Tandberg 3018A Vintage Preamplifier - Flagship Model, Serviced

Free Shipping (Contiguous U.S. Only)

General:
We recently acquired an entire collection of Tandberg components from a dedicated collector, and this is the first piece to complete our testing process.

The Tandberg 3018A was the company's flagship preamplifier, designed and manufactured in Norway as the successor to the renowned 3008. It is a beautifully minimalist preamplifier with everything you need and nothing you don't. There are no tone controls and no gimmicks. Its design is focused on delivering the purest possible signal for uncompromising high-fidelity listening.

Build quality is exceptional, with premium components throughout and the understated Scandinavian design that made Tandberg products so distinctive. One of its standout features is the superb MM and MC phono stage, making it an excellent match for a high-end turntable and cartridge. Around back, the gold-plated RCA inputs and outputs ensure reliable, corrosion-resistant connections, while a standard IEC power inlet makes it easy to use modern detachable power cords. (this type of connection was not common when it was released)

This particular 3018 received a service here at SkyFi for long term reliability, functionality, and sound. We really enjoyed this preamp in testing.

Included are the original owner's manual, factory technical documentation, and an original review from "Audio" magazine from the 1980s. It is exceptionally rare to find a piece of this age accompanied by such a complete set of original documentation.

SkyFi Cosmetic Notes:
Has extremely minor nicks, great condition.

SkyFi Technical Notes:
This preamplifier received a light servicing in house. We cleaned all of the controls, checked and calibrated the regulated power supply voltages, and replaced an ailing reed relay in the output section. 

Brand Background:
Tandberg was an electronics manufacturer located in Norway. The company began in the radio field, but became more widely known for their reel to reel recorders as well as cassette decks.

Ownership:
Single Owner

Connections:
RCA, IEC Power input

General Sound:
Smooth, uncolored, undistorted natural and clean

Cosmetic Condition:
7/10 = Good. One or two minor scratches. Well Maintained. See our detailed rating description here.

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and tested in our lab and listening room.

Included:
Unit, manual, and power cord.

Packing:
Will be packed using our highly developed in-house process and custom packing materials.Reviews:
Click Here

Specs:

• Type: Stereo preamplifier
• Years produced: 1987–1993
• Country of manufacture: Norway
• Frequency response (line): 20 Hz–20 kHz (+0/-0.1 dB)
• Extended bandwidth: 1.6 Hz–1.5 MHz (-3 dB)
• THD (line): <0.005%
• Signal-to-noise ratio:
  • Line: 90 dB
  • MM phono: 78 dB
  • MC phono: 74 dB
• Input sensitivity:
  • Line: 90 mV
  • MM phono: 1 mV
  • MC phono: 60 µV
• Maximum input voltage:
  • Line: 20 V
  • MM phono: 290 mV
  • MC phono: 14 mV
• Maximum output voltage:
  • Main: 5 V nominal (10 V at clipping)
  • Tape: 7.5 V
  • Headphone: 20 V (unloaded)
• Phono stage: Discrete MM and MC with passive RIAA equalization
• Subsonic filter: 15 Hz, 12 dB/octave
• Power supply: Toroidal transformer
• Circuit topology: Fully discrete, no overall negative feedback

Dimensions:
435 × 89 × 350 mm (17.1 × 3.5 × 13.8 in)

Weight:
12.5 lbs.

Approximate Age:
1987

Link to Manual:
Click Here

Recommended Cables:
Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Best

Kimber Kable - Phono Interconnects

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Better

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Best

Testing Process:
We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect the PCBs for discoloration from resistors or transistors that may have been running hot. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR.

When we first power on a preamplifier we connect its RCA output to a Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which simulates real world loading conditions and gives us an oscilloscope interface.

The first order of business is checking that the volume control works smoothly throughout its entire range with acceptable channel balance. This is accomplished by feeding a 1 KHz sine wave into one of the preamp’s line level inputs while monitoring the preamp’s output on an oscilloscope.

We then switch to a 1 KHz square wave to test the tone controls, loudness function, and filters where applicable. During this step we are watching for equal alteration of the test signal by both channels. This also helps us identify dirty controls that will need treatment.

Once the basic line stage functions are verified, we test each input individually. This is especially important for devices that use relays to select their sources. If the preamp is equipped with a phono stage we test that as well. We use an inverse RIAA filter which allows us to feed a reference test signal into the phono input with the proper RIAA equalization and level. A square wave or sine sweep is used to verify that the device’s phono stage is faithfully reproducing the RIAA curve. If the preamp under test has balanced inputs and/or outputs these are tested as well.

We finish up our bench testing with a listening test with our bench amplifier and reference speakers. During this test we check for hum or hiss that may not have shown up in earlier testing. We also check that all of the tone controls and filters perform as expected.

If the preamplifier has remote control functions these are also tested. Preamps with tube circuits or complicated power supply topologies are connected at our long term test rig for extended stress testing under real world conditions.