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
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
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)
Analogue filter
Phase-linear Bessel filter 3rd order, switchable with 60 or 120 kHz cut of 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 2.0 for DAC, RCA cable
Weight
6,2 kg, 13.7 lbs
Finishes
Alu silver anodized (43), Alu schwarz anodized (42)

About the New 200 Series

Series 200
The Series 200 represents a modern interpretation of our legendary MiDi systems. Starting with the iconic M-system in the 1990’s, and most recently continued by the Series 8, all of these systems have combined and continue to combine superb audiophile performance with an ultra-compact design of timeless elegance. The MP 200, A 200, DAC 200 and HA 200 embody our experience in each individual area, and make it accessible to compact systems in particular.

Design Principles
The Series 200 was developed with the goal of closing the supposed gulf between high-grade specialised individual devices – ‘separates’ – and a combined system for relaxed listening. And that’s why the Series 200 consists of four units. The DAC 200 and HA 200 reference converter and pre-amplifier convert digital data into analogue signals, and constitute the heart of their system configurations: the DAC 200’s outstanding pre-amplifier and output stages make it the ideal core of a classic HiFi system with loudspeakers, whereas the HA 200 takes on a similar role in an audiophile headphone system. Thanks to its Modular High-End Architecture (MHA) the MP 200 operates as a universal unit capable of delivering all modern music sources, from DAB radio to streaming. The A 200 output stage, generating 250 Watts power per channel into 4 Ohms, provides incredible performance with superb linearity and outstanding measured values. Thanks to the advanced technologies employed, the A 200 is able to exploit its full performance regardless of load, i.e. independently of the loudspeakers to which it is connected.
Although all the Series 200 devices offer outstanding levels of performance individually, the aim of their development was to make them even better when used together in a system. The integral T+A Link System has been fine-tuned to meet the specific requirements of the Series 200, with the result that every device is as universal as possible, as well as keeping interference signals completely separate from the analogue signal path: this ensures that the music remains just as clear and precise as it was when the artiste performed it.

External Design
Like every T+A device, the Series 200 units were designed on the basis of our unified philosophy of “timeless reduction”. This principle endows all the equipment we produce with a shared visual DNA, without obscuring their individual qualities. For more than twenty years now this philosophy – with a few exceptions – has been the beginning and end of each design process: a clearly delineated double chamfer on the front panel, reminiscent of the iconic M-systems of the 1990’s, giving the devices a unique charisma. Precisely positioned lines and style accents give the illusion that the Series 200 devices are smaller than they actually are. Cooling fins and VU meters are an unmistakable indication of the units’ potential performance – even when the equipment is switched off.

About DAC 200

The DAC 200
The DAC 200 is the latest member of an extended family of High-End converters and pre-amplifiers. Every aspect of its design symbolises our 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 analogue signals, and to pass them on via the integral headphone or analogue outputs.

De-Jitter Masterclock
Our belief in totally pure music required an enormous effort on our 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 analogue 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 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. They are then further processed by two high-precision quartz oscillators. 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.

Path Separation Technology
We believe in reproducing music in its purest form. And that is why we 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 our 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 as well as exploiting the potential of each format to the full. For PCM signals we use our quadruple converter, whereas DSD files are processed using the T+A True 1-bit converter, which is unique in the world.

Converters & Filters
Our 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 our 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.

Our 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.

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

Inputs, & Pre-amp & Outputs
No restrictions of any kind – this maxim was our 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. Two stereo HDMI inputs are available as an option.

As a specialised pre-amplifier, the DAC 200 features a discreet Class A pre-amplifier section as well as double mono “State of the Art” outputstage, 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.