Tandberg TCA-3018A
Documentation on the Tandberg TCA-3018A is thin, and the listings that survive disagree with each other. Period press treats it as a control amplifier/preamp, and it was reviewed alongside Tandberg's TPA-3016A and TPA-3026A power amplifiers. Audio (April 1987, p.4) ran an equipment profile of the TCA 3018A preamp paired with the TPA 3026A amp. HiFI-Stereo (August 1986, p.33) tested it together with the TPA-3016A. A HiFI-Stereo new-products note (April 1986, p.14) said the TCA-3018A used discrete circuitry and passive RIAA networks to eliminate negative feedback. It had inputs for two tape decks, a tuner and a CD player, plus moving-magnet and moving-coil phono stages. That write-up covered the control amplifier, not a power stage.
The fact sheet calls the TCA-3018A a power amplifier, which conflicts with the period press treating it as a preamp/control unit. The magazines place it as the companion control amplifier to Tandberg's power amps of the same era, so that role seems more likely. The record is still muddled. From the spec listings, one source rates output at 150 W (8 ohms) or 250 W (4 ohms). Another lists 2 x 170 W (8 ohms) and 2 x 300 W (4 ohms). Frequency response is given as 10 Hz-50 kHz, signal-to-noise ratio 125 dB, input impedance 50 kOhm, input sensitivity 1.0 V, and weight 26 kg.
No production years, original price, dimensions or circuit details are documented. If you own one, the Archive would welcome photos and any markings from the rear panel.
- Output power: 150 W/ch (8 ohms) or 250 W (4 ohms) — one source; 2 x 170 W (8 ohms) or 2 x 300 W (4 ohms) per another
- Frequency response: 10 Hz – 50 kHz
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 125 dB
- Input impedance: 50 kOhm; sensitivity: 1.0 V
- Weight: 26 kg
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