DAC 200 D/A Converter / Pre-Amplifier

The DAC 200 is the latest member of an extended family of high-end converters and preamplifiers. Every aspect of its design reflects a commitment to scientific precision and musical fidelity. The ability to reproduce DSD1024 files and its complete galvanic isolation are just two features that highlight the device’s exceptional performance potential.

The DAC 200 is designed to convert a wide range of digital formats into natural-sounding analog signals and to deliver them via its integrated headphone output or analog outputs with the highest possible level of accuracy and refinement.

T+A’s pursuit of pure music reproduction requires extensive measures to eliminate even the most subtle sources of interference. The T+A De-Jitter Masterclock was developed with the aim of isolating all T+A digital-to-analog converters from timing-related interference signals, particularly those introduced by computer-based audio sources. This form of interference—known as jitter—is caused by minute timing inaccuracies that can adversely affect sound quality if not corrected prior to digital-to-analog conversion.

Developed in Herford, the De-Jitter Masterclock provides a structured, multi-stage approach to jitter reduction. Incoming signals are first analyzed by microprocessors that evaluate the raw clock signal in detail. Only if frequency stability and timing accuracy meet strict criteria is the signal routed directly to the Masterclock domain.

If these conditions are not met, the signal is further refined through an additional PLL-based stage in a dedicated secondary jitter-reduction circuit, reducing residual jitter by a factor of four.

Once accepted into the Masterclock domain, incoming signals are fully decoupled from input-related timing variations. Further processing is handled by high-precision oscillators with femtosecond-level accuracy. Each oscillator is dedicated to a specific clock family: one for the 44.1 kHz-based series up to 705.6 kHz, and another for the 48 kHz-based series up to 768 kHz.

T+A believes in reproducing music in its purest form. For this reason, every effort is made at the development stage to eliminate even the most subtle sources of interference, regardless of how minor they may appear.

The shared processing of PCM and DSD signals within a single converter is identified as one such source of interference. Although often considered insignificant, it can have a decisive influence on sound quality. This consideration led to the development of the unique T+A Path Separation Technology.

With this approach, PCM and DSD formats are handled by separate converter architectures, each specifically optimized for its respective signal type. This separation minimizes unwanted interactions and allows each format to realize its full sonic potential.

PCM signals are processed using a quadruple converter architecture, while DSD signals are handled by the proprietary T+A True 1-Bit converter, which is unique in its dedicated design approach.

The T+A True 1-Bit Converter represents a deliberate departure from conventional conversion paradigms. Standard converter architectures typically process DSD signals by first converting them into PCM before reproduction in PCM mode. In T+A’s view, this approach compromises the inherent qualities of the original DSD signal.

For this reason, the True 1-Bit Converter was developed to process DSD data in its native format without intermediate conversion stages. By avoiding these additional processing steps, the signal is reproduced in a pure form as a genuine 1-bit bitstream.

The PCM Quadruple Converter employs a double-symmetrical architecture based on eight 32-bit Burr-Brown converter chips. This design provides highly effective compensation for non-linearities and reduces the already extremely low noise floor by a further 6 dB. The result is exceptional dynamic range, linearity, and freedom from distortion.

In line with T+A’s commitment to high-fidelity reproduction, the converter also offers selectable Bezier filter options, developed in-house to allow fine adjustment of sonic characteristics according to listener preference. Based on polynomial interpolation techniques, these filters ensure precise timing behavior across all six available filter settings, including two non-oversampling (NOS) modes.

Analogue sound quality is critically determined by the consistent separation of the digital and analogue sections. This separation, referred to as the “Digital Analogue Separation System,” employs ultra-fast digital isolators from Silicon Labs to provide galvanic isolation between the analogue and digital domains.

To maintain this separation throughout the entire signal chain, the power supplies for the analogue and digital sections are also fully galvanically isolated. This design approach ensures that unwanted interference is prevented from propagating between stages, preserving signal integrity from input to output.

“No restrictions of any kind” was the guiding principle in the design of the DAC 200’s connection section. As a result, its inputs are both highly universal and uncompromising in quality.

The USB-B input is based on a high-resolution Thesycon platform capable of processing signals up to DSD1024. Additional digital interfaces include AES/EBU, BNC, and S/PDIF in both optical and coaxial formats. The T+A SYS Link provides a high-speed connection within the Series 200 via the SYS IN interface. In addition, one analog input is included as standard, while two stereo HDMI inputs are available as an optional expansion.

As a dedicated preamplifier, the DAC 200 incorporates a discrete Class A preamplifier stage and a dual-mono “state-of-the-art” output architecture, offering a wide range of output options to suit different system configurations. Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs are provided for connection to power amplifiers or active loudspeakers.

Headphones are driven via a balanced 4.4 mm Pentaconn output, powered by a dedicated high-performance headphone amplifier. Unlike conventional integrated chip-based solutions, this amplifier is fully discrete in design and optimized specifically for demanding headphone applications.

An HDMI output with Audio Return Channel (ARC) functionality is available via the optional HDMI module, enabling signal pass-through and expanded system integration.

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: 120V @ 60 Hz, 30 Watts Max Consumption
• Standby: < 0,5 Watts
• Dimensions (H WD): 4x12.6x13.4"
• 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 black anodized (42)