T+A DAC 200

[OE333]

As @Patu said:    try to restore to factory settings first. That should bring the meter illumination back on.

 

If that is not the case, I suspect that a cable connector between the front panel PCB and the meters has become loose....

 

 

[OE333]

On 3/23/2024 at 9:28 AM, droffen said:

I hope, they will copy most of the update to HA 200 as well. 

 

Yes, those changes that make sense for the HA will be ported to the HA200 in the next firmware revision.

I expect this new firmware in May.

[OE333]

23 hours ago, Bobusfindus said:

Hang on, so the recommended way to update is using an MP200, which I don’t have, or to use the interface cable for which you need a windows computer, which I don’t have (I use Macs). 
Is there any other method I could use or am I stuck on the firmware version I have?

 

Does your dealer have a MP200 ?

Maybe you can ask him to do the update for you...

[OE333]

17 hours ago, camott said:

@OE333 is this the same build/revision as you have posted under “extended firmware” on your GitHub site? The version number is v_120 and timestamp of 5 days ago. But notes are 2 months old. Thanks!

 

Yes, it is exactly the same.

Notes were written when the testing phase began.

[OE333]

On 3/23/2024 at 10:33 AM, Bobusfindus said:

Well yeah, or just allow you to plug in a USB like most other manufacturers 🤷

 

Of course the possibility to update the DAC simply with a USB stick would be very handy - I totally agree.

 

But for the DAC200, in order to minimize electromagnetic interference and noise, T+A has chosen to use a special ultra low power control microprocessor (MSP430), running at a very low clock speed. For USB updates a much bigger processor, and much higher clock speeds - generating more electromagnetic noise would be necessary. So sound quality is one reason for not having a direct USB update possibility.

 

An other reason is that the DAC200 was conceived as a DAC with a fixed feature set. So updates are normally not required.

The new version V1,20 with a number of new features is an exception.

 

Most T+A customers own a complete series 200 system including the MP200. In this case over-the-air updates through the MP200 are possible.

 

According to the T+A philosophy updates for customers without a MP200 should be performed as a service by the local T+A dealer.

 

For customers without MP200 and with no nearby T+A dealer, T+A has  made the DAC200 programming device available to the public.

 

And last but not least, there is the affordable DIY version of this programming adapter with my free programming Windows software to be found on Github.

 

 

 

9 hours ago, Bobusfindus said:

Possibly, but I bought their ex demo unit and they’re 500 miles away in Scotland! I’ll see if I can find a dealer more local who might be able to do it.
I guess failing that I could virtualise Windows on a Mac 🤔

 

Why is the programming software available for Windows only ?

Well, the programming is done over the T+A E-Link interface. This interface uses a proprietary protocol. This protocol is mimicked by "misusing" a serial RS232 interface and this requires a direct low-level hardware access to the RS232 chip. I am not a MAC specialist, but as far as I can judge it, such direct low level hardware access would not be possible under MAC OS.

 

[OE333]

A detailed description of all new functions and features of the new firmware V1.20 can be found in the new DAC200 User-Manual:

 

DAC200 V 1.20 User Manual

 

[OE333]

On 3/27/2024 at 10:45 PM, austinpop said:

@OE333 

 

I'm helping someone out who has an SDV 3100 HV. I know this is the DAC-200 thread, but since these DACs are so similar, I hope it's OK to ask here.

1. What is the best DSD Filter to use if sending DSD256 or DSD512 to the DAC over USB? Is it DSD2?
2. And for DSD1024, is it DSD1?
3. What about PCM 16FS (705.6/768)? There does not seem to be NOS1/NOS2 options on this DAC, unlike the DAC-200.

 

Well, the DSD1 / DSD2 modes of the SDV3100HV are a special feature of the SDV DAC which the DAC200 does not have. In the SDV3100HV the DSD DAC consists of 16 DAC elements. In DSD1 mode all 16 elements are used in a serial configuration working at the full sample frequency (that meany at 49.152 MHz in case of DSD1024x48).

In DSD2 mode the 16 DAC elements are configured as two serial FIR-DACs with 8 elements each. The DSD signal is fed in an alternating manner to these two DAC chains. As a consequence the DACs have to run at half the sampling rate only.

 

All this is descibed in more detail in the User Mnual on page 66:  SDV3100HV User Manual

 

The DAC1 mode will result in a slightly better signal/noise ratio and the DSD2 mode might have a slightly lower distortion.

The difference between both variants is very small.

I personally would recommend the DSD1 mode - especially for DSD rates of 512 and below.

 

 

NOS1/NOS2

The PCM DAC modes NOS1 / NOS2 were introduced as a new feature with the DAC200.

Technically it would not be a problem adding these modes to the SDV3100HV with one of the next firmware updates. I will discuss this with my colleagues and see what can be done....

 

 

[OE333]

@Sunny_Player

The SDV3100HV has a built-in 1Gb network switch, that isolates the internal streamer and the internal NAA from the external network. So no unnecessary IP traffic will disturb the audio endpoints in the SDV3100HV.

 

Furthermore the SDV has a two stage galvanic network isolation to keep out any electromagnetic noise coming from the network.

 

With these two measures the SDV is inherently immune to disturbances from the network.

 

Nevertheless it is always a good idea to set up a dedicated audio subnet with its own router or switch to isolate all networked audio components (streamer, Audio-NAS, Audio PC etc.) from the rest of the home network.

 

I have set up the audio subnet in my home with a standard AVM "Fritzbox" as network switch. This setup is working well. Of course a dedicated audio network switch (like for example the MELCO S10) might even bring some more benefit - but this is something I would advise you to test in your own specific environment...

[OE333]

On 4/25/2024 at 5:29 PM, e.Latte said:

Is there an advantage to using the T+A MP 200 with the DAC 200? After many hours of listening I find myself really enjoying the sound of the MP 200. 

 

Advantages are

1.) convenience

- only one remote for DAC and all sources in the MP200 (streaming services, internet radio, FM + DAB radio, CD Player Bluetooth etc.)

- control the DAC200 + MP200 thru the iOS or Android T+A control APP (APP control is forwarded to DAC200 via the MP200)

- firmware updates via internet for DAC200 thru MP200

2.) sound quality

The audio data is transferred from MP200 to DAC200 using a proprietary interface (T+A SYS-Link) with very low jitter

[OE333]

30 minutes ago, SPAZ said:

Hi @OE333

 

I have just updated to the latest extended version and love the extra functionality to re-name the outputs. How can I change the output name for USB S2?

 

Thanks!

 

USB S2 is a special input intended for an additional USB connection between MP200 and DAC200. It was not intended to be used as a "normal" input. I made this input now available as a second USB input for those users who do not have a MP200 and who want to use it as a second USB in. But please be aware that this "2nd USB" feature is only an "experimental" feature that does not have exactly the same functionality as the normal standard inputs. So if you choose to use this experimental feature, please accept that the name can not be edited.

[OE333]

On 4/23/2024 at 7:42 AM, droffen said:

I like it the way it is implemented. Because I can decide whether I watch TV with sound via T+A or via TV itself.

 

Thank you - this was our intention when defining the DAC200 CEC implementation.

 

 

 

 

On 4/19/2024 at 1:34 AM, Sid said:

I was hoping for a consistent CEC implementation, helps to reduce remote usage :-) seems a bit wasteful to first turn the TV on and then separately DAC so that I can route TV's audio through my 2 channel setup...I guess my only solution is to use a universal remote!

 

I will check if we can add a CEC switch ON function ...