Teac AI-3000

Teac AI-3000 ….this is a trade in and a real amazing monster integrated amp …
300 wpc class a/b and will drive any speaker ! A ton of features can run  2 pair of speakers with a/b switch. And remote control …
this unit is designed  and built in the Esoteric plant …and is an amazing built quality …
a couple very hard to find scratches on top hence the 8 rating 

we are running the $32,000.00 KEF Blades with it and it sounds amazing ..very dynamic , incredible bass clean and tight ,,Hugh sound stage and clean clear highs …and plenty of reserve power !

The Distinction series of integrated amps is headed by the massive AI-3000. This receiver-sized integrated amp is over 20" tall (17.1” x 9.1” x 20.5”) and 75 pounds. Like all of the amps in the line, the AI-3000 has discrete analogue circuits and multiple analog inputs plus a pre-out for adding a sub or additional amplifiers. The front of the amp is constructed out of sculpted aluminum and features a headphone output.

The AI-3000 from TEAC is the only integrated amp in the line to feature two XLR inputs. It also has dual 5-way binding posts for each channel (speakers A/B or bi-wiring since there are only two amps in the AI-3000). According to the press release, the AI-3000 will pump 360 watts per channel into 4 ohms (signal to noise ratio of 102 dB) and 200 watts into 8 ohms.  We aren't sure if the 102 dB SNR rating is at full power, 8 ohms or at 1 watt.  Most amplifier companies rate SNR at full power unless they state otherwise so if you scale that number back to one watt its roughly 79dB which is a decent rating, especially if its an un-weighted measurement.

Although the press release claims a power output of 360 watts into 4 ohms, the actual product spec sheet lists 300 watts into 4 ohms.   Perhaps the 360 watt 4 ohm rating is with one channel driven while the 300 watt / channel rating is with two channels driven.

The rear of the unit features, in addition to the dual XLR inputs, four RCA inputs plus a phono input with a ground. There is a bypass inputs for...we don't know. Why would you want to bypass the internal amps of your integrated amp? Unless they are used to bypass the internal electronics and run the AI-3000 as a straight amp. That would make more sense. Since the AI-3000 and the other Distinction series components are not listed on the TEAC website yet (even though they started shipping last month), we'll have to wait to see. One pair of RCA outs can be used to add another amp or, perhaps to a second AI-3000 though the bypass (if that is how it works).

Glancing at the front, you'll find the traditionally spartan controls of a gear targeted at the high-end crowd. There is a knob for volume (sadly it doesn't appear to be backlit), a button for power, and a button for each input plus for selecting speakers A, B, or both. Your chosen input/speaker configuration will be illuminated. No word on a remote. Glancing inside,you can see a rather large E-core power transformer towards the front of the unit with six power supply capacitors spanning two columns.  We suspect these caps are wired in parallel to reduce ESR over using two larger value caps.  This is typically done in high end audio to reduce power supply ripple and increase performance.  Both sides of the unit are flanked with heatsinks reminding us of some of those mega amps from Sim Audio and Krell.  Teac claims this is an analog Class A/B design and from what we see, it looks like a lot of thought and good materials went into this bad boy. 

Specs:
Type of Amplifier Discrete Analog Amplifier
Output Power 300W + 300W (4ohms)
200W + 200W (8 ohms)
Total harmonic distortion 0.01% or less
S/N ratio (input short) 102 dB (A-weighted)
Frequency range 10 to 30,000 Hz (-0.5 dB)
Input Sensitivity 280 mV / 47k ohms
Audio inputs
Balanced
XLR 1 XLR-3-31(2:HOT)
XLR 2 XLR-3-31(2:HOT)
Unbalanced
PHONO RCA jacks
CD RCA jacks
TUNER RCA jacks
AUX RCA jacks
BYPASS RCA jacks
71 pounds

avaliable from:
Quest for Sound
2307-R Bristol Pike
Bensalem Pa 19020
215-953-9099
[email protected]
www.questforsound.com