Tandberg TPA 3003 (circa 1980–1983)
The TPA 3003 is a power amplifier from Tandberg's 3000 series, built to pair with the TCA 3002 preamplifier. It was rated at 150 watts per channel into 8 ohms with less than 0.02% THD. Modern-Recording (June 1980, p.31) noted that Tandberg stressed the amplifier's transient capability when it was introduced.
The 3000 series was Tandberg's return after a company reorganization. The styling was restrained Scandinavian. The case was built from interlocking aluminum extrusions, with metallic gray front and rear panels, silver control knobs, and natural anodized aluminum top surfaces. As Audio-Collection (p.122) described it, the 3003's front panel is deliberately plain - just a mains power switch and two LED indicators that light up during peak clipping. Construction quality was very high, and the aluminum extrusions locked together in an ingenious fashion (p.123).
Little official documentation survives for this model, and its exact production years are unconfirmed. It appears to have been produced for a few years starting around 1980. Later Tandberg power amplifiers, such as the TPA-3006A, succeeded it.
Known specifications:
- Rated power: 150W per channel into 8 ohms
- Rated THD: less than 0.02%
- Front panel: power switch, two peak-clip LEDs
- Construction: interlocking aluminium extrusions, metallic grey anodised finish
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