T+A

T+A were founded in 1978 and they are an electronics and loudspeaker manufacturer who have their headquarters based in Herford, a small town in the north west of Germany.

They are a family run business who produce an extensive range of electronics and loudspeakers and have something to cater for most budgets with their diverse product ranges.

T+A stands for Theory + Application and they are very much a science and engineering led company. Everything is designed and built in-house at Herford, from the circuit boards and casework to the software. This gives T+A complete control and freedom over what they do, it took them 3 years to design their first HV series product for example and being a family owned company they don’t have to answer to shareholders and suchlike.

Build quality is exceptional and their attention to detail is meticulous to say the least each product is designed and build with longevity in mind, to quote a line from their website…….

With the world first DSD 1024 capable player T+A’s innovations and scientific approach has allowed them to become of one leading specialist hi-fi companies in the world. Their research and development programme is second to none, in addition their manufacturing processes leaves no stone unturned. For example, they have no traditional assembly lines, instead production staff work in teams and manually assemble and check each sub-assembly as they go, to ensure that each and every product that leaves the factory is perfect.

There are 4 ranges of products starting with the entry level E Series, then moving on to the 200 Series, the R Series and the flagship HV Series.

E Series

The E Series first launched back in 2007 and it has evolved into a stylish, seriously well built selection of products. They may be ‘entry level’ in terms of the wider T+A range, but they deliver serious performance and offer superb flexibility and great value for money.

There are 2 products within the E Series both of which are based around technology derived from the higher level R Series.

There is the R 1000 E which is a multi source receiver, simply add a pair of loudspeakers and you a high quality one box system, with 115 watts per channel (into 8 ohms) it has more than enough more power and current delivery to cope with most loudspeakers.

The R 1000 E offers CD playback, FM / DAB Tuner plus Bluetooth. It has 5 digital inputs, plus a USB B input (for a computer or Melco etc) and 3 RCA analogue inputs. Give the R1000 E a network connection and you also have Internet Radio and via the T+A Music Navigator App the ability to stream Tidal/Qobuz, it also Roon Ready as well. The R1000 E is priced at £5800.

The other model within the E Series is the PA 1100 E Integrated Amplifier, priced at £4400 the PA 1100 has a built in DAC included which gives you 2 x coaxial and 2 x optical inputs, plus USB-B.

There are 3 RCA and 1 XLR analogue inputs, plus the option to have either an MM or MC phono stage fitted on an RCA connection – this costs £405.

There is also an optional HDMI input board (£400) available which gives 2 inputs and 1 output and gives you HDMI ARC as well, given many people have their TV in the same room as their system this option does give people a nice level of flexibility if they want to run their TV through their system.

Series 200

Designed in a 3/4 width chassis, Series 200 is reminiscent of their M Series from the 1990’s and almost feels like a nod to the classic midi system, but one which offers a serious nod to the high end sound that T+A are renowned for.

Each box is available to purchase separately – you don’t have to purchase the complete 3 box system – if you own a Melco for example you could simply get the DAC200 and A200 to make a complete system.

The DAC 200 offers plenty of digital connectivity with 7 inputs (2 x SPDIF, 2 x Optical, 1 x BNC, 1 x AES/EBU and 1 x USB-B), it sports a single analogue RCA input so a phono stage/turntable could be connected. It also has the option to specify an HDMI video board, with 2 inputs and 1 ARC output. Incredibly useful if in the same room as a TV, it can turn the DAC200 into a real hub for the living room,

The MP200 is the source component within Series 200, it is incredibly versatile and can be used as a CD transport, a Streaming Client (it is Roon Ready and also has Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer plus Internet Radio) and it also offers Bluetooth, USB-A as well as 2 RCA and 1 Optical input.

With the MP200 Multi Source Player feeding into the DAC 200 and then onto the A200 Stereo Power Amplifier – simply add speakers and you have a superb high performing, yet compact system that genuinely punches well above its price point.

Tonally it is very clean and neutral sounding, it is very transparent and offers you superb insight into the music, without it ever sounding forced, clinical or fatiguing.

The MP200, DAC200 and A200 on permanent demonstration, as ever it is possible to organise a home loan as well, part exchange is welcome too, you can learn more about the Series 200 products on the links below, I also posted a detailed blog post about them which you can read here

R Series

The original R Series dates back to 1992 and is T+A’s oldest product line and the R Series has evolved slowly and only when T+A have felt upgrades and changes were really meaningful and were not simply changes for the sake of it. The current line up of R Series products was a complete redesign and was quite a step when it was launched. There are 6 products in the R Series today, a turntable, 2 integrated amplifiers, 2 multi-source components and the R2500R which is a one box system that you simply need to add loudspeakers to.

Build quality is stereotypically German and the attention to detail is superb as well, the aluminium casework is very thick and solid and all external metalwork is anodised to a very high standard.