T+A 200-Series Electronics

$4900/$5700/$6900

In my series on “Building a Compact Reference System,” I sung the praises of modular, multifunction electronics as a space-saving alternative to separate components. In creating the 200-Series, the folks at German audio powerhouse T+A had the same goal but a different idea about how to achieve it. What if, they thought, we could retain the benefits of separates—individual power supplies, physical isolation between digital and analog elements, the ability to buy only what you need—but conserve space by making those separates smaller? Thus was the petite 200-Series born. The series comprises a multi-format (CD, HDD, streamer) player, a Roon-ready DAC/pre with both digital and analog inputs, and a stereo power amp. Together, the stack runs $17.5k, which isn’t cheap but is still a deal for what it is. For instance, I’ve compared the 200-Series with my more than twice as dear CH Precision integrated amp, the I1, and the result was startling. The T+A stack was nearly indistinguishable from the far-costlier Swiss equivalent. The CH I1 does have a little more dynamic jump and slightly more fleshed-out tonality. But, boy, is it close.

Aside from sonics, the 200-Series components are achingly attractive—in a retro-audio sort of way—and feature myriad thoughtful touches. These include the ability to stick in a thumb drive, a technically correct (and excellent-sounding) BNC SPDIF input, and control connections between the components that allow the threesome to behave more or less as one. If I were searching in this price range for a compact, versatile electronics stack, I would look no further than the T+A 200-Series.

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