Trigon VANGUARD III

Trigon VANGUARD III – MM/MC phono preamplifier with touchscreen and external power supply

Intuitive control in the Trigon mid-range

The Trigon VANGUARD III is the mid-range model of the Trigon phono line and combines the broad adjustability of the VANGUARD II with a touchscreen for intuitive control of all operating parameters. Thanks to the touchscreen, gain, impedance, and capacitance are clearly visible and directly adjustable without searching for hidden switches — consequently the VANGUARD III is the natural choice for listeners who regularly swap cartridges or fine-tune their analogue setup. Furthermore, the external power supply can optionally be replaced by the Trigon VOLCANO III battery unit for complete mains isolation. The VANGUARD III is available at Novus Audio in Kampen in black or silver.

Touchscreen — all parameters at a glance

The touchscreen display shows all active settings clearly, therefore making it immediately apparent which parameters are in use at any given moment. This is particularly valuable when comparing cartridges or switching between MM and MC systems. Furthermore, the clear interface significantly reduces the risk of accidental misadjustment. Compared to the VANGUARD II, the VANGUARD III consequently differs not only in convenience but also in day-to-day practical usability — above all for listeners who value a modern, unambiguous operating experience.

Wide adjustability for MM and MC

The VANGUARD III offers a gain range of 42 to 66 dB in 16 steps — consequently it suits both high-output MM cartridges and low-output MC systems. Input impedance is adjustable from 25 to 1,800 ohms in 31 steps, plus 47 kΩ for MM systems. Input capacitance is furthermore switchable between 47, 100, and 147 pF. Thanks to this combination, the VANGUARD III adapts to virtually any cartridge available — from entry-level models to serious MC elements such as those from Skyanalog. RIAA equalisation is accurate to within ±0.2 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

External power supply and optional VOLCANO III upgrade

The VANGUARD III is supplied as standard with an external transformer power supply and is immediately ready for use. For listeners who want the benefits of battery power, the optional Trigon VOLCANO III is directly compatible — thereby providing complete mains isolation and an even lower noise floor without replacing the unit itself. Total harmonic distortion is 0.06%, and the signal-to-noise ratio is –72 dB at 60 dB gain and –94 dB at 36 dB gain. The VANGUARD III is supplied with a 3-year guarantee and is available in black or silver.

Specifications

• Type: MM/MC phono preamplifier with external power supply
• Gain: 42–66 dB (16 steps)
• Input impedance: 25–1,800 ohms (31 steps) + 47 kΩ
• Input capacitance: basic 60–100 pF; switchable 47 / 100 / 147 pF
• Input: 1 x RCA
• Output: 1 x RCA
• RIAA equalisation: ±0.2 dB (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
• THD: 0.06%
• SNR: –72 dB at 60 dB gain; –94 dB at 36 dB gain
• Controls: touchscreen
• Power supply: external transformer (VOLCANO III optional)
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 133 x 55 x 190 mm
• Finish: black or silver
• Guarantee: 3 years
• Manufacturer: Trigon (Germany)

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Trigon VANGUARD II and the VANGUARD III?

The key distinction is the interface — the VANGUARD III features a touchscreen display for all parameters, while the VANGUARD II uses conventional external switches. The VANGUARD III is also marginally deeper at 190 mm versus 182 mm. Gain range and impedance options are identical, consequently the VANGUARD III is the logical choice for listeners who value a clear, modern operating experience.

Can the Trigon VANGUARD III be upgraded with a battery supply?

Yes — the optional Trigon VOLCANO III battery power supply is directly compatible with the VANGUARD III. This upgrade provides complete mains isolation and a lower noise floor without replacing the unit itself. Contact Novus Audio for further information on this upgrade path.

Is the Trigon VANGUARD III suitable for low-output MC cartridges?

Yes — with a maximum gain of 66 dB and adjustable input impedance from 25 to 1,800 ohms, the VANGUARD III handles most MC cartridges comfortably. For very low-output systems below 0.2 mV, the ADVANCE III with its 72 dB maximum gain is the stronger choice. Our specialists are happy to advise on the best option for your cartridge.