AVM PAS 30.3 Streaming Preamplifier

The AVM PAS 30.3 is the streaming preamplifier of AVM's 30.3 series. It streams, takes a turntable through its MM/MC phono input and plays your TV over HDMI ARC, then sends all of it to the power amplifier you choose. AVM's MA 30.3 MK2 mono amplifiers belong to the same 30.3 series.

Inside its solid aluminum case, AVM describes the circuit as fully balanced, with completely symmetrical signal paths. The analog connections on the rear panel are RCA.

Key Features of the AVM PAS 30.3

• Analog Preamp With Streaming: AVM's X-STREAM Engine and an analog preamplifier in one 430 mm wide case.
• ESS 9038 Q2M DAC: Plays PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD256.
• Streaming Services: AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, TIDAL Connect MAX, Qobuz, UPnP and web radio, plus Bluetooth 5.0.
• MM and MC Phono Input: 40 dB of gain for moving-magnet cartridges and 60 dB for moving-coil, with plug-in loading for MC.
• HDMI ARC: Your TV's sound plays through the PAS 30.3 and your system.
• Preamp and Line Outputs: A regulated RCA preamp output for your power amplifier and an RCA line output.
• Headphone Output: A 6.3 mm jack on the front panel.
• App and Remote Control: AVM's RC X app for iOS and Android, with a remote included.

Built to Drive Your Power Amplifier

The regulated RCA preamp output drives your power amplifier, with an output impedance of 470 ohms and up to 3 V of output at 1% distortion. AVM rates the preamp section's distortion below 0.001%, its signal-to-noise ratio above 100 dB and its -3 dB frequency response from below 5 Hz to above 80 kHz.

A separate RCA line output, with a 47 ohm output impedance, feeds a recorder.

ESS 9038 Q2M DAC and the X-STREAM Engine

AVM redesigned the digital section of the PAS 30.3 around a next-generation ESS converter, the 9038 Q2M. It plays PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD256, and AVM's signal processing upsamples to 192 kHz/24-bit.

Streaming runs on the X-STREAM Engine, AVM's in-house software that updates online. It covers AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, TIDAL Connect MAX, Qobuz, UPnP and web radio, with AVM's multiroom and party sync modes. The PAS 30.3 connects by LAN or dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz) and also has Bluetooth 5.0. The rear USB port reads hard drives and USB sticks formatted FAT16, FAT32 or NTFS.

Digital Inputs and HDMI ARC

The coaxial digital input accepts up to 192 kHz/24-bit and the optical input up to 96 kHz/24-bit. The HDMI ARC input accepts up to 192 kHz/24-bit and carries stereo audio only, so set your TV to output PCM rather than Dolby or DTS. The coaxial and optical digital outputs can be switched to volume-controlled.

Phono Input for MM and MC Cartridges

The phono input suits moving-magnet cartridges and loud to medium-loud moving-coil cartridges. Moving-magnet gain is 40 dB, with the load fixed internally at 47k ohms. Moving-coil gain is 60 dB.

For moving-coil loading, AVM includes pairs of RCA plugs at 100, 200 and 1,000 ohms that go into the LOAD input. When your cartridge maker gives no value, AVM suggests the 100 ohm plug. AVM rates RIAA accuracy within 0.2 dB and the signal-to-noise ratio above 83 dB(A) for MM and above 74 dB(A) for MC.

Tone Controls, Inputs and Display

Bass and treble each adjust from -6 to +6 dB, with a loudness setting, and the LINEAR setting switches the tone controls off. Bass and treble can apply to all inputs or only to the selected one, so you can lift the bass on a turntable without touching your other sources.

The PAS 30.3 has two RCA line inputs, and AVM's source-fix function runs RCA 1 and RCA 2 at a fixed gain for a home theater processor, which then sets the volume. The OLED display is dimmable and has a proximity sensor.

Silver, Black or Cellini Chrome

The PAS 30.3 comes in silver or black, or as the Cellini version with a chrome-plated, hand-polished front. AVM builds it by hand at its factory in Malsch, Germany, and each unit gets a break-in period of several days.

Who Is AVM?

AVM Audio Video Manufaktur has built hi-fi by hand in Germany since 1986, and its products are sold in more than 50 countries. The AVM 30.3 series is the entry point to AVM, below the Inspiration, Evolution and Ovation S lines.

The Listening Room Difference

We're a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on exceptional service and relentless passion for hifi. Whether you're visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don't just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.

AVM PAS 30.3 Specifications