Manunta Introduces Classic Series Preamplifier and Power Amplifier

Italian audio brand Manunta, owned by M2Tech, has expanded its Classic series, which debuted in 2024 with the Classic Integrated amplifier. The lineup now includes two new components: the Classic Preamplifier and the Classic Power Amplifier. Their appearance draws inspiration from traditional Hi-Fi equipment of the 1980s and 1990s, while their vintage styling conceals modern circuit design and engineering solutions. The developers have focused on a fully analog signal path, eliminating digital interfaces and built-in audio processing features. One of the most distinctive features of the power amplifier is its large analog meters, which give the unit a characteristic vintage appearance.

The Manunta Classic Preamplifier features a fully discrete circuit design and is engineered to drive challenging loads, including power amplifiers with low input impedance and long interconnect cables with high capacitance. Its balanced outputs are equipped with Lundahl matching transformers. The unit also incorporates a phono stage compatible with both MM and MC cartridges. For moving-coil cartridges, a dedicated amplification stage provides adjustable input impedance ranging from 10 ohms to 1 kohm. When an MM cartridge is connected, the input impedance is set to 47 kohms, and the additional amplification stage is bypassed.

Compared with the Classic Integrated amplifier, the phono stage benefits from an improved power supply filtering system. Connectivity options include three RCA line inputs, two balanced XLR inputs, and a dedicated phono input. The preamplifier also offers balanced and unbalanced outputs, an RCA loop for connecting an external audio processor, and a discrete headphone amplifier capable of delivering up to 15 V RMS into a 32-ohm load. The unit can also be controlled remotely using a mobile application for iOS and Android. Its dimensions are 420 × 90 × 310 mm, and it weighs 12 kg.

The Manunta Classic Power Amplifier employs a dual-mono architecture with separate power transformers for the left and right channels. Its rated output power is 75 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 110 watts per channel into 4 ohms. For short 10 ms bursts, dynamic output increases to 170 and 270 watts per channel, respectively. The specified total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N) is 0.02% at maximum output power into an 8-ohm load. Instead of conventional electronic protection circuits, the manufacturer has opted for robust output stages with increased safety margins and thermal sensors to prevent transistor overheating.

The front panel features two analog VU meters with a 50 dB dynamic range and scales calibrated in both decibels and watts for an 8-ohm load. The brightness of their illumination can be adjusted using the remote control. Connectivity includes RCA and XLR inputs, speaker terminals, and two trigger connectors for synchronized power control with other system components. The amplifier has a rated power consumption of 320 VA, measures 420 × 120 × 310 mm, and weighs 19 kg.

Both new Manunta components are already available to European customers and can be used together to create a separate preamplifier and power amplifier system for stereo music reproduction. The preamplifier is also designed for integration with equipment from other manufacturers, including active loudspeakers. The recommended retail price of the Manunta Classic Preamplifier is €6,299, while the Classic Power Amplifier costs €5,099. A complete two-component system therefore comes to €11,398. The Classic series is aimed at enthusiasts of traditional analog audio reproduction who favor classic ergonomics and understated design over modern audio equipment packed with digital features.