Japanese manufacturer Phasemation has introduced its new MA-3000 300B, a monaural tube power amplifier.
The Phasemation MA-3000 300B delivers an output of 1 x 25 watts. Technically minded readers will already suspect that this is most likely a pure Class A power amplifier, and they’d be absolutely right. With the added distinction that we’re dealing with a piece of tube-based hardware here. According to the manufacturer, this model was developed as a more ‘affordable’ alternative to its flagship MA-5000. Whether that means this ‘cheaper’ version actually fits your budget is something we can’t really judge. As always, that decision is entirely yours!
Anyway, Class A it is, with no negative feedback and a pair of 300B tubes connected in parallel in the output stage. Ahead of these, the MA-3000 300B uses an EL34 operating in triode mode as its driver tube. A Lundahl transformer has been selected for the output stage. On the power supply side, the design is built around a modern toroidal transformer, developed, according to the manufacturer, to improve regulation and reduce mains impedance. Furthermore, the newcomer incorporates transformer isolation techniques borrowed from the MA-5000. These involve vibration-damping materials intended to reduce the transmission of mechanical vibrations to the chassis and tubes. Magnetic shielding has also been taken into account.
Everything is housed in a distinctive enclosure featuring a glass panel at the front. At the very least, this prevents you from burning your fingers on the tubes while still allowing you to admire them. As for inputs, the Phasemation MA-3000 300B offers both unbalanced RCA and XLR connections. There are also separate speaker terminals for 4Ω and 8Ω loudspeakers.
And then there’s the price: $49,975 per pair, so you can enjoy stereo sound straight away. At the time of writing, there is no information about the new amplifier on the manufacturer’s website, although it has already appeared on its Facebook page (see screenshot above). Availability is expected from late November.