T+A DAC 200 D/A Converter

Description

DAC 200

The T+A DAC 200 is the latest member of an extended family of High-End converters and pre-amplifiers. Every aspect of its design symbolises the T+A uncompromising commitment to science and music.

The T+A belief in totally pure music required an enormous effort to eliminate the most minuscule of interfering influences. The De-Jitter Masterclock was developed with the goal of freeing all T+A DACs from such interference signals, and in particular those which result from the use of computers. This type of interference – known as jitter – is caused by minimal timing errors, which still manage to exert a harmful influence on the sound experience unless they are removed before the conversion into analogue signals.

The De-Jitter Masterclock was developed in Herford, and constitutes a consistent audiophile response to jitter: in a multi-stage process the incoming signals are examined, and even the largest of jitter artefacts are removed. In the first stage the incoming signal delivers a raw clock pulse which is analysed very closely by micro-processors: the signal is then switched to the Masterclock – but only if its frequency and stability fulfil strict minimum criteria. If those criteria are not met, the signals are cleaned again through a further PLL stage in a specially constructed second jitterbug; this process reduces the residual jitter by a factor of 4.

Signals which fulfil the purity requirements are de-coupled completely from the input jitter by switching to the Masterclock. The incoming signals are further processed by precision oscillators with the best available femto-clock accuracy. Each oscillator is reserved for a single clock family; the Masterclock covers both the odd 44.1 kHz clock to 354.8 kHz as well as the even 48 kHz clock to 762 kHz.

The unique T+A Path Separation Technology means that both PCM and DSD have their own converter, specifically tailored to their requirements. These converters exclude adverse sound influences as well as exploiting the potential of each format to the full. For PCM signals a quadruple converter is used, whereas DSD files are processed using the T+A True 1-bit converter, which is unique in the world.

The T+A PCM Quadruple Converter features a double symmetrical circuit design comprising the eight 32-bit Burr-Brown converters, thereby providing above-average compensation for non-linearities in the sound, and reduces the already minimal background noise by a further 6 dB. This sophistication results in amazing dynamism and linearity combined with an equally amazing freedom from distortion. Although we believe in unadulterated music reproduction, the Bezier filters – another in-house development – in the quadruple converter can be exploited by the listener to fine-tune the sound characteristics to his individual taste. The application of polynomials results in perfect timing behaviour for each of the six available filters, two of which are NOS stages.

No restrictions of any kind – this maxim was the guide in determining connections for the T+A DAC 200. The inputs are as universal as they are high in quality. The USB-B inputs are based on the new high-resolution Thesycon chip, which processes signals up to DSD 1024. AES/EBU and BNC are also present, as is SP/DIF in optical and coaxial forms. The T+A SYS Link completes the high-speed signal connection within the Series 200. One analog input is installed as standard, but two stereo HDMI inputs are available as an option.

As a specialised pre-amplifier, the T+A DAC 200 features a discreet Class A pre-amplifier section as well as double mono state-of-the-art output stage, whilst also providing several outputs designed to cope with any requirement. Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs transfer the analogue signals to the output stages, while headphones are connected via a balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn headphone output, which draws its signal from a special high-performance headphone amplifier. In contrast to conventional chip solutions, this is of fully discreet construction, and is specially designed for the requirements of headphones. An HDMI output with Audio Return Channel (ARC) for HDMI signal pass-through is available on the optional HDMI board.

Features

• Uncompromising pure audiophile Digital-to-Analogue Converter.
• Integrated de-jitter master clock.
• Specialised Class-A Pre-amplifier
• Dual-mono output stage.
• High-performance headphone amplifier.
• Optional HDMI + ARC.
• Huge range of connectivity options.

Specifications

• Analogue Section
• Frequency Response + 0 / − 3 dB: 0.1 Hz – 200 kHz
• Signal / Noise Ratio: 110 / 114 dB
• THD / Intermodulation: < 0,001 % / < 0,001 %
• Channel Separation: > 108 dB
• Pre-Amplifier Outputs (Variable): High level (RCA) 0 – 2.5 Veff / 22 Ohms, balanced (XLR) 0 – 5.0 Veff / 22 Ohms
• Pre-Amplifier Outputs (Fixed): High level (RCA) 2.5 Veff / 22 Ohms, balanced (XLR) 5.0 Veff / 22 Ohms. Discreetly designed Class A-HV-output stage in Double-Mono-Circuitry
• Volume Control: Gold contact relays controlled in 1 dB steps, – 90 dB to 0 dB
• Headphone Output: 4.4 mm Pentaconn, discreetly designed high performance output stage, Class A operation up to 200 mA, 6 Ohms output impedance
• Analogue Inputs
• 1 x High level (RCA) 250 mVeff – 4.5 Veff / 10 kOhms
• Digital Inputs
• 1 x AES-EBU 32 – 192 kHz / 16-24 Bit
• S/P-DIF: 2 x Standard Coax, 2 x optical TOS-Link 32 – 192 kHz / 16-24 Bit + DoP DSD64 (0x05/0xFA Marker)
• 1 x BNC: 32 – 192 kHz / 16-24 Bit
• 2 x USB DAC: Device-Mode 44.1 – 768 kSps (PCM) and up to DSD1024*
• (Supports asynchronous data transfer. *DSD 512 and DSD 1024 with Windows PC and appropriate driver installed or Linux PC with Kernel 4.4 or higher only. Supports DoP up to DSD 256 (0x05/0xFA Marker).)
• 2 x HDMI IN, 1 x HDMI OUT with ARC (as an option)
• D/A Converter Section
• PCM: Double-Differential-Quadruple-Converter with four 32-Bit Sigma-Delta D/A converter per channel, 705.6 / 768 kSps conversion rate
• DSD: T+A-True-1Bit DSD D/A converter, up to DSD 1024 (49.2 MHz), native bitstream
• Upsampling: T+A signal-processor – synchronous upsampling with four selectable oversampling algorithms. FIR short, FIR long, Bezier/IIR, Bezier, NOS (non-oversampling)
• Analogue Filter: Phase-linear Bessel filter 3rd order, switchable with 60 or 120 kHz cut of frequency
• General
• Mains: 200 – 240 V, 50 – 60 Hz, 30 Watts
• Standby: < 0,5 Watts
• Dimensions (H × W × D): 10 × 32 × 34 cm
• Accessories: Remote control FM200, power cord, USB cable
• Weight: 6.2 kg
• Finishes: Alu silver anodised (43), Alu schwarz anodised (42)

Full T+A Range Available

Unilet Sound & Vision are official retail partners for T+A, providing sales, advice and assistance on their entire range of premium audio products. Please do get in touch if you would like a demonstration or wish to purchase.

More Information

• DAC 200 D/A Converter, by T+A

Additional information

Brand

T+A

T+A stands for Theory and Application in the field of audio technology. The company conceive, refine and manufacture hi-fi components of the very highest quality, with the aim of developing consummate high-end products for customers all over the world.

Since 1978 their enterprise has been based at Herford in Eastern Westphalia. They set themselves no limits, and spare neither cost nor effort in order to achieve perfection in sound. The results speak for themselves - extremely long product cycles, extended lifespans and a wide range of retro-fit options make T+A systems a sound investment for the future.