, only combinational logic used in the control section
• Individual, discrete, exceptionally quiet voltage regulators per amplification stage
• RF input filtering
• Shortest signal path
• Fully dual-mono circuitry, all the way from the mains connection
