T+A DAC 200 DAC Preamplifier

T+A

DAC 200 D/A Convertor Preamplifier

AUD $11,499 RRP (as reviewed with non-compulsory HDMI Module)

This striking-looking, high-end German DAC/preamp has a battle on its palms as a result of the competitors is hard at this finish of the market. The T+A model is much less widespread on cabinets outdoors Europe, however the firm gives an intensive product portfolio that covers every part from loudspeakers and headphones to electronics. To my eyes, its distinctive industrial design language is tasteful and interesting. From the top-tier HV audio techniques by way of to the compact Caruso sequence, the aesthetic is crisp, daring, uncompromising and interesting.

UP CLOSE

The DAC200 slots into T+A’s Series 200 product line, a collection of fashions that features the HA200 headphone amplifier, M200 monobloc energy amplifier, A200 stereo energy amplifier and MP200 multi-source participant. All can be utilized independently of each other; nonetheless, in a stroke of brilliance, they are often stitched collectively utilizing T+A’s proprietary connection framework to combination a number of 200 sequence merchandise right into a single logical gadget.

The DAC200 is a good-looking hi-fi part with a neat, squarish, compact 100x320x340mm [HxWxD] footprint. Arriving in a silver or black anodised end, it weighs round 6kg. The entrance panel is adorned with two backlit VU meters that may be switched between numerous standing show modes, permitting for a blue VU scale for stage measurements, a pink scale for temperature measurements and a inexperienced scale for frequency offset and pattern measurements. Inputs are chosen with radio buttons below every labelled supply, and an LCD panel shows the present chosen enter, pattern fee, quantity and filter alternatives. The DAC additionally ships as normal with an infrared distant management.

You get a complete vary of inputs, together with a number of S/PDIF connections (two coaxial and two optical TOSLINK) able to supporting as much as 192kHz and DSD64 over PCM. It additionally gives BNC and AES-EBU inputs, each supporting 24-bit, 192kHz pattern charges, plus USB connectivity. The latter helps PCM as much as 768kHz and DSD as much as DSD1024. The assessment mannequin got here geared up with an non-compulsory HDMI module, introducing two HDMI inputs and one output with full ARC (Audio Return Channel) assist. This performance is geared toward integrating the DAC into a house theatre configuration, routing TV audio by way of the DAC.

A pair of analogue RCA inputs is fitted, which is helpful for these trying to combine a phono preamplifier, enhancing the unit’s versatility in any high-fidelity audio setup. The gadget additionally helpfully features a headphone amplifier. While not providing the identical impedance and present configuration flexibility as its HA200 sister product, the onboard Class A headphone amp is able to supporting advanced headphone masses utilizing its 4.4mm Pentaconn-equipped output stage. A single USB port is accessible on the rear of the unit to cost USB powered units, whereas a RJ45 port is supplied to hyperlink the gadget to different Series 200 parts in a digital stack configuration.

One pair of low impedance RCA analogue line outputs are fitted, alongside one pair of balanced XLRs. The spec sheet claims an exceedingly flat frequency response with better than 108dB channel separation and a stellar signal-to-noise ratio of 114 dB. The quantity management is a continuation of the T+A design legacy, an implementation first utilized in its merchandise in 1995. Using a relay managed resistor system, the quantity is claimed to cut back interchannel variations whereas lowering distortion – and is free from the bit stripping that may plague digital quantity controls. It has a reassuringly tactile response, albeit a barely noisy one, because the relays swap between quantity settings.

Before penning this assessment, I had the possibility to interview Joerg Kuepper, the lead product developer, and Sigfried’ Siggi’ Amft, the founding father of T+A. The latter arrange the corporate in 1978, first making a reputation with loudspeakers. Over the years, it has grown into one in every of Germany’s main high-end audio manufacturers. Our dialog lined a broad vary of matters, specializing in the distinctive options and design selections behind the DAC200.

T+A says that the important thing to the efficiency of the DAC is the usage of path separation expertise. DSD and PCM are handled by way of completely impartial conversion processes tailor-made to the idiosyncrasies of every media kind. The DSD implementation is a novel true 1-bit design, whereas with PCM indicators, the DAC makes use of a quadruple Burr Brown converter. Kuepper explains: “We are utilizing two items of the 1795 for one channel to cut back the noise and distortion, the identical used within the excessive finish HV sequence”. This strategy successfully gives two impartial DACs in the identical chassis.

Focused on conserving efficiency excessive and lowering the potential for distortion within the design, T+A has deployed its so-called Digital Analogue Separation System to leverage ultra-fast digital isolators to offer galvanic isolation between the analogue and digital pathways. Kuepper provides: “It is essential that you’ve an entire separation from the analogue and the digital half with separate energy provides. We have additionally separated the management indicators and the clocks in order that there is no such thing as a risk that any distortion from the clock technology can affect the analogue pathways.”

The DAC200 gives numerous user-selectable upsampling filters. FIR 1 is a traditional FIR filter with a particularly linear frequency response. FIR 2 has improved peak dealing with. BEZ 1 is a Bezier interpolator mixed with a IIR filter. Siggi believes this filter produces a end result similar to an analogue system. “The Bezier polynomials actually have the benefit that they sound extra pure, extra like an analogue sign, and the dynamics are significantly better”. BEZ 2 is a pure Bezier interpolator that’s mentioned to supply excellent timing and improved dynamics. The upsampling on the DAC could be deactivated by choosing the filters labelled NOS 1 and NOS 2, permitting for the usage of a 60kHz low go filter on PCM supply supplies.

The DAC’s ‘dejitter masterclock’ is a novel T+A design geared toward minimising jitter in incoming indicators. It makes use of a multistage course of utilizing microprocessors to verify the sign in opposition to a reference clock. If the inbuilt efficiency standards of the DAC is just not met, the sign is reprocessed once more, dramatically bettering the measured jitter response to a claimed femto-clock accuracy. 

In the flesh, this product seems strikingly enticing, with its entrance panel initially shocking however shortly changing into inviting with common use. Its big selection of connectivity choices displays cautious consideration and planning, serving as a testomony to the excellence of German engineering in Herford. This consideration to element underscores the DAC200’s standing as a standout product in its area by way of design and construct high quality.

To consider the unit in my system, I streamed hi-res audio from Qobuz over Roon utilizing a USB connection from my Mac Studio desktop. In my listening room, the DAC200 acted as a DAC and preamplifier for a pair of Barefoot Micromain 27 nearfield lively studio displays.

THE LISTENING

The DAC200 performs exceptionally properly, being distinguished by its exact and correct sound. It adeptly retrieves particulars with out ever coming throughout as harsh, and strikes an ideal steadiness that enhances music with readability and depth. The unit excels in capturing and conveying the ambient sounds discovered in lots of studio recordings, including a way of house and ambiance that immerses you within the music.

Stereo imaging is notably exact, guaranteeing devices and results are well-placed inside a broad soundstage. This readability makes even essentially the most advanced items accessible and interesting relatively than overwhelming. Vocals come by way of fantastically and naturally throughout all genres, highlighting the DAC200’s adaptability and its talent in dealing with varied vocal shades. The midrange is especially insightful, revealing intricate particulars in uniquely recorded items. Among its upsampling filters, the Bezier interpolator stands out for delivering essentially the most lifelike sound. It smooths out any perceived digital artefacts with out shedding element.

Listening to The Polyphonic Spree’s Section 49 (Hop Off The Fence) reveals a fantastically tender tune that highlights Tim De Laughter’s light and emotive vocals. This monitor stands out not just for its vocal layers but in addition for its wealthy instrumentation, making a serene and welcoming ambiance that provides a glimpse into the songwriter’s ideas. Despite its nostalgic tone, the monitor incorporates distinct parts of recent manufacturing, together with a strong kick drum pattern that just about pushed my studio displays to their limits. The lush nature of this playback jogged my memory of the Linn Organik sequence DACs and my reference MSB Premier DAC, each a much more costly monetary proposition. This DAC’s capacity to seamlessly mix the natural with the artificial parts offers a listening expertise that provides a wealthy, multi-dimensional soundscape.

A knack for unearthing musical nuances may result in a taxing listening expertise with aggressive or unpolished tracks over prolonged intervals. Cartwheel by Hotline TNT, one in every of my favorite releases from the earlier yr, appears influenced by the musical lineage of Bob Mould’s Sugar and shoegaze stalwarts My Bloody Valentine, with tracks like Beauty Filter enveloped in a haze of overdriven guitars and harmonic layers. Here, the T+A distinguishes itself by its capacity to vividly sketch out an expansive soundstage, permitting for a transparent separation of musical parts, with every instrument having fun with a well-defined spot within the combine. Using a bespoke design and thoroughly avoiding the etched-sounding nature of some ESS Sabre DAC implementations, I by no means as soon as discovered the DAC200 fatiguing. Where inferior DACs would seemingly conflate the monitor’s swirling guitars and synthesisers right into a sonic blur, the T+A avoids such confusion. 

It is uncommon for me to play a monitor repeatedly, particularly on an album I had lengthy since forgotten. Having the DAC200 as a part of my setup, Roon Radio reintroduced me to Supergrass’s Road To Rouen album, and I used to be significantly captivated by the monitor St. Petersburg. The room microphones managed to seize the band in what appears like a single, seamless take, imbuing the monitor with a wealthy, dwell high quality harking back to the best jazz recordings. The piano and bass are portrayed with excellent readability, permitting the recording to showcase the band’s dynamic swing successfully. This tune’s ensuing sound is irresistibly partaking, drawing you into the music with its compelling attraction.

The capacity of DACs to render vocals of their pure, unembellished type, making them a fascinating point of interest, is a side that deserves consideration in any analysis. Testing a DAC with vocal tracks stripped of their traditional musical accompaniment gives a real measure of its design and efficiency. An unconventional selection for testing, but revealing nonetheless, is the monitor Rosy Star Tears From Heaven by British occult act Current 93. 

David Tibet’s distinctive vocals are launched within the left channel, subtly enhanced with reverb, and joined by John Balance’s ominous growling and vocal characterisations. Despite the monitor’s modest manufacturing values, its presentation by way of the DAC200 is profoundly partaking. When performed at a better quantity, it feels as if Tibet is performing dwell within the room. His voice is enveloped in a practical reverb that provides depth with out compromising high quality, completely capturing the room’s atmosphere. Michael Cashmore’s acoustic guitar work is fantastically rendered, so regardless of the monitor’s unconventional sounds, I discovered myself repeatedly drawn to it, rediscovering a long-neglected album with renewed curiosity.

Taking a extra digital tangent with the brand new Arab Strap single Bliss, right here the fast transient response of the DAC200 and its capacity to deploy a quick and correct sub-bass is sufficient to deliver a smile to your face. As with the SPL Diamond DAC I reviewed lately, the T+A gives correct bass that does not lose any of its native roundness. Aidan Moffat’s flatly-delivered Scottish brogue sits fortunately in a precision-imaged recording with analogue-sounding arpeggiated synth runs and artificial kick drums – fairly the juxtaposition. The mid-track break down gives a extra pastoral pause earlier than the insistent beat commences once more.

This DAC demonstrates a exceptional proficiency throughout a various vary of music genres, from area of interest English bands to advanced digital items, dealing with every with finesse. The distinctive stage of talent and dedication evident in its design is unparalleled; each element has been meticulously engineered to boost the listening expertise.

THE VERDICT

T+A’s DAC200 is a standout product that handles a variety of music with readability and precision. Its design displays high-level craftsmanship and a spotlight to element, making each listening session a pleasure. With its complete enter choices and spectacular filters just like the Bezier interpolator, its superior sound high quality brings recordings to life. It’s a shining instance of what trendy engineering can obtain within the realm of high-end audio, offering an immersive and enriching listening expertise that is arduous to beat.

Considering its asking value, one may pause to ponder its worth, however delving into the extent of care, information, and experience embedded into this gadget shortly dispels doubts. The DAC200 is a testomony to T+A’s dedication to audio excellence. This firm won’t but be a family title outdoors of Europe, however it must be excessive on any purchaser’s checklist of audition candidates. This DAC is the fruits of years of engineering prowess, designed to ship an unmatched listening expertise.