Radial J33 Phono Preamp and Turntable DI Box

The Radial J33 is a high quality combination turntable (phono) preamp and direct box that offers a choice of balanced mic-level and -10dB consumer line-level outputs. This allows a 33-RPM record player to be connected directly to a professional mixing console or mic preamplifier. This makes the Radial J33 ideal for use in studio for re-recording, sampling and archiving, while offering DJs an improved interface for recording scratch and remix performances over typical DJ mixers or other stand-alone turntable preamps. For maximum flexibility, the Radial J33 is equipped with a rumble filter to eliminate low-frequency resonance and may be powered with remote 48Volt phantom or local external DC supply.

Get an overview of the Radial J33 Phono Preamp and Turntable DI Box in this video demo:

Features:

- Stereo RCA inputs
- Stereo RCA, 1/4 in. TRS and 3.5mm outputs
- Balanced mic level XLR outputs
- Low frequency rumble filter
- Choice of 48V phantom or DC supply

J33 Development

The Radial J33 is a simple device that allows long-playing record players to interface with today's ever-improving professional audio world.

For over 50 years, recorded music has been produced on long playing records or albums thereby yielding an abundance of pre-recorded material. This tremendous resource has spawned the demand from several sectors wishing to transfer these performances to media. This includes archiving for historical purposes and remixing. Furthermore, the use of long-play records… read more for scratching and sampling in popular music genres such as rap, house and hip-hop has cultivated a demand from the DJ community where higher quality audio is desired.

It is interesting to note that at one end of the equation, the move away from albums to digital media in mainstream consumer audio has caused a void where it is now difficult to find a high quality RIAA preamp. At the other extreme, the music that once finished production on a plastic disk has now become a recording source!

Today, the long-paying album is more 'visible' than ever, having found a common place as a playback device for the DJ, a performance tool for the 'scratcher', and as an incomparable source for previously released material.

The Radial J33 addresses the need with a high-quality RIAA equalized stereo preamp that allows the 33-RPM record player to connect to the professional balanced inputs of mixing console or studio microphone preamplifier. For instance, using the J33, a recording can now be 'processed' through a tube mic-pre or compressor for added character and easily transferred to a professional digital format for further digital processing such as eliminating noise, clicks and hiss from the original recording.

With the Radial J33, it is now possible to at once elevate the recording quality and simplify the process of archiving.

Inside the J33

The J33 Phono DI follows the Radial tradition of combining stellar audio performance with a flexible feature set and rugged enclosure. Look inside a J33 and you will find the build quality and components to be of only the highest professional standards. Radial's proven construction methods and materials ensure years of trouble-free service.

14-gauge steel welded I-beam construction makes it virtually impossible to torque the PC board.

Isolated XLR connectors to eliminate chassis ground potential.

Mil spec PC board with full surface ground plane to reduce susceptibility to RF noise.

High grade switches -- long life, high cycle for reliable performance.

Gold-plated RCA and high grade 1/4 in. and 1/8 in. connectors offer a variety of input options.

J33 Input and Output Panels

Ground -- Turntable ground lug to reduce noise and buzz. Knurled knob provides an easy-to-use and reliable solid bond.

Power -- LEDS light individually when J33 is deriving power from XLR phantom-power or both at once when powered from external power supply.

1/4 in. TRS and 3.5mm stereo output connectors:-10dB high-impedance line-level for hookup to computer sound cards and laptops.

Output left & right RCA connectors: -10dB high-impedance for consumer audio devices such as hi-fi receiver AUX or CD input.

Phone input from turntable - RIAA equalized. Use in conjunction with turnable ground lug connection.

Bookend design creates a protected zone around connectors and makes the J33 practical for high-use environments such as pro touring.

No-slip rubberized pad provides mechanical and electrical isolation, keeps the J33 from sliding around.

Right Out & Left Out 600-Ohm mic-level balanced XLR outputs- AES standard with Pin-1 ground and Pin-2 hot.

15VDC Input jack for use with the J33's external power supply. Phantom-powering is also available through mic XLR.

Construction

The J33 is designed to withstand the rigors of high-use professional environments! Radial's innovative 'book end' design provides a protective zone around the switches and connectors that keeps these components safe.

Stress on circuitboards causes broken and intermittent solder joints, a common cause of failure in commercial rental and other high-use environments. Radial's 14-gauge welded I-beam inner chassis and 14-gauge outer shell greatly reduce the possibility of torque stresses being applied to the PC board.

A full-bottom no-slip rubber pad works double duty by (a) providing protection from electrical shock and (b) assuring that the J33 won't slip and slide around. read less