PSD 3100 HV Pre-amplifier Streaming DAC

The Pre-Amplifier, Streaming Client and DAC

The PSD 3100 HV was developed to combine the performance of T+A’s finest preamplifiers and digital-to-analog converters with the convenience and versatility of a modern multi-source player. Equipped with a comprehensive range of professional digital inputs, FM, FM-HD and DAB+ radio tuners, Bluetooth connectivity, streaming services, and access to both local network and global internet-based audio sources, the PSD 3100 HV is capable of converting virtually any digital source into a reference-quality analog signal.

As such, it represents a comprehensive audiophile solution for listeners whose music collections have evolved beyond the era of physical media. The PSD 3100 HV serves as the universal control center of a high-end audio system, requiring only the addition of suitable power amplifiers or active loudspeakers.

At the same time, the device embodies T+A’s uncompromising engineering philosophy. Achieving the highest levels of sound quality within a multifunction component requires complete control over the interaction between analog and digital subsystems. The PSD 3100 HV accomplishes this through the application of unique technologies and the extensive expertise gained through decades of audio engineering and development.

At the heart of the PSD 3100 HV is a network circuit board developed to meet the highest audiophile standards. Its purpose is to process incoming WLAN, LAN, and USB master-mode signals while providing access to premium streaming services such as TIDAL, Qobuz, and Deezer. For local applications, the third-generation T+A streaming client supports direct network streaming of PCM data at resolutions up to 192 kHz / 32-bit (HD), as well as DSD files with resolutions up to DSD256.

In addition to delivering exceptional sound quality, the streaming client has been designed with a strong focus on ease of use. Streaming services, managed through the complimentary Airable platform, and internet radio stations can be organized and maintained automatically in the background, ensuring a seamless user experience.

The challenge of combining wireless convenience with uncompromised sound quality has long been a concern in high-end audio. The PSD 3100 HV addresses this through support for both AirPlay 2 and aptX HD™ technology, enabling high-quality wireless audio transmission and supporting even lossless FLAC playback without degradation.

Beyond internet radio functionality integrated into the streaming client, the PSD 3100 HV incorporates three additional radio platforms: FM, FM-HD, and DAB+. Thanks to a sophisticated architecture featuring digital intermediate-frequency processing, demodulation, and a high-quality stereo decoder output stage, these sources deliver outstanding audio performance. High receiver sensitivity also enables the unit to capture and process weak signals with exceptional clarity. As a result, traditional radio broadcasts—whether received via cable or antenna—are reproduced with a level of fidelity that reflects the same engineering standards applied throughout the PSD 3100 HV.

The PSD 3100 HV also functions as a reference-class preamplifier, incorporating a discrete Class A preamplifier stage based on T+A HV technology. Features include a relay-controlled volume control with Balance and Loudness functions, switchable tone controls, and state-of-the-art dual-mono output stages.

High-quality balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs provide connection options for power amplifiers and active loudspeakers, while a balanced 4.4 mm Pentaconn headphone output supports high-performance headphone listening. This output is driven by a dedicated headphone amplifier engineered to deliver exceptional voltage stability, constant current capability, and outstanding sonic performance.

The amplifier provides ample power reserves and precise control, enabling it to drive virtually any dynamic headphone with ease while maintaining the refinement, transparency, and authority expected of a component in the HV series.

The Digital Connecting Board of the PSD 3100 HV is designed to accommodate the full bandwidth of all modern digital sources. Professional AES/EBU and BNC interfaces are provided alongside optical and coaxial S/PDIF inputs, as well as two HDMI inputs and one HDMI output. This comprehensive connectivity enables the integration of virtually any external source component, including set-top boxes, disc transports, and digital storage devices.

A dedicated IPA-Link interface is provided for connection to the PDT 3100 HV reference SACD transport. Unlike conventional S/PDIF connections, the IPA-Link interface supports full-resolution data transfer and is therefore capable of handling SACD content without limitation.

The USB-B Device Mode input, based on advanced Thesycon technology, enables the processing of ultra-high-resolution audio formats from a connected computer. Through the PSD 3100 HV’s advanced converter architecture, the interface supports PCM signals up to 768 kHz and DSD formats up to DSD512, ensuring compatibility with the highest-resolution digital audio sources available today.

T+A is committed to the principle of absolute fidelity in sound reproduction, as only an uncompromisingly accurate approach can preserve the artist’s original intent without adding or subtracting anything from the recording. Within this philosophy, the digital-to-analog conversion stage plays a critical role, as it is responsible for reconstructing the original analog signal from digital data with the highest possible degree of accuracy.

To achieve this goal, T+A recognizes the fundamental differences between the two primary high-resolution digital audio formats, PCM and DSD. Rather than relying on a single converter architecture to process both formats, the PSD 3100 HV employs dedicated conversion paths optimized specifically for each format. T+A refers to this approach as Path Separation Technology.

PCM signals are processed by a double-differential quadruple-converter architecture capable of handling resolutions up to 32-bit / 768 kSps. DSD signals, by contrast, are converted using the proprietary T+A True 1-Bit DSD D/A Converter, supporting resolutions up to DSD512 (24.6 MHz). By treating each format according to its unique technical requirements, the PSD 3100 HV achieves exceptional transparency, resolution, and musical authenticity across all digital sources.

The objective of the PSD 3100 HV is to deliver exceptional resolution, dynamic range, linearity, and freedom from distortion, even when reproducing the most demanding musical passages and the finest low-level details.

To achieve this, the PCM quadruple-converter architecture employs a fully balanced, dual-symmetrical design incorporating eight 32-bit Burr-Brown converter chips. This configuration corrects non-linearities to an exceptionally high degree and reduces the already extremely low residual noise floor by an additional 6 dB. Beyond its reference-level performance, the converter architecture also allows listeners to tailor the sonic character of the system to individual preferences. Multiple oversampling algorithms are available, enabling fine adjustment of timing behavior and frequency response characteristics. Four selectable filter types are provided, including T+A’s proprietary Bezier filters, which offer outstanding time-domain performance and eliminate ringing artifacts in the analog signal.

The T+A True 1-Bit DSD Converter is equally distinctive in its design philosophy. While most conventional converter architectures process DSD signals by first converting them to PCM before playback, the T+A approach preserves the native nature of the format. T+A considers PCM conversion to compromise the inherent advantages of DSD recordings. For this reason, the proprietary True 1-Bit DSD Converter was developed to process DSD data directly, without intermediate conversion. By maintaining a completely native signal path, the converter preserves the unique sonic qualities and audible benefits of the original DSD bitstream.

Pre-Amplifier

• Frequency response +0 /-3dB:   0,5 Hz - 300 kHz
• Signal / noise ratio:  108 / 112 dB
• THD | Intermodulation | Channel separation:  < 0,001 % | < 0,001 % | > 108 dB
• Nominal input sensitivity High level (RCA):  250 mVeff ... 9 Veff / 20 kOhm | 500 mVeff ... 18 Veff / 40 kOhm
• Analogue output RCA | XLR:  nom 1 Veff, max 9,5 Veff / 20 Ohm | nom 1,45 Veff, max 19,6 Veff / 40 Ohm

Headphone output:   4,4 mm Pentaconn (6 Ohms)

Connections

Digital inputs

• 1 x AES-EBU 32...192 kHz / 16-24 Bit
• 4 x S/P-DIF: 1 x Standard Coax
• 1 x high quality BNC 32...192 kHz / 16-24 Bit, 2 x optical TOS-Link 32...192 kHz / 16-24 Bit
• 1 x USB DAC: Device-Mode with max. 768 kSps (PCM) und DSD 512*, supports asynchronous data transfer.
• *DSD512 with Windows PC with appropriate driver installed or Linux PC with 4.4 Kernel or higher only.
• 2 x USB Master-Mode for USB-Mass storage (Stick or HDD)
• 2 x HDMI IN, 1 x HDMI OUT with ARC
• 1 x IPA (LVDS)

D/A-Converter

• 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 512 (24,5 MHz), native bitstream

Frequency response

• PCM 44.1 kSps: 2 Hz - 20 kHz
• PCM 48 kSps: 2 Hz - 22 kHz / DSD 64: 2 Hz - 44 kHz
• PCM 96 kSps: 2 Hz - 40 kHz / DSD 128: 2 Hz - 60 kHz
• PCM 192 kSps: 2 Hz - 80 kHz / DSD 256: 2 Hz - 80 kHz
• PCM 384 kSps: 2 Hz - 100 kHz / DSD 512: 2 Hz - 100 kHz
• PCM 768 kSps: 2 Hz - 120 kHz

THD:  < 0.001 %

S/N ratio:  > 117 dB

Channel separation:  > 110 dB

Streaming Client:  Streaming client module 3rd generation with Quad Core  processor

Tuner

• Internet Radio:  Airable Internet Radio Service (> 11000 stations worldwide)
• FM, FM-HD:  87,5 - 108 MHz; sensitivity 1 µV; S/N > 65 dBA
• DAB, DAB+:  168 -240 MHz (Band III); sensitivity 2,0 µV, S/N > 96 dBA
• Features:  RDS/RDBS, Stationname (PS), Programm type (PTY), Radiotext (RT)

Bluetooth

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

Mains / Accessories / Dimensions

• Mains:  2 x 110-120 V or 220-240 V, 50-60 Hz. Operation: 30 W digital / 40 W analogue, Standby: < 0,5 W
• Standby:  < 0,5 W
• Dimensions (W x H x D) / Weight:  17 x 46 x 46 cm / 26 kg
• Accessories:  2x power cord, remote control F 3100, BNC adapter
• Finishes:  silver laquer 47 or titanium laquer 64