T+A DAC 200

[Ben-M]

4 hours 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! 🙂

Wow, that's quite the current stable. And you used to(?) have a DAC8DSD too, right? 

 

What comments can you share on the 2/3 DACs so far? I really wondered how the HA200 might compare to the stand alone DAC200. 

[Miska]

7 hours ago, Ben-M said:

Wow, that's quite the current stable. And you used to(?) have a DAC8DSD too, right? 

 

I still have it, but it got replaced by DAC 200 on my main loudspeaker system. DAC 200 is nice improvement over the DAC8 DSD.

 

7 hours ago, Ben-M said:

What comments can you share on the 2/3 DACs so far? I really wondered how the HA200 might compare to the stand alone DAC200. 

 

I think HA 200 is the same as DAC 200, but HA 200 is optimized for it's headphone outputs while DAC 200 is optimized for the line outputs.

[fds]

2 hours ago, Miska said:

DAC 200 is nice improvement over the DAC8 DSD

Would it maybe be possible to describe the improvements a bit? Timing? 3D? Density? Tonality?

 

While the DAC8DSD excels with DSD512, what about the DAC200? Do you find a significant improvement with DSD1024 over DSD512 with the DAC200?

[OE333]

21 hours ago, Miska said:

I think HA 200 is the same as DAC 200, but HA 200 is optimized for it's headphone outputs while DAC 200 is optimized for the line outputs.

 

The digital section of HA200 and DAC200 including the D/A converters is identical.

 

Differences between both devices are in the analog domain and power supply.

 

HA200 has a discrete high current Class-A output amplifier to drive any kind of headphones through 3 outputs (6.3mm, Pentaconn, XLR). Additionally it has some headphone specific features such as cross-feed, tone control, selectable output impedance etc.

Power supply is 15 Watt SMPS for the digital part, 100 Watt double torodial linear PS for the analog section.

 

The DAC200 analog section is also of discrete construction with balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) outputs.

Power supply is 15 Watt SMPS for the digital part, 50 Watt single torodial linear PS for the analog section.

 

Volume control in both devices is done in the analog domain using T+A's "Logarithmic Świtched Resistor Ladder" with hermetically sealed gold contact relays and high precision Vishay resistors.

 

 

[Rovo]

On 6/1/2022 at 1:45 PM, fds said:

Would it maybe be possible to describe the improvements a bit? Timing? 3D? Density? Tonality?

 

While the DAC8DSD excels with DSD512, what about the DAC200? Do you find a significant improvement with DSD1024 over DSD512 with the DAC200?

@Miskacould you share some of your experiences with the DAC200 compared to the DAC8DSD?

[Rovo]

@OE333

As we have all learned here at Audiophile Style power supplies are very important for the sound quality. For my PC's feeding my DAC I have upgraded the power supplies several times. Currently using the Taiko DC-DC ATX plus Nenon v3 ULPS. Each time with a clear sound improvement. Being an owner of a T+A DAC 8 from 2013/2104 and later off a T+A DAC 8 DSD, I now wonder if an upgrade of the power supply of the T+A DAC 8 DSD is worth while and possible? On advice of Mark Coles of Sablon I have already upgrade the IEC connection and the wires to the PC board with a nice and noticable sound improvement. OE333 your advice would be appreciated. 

[OE333]

23 hours ago, Rovo said:

@OE333

As we have all learned here at Audiophile Style power supplies are very important for the sound quality. For my PC's feeding my DAC I have upgraded the power supplies several times. Currently using the Taiko DC-DC ATX plus Nenon v3 ULPS. Each time with a clear sound improvement. Being an owner of a T+A DAC 8 from 2013/2104 and later off a T+A DAC 8 DSD, I now wonder if an upgrade of the power supply of the T+A DAC 8 DSD is worth while and possible? On advice of Mark Coles of Sablon I have already upgrade the IEC connection and the wires to the PC board with a nice and noticable sound improvement. OE333 your advice would be appreciated. 

 

I'll be happy to share my thoughts about this but as your question relates to DAC8DSD maybe your post should be moved to the DAC8DSD thread before ?

 

[Rovo]

@OE333

posted the question above in the T+A DAC 8 DSD thread. 

[e.Latte]

UPDATE: I decided to order the DAC 200. It will arrive early next week! I am prepared for hours of listening and will report back. I can't wait to listen to it. 

[mevdinc]

Finally! :)
 

HiFi News reviews DAC 200

[ericuco]

29 minutes ago, mevdinc said:

Finally! :)
 

HiFi News reviews DAC 200

 

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.

 

[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. 

[ericuco]

26 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

My guess is the writer may have been unaware. 

 

Well, he should have read the manual. It only took about 2 minutes to find this in the manual. 🙂

 

The original DAC8 DSD didn't support officially Linux (stated on the T+A website) but it could be updated to do so. That is what I had to do with my mine with some help from @OE333.

 

As you know, there are LOTS of music servers and the like (e.g. Sonore Rendu's, etc.) that are Linux-based which could cause those owners to stay away from the DAC200 with this lack of information. If I were T+A, I would ask the writer for this to be corrected.

[OE333]

Yes, I can confirm that DAC200 and HA200 fully support Linux based USB sources.

PCM up to 768 and native DSD up to 1024.

 

[semente]

@Miska, what's your view on the Bézier Interpolator filters?

Does HQPlayer have anything similar?

[Miska]

On 6/17/2022 at 6:55 PM, semente said:

@Miska, what's your view on the Bézier Interpolator filters?

Does HQPlayer have anything similar?

 

There are the two polynomial interpolators. But it is not my favorite thing as the stop band attenuation is poor.

 

[Miska]

On 6/17/2022 at 12:09 AM, ericuco said:

As you know, there are LOTS of music servers and the like (e.g. Sonore Rendu's, etc.) that are Linux-based which could cause those owners to stay away from the DAC200 with this lack of information. If I were T+A, I would ask the writer for this to be corrected.

 

I've been using HA 200 and DAC 200 with NAA OS running on the UP Gateway and it works just fine to DSD1024.

 

But don't expect all NAA devices to support DSD1024. You need to pay some attention to the hardware and software.

 

[mevdinc]

11 hours ago, Miska said:

 

I've been using HA 200 and DAC 200 with NAA OS running on the UP Gateway and it works just fine to DSD1024.

 

But don't expect all NAA devices to support DSD1024. You need to pay some attention to the hardware and software.

 

Miska,
What's your take on DAC 200 against the many other DACs you've used?

[emcdade]

I both love and hate hearing that the DAC200 is an improvement on the DAC8 DSD!  I’ve been convincing myself I don’t need the upgrade because DAC8 sounds so good already.  

[The Computer Audiophile]

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

[e.Latte]

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. 

 

 

[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. 

 

[AudioDoctor]

9 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

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

 

 

Living the dream!

 

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

4 hours ago, AudioDoctor said:

 

Living the dream!

 

 

I do need to pinch myself quite often.