T+A DAC 200

[The Computer Audiophile]

I just requested a review sample of this DAC.

[The Computer Audiophile]

T+A is way back ordered on the 200 series. Not sure when I can get this. Working on it. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

There may be some movement on getting a DAC200 for review! 

[The Computer Audiophile]

29 minutes ago, Miska said:

I'm now using two very similar devices. HA 200 + Solitaire P for one of headphone systems and DAC 200 for my main loudspeaker system. So I'm very well covered in this respect! 🙂

Nice!

[The Computer Audiophile]

4 minutes ago, ericuco said:

 

The article seems to imply that only Windows and Mac computers can be connected using USB-B connector with DSD1024 max for Windows and DSD256 max for Mac. No mention of Linux computers.

 

DSD sources are routed to T+A's custom 'True 1-bit DSD converter' for native delivery up to DSD1024/49MHz (via a Windows PC running an installed driver; for Mac users, the USB-B input maxes out at DSD256)

 

However, the manual does mention Linux.

 

The DAC 200 accepts digital PCM stereo signals with sampling rates of 44.1...768 kSps and digital DSD stereo signals from DSD64 to DSD1024* at this input.
* DSD512 to DSD1024 only from a Windows PC with installed driver or from a Linux PC with kernel 4.4 or higher.

 

My guess is the writer may have been unaware. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

I received a tracking number for the DAC200! It’s on the way here for review!!!

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 hour ago, e.Latte said:

The full stack looks marvelous. I spent all last weekend listening and breaking in the system.

The  DAC 200 brings out the detail that isn’t edgy or too articulate. I found for my taste that the Bezier 1 & FIR 2 filters are the best depending on the song. I’ll post again in a month or so with a more in depth review.

 

A little off topic but the MP 200 completely changed for the better when I connected a good power cable to it. Instantly more detail and a lower noise floor. Just a heads up in case you get the MP like I did. 

 

 

Marvelous!

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

This thing is really cool. A very well thought-out component. Can’t wait to press play. 

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

4 hours ago, AudioDoctor said:

 

Living the dream!

 

 

I do need to pinch myself quite often. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 minute ago, AudioDoctor said:

 

If your kids are anything like mine, they do a good job of keeping you humble... 

+100

 

I hold out hope that this Mark Twain quote will ring true for me when my 10 year old gets a little older.

 

"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years."

[The Computer Audiophile]

OK, first question about the DAC200. When I set the PRE OUT mode to LINE rather than Variable, the volume indicator at the bottom of the display switches from VOL to PHO and I can adjust PHO with the volume knob. 

 

What it PHO?

[The Computer Audiophile]

7 minutes ago, h128 said:

I would guess that it indicates headphone output. I set mine to variable mode so I've never seen that.

I bet you're right. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

I have DSD1024 working on the DAC200 with @Miska’s newest NAA image. Still many things to test and set to my favorite, but so far so good. 
 

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 hour ago, e.Latte said:

I can only get 256 DSD out of my computer. From what I understand you are feeding the DAC 200 with a NAA? Are you going in USB from the NAA? If you are running this from a computer, do you mind sharing your build specs? :) 

Are you running into this Mac limitation?

 

”The playback of DSD files is restricted to a maximum of DSD 256 on Apple MAC computers, as Apple only supports playback in DoP format and does not support native streaming.”

[The Computer Audiophile]

3 minutes ago, e.Latte said:

I am using Windows. I think it is the limitation of my processor and graphics card. I want to upsample to 1024 DSD since the DAC 200 is capable of 1024 DSD and I want to hear how it sounds. I am currently using ROON and HQ Player from my computer and connecting directly into the DAC 200. My current settings on HQ Player are Source, IIR, FIR, Shaped, 768 PCM, and on the DAC 200 I have it set to NOS 2. Sounds incredible. I am curious to hear how DSD 1024 sounds compared to my current settings. 

To do DSD1024 on my CAPS Twenty computer, I have to adjust the modulators down from ASDM7ECv2 to something else. I'm listening to DSD256 at ASDM7ECv2 right now will switch to DSD1024 in a bit. 

 

The PC I'm using is here - 

 

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

16 minutes ago, Miska said:

 

Try DSD256 first. For example with:

1x=poly-sinc-gauss-long

Nx=poly-sinc-gauss-hires-lp

Modulator=ASDM7ECv2

 

You can then try higher rates. But I'd say it is very good at DSD256.

 

The we get to the question of higher DSD rates versus "lower" level modulators as we hit the maximum our PCs can handle. First world problems :~)

[The Computer Audiophile]

On 8/2/2022 at 4:10 PM, Miska said:

 

Try DSD256 first. For example with:

1x=poly-sinc-gauss-long

Nx=poly-sinc-gauss-hires-lp

Modulator=ASDM7ECv2

 

You can then try higher rates. But I'd say it is very good at DSD256.

 

I'm listening with this "prescription" through the DAC200 now. Sound is stellar. This DAC and HQP are able to pull my focus back to two channel, away from Atmos for the moment. Life is good :~)

[The Computer Audiophile]

Fund a typo on the T+A DAC200 page :~)

 

The real story is that I'm listening today, blown away by the DAC200, and researching how T+A is managing to obtain this high level of performance. The stumbled upon the typo.

 

I'm also willing to bet the DAC200 handles 705.6 kHz, rather than stopping at 354.8 kHz (also a typo) for the 44.1 clock. Just a guess. (OK, just tasted it. 705.6 works fine.)

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi Guys, the review is up!

 

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

14 minutes ago, rom661 said:

Hey Chris.  Looking forward to receiving mine next week.  Have a really good power cable ready and using an Aurender N20 as the main source.  Quick question - Dave told me today (he's not been there long) that there is a way to control the filter selection from an app.  That would be great.  If you mentioned it in your review I missed it.  Can you confirm?  Thanks

That should be a nice combo. I love my N20.

 

I know T+A has apps, but I don't know of a way to switch the DAC 200 filters with an app. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

4 minutes ago, jrsub said:

I purchased the T+A DAC 200 and should get it in a few weeks.

Wise move. T+A has been gracious enough to let me continue using the DAC 200 in my work, for a little while. It's a superb DAC.

[The Computer Audiophile]

5 minutes ago, jrsub said:

I am having an issue with my T+A DAC 200 where intermittently the left channel volume is suddenly reduced resulting in the center image shifting to the right and staying there.  I use the DAC 200  with an Aurender N200 music server and run the DAC 200 in variable mode to my  Audio Reseach LS28SE preamp.  

 

I use variable mode at -22 on the DAC 200 otherwise the high gain on my preamp limits my volume range.  When the channel problem occurs  I can only resolve the issue by physically unplugging the DAC 200 unit,  or switching the DAC 200 from variable to fixed output mode.  Power cycling any of the other components or even the DAC200 using the front power button when the problem is happening does not resolve the issue.   I can run the system for a day or two without the issue and then all of a sudden the problem occurs.

 

I spoke with my dealer and they are thinking that the DAC 200 should only be used in fixed output mode when using an external  preamp.     I  find that strange as it seems like using variable volume control is a common DAC feature for the very reason I use it.    However,  maybe that is how the T+A unit is designed and I am in fact using it in a different way than intended. 

 

Is anybody else using the DAC 200 in variable output mode to an external preamp successfully?

 

Thoughts?

That’s a good one. I can’t see why it would matter how you use the DAC 200, as long as it’s within what the manual says you can do. What ever is downstream of a variable output would have no clue the output was varied prior to the input. 
 

My guess is that T+A will have a good idea what’s going on. It’s a very solid engineering based company. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

2 minutes ago, jrsub said:

Thanks OE333 I will test changing the DAC 200 volume while in variable mode the next time the issue occurs. 

 

What is also of note is that the other day  I decided  to test if using a USB reclocker I had on hand would benefit the DAC 200 sound quality.   I turned the DAC 200 off on the front panel, pulled the USB cord from the DAC  and re-inserted the USB cable with the reclocker.  Interestingly, I  had now inadvertently created the  exact same problem with the left channel losing some volume shifting the soundstage to the right while in variable mode.   I put back in just the original USB cable without the reclocker and  the problem was still there.  The only way I could resolve the issue was to physically unplug the DAC 200 from the power source.    I could recreate the channel issue about 50% of the time by  pulling the USB cable while the unit was plugged into the power source, but turned off on the front panel.   

 

Now after reading your response, I wanted to force the issue to occur and try your volume change suggestion.  However,   today I couldn't recreate the problem after a couple of tries.    So I guess I'll have to wait for the problem to occur naturally.  The issue  has occurred in the past within 2.5 hours after powering the unit on, or  it could run for 2 days without the issue occurring.  So it may take some time to test your suggestion.

This reminds me of a strange issue I had with a DAC. Flipping a light switch caused an audio dropout, only when my house is really dry in the winter. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

Just now, jrsub said:

That thought actually crossed my mind as I am also in Minnesota and it has been quite dry.  

 

Ah no way. 
 

I was measuring my room two weeks ago. I touched the microphone and got an electrostatic shock. My mic preamp rebooted. 
 

Who knew Minnesota was the electronics Winter proving ground 🙂

[The Computer Audiophile]

3 hours ago, OE333 said:

There is good news about the PC based firmware update for the DAC200.

T+A is willing to support this and they will offer the required USB -> E2Link  programming adaptor through the T+A webshop.

 

I will give an update on this topic as soon as all details are clear.

That’s excellent.