HA 200 Headphone Amplifier and DAC By T+A HiFi

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T+A’s HA 200 Headphone Amplifier and DAC combo is an all-out effort to explore the headphone experience. The analog section of the HA 200 is based on T+A’s unique HV technology. Its high-performance output stages operate in Class-A mode with a high idle current and are effortlessly capable of driving even the most difficult headphones. The impedance of the three headphone outputs can even be matched to the headphones in use and the individual sonic preference. A crossfeed function for creating a sound stage image positioned in front of the head is an available option. The high-quality mains sections – one digital, one analog with two separate toroidal transformers provide generous reserves of power.

The digital section is fitted with the proprietary T+A True 1-Bit digital/analog converter, which provides an incredible DSD 1024 for Bitstream, and the T+A quadruple converter with 32 Bit / 768 kHz for PCM. Like all current T+A DACs, the new HA 200 also features a sophisticated and completely separate decoder architecture for DSD and PCM, ensuring that all digital formats are decoded to the finest standards.

The design and materials of the case harmonize perfectly with the unique electronics. The HA 200 is significantly larger and heavier than other headphone amplifiers, but this is not surprising given the more than 2300 components and the sophisticated HV technology. All the case components are produced from non-magnetic aluminum, and the front panel is machined from solid plate material – just like the HV series. Accurate QPPM metering instruments and a large screen supply important system information and provide an accurate indication of operating conditions. The FM8 IR remote control controls all functions of the HA 200.

T+A designed the HA 200 in every respect with no hint of compromise and without regard to cost, for T+A’s had only one goal in mind… musical reproduction to the very highest standard of perfection.

Amplifier Section

The amplifier section has an absolutely crucial part to play in the overall design and that’s why T+A’s decided to adopt the principles of T+A’s HV series: pure analog Class-A design with special MOS-FET transistors, no op-amps, no chips, and a separate 100-Watt analog mains section. Even the crossfeed function is generated by an analog filter circuit. The XLR and Cinch inputs take the same form as in the HV series, and the pre-amplifier is designed in such a way that it feeds the output stage in an optimum manner. Gas-tight encapsulated gold contact relays take over the volume control and adjustable loudness function and bridge the tone control completely (flat) on request, they are absolutely free of distortion and noise. Even after many years of operation, these components are not subject to contact problems due to corrosion, dust, or aging effects. The relays are integrated directly into the circuit design, keeping the signal paths as short as possible.

Since T+A’s had decided to cater to different headphone types, the output stage needed to be extremely sophisticated. Normal loudspeakers have impedances in the range of 2 to 10 Ohm, which is not critical. However, headphones may have impedances in the range of 10 to 1000 Ohms, and this certainly presents a challenge. Low-impedance types draw high currents, whereas the currents flowing in high-impedance types are relatively low; however, the voltage must be very stable. T+A’s overcame this problem by designing the output stage of the HA 200 to be capable of effortlessly delivering relatively high currents, while the mains section transformers (2 x 50-Watt) are extremely stable and constant.

Connections

The wide range of connection facilities requires a very sophisticated control system and display for the amplifier as a whole. In fact, the HA 200 is intuitive and simple to operate, thanks to an ingenious combination of operating buttons and a menu control system. The two VU meters (QPPM = Quasi Peak Programme Meter Type 1) are accurate indicators that display the variation in various parameters, as in studio applications and measurement engineering. The level at the D/A converter and the amplifier can both be displayed, as can the input level and output level, temperature, and stream quality (which can be used to check the frequency of the data stream and even the cable quality). The pin-sharp screen displays the user’s selected operating modes, such as output impedance, volume, data rate, oversampling filter type, or crossfeed. The brightness of the display, the LEDs, and the VU meter is adjustable. You can even adjust the color of these.

Case Design

Since T+A has also designed the HA 200 for use in professional applications, the case is designed to be extremely solid and robust. The heatsinks are manufactured using an extrusion tool, the front panel is machined from solid metal, and the top, bottom, and back panels are made from aluminum plates. Ultra-close tolerances and accurate fits are the hallmarks of this case, and at the same time, the design provides for homogeneous heat distribution, leading to optimum operating conditions for the electronics as a whole.

In – & Outputs

Sound quality can be fine-tuned by selecting different output impedances for each output (6.3 mm, 4.4 mm Pentaconn, XLR 4-pin), and Crossfeed-mode can also be switched in. The XLR 4-pin output can be used to drive loudspeakers if the user wishes to connect a stereo power amplifier (such as the AMP 8); in this case, T+A’s can supply an XLR-4 to 2xRCA adapter.

In addition to the conventional high-quality analog inputs, T+A has equipped the HA 200 with a large number of high-quality digital inputs. This makes it possible to operate the unit as a stand-alone device and connect it to various digital sources according to personal taste and requirements. There is no doubt that the HA 200’s digital input section is currently the world’s finest since the USB-B inputs are based on the new high-resolution Thesycon chip, which can process up to DS 1025 and PCM 768. Professional AES/EBU and BNC sockets are also present, as are optical and co-axial SP/DIF. The Bluetooth input is fitted with AptX™ HD, two HDMI inputs (Stereo only) and one output ARC are available as options.

The extremely high quality of the inputs is maintained in the converter. The proprietary T+A True 1-Bit digital/analog converter, which provides an incredible DSD 1024 for Bitstream, and the T+A quadruple converter with 32 Bit / 768 kHz for PCM, reflect the current State of the Art and represent the limit of what is feasible today. The digital section features its own power supply and is galvanically separated from the analog section.

Although the primary purpose of the HA 200 is to be an amplifier with extraordinarily high performance, this unusual flexibility on the input side is very helpful to various types of users. Since the amplifier employs T+A’s very finest DSD and PCM converters, the sound quality of the digital inputs is just as good as that of the analog ones.

HiFi Knights Poland
“The HA200 is a fantastic device for music connoisseurs, and you definitely should listen to it also with the excellent Solitaire P. This is an absolutely outstanding set! It’s expensive, you may say. True, but with these new products the T+A simply targets those looking for the best performance in the most feature-packed and great-looking audio components for whom price is not a deciding factor.”

http://hifiknights.com/reviews/amplifiers/ta-ha200-2/

HiFi and Music Source
“It is hard to fault such a fine piece of equipment, so I won’t. It is, simply a masterpiece of headphone amplifier loveliness. With such a high degree of flexibility, it will be difficult to find a pair of headphones that wouldn’t benefit from the dynamic control from this Class A product. It is the easiest 5 star of the year, what an outstanding headphone amplifier.”

https://hifiandmusicsource.com/2020/05/ta-ha-200-headphone-amplifier-hifi-review/

Stereo-Magazine
“A Perfect Pair – There is not really a more spectacular or successful way to enter a new segment than T+A did with their Solitaire P headphones – with this first model, the German company succeeded in crowning a new king of headphones. Now the matching HA 200 headphone amplifier aims to perform the same feat. “

https://stereo-magazine.com/review/t-a-ha-200-review

HiFinews
“You can quibble about what it doesn’t do – I’d prefer built-in network and USB HDD playback, and analogue line outs – but what the HA 200 does, it does to sensational effect. Explore all its flexibility, wondering at the design and build, or treat all that as over-engineering, plug in a good pair of cans and let the music take you. If you take hi-fi headphone listening very seriously, you’re going to love it. “

https://www.hifinews.com/content/ta-ha-200-usbdac-headphone-amp

Stereophile
“My experience with other products by mainstream amp and speaker manufacturers “getting into headphones” has been mostly disappointing. French loudspeaker company Focal is the shining-star exception: Their best headphones are as good as any other company’s best headphone. After spending a couple of months with the Solitaire P and HA 200 amplifier/DAC, I think T+A has beat the odds: Their first-try headphone products played with the best of the world’s best, at the uppermost point of the gold-tipped asteroid. Bravo T+A! “

https://www.stereophile.com/content/gramophone-dreams-45-ta-solitaire-p-headphones-ha-200-dac-headphone-amplifier

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Analog section

• Frequency response + 0 / − 3 dB: D0,1 Hz – 200 kHz
• Signal/noise ratio : 110/114 dB
• THD  /  Intermodulation: < 0,001 % / < 0,001 %
• Channel separation: > 108 dB
• Class A operation: up to 700 mA
• Loudness: switchable, adjustable on the speaker efficiency
• Sound control: switchable, channel separated. Bass and treble -6 dB to + 8 dB
• Headphone outputs:
  • 6.3 mm plug, 4.4 mm Pentaconn, XLR-4 pin
  • Impedances: 8, 12, 18, 25, 40, 80 Ohms

Analog inputs

• High level (RCA) / balanced (XLR): 250 mVeff … 4,5 Veff / 10 kOhms | 500 mVeff … 9 Veff / 20 kOhms
• Channel separation: 110 dB

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,
• 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)
• Bluetooth : A2DP (Audio), AVRCP 1.4 (Control) / aptX® HD, SBC, AAC

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: 100 – 120 V or 200 – 240 V, 50 – 60 Hz, 100 Watts
• Standby: < 0,5 Watts
• Dimensions (H × W× D): 10 × 32 × 34 cm, 4 x 12.6 x 13.4 inch
• Accessories: Remote control FM8, power cord, USB-cable for charging RC,USB cable 2.0 for DAC, RCA cable
• Weight: 6,5 kg, 14.4 lbs
• Finishes: Alu silver anodized (43), Alu black anodized (42)

User manual HA 200