{"product_id":"pro-ject-maia-s3-integrated-amplifier","title":"Pro-Ject MaiA S3 Integrated Amplifier","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"max-width:720px;margin:0 auto;padding:32px 24px 48px 24px;background:#ffffff;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:0 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eSmall Enough to Miss, Complete Enough to Build Around\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003ePro-Ject makes turntables. The MaiA S3 exists because their customers kept asking what to plug one into. It is an integrated amplifier just 206mm wide and 55mm tall, weighing 1,070 grams, in black or silver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eInside that box is more than an amplifier. There is a moving-magnet phono stage, a Cirrus Logic DAC, a Bluetooth 5.0 receiver, and a dedicated headphone amp. Power is 23 watts per channel into 8 ohms, or 40 watts into 4.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eFour Inputs, and One of Them Is for Your Turntable\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThe phono input takes MM, MI, or high-output MC cartridges, with an earthing post for hum. Three more RCA pairs handle line sources. Two optical inputs and one coaxial accept digital up to 24-bit\/192kHz. Bluetooth 5.0 adds both aptX and aptX HD.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eA variable RCA output feeds a subwoofer, active speakers, or a power amp. The headphone jack is a 6.3mm socket on the front. A remote and an outboard 20V supply come in the box.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eQuiet Enough That You Notice the Silence\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eNoise is where this amplifier earns attention. Signal-to-noise measures 97dB at the speaker outputs and 103dB at the variable output, both into 4 ohms. A-weighted, those become 101dB and 105dB. Distortion stays under 0.04% at 10 watts into 4 ohms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eFrequency response holds within 0.5dB from 20Hz to 20kHz. Channel separation is 69dB at 10kHz. Line inputs want 270mV and present 50 kilohms. The phono input presents 47 kilohms, with 46dB of gain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eThe Headphone Jack Is Not an Afterthought\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThe headphone amplifier is its own stage. It is rated at 75mW per channel into 32 ohms, and specified for loads from 16 to 600 ohms. Digital conversion runs on a Cirrus Logic CS4344, a multi-bit delta-sigma design. Standby draw is under 0.5 watts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhat Reviewers Are Saying\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eJames Michael Hughes reviewed the MaiA S3 for \u003cem\u003eStereoNET\u003c\/em\u003e on November 29, 2022, scoring it 8 out of 10 with an Applause Award. He called it \"a veritable Tardis among audio components\" and \"breathtakingly quiet in terms of noise.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eEd Selley gave it 9 out of 10 and a Best Buy in \u003cem\u003eAVForums\u003c\/em\u003e on November 8, 2022. \"Key to the appeal of the Pro-Ject is detail,\" he wrote, adding \"I’d rather have 23 good watts than 100 indifferent ones.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eBoth were candid about the limits. Selley listed a \"Bulky PSU\" and a \"Quirky remote\" among his cons. Hughes noted there is no USB input.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWho Is This Integrated Amplifier Best For?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou own a turntable\u003c\/strong\u003e — the phono stage takes MM, MI, or high-output MC cartridges, and there is an earthing post for the ground wire.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou are short on shelf space\u003c\/strong\u003e — 206mm wide, 55mm tall, and just over a kilogram.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou want every source in one box\u003c\/strong\u003e — phono, three line inputs, two optical, one coaxial, and Bluetooth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou listen through headphones\u003c\/strong\u003e — a dedicated stage drives loads from 16 to 600 ohms, so sensitive in-ears and hard-to-drive planars both sit at a comfortable volume.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou have large speakers or a large room\u003c\/strong\u003e — 23 watts has limits. The \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/pro-ject-maia-ds3-integrated-amplifiers-black\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003ePro-Ject MaiA DS3\u003c\/a\u003e makes 80 watts into 8 ohms and 140 into 4.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eHow Does It Connect to Your System?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eSpeakers connect with 4mm banana plugs, spades, or bare wire. A turntable goes to In 1, with its ground wire on the earthing post. Line sources take In 2 through In 4. Optical and coaxial cover your digital gear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThe variable RCA output feeds a subwoofer or a power amp. Bluetooth pairs by holding the pair button, and the amplifier stays visible for 60 seconds. The outboard supply is the only mains connection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThen it disappears into the shelf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003ePairs Well With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eBuilding around the MaiA S3? Start here:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTurntable:\u003c\/strong\u003e the phono stage is waiting — see our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/turntables\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eTurntables\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpeakers:\u003c\/strong\u003e a sensitive pair suits 23 watts — see our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/bookshelf-speakers\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eBookshelf Speakers\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeadphones:\u003c\/strong\u003e the dedicated stage is already there — see our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/headphones\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eHeadphones\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCables:\u003c\/strong\u003e finish the job properly — see our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/speaker-cables\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eSpeaker Cables\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eHow much power does the Pro-Ject MaiA S3 make?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003e23 watts per channel into 8 ohms, and 40 watts per channel into 4 ohms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eDoes it have a built-in phono stage?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eYes. In 1 is a moving-magnet phono input with 47 kilohms of loading and 46dB of gain, plus an earthing post.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWill it work with a moving-coil cartridge?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eOnly a high-output MC. A low-output MC needs a step-up transformer or an outboard MC phono stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eDoes it have a USB input?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eDigital comes in over two optical inputs and one coaxial, each up to 24-bit\/192kHz.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eIs a remote control included?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eYes, along with an outboard 20V power supply. The remote runs on two AAA batteries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eCan I add a subwoofer?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eYes. The variable RCA output feeds an active subwoofer, active speakers, or a separate power amp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eSee It in Action\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.5em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eSound Matters asks whether a small amplifier can deliver big sound:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ciframe width=\"100%\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/y4Z6THHOYqY\" title=\"Pro-Ject MaiA S3 Review - Small Amp, Big Sound?\" style=\"border:0;margin:0 0 0.9em 0;display:block;\" allowfullscreen\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.5em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eMad Audio puts the MaiA S3 through its paces:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ciframe width=\"100%\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UTtcgsBYdPM\" title=\"Pro-Ject MaiA S3 Review - Small Amp \u0026amp; Big Sound?\" style=\"border:0;margin:0 0 0.9em 0;display:block;\" allowfullscreen\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhy Audio Advisor?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e40+ Years of Expertise — Since 1981, we've helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e60-Day Money-Back Guarantee — Take your time. Listen, enjoy, and make sure it's right for you.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReal Experts, Real Help — Our team is here to answer your questions at 800-942-0220, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFree Shipping — On orders over $49, delivered to your door.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlexible Payment Options — Financing available so you can start listening now.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eLearn More\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eWant to learn more about integrated amplifiers, phono stages, or compact hi-fi systems? Visit our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/learningcenter.audioadvisor.com\/\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eLearning Center\u003c\/a\u003e for guides, tips, and expert advice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Audio Advisor","offers":[{"title":"Silver \/ New","offer_id":45983203524781,"sku":"NEW-PRMAIAS3-SIL","price":799.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ New","offer_id":45983370969261,"sku":"NEW-PRMAIAS3-BLK","price":799.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/PRMAIAS3_SIL_01-Large__75189.1724565020.1280.1280_a290123f-b86f-44f9-8baf-cc5b4b707d5a.jpg?v=1778103687","url":"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/pro-ject-maia-s3-integrated-amplifier","provider":"Audio Advisor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}