Tandberg 3000 Series knobs

[scottyawd]

So I've noticed in my that some Tandberg 3000 series components have machined aluminum knobs and some have what looks like powder coated knobs. Even the same model of equipment has different knobs. See below:
Machined-

Powder-coated-

Does anybody know what/if there's a difference? I've done some cursory google research, but there doesn't seem to be any mention of it. I'd be willing to bet it was late/early model but that's just a guess. (I prefer the machined knobs)

Thanks!

 

[sansuibutch]

I have a 3012 and all the knobs and buttons are machined. I've never seen one with plastic. What a horrible way to save a buck

 

[scottyawd]

I have a 3012A and a 3008A with the machined knobs as well.
I really hope that's not plastic, but powder coated aluminum.

I've seen plastic switch-gear on their really low end parts (the 3030 Receiver).
Even the 3000 series parts that Tandberg refers to as "budget conscious" parts in their own catalog had the machined aluminum knobs and buttons.

 

[jdurbin1]

The satin-finish knobs were used in later production, and usually those units are more sought after when they are also the TOTL models (like 3014A, 3001A tuner etc.). There were some other models done with the satin knobs that are a step below the TOTL stuff, for instance 3038A preamp or 3031A tuner.

The satin finish knobs are 100% metal and pretty much identical to the older ones, just a different finish. The original shiny silver ones are probably clear-anodized, not sure if the later ones are powder-coated or some different anodized finish, but they're otherwise identical to the older type otherwise and can be swapped back and forth. Not uncommon to see the satin finish ranging from a darker grey to almost silver, for instance on a late production 3001A the tuning knob is usually pretty dark but the presets are lighter silver - not quite as shiny as the old type but noticeably less dark than the larger knobs.

John

 

[scottyawd]

@jdurbin1

Thank you for the knowledge drop.

 

[jdurbin1]

No worries... BTW, the 3030 is really an outlier; built for Tandberg in Hong Kong, it may have their design input and it's not badly built but the result isn't like anything else they built back in Norway. Similarly the 3034 deck is built pretty poorly in some areas, though they did use some of the same metal knobs from the other 3000-series pieces. That one was manufactured in Malaysia. Both pieces are pretty good sonically, but they really don't reflect Tandberg's usual workmanship very closely.

For a 3000-series receiver that's more representative of Tandberg design & manufacturing, take a look at the 3080A which also has the satin finish knobs - but don't let the ridiculously overpriced one someone's trying to flip on eBay scare you off. You don't see the 3080A often but it's typically not much more expensive than the fairly common 2080.

John