A DAC that just got better.
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The first time we met
with DAC 8 in August 2013. We were so impressed by it back then that we gave it a perfect rating without reservation. A lot of time has passed since then, during which DAC 8 not only acquired the DSD index, meaning support for signals of the corresponding type - from standard SACD DSD64 to record-breaking DSD512. The bandwidth for PCM format signals has been expanded - the 32-bit/384 kHz standard is unlikely to become widely used in recording studios in the near future, as is DSD 512, however, as they say, “the reserve does not stretch the pocket.”
T+A DAC 8 DSD looks great among devices of the same 8 series
DAC different from others
However, such fast converters will come in handy if you also use lower resolution streams, especially since, as always, T+A specialists did not just use a standard DAC chip, organizing a special matrix of eight converters with 32-bit bit depth to reduce noise and distortions. And for DSD decoding, a one-bit scheme of our own design is used. But that’s not all: to isolate analog circuits from T+A DAC 8 DSD, it looks great among devices of the same 8-series digital signal is transmitted through fast-acting optocouplers. The preamplifier does not use conventional op-amps, but only carefully selected discrete elements that form circuits with minimal feedback and wide bandwidth.
Don't forget about the driver and filters
As always, T+A offers a choice of several FIR and Bezier filters. We like the latter better, but for certain music it's worth trying two from the first family.
To realize all the capabilities of the DAC when working with a PC, you will need a special driver; in addition to it, the program will offer to install the ASIO driver - do not refuse this opportunity and configure playback in the software player through it. Once upon a time, Windows caused a lot of criticism and was noticeably inferior to Mac OS in terms of audio; Today, if you use a special program, such as Foobar2000 and ASIO, the sound quality of the DAC 8 DSD is not inferior to many CD players, and in some ways, in our opinion, even surpasses them, especially when it comes to high-resolution files.
T+A MP8 multi-format player and DAC8 DSD DAC
Online services and HD files are steadily replacing physical music media, and the catalyst for the process is the ever-increasing level of networked devices. And content providers are not lagging behind, improving the quality of the music they offer. This means it’s time to seriously think about how to combine the ability to play a CD collection with quick access to the world’s musical treasury. The bundle we tested is perfect for this, does not take up much space and looks elegant.
What are the benefits of digital technology? First of all, many devices, unlike analog high-end ones, can be made very compact without sacrificing either reliability or consumer qualities. Multilayer printed circuit boards with dense installation, switching power supplies, software control - all this gives developers enormous freedom when choosing architecture, ergonomics and design.
Our current test subjects correspond precisely to this concept, and we were able to select the appropriate acoustics for them - compact active monitors. But first things first.
This is a completely digital device with enormous computing power, but the manufacturer emphasizes in the description that the MP8 is not a computer, but a hi-fi component.
Our source and main link will be the network multi-format player T+A MP8. This is a completely digital device with colossal computing power, but the manufacturer emphasizes in the description that the MP8 is not a computer, but a hi-fi component designed according to all audiophile rules.
A high-quality CD drive plays CD/DA, CD-R, CD-RW and CD Text discs, a digital tuner receives stations in FM and FM-HD with full RDS service, as well as in the DAB+ format, which is not yet available in our country.
The digital interface card contains three HD-S/PDIF inputs (two coaxial and optical), supporting PCM up to 24/192 with jitter suppression, a USB-A port for connecting an external hard drive, a computer USB-B and a network LAN for connecting to the Internet or NAS server. Another USB port is located on the front panel of the player, through which you can play music from flash drives with FAT 16, FAT32 and NTFS file systems. Wireless connection is provided by a modern Bluetooth aptX module, capable of receiving, incl. and uncompressed FLAC files.
The MP8 has three outputs: a standard coaxial and a pair of service ones - for communication with the “native” converter via USB DAC8 Link plus the SYS system interface on an RJ45 connector. Through the latter, digital audio is transmitted for conversion to analog. Since the line is multi-wire, it is possible that the data enters the DAC in I2S format, i.e. with separation of channels and clock pulses.
The processor supports Master Mode from USB, LAN and WLAN inputs, i.e. Even over the air it is possible to receive a signal with a resolution of up to 192/24.
The streaming client is built on a high-speed DSP, the architecture of which is designed taking into account minimal negative impact on the output signal. The processor supports Master Mode from USB, LAN and WLAN inputs, i.e. Even over the air it is possible to receive a signal with a resolution of up to 192/24.
MP8 provides access to online music libraries Tidal, Deezer and Qobuz, and recently gained the ability to work with the Roon service. To connect to it, you need to update the firmware (this simple process is described in the user manual) and install the Roon application on the control device, tablet, for example.
Now a few words about ergonomics. The player display has two modes - with large and small characters; in the second case, it gives more information about the current process. The brightness can be adjusted; it is also possible to turn off completely or temporarily if the device does not receive any commands for several minutes.
The standard FM 8 remote control is powered by a lithium-ion battery and can be charged via USB. There are not very many buttons on it, but they perform different functions depending on the duration of the press. Press for more than two seconds and we get access to second-level commands - programming the CD player, editing playlists, switching mono-stereo when receiving FM, etc.
Of course, an application for Android and iOS devices has also been developed - T+A Control.
In principle, the MP8 can be used with any digital-to-analog converters, but the highest possible signal transmission quality is obtained when working with the DAC8 DSD. The aforementioned multi-wire system interface for data exchange is a huge step forward compared to coaxial, optical, and even AES/EBU connections. In addition, it is possible to combine the transport and DAC into a common control system via a proprietary bus (CTRL connectors). And, of course, the design - when combined, both devices form a logically complete composition in the high-tech style.
Despite its modest dimensions, the DAC8 DSD has a very impressive set of inputs - four coaxial, optical, BNC, AES/EBU and asynchronous USB 2.0. Conversion is carried out by eight 32-bit Burr-Brown converters (4 in each channel) in double balanced connection. This ensures reduced noise and distortion even at extremely low signal levels. A 56-bit DSP is responsible for oversampling, for which T+A programmers have written several working algorithms that can be selected during playback. The characteristics of the digital filter can also be changed to your liking - with a steep or smooth roll-off.
This, of course, is classic T+A - pedantic in German, with a tonal balance that is calibrated as if according to a ruler, but at the same time quite bright and not devoid of explosive emotions.
The abbreviation DSD was not added to the name DAC8 by chance - to process the single-bit data stream, it uses its own T+A True One Bit DSD Converter with a completely analog path. German engineers do not recognize DoP (DSD on PCM) circuitry. The output filter here is also analog, with an upper limit of 120 or 60 kHz depending on the input pulse frequency, which can reach 24.576 MHz (DSD512).
The analog signal is output to the RCA and XLR linear outputs, and the balanced ones were just useful for connecting acoustics. In order not to violate the minimalist concept, it was decided to do without an amplifier, using Acoustic Energy AE1 active monitors. For a small room, you can’t think of a better option – in terms of dynamics, resolution, and ability to build a sound stage.
But first of all, we activated the Roon application and registered our system in it. We had three sources of content - online streaming from Tidal, high-res from a computer installed on another floor and connected to a common wired network, plus a smartphone via Bluetooth. With the help of Roon, we were able to combine them on the iPad screen with a clear graphical representation of the content on each resource. The transition from streaming to playing FLACs from a remote PC took just a few seconds, and that's really impressive. The program is capable of not only integrating sources, but also simultaneously broadcasting different music to different playback devices, i.e. organize a multiroom with its own track list for each zone. Of course, this is an extremely superficial description of Roon’s capabilities; you can study them in more detail on the Roon Labs website.
And from flash drives, via the USB port, everything sounded extremely authentic, and this is very rare even for much more expensive media players.
Now about the sound of our combination. This, of course, is classic T+A - pedantic in German, with a tonal balance that is calibrated as if according to a ruler, but at the same time quite bright and not devoid of explosive emotions. Despite all the complexity of the digital content, the soul of the music is not emasculated; it is alive, with natural dynamic contrasts and natural timbres. The most interesting thing is that when playing CDs and online content, there is not much difference - we specifically compared the sound using the example of the same, rather complex piece. CDs are perceived as a little more prominent, but also a little rougher, and on streaming there is a slight veil in the upper range. But in general - very convincingly, MP8 is really not a computer, but a real music source. Of course, you can feel the difference between 44/16 CD rips and high cuts, but even it is not so dramatic as to confidently give preference to one. And from flash drives, via the USB port, everything sounded extremely authentic, and this is very rare even for much more expensive media players. The top was a little stiffer and the stage more compact when broadcasting via Bluetooth, but nothing can be done about it. With all the other content media we tested, the AE1 Active monitors demonstrated all their ability to create a truly three-dimensional space.
But by switching filters in the DAC8 DSD, the sound character can be adjusted depending on the content. When playing a CD, I liked the BEZIER mode more - it softens the presentation a little, gives the sound a little more openness and “atmospheric”. FIR, on the contrary, makes the sound denser, weightier, i.e. gives it those qualities that virtual media often lack.
And finally, ergonomics. Operating the devices is quite simple; if you don’t delve too deeply into the menu, you can easily do without instructions. But in order to study all the capabilities of the devices, you will have to study the manual - there is a lot in it that I simply did not have the opportunity to talk about here.
In general, the kit turned out to be sufficient for any application, capable of closing the eternal audiophile topic of replacing components with more advanced ones. Why change them if the hardware has everything you need and over time you can simply update the firmware?
SYSTEM
- Digital to analogue converter T+A DAC 8 DSD
- Speaker systems Acoustic Energy AE1 Active
- CABLES: Digital USB
- interconnects T+A Audio Quad XLR
- power T+A Power Three, ISOL-8 IsoLink Wave Power Cord
T+A MP 8
Manufacturer: T+A elektroakustik GmbH & Co. KG (Germany)
www.ta-hifi.de
Disc playback: CD/DA, CD-R, CD-RW, CD Text || Frequency/Dynamic Range: 2 Hz – 20 kHz/100 dB || Formats/standards supported by the network client: mp3, WMA, AAC, OGG Vorbis, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC / UPnP AV, T+A Control || Data conversion: PCM 32 - 192 kHz, 16/24 bit; mp3 up to 320 kb/s, with variable and constant bitrate || UPnP AV support: yes || Control: T+A Control App for iOS and Android devices || Supported online services: Tidal, Deezer, Qobuz, Roon Ready || Wireless protocols/codecs: A2DP (Audio), AVRCP 1.4 (Control) / aptX, MP3, SBC, 802.11 b/g/n with || Tuner: FM, FM-HD, DAB, DAB+ || Internet radio: yes || Inputs: 2 x coaxial 192/24, optical 96/24, 2 x USB Master-Mode for HDD, USB pass-through for DAC 8 DSD || Outputs: Coaxial, USB A, RJ45 Sys || Power consumption: 20W, standby: less than 0.2W || Remote control: FM 8, FM-1000 (optional) || Dimensions (W x H x D) 270 x 95 x 270 mm || Weight: 5 kg || Price: 295,200 rub.
The editors thank the Panorama salon for their assistance in conducting the test
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Tags: T+AT+A DAC 8 DSDT+A MP8
Simply great sound
But also in standard definition the finale of the Fourth Symphony
"Tchaikovsky appears in all the splendor of colors: the bowed instruments sound sharp, but without unnecessary harshness or dryness, the wind instruments are gentle, the line of the timpani is clearly defined.
And if our reference SACD player Esoteric X-03 is superior to the DAC 8 DSD paired with a computer in something, it is only in the depth and fullness of the bass register. But the DAC 8 more subtly reveals the multifaceted arrangements of the composition Money Talks
by Deep Purple.
The remote control is completely ordinary, but works flawlessly
When a signal is fed to the coaxial input, detail is generally preserved, but the accuracy of nuances and dynamic contrasts clearly speaks in favor of the computer - we never thought that such times would ever come. The advantage becomes even more noticeable if you use high-resolution files - Diana Krall's album Girl in the Other Room
amazes with the realism of the vocals and the energy of the musical accompaniment. DSD files also play superbly, displaying attractive soundstage integrity and a rare combination of sharpness and smoothness.
T+A DAC 8 DSD
The DAC 8 DSD design incorporates more than 20 years of experience creating digital audio components of unsurpassed quality. The result is a universal device - not just an external sound card for a computer, but a device capable of turning digital audio data of any kind into an analog signal that meets the highest standards. At the same time, engineers did not forget about ergonomics and design. The T+A DAC 8 DSD DAC works with signals up to DSD 512, and the device contains a DSD converter of its own design, built on discrete elements - it is a 1-bit DSD DAC (True 1-bit DSD DAC). For the PCM signal, a unique processing circuit is used - 4 separate PCM DACs per channel. All this works in conjunction with a precision clock generator and separate power circuits for the digital and analogue sections. The preamplifier section of the T+A DAC 8 DSD is completely analogue. Note that the DAC 8 DSD is equipped with an audiophile headphone amplifier that easily controls high-impedance headphones.
The base of the DAC 8 DSD is a square with a side of only 270 mm, the height is 95 mm.
The housings are all aluminum, with the top and bottom covers made from 6mm plate, and the side walls and front from die-cast profiles. The rigid body thus obtained is mounted on damper legs. The front panels can be called examples of utilitarianism. On the facade of the DAC there is only a matrix display, eight buttons for selecting inputs and the type of digital filtering, plus two more that form a volume control, as well as a 6.3 mm “telephone” output. You can connect the DAC 8 DSD via either an unbalanced or a balanced bus. The DAC, in addition to the corresponding (RCA and XLR) outputs, has five coaxial (4xRCA and 1xBNC), optical (Toslink) and balanced (AES/EBU) digital audio inputs and one coaxial output, the impedance of which is only 22 Ohms. Of course, there is also a USB B input. The seriousness of the developers’ intentions is also evidenced by the presence of separate power supplies for the analog and digital circuits of the DAC. The signal level at the outputs is controlled using a complex analog circuit, which allows you to maintain sound dynamics even at low volumes. If desired, the regulator can be disabled by using two relays with gold-plated contacts. All inputs, except optical, accept signals up to 24/192 (Toslink reads data no higher than 24/96). The USB input operates in USB Audio Class 1 mode with a signal up to 24/96 or in USB Audio Class 2 mode (a signal up to 24/192 is received), and you can choose synchronous or asynchronous operation, which requires installation of a special driver on the PC.
Digital-to-analogue conversion in the DAC 8 DSD is carried out by eight 32-bit Burr-Brown DACs operating in a dual balanced circuit. This solution allows you to compensate for any nonlinearity during processing, and reduce the background noise level by 6 dB. Resampling is performed by a 56-bit processor using algorithms developed by T+A specifically for this circuit, which reduces jitter. Other effective measures have been taken to combat it. The signal is converted in two stages. First, the audio data itself is extracted from the received stream and processed by a PLL (phase-locked loop) circuit in order to save it from gross temporary errors. The data is then analyzed by a special microprocessor, and if it meets the specified criteria for frequency and stability, the DAC 8 DSD DACs are switched to their own extremely accurate clock pulses. (The generator of the latter is completely independent of the signal source, which reduces to zero jitter generated by the computer and resulting during signal transmission. Synchronization pulses are generated by two quartz emitters - one produces a signal for files with a sampling frequency of 44.1/88.2/176.4 kHz, the second is for 48/96/192 kHz files.) If the input stream does not meet the above criteria, it again undergoes PLL processing, and the residual jitter is reduced by 4 times.
Digital filtering is carried out using Bezier transforms, as well as using FIR filters - standard and with a steep decline in characteristics.
You can select the desired filtering from the front panel of the DAC or from the remote control. It is possible to invert the phase of the input signal or expand the bandwidth of the output signal (up to 120 kHz). Analog circuits, galvanically isolated from digital ones, are assembled on discrete elements without the use of operational amplifiers. The linearity of their characteristics is ensured not by the great depth of feedback, but by the high quality of the components. Characteristics of T+A DAC 8 DSD
PCM DAC: Dual differential digital-to-analog converter with four Burr-Brown chips (32-bit/384 kHz) per channel; for DSD: one-bit T+A True 1 Bit Converter (DSD64/128/256/512) Upsampling 56-bit DSP with four resampling algorithms to choose from: FIR short, FIR long, Bezier/IIR, Bezier Analog filter phase-linear Bessel filter 3- first order with the ability to expand the bandwidth from 60 kHz to 120 kHz Switchable analog volume control yes Channel balance adjustment yes Frequency range PCM (44.1 kHz): 2 Hz – 20 kHz; PCM (48 kHz): 2 Hz – 22 kHz; PCM (96 kHz): 2 Hz – 40 kHz; PCM (192 kHz): 2 Hz – 80 kHz; PCM (384 kHz): 2 Hz – 100 kHz; DSD64: 2 Hz – 44 kHz; DSD128: 2 Hz – 60 kHz; DSD256: 2 Hz – 80 kHz; DSD512: 2 Hz – 100 kHz Harmonic distortion less than 0.001% Signal-to-noise ratio 116 dB Channel separation 110 dB Maximum output voltage/output impedance 2.5 V/22 ohms (RCA); 5 V/22 Ohm (XLR) Inputs 4 coaxial (up to 24 bits/192 kHz), BNC (up to 24 bits/192 kHz), optical (up to 24 bits/96 kHz), balanced AES/EBU (up to 24 bits/192 kHz), asynchronous USB port (up to 32 bit/384 kHz, DSD64/128/256/512, for MAC OS – up to DSD128) Outputs balanced XLR, unbalanced RCA, coaxial, 6.3 mm for headphones Other switching interface SYS IN for connecting signal sources (to be used in the future), CTRL socket (RS-232) for software updates and control via integrated Crestron/AMX systems Power supply separate power supply for digital and analog parts Power consumption 15 W, in standby: less than 0.2 W Remote control T+A F8 Dimensions (WxHxD) 270x95x270 mm Weight 4 kg
