T+A elektroakustik HV Series Components

@david_ten Thanks for sharing. It’s great to finally see a great review on the DAC 200 from a U.S. source. This unit has been one of my best sellers, and I truly think it outperforms DACs up to twice its price or more. It is so natural and effortless, and a very versatile unit overall. I’m surprised it hasn’t gained more attention.

@david_ten It’s actually really nice to hear from someone else who owns the SDV 3100 HV. I have not heard it with the Taiko, but I own the Aurender N30SA and the pairing is exceptional as well. That said, using the internal streamer in the SDV 3100 HV is no slouch, either!

Have you compared the SDV 3100 HV to other DACs, and if so which ones? I preferred mine over many others including the Mola Mola Tambaqui, Lampi Atlantic and Baltic 3, modded PS Audio DirectStream, and a few others. Have not compared it to other reference solutions like MSB or DCS, though I have heard those units at shows. But for anyone looking for a reference streamer, DAC and preamp all in one, the unit provides great value regardless of its MSRP. 

@david_ten Thanks for the context. I 100% agree with your comments on the V / line stage section of this unit. I owned the P 3000 HV prior, and the preamp in the SDV is just as good if not better. I’ve never heard a preamp like it, and I’ve demoed numbers of preamps up to the $20K range. It is a worthwhile addition for an extra $2500 in addition to the $36K for the base SD 3000 HV.

@thyname I can help with the distinction. The PSD 3100 HV is a trickle down of the SDV for sure, and in the following ways:

DAC

SDV: True 1-bit conversion DSD 1024

PSD: Max DSD512

Analog Inputs

SDV: one set balanced, one set RCA

PSD: only one set RCA

Both have one set XLR and RCA for outputs

SDV has multiple digital inputs for certain types (e.g. two USB in) where the PSD only has one.

I’m uncertain if the preamp sections, power supplies, and isolation technologies are equivalent across the two, but I can inquire. 

@steve59 I have a customer that uses a full 3000 HV stack (MP, P, A, and PS) with KEF Blades and he is very, very happy with the electronics matching.

Thyname has a good suggestion to use the PA 3100 HV with a separate DAC (consider the T+@ DAC 200 to go with it). That said, the separates are for sure better.

@thyname I did get some details about the PSD, but I've been asked not to share too deeply until the product is released. That said, I can confide that the quality differences do go beyond the ares I provided above, and there are differences all in the preamp section, power supply, volume control and all. Both are still good values for their price points.

I will iterate that the SDV is the best purchase I ever made in my own system. I already owned the P 3000 HV, which was the best preamp I ever owned prior to the SDV. Combined with a world class DAC in a single unit, and a quality streamer and network audio device, it is a worthy investment for combined endgame performance. The DAC 200 is also exceptional for its price point, and I've preferred it to DACs double its cost. I'm certain the PSD, while not inexpensive, will also strike a great balance between cost and performance.

In reality, the 3000 HV “system” can drive any speaker with ease. While the stereo amp itself is incredible, I didn’t realize just how much of a benefit the optional PS 3000 HV power supply added to the level of control and tone to the A 3000 HV amplifier. And for people who want to go even further, the stack can be set to mono configuration so that you have one A 3000 HV and one PS 3000 HV per speaker that puts out 800wpc at 4ohms with a total capacitance of over 1/2 Farad. I’m sure there are others, but the only amps I know have more capacitance are Gryphon.