DAC 200 DAC with Preamp and Headphone Amp By T+A HiFi

The DAC 200 is the latest member of an extended family of High-End converters with a preamplifier and headphone amplifier. Every aspect of its design symbolizes T+A’s uncompromising commitment to science and music. The ability to reproduce DSD 1024 files and its complete galvanic separation are just two highlights which underline the potential of the DAC 200 in impressive style. The DAC 200 is designed to convert a large number of digital formats into natural-sounding analog signals and to pass them on via the integral headphone or analog outputs.

De-Jitter Masterclock

T+A’s belief in totally pure music required an enormous effort on T+A’s part to eliminate the most minuscule of interfering influences. The T+A 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 analog signals.

The De-Jitter Masterclock was developed here 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 artifacts are removed. In the first stage, the incoming signal delivers a raw clock pulse which is analyzed very closely by microprocessors: the signal is then switched to the Masterclock – but only if its frequency and stability fulfill 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 fulfill 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 to 705,6 kHz clock as well as the even 48 kHz to 768 kHz clock.

Path Separation Technology

T+A’s belief in reproducing music in its purest form. And that is why T+A’s make every effort right at the development stage to eliminate even the most insignificant of interference factors, regardless of how minimal they are. Joint processing of PCM and DSD files in a single converter is just such a source of interference: supposedly insignificant, but in fact having a crucial influence on the sound. It was T+A’s insistence on eliminating this particular influence that caused us to develop the unique T+A Path Separation Technology: both PCM and DSD have their own converter, specifically tailored to their requirements. These converters exclude adverse sound influences and exploit each format’s potential to the fullest. For PCM signals T+A’s use T+A’s quadruple converter, whereas DSD files are processed using the T+A True 1-bit converter, which is unique in the world.

Converters & Filters

The T+A True 1-bit converter is unique, as it forms a break with a paradigm: conventional converters process DSD signals by converting them into PCM, and reproducing them using the PCM mode. But this conversion contradicts T+A’s principles, and caused us to develop the True 1-bit converter, which processes DSD files in their native form, without detrimental conversion processes, and reproduces them in totally pure form as genuine 1 Bit Stream.

T+A’s 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 reducing the already minimal background noise by a further 6 dB. This sophistication results in amazing dynamism and linearity combined with equally amazing freedom from distortion. Although T+A’s belief 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 behavior for each of the six available filters, two of which are NOS stages.

Galvanic Separation DASS

The analog sound quality is crucially determined by consistent separation between the digital and analog sections. This separation, which T+A terms the “Digital Analogue Separation System”, utilizes ultra-fast digital isolators from Silicon Labs to provide galvanic separation between the analog and digital sections. Since it is vital to maintain this separation through the entire signal chain, the mains sections for the analog and digital signal paths are also completely separated galvanically.

Inputs, & Pre-amp & Outputs

No restrictions of any kind – this maxim was T+A’s guide in determining the DAC 200’s connections: its 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 via the SYS IN input. One analog input is installed as standard, but two stereo HDMI inputs are available as an option.

As a specialized pre-amplifier, the 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 analog signals to the output stages, while headphones are connected via a balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn headphone output, which draws its signal from a unique 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.

The Absolute Sound — Golden EAR Award Winner!
“Considering the build-quality, features, and, most importantly, the unbelievable performance that T+A has squeezed into these petite chassis, they’re actually quite the deal. You can’t touch their price with most large separates, and the full stack is even at the low end of the $20–$50k range”

https://jaguaraudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/The_Absolute_Sound_Series_200_Review.pdf

Audiophile Style
T+A has set the bar extremely high with the DAC 200. This DAC is one for the ages. It sounds fantastic, looks classic, functions seamlessly, is well supported, and is priced competitively. Based on my listening habits and experience with more DACs than I can remember, this would be my number one choice for a DAC anywhere near the DAC 200’s price. Everything about the DAC 200 is just that good. Period.

https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/reviews/ta-dac-200-da-converter-review-r1135/

HiFi News
While avoiding any lame jokes about ‘German engineering’, I’m bound to say there’s a wonderful sense of synergy – and not just in build and style – between these two T+A components. The A 200 is a mature-sounding power amp with excellent driving ability, and a perfect partner for the DAC 200’s refined, insightful and light-footed approach.

https://www.hifinews.com/content/ta-dac-200a-200-dacpreamp-power-amp

Analog section

• Frequency response + 0 / − 3 dB : 0,1 Hz – 200 kHz
• Signal / noise ratio : 110/114 dB
• THD  /  Intermodulation : < 0,001 % / < 0,001 %
• 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
  • 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

Analog inputs

• 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 and 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)
• Analog filter : Phase-linear Bessel filter 3rd order, switchable with 60 or 120 kHz cut-off frequency

Mains / Accessories / Dimensions

• Mains : 200 – 240 V, 50 – 60 Hz, 30 Watts
• Standby : < 0,5 Watts
• Dimensions (H × W× D) : 10 × 32 × 34 cm, 4 x 12.6 x 13.4 inch
• Accessories : Remote control FM200, power cord, USB cable
• Weight : 6,2 kg, 13.7 lbs
• Finishes : Alu silver anodized (43), Alu schwarz anodized (42)

Technical modifications reserved

User manual DAC 200