T+A PSD 3100HV Digital Streaming Preamp

PSD 3100HV

The preamplifier streaming DAC

The PSD 3100 HV was developed with the aim of combining the performance of our finest preamplifiers and converters with the convenience of a multi-source player. From professional digital inputs and FM, FM-HD, and DAB+ radio playback to Bluetooth and Connect services, and streaming of local and global internet and network sources, the PSD 3100 HV converts all digital signals directly into high-quality analog signals, making it the truly audiophile solution for those whose music collection has moved beyond the CD era. The PSD 3100 HV is the universal control center for a high-end system, requiring only the connection of suitable power amplifiers or active loudspeakers. At the same time, it embodies our uncompromisingly scientific approach: achieving the highest playback quality without detrimental interactions between the various analog and digital components in a multi-functional device is only possible through the combination of unique technologies and decades of experience.

Streaming and sources

A key component of the PSD 3100 HV is a network board designed with audiophile principles in mind. Its function is to process incoming WLAN, LAN, and USB Master Mode signals and provide access to high-quality streaming services such as Tidal, Qobuz, and Deezer. For local applications, the new third-generation T+A streaming client streams PCM data up to a quality of 192/32 (HD) and DSD files up to a resolution of DSD 256 directly from the network.

In addition to exceptionally high playback quality, the streaming client focuses on equally high ease of use: The free airable service manages streaming services and internet radio stations, allowing the entire administration to be automated in the background.

The PSD 3100 HV overcomes the long-standing contradiction between mobile data transmission and playback quality through the consistent use of high-quality and convenient connection standards, which can even transmit uncompressed FLAC files without any loss of quality.

In addition to the integrated internet radio access in the streaming client, the PSD 3100 HV offers three further radio services: FM, FM-HD, and DAB+. Their exceptionally high sound quality is guaranteed by the digital intermediate frequency, demodulation, and stereo decoder stage, while the high sensitivity enables the PSD to receive and cleanly process even weak signals: Only the intelligent combination of all these features allows the most classic of all signal sources to sound excellent, whether via cable or antenna.

Preamplifiers & Outputs

Thanks to a discrete Class A preamplifier built using HV technology, relay-controlled volume control with balance and loudness functions, switchable tone control, and state-of-the-art dual-mono output stages, the PSD 3100 HV also functions as a first-class preamplifier. Its high-quality XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs provide the signal bridge to power amplifiers and active loudspeakers, while headphones can be connected via a balanced 4.4 mm Pentaconn headphone output. To ensure effortless driving of any headphones, the output receives its signal from a dedicated high-performance headphone amplifier that not only sounds excellent but is also highly stable in terms of voltage and current delivery.

Digital inputs

The PSD 3100 HV's Digital Connecting Board supports the full range of modern digital sources: professional AES/EBU, BNC, and optical and coaxial S/PDIF inputs are included, as well as two HDMI inputs and one HDMI output. These allow the connection of any external source – such as set-top boxes, drives, and playback devices. The IPA-LINK port is designed for connecting our reference SACD drive, the PDT 3100 HV, and transmits its data in full resolution. The USB B (Device Mode) input, based on the Thesycon chip, enables processing from a PC up to DSD 512 and PCM 768 by the subsequent converter modules.

Path Separation Technology

We believe in unadulterated sound reproduction, because only this conveys the artist's intention without adding or subtracting anything. Converters play a crucial role in this, as they are meant to recreate the original analog music from the digital data as closely as possible. That's why we developed our revolutionary Path Separation Technology, which processes PCM and DSD signals not together, but via a separate converter for each signal type. PCM formats are thus converted up to 32-bit/768 kSps with our dual-differential quad converter, and DSD formats up to DSD 512 (24.6 MHz) with the unique T+A True 1Bit DSD D/A converter.

Converters & Filters

The PSD 3100 HV is designed to excel even in critical passages and with the smallest details, thanks to its astonishing resolution, dynamics, linearity, and lack of distortion. This is why the PCM quad converter developed by T+A consists of a double-balanced circuit with eight 32-bit Burr-Brown converters. This is the only way to compensate for nonlinearities to an exceptional degree, while reducing the already minimal residual noise by a further 6 dB. Despite this performance, the PCM converter, thanks to its 56-bit signal processor, is capable of being tailored to individual sound preferences. Four filter types designed by T+A are available for this purpose, each offering optimal timing and eliminating pre- or post-ringing in the analog signal.

Our T+A True 1-Bit DSD converter is truly unique because it breaks with a paradigm: Conventional converters process DSD signals by converting them to PCM and playing them back in PCM mode. In our opinion, this results in the loss of the native quality of DSD recordings. Therefore, we developed the True 1-Bit DSD Converter, which doesn't convert the DSD data but converts it natively, thus fully preserving the sonic advantages of a bitstream.

Technical data

preamplifier

Frequency response +0 /-3dB: 0.5 Hz - 300 kHz

Signal-to-noise ratio: 108 / 112 dB

Total harmonic distortion | Intermodulation distortion | Channel separation: < 0.001% | < 0.001% | > 108 dB

Nominal input sensitivity high level (RCA): 250 mVrms ... 9 Vrms / 24 kOhms

Analogue output RCA | XLR: nom 1 Vrms, max 9.5 Vrms / 20 ohms | nom 1.45 Vrms, max 19.6 Vrms / 40 ohms

Headphone output: 4.4 mm Pentaconn (6 ohms)

Digital inputs

1 x AES-EBU 32...192 kHz / 16-24 bit
4 x S/P-DIF: 1 x standard coax
1 x high-quality BNC 32...192 kHz / 16-24 bit,
2 x optical TOS link 32...192 kHz / 16-24 bit
1 x USB DAC: Device mode with max. 768 kSps (PCM) and DSD 512*, supports asynchronous data transmission.
*DSD 512 only from a Windows PC with driver installed or from a Linux PC with kernel 4.4 or higher.
2 x USB Master Mode for USB mass storage devices (stick or HDD)
2 x HDMI IN, 1 x HDMI OUT with ARC
1 x IPA (LVDS)

Network connection

LAN: Fast Ethernet 10/100/1000 Base-T,
WLAN: 802.11 b/g/n

D/A converter

PCM: Dual-differential quadruple converter with four 32-bit sigma-delta D/A converters per channel. 705.6 / 768 kSps conversion rate.

DSD: T+A-True-1Bit DSD D/A converter, up to DSD 512 (24.5 MHz), native bitstream

Upsampling (PCM): T+A signal processor – synchronous upsampling with 4 selectable oversampling algorithms: FIR short, FIR long, Bezier/IIR, Bezier

Analog filter: Phase-linear 3rd order Bessel filter, switchable with 60
or 120 kHz cutoff frequency

Frequency response: PCM 44.1 kSps: 2 Hz - 20 kHz
PCM 48 kSps: 2 Hz - 22 kHz / DSD 64: 2 Hz - 44 kHz
PCM 96 kSps: 2 Hz - 40 kHz / DSD 128: 2 Hz - 60 kHz
PCM 192 kSps: 2 Hz - 80 kHz / DSD 256: 2 Hz - 80 kHz
PCM 384 kSps: 2 Hz - 100 kHz / DSD 512: 2 Hz - 100 kHz
PCM 768 kSps: 2 Hz - 120 kHz

Total harmonic distortion: < 0.001%

Signal-to-noise ratio: > 117 dB

Channel separation: > 110 dB

Streaming Client

3rd generation streaming client module with quad-core processor

tuner

Internet Radio: Airable Internet Radio Service (> 11000 stations worldwide)

FM, FM-HD: 87.5 - 108 MHz; Sensitivity 1 µV; S/N > 65 dBA

DAB, DAB+: 168–240 MHz (Band III); Sensitivity 2.0 µV, S/N > 96 dB

Features: RDS/RDBS, Station name (PS), Program type (PTY), Radiotext (RT), Time

Bluetooth

Bluetooth standard: A2DP (Audio), AVRCP 1.4 (Control) / aptX® HD, SBC, AAC

Connection / Accessories / Dimensions

Mains connection: 2 x 110-120 V or 220-240 V, 50-60 Hz.
Operation: 30 W digital / 40 W analog

Standby: < 0.5 W

Dimensions (W x H x D) / Weight: 17 x 46 x 46 cm / 26 kg

Accessories: 2x power cords, remote control F 3100, BNC adapter