Tantal
from $20,500 Made to order
Request a build slot Deposit, lead time and warrantyAll units in the photos are real. Some photos are AI-enhanced to improve image quality.
Electrostatic output
Every kind of headphone
It drives dynamic, planar and high-voltage electrostatic headphones from one chassis — a STAX-type output is built in. The same amplifier also drives sensitive loudspeakers.
Sound
Real timbre, precise placement
The 3C24 renders voices and acoustic instruments with real timbre and precise placement in space.
The signal path
Duelund, AMRG, Furutech
Duelund capacitors in the input stage, AMRG resistors, Cardas or WBT silver solder, Furutech inputs and outputs, and an external supply with kenotron rectification.
Made to order
Built by hand, one at a time
Each Tantal is built by hand to order and numbered on its nameplate.
Tantal
Numbered unit — Opus No. on the nameplate
- Model
- Class A amplifier on 3C24 tantalum-anode triodes, 3 W, with an electrostatic headphone output
- In brief
- From the Maestro line: two 3C24 triodes with solid tantalum anodes, in Class A.
- Queue deposit
- 50% · from $10,300
- Lead time
- Seven pieces of gear a year, each built by hand to order. Current lead time: six months or more.
- Push-pull (PP)
- The stock build is single-ended. A push-pull version is built to order for +50% of the price. Push-pull from $30,800 Request a push-pull build
- Origin
- Made in Kazakhstan by Dmitriy Gubchenko
- Warranty
- 1 year (extra warranty available: +1 or +2 years)
Part of the Dynasty collection
- Music it suits
- Vocal · acoustic · chamber music · electrostatic headphones
- Compared with
-
- Tantal Senior (4E27)
From the atelier
Tantal belongs to the Maestro line and runs two 3C24 triodes with solid tantalum anodes in Class A, 3 W per channel. The 3C24 renders voices and acoustic instruments with real timbre and precise placement in space. It drives dynamic, planar and high-voltage electrostatic headphones from one chassis — a STAX-type output is built in, for headphones such as the STAX SR-007 / SR-009 or the Sennheiser HE 90. The same amplifier also drives sensitive loudspeakers.
We state the power the amplifier delivers in pure Class A at the stated distortion; the figure comes from the unit’s own measurement report.
All tube amplifiers are built as two-chassis designs by definition, with a galvanic-isolation transformer and a ground-lift switch.
Lid closedLid openDemograf Audio Tantal 3C24 Tubes E-Static AMP
Tantalum-anode 3C24 triodes. Duelund Capacitors. Silver AMRG Resistors. Cardas Silver Wiring. Furutech Connectors. Sowter Attenuator.
Lid closedLid openExternal PSU for Demograf Audio Tantal 3C24 Tubes E-Static AMP
Hashimoto Transformers. 6D22S kenotrons. Duelund Capacitors. Silver AMRG Resistors. Cardas Silver Wiring.
The signal path uses Duelund capacitors in the input stage, AMRG resistors, Cardas or WBT silver solder, Furutech FP-901(G) inputs and FT-808 Gold outputs. The external supply has kenotron rectification, galvanic isolation and bespoke chokes.
- Output: 2 × 3C24 (tantalum anode)
- Input: 2 × 6Zh4; rectifier: 2 × 6D22S
- Outputs: 6.3 mm, XLR 4-pin, STAX-type, speakers
| Component | Manufacturer | Country of origin |
|---|---|---|
| Output tubes 3C24 (tantalum anode) | Vintage, selected | US / EU / UK (NOS) / Other Vintage |
| Input tubes 6Zh4 | NOS, selected | US / EU / UK (NOS) / Other Vintage |
| Input-stage capacitors | Duelund | Denmark |
| Inputs FP-901(G), outputs FT-808 Gold | Furutech | Japan |
| Silver solder | Cardas / WBT | USA / Germany |
| Transformers and chokes | Demograf Audio (custom-wound) | or analog by Hashimoto / Tango / Tamura |
Photo {n} of {total}
Simplified diagram of the stock configuration. The exact circuit for your options is confirmed with the atelier.
When delivering to countries that have imposed sanctions, we do not install sanctioned components; we fit vintage and modern equivalents instead.
Specification
Download the brochure PDF · EN · 0.7 MB
Measured on the stock configuration; options may change the figures.
- Use
- Universal: loudspeakers and headphones, with an E-Static output for electrostatic headphones
- Output power
- 3 W per channel at 8 Ω (Push-Pull version with double power available on request)
- Series
- Maestro
- Amplifier class
- Pure Class A
- Channels
- 2 (Stereo)
- Inputs
- Analogue RCA (Optional: Balanced XLR)
- Headphone outputs
- 1 × 6.3 mm TRS, 1 × XLR 4-pin, 1 × STAX type (Optional: 4.4 mm Pentaconn etc.)
- Speaker outputs
- Standard binding posts (Demograf Audio terminals optional)
- Load impedance
- 8 Ω (Optional: 4 Ω / 16 Ω customisation)
- Output tubes
- 2 × 3C24 (tantalum anode)
- Input tubes
- 2 × 6Zh4 or other types optionally e.g. EL8 / ML6 etc.
- Rectifier tube
- 2 × 6D22S
- Volume control
- ALPS potentiometer (Demograf Audio stepped attenuator optional)
- Internal wiring
- Proprietary “RareCoreFusion” Alloy wire (other options available)
- Special features
- Ground Lift switch (selectable ground loop isolation)
- Mains
- 100 / 120 / 230 V — set at order time, plug to match (NEMA, Schuko, BS 1363 / type G)
- Weight (with power supply)
- From 45 kg / 99 lb
- Dimensions
- From 450 × 450 × 250 mm
Custom options
Stock items are included in the price. Every option is agreed with the atelier before the build starts.
Circuit
- Single-ended Stock
- Push-pull — built to order +50% from $30,800
Input tubes
- 6Zh4 tubes Stock
- EL8 Valvo — for more detailed sound
- AL4 — for heavier bass and midrange
- EF14 — for a more natural midrange, e.g. opera and symphonic music
- ML6 — for more neutral sound
Component upgrades
- Premium Capacitors Suite (Duelund, Mundorf, Miflex etc.)
- Tango, Tamura or Hashimoto transformers and chokes, fitted on request
- Silver AMRG Resistors & Premium Cardas Wiring Kit
- High-End Connectors Suite (e.g. Furutech Top-Tier plugs)
- Solid-core Copper Speaker Connectors
- Premium Solid-core Copper Connectors with Galvanic Gold/Silver Plating
- Vintage Tubes
- Integrated Tone Control Block Module / Filter
- Transformer taps for 4 or 16 Ω (additional winding)
- Bi-wiring integration supplement
- Tri-wiring integration supplement
- One additional Analogue RCA Input
- One additional Analogue XLR Balanced Input
- Demograf Audio High-End Swiss-Stepped Pre-Amp (similar to Stevens & Billington TX-103)
- Variable GAIN Control Module
- 4.4 mm Pentaconn Output Termination
- Fully Balanced XLR Amplifier Architecture
- Additional Reserve Matched Pair of low-noise Tubes
Mains inlet, outlets & contacts
- AC Input: Standard Spec — IEC C14 Chassis Input Stock
- AC Input: Heavy-Duty Spec — IEC C20 High-Current Inlet
- AC Output: European Standard — Schuko (Type F)
- AC Output: US / Japan Standard — NEMA 5-15R (Type B)
- AC Output: British Standard — BS 1363 (Type G)
- AC Output: Universal Interface — Direct IEC C13 Outlets
- Contacts: Pure Copper Unplated (Organic & Balanced Tone) Stock
- Contacts: Gold Plated e.g. Furutech FI-09(G) (Warmth & Rich Midrange Texture)
- Contacts: Rhodium Plated e.g. Furutech FI-09(R) (Fast Transients & Fine Detail)
Finish & chassis
- Standard configuration Stock
- Priority build (+50% of the price)
- Precision-Milled Metal Chassis (CNC milling)
- Contoured Bent-Metal Enclosure
- Exotic Hardwood Chassis
- Glass-Integrated Aesthetic
- Premium Wood Inlays & Accents
- Solid-Billet Metal Enclosure
- Advanced Galvanic Finishing
- Custom Dimensions & Form Factor
- Parameter Status Display
- Multifunction Remote Control Suite
- Protective tube cage (child & pet safety)
Regional version
- 230 V — Schuko plug (Europe) Stock
- 120 V — NEMA plug (North America)
- 100 V — NEMA plug (Japan)
- 230 V — BS 1363 / type G plug (UK · Middle East)
- Tantal headphone output measured by Reference Audio Analyzer
- CS4397 tube DAC and Tantal: one owner’s long-term review
- Tantal 3C24 amplifier with electrostatic headphones: owners’ review
- Tantal compared: Viva Solista, Sennheiser HEV 90 and the AL4 Rubedo
- Tantal 3C24 prototype: the 2014 listening sessions
Pairs well with
Which tubes does the Tantal use?
The output tubes are vintage 3C24 triodes with tantalum anodes, selected and matched in pairs; the input stage uses 6Zh4 and the supply 6D22S rectifiers. A reserve matched pair can be ordered with the amplifier.
How is the Tantal serviced?
Each unit ships with its own measurement report. The circuit is kept simple and serviceable, and Demograf Audio gear is serviced for as long as parts exist.
How is it delivered?
Shipping and insurance are paid by the buyer and shown as a separate line in your quotation. Every unit is packed for long-distance transport in heavy-duty flight cases and a wooden crate.
Which mains voltage and plug?
Each piece of gear is built for 100 V, 120 V or 230 V mains with the matching plug (NEMA, Schuko or BS 1363 / type G). The voltage is fixed at order time, so tell us where the unit will be used.
How long does the Tantal take to build?
Build time is six months or more from the queue deposit, depending on the configuration and the queue; delivery takes from one month after completion. The atelier builds seven instruments a year. A priority build is available for an extra 50% of the price: your unit is moved ahead in the build queue.
* Photos are taken from real systems and show the specific configuration of a particular customer; your unit can look the way you want — all our equipment is fully customisable.
