T+A R 2500R mit Audio Physic Midex Powertrain & Transparent Cable

HIFI SYSTEM TIP FROM OUR COMPILATION No. 05

• T+AR 2500R All-In-One Streaming Amplifier
• Audio Physic Midex Powertrain
• Transparent Plus speaker cable
• The Audio Physic Midex and the T+A R2500R areavailable in additional color variants

The heart of our HiFi system tip is the all-in-one streaming amplifier T+AR 2500R. All-in-one devices often have the reputation of offering many functions, but not being able to handle any as well as individual components. The T+AR 2500R impressively refutes this prejudice, as AUDITORIUM expert Florian Kettenburg confirms.

T+A has been producing high-quality hi-fi products in Herford since 1978. The family business, which is still owner-managed today, attaches great importance to first-class sound quality.

versatile talent

The T+AR 2500R, also known as a multi-source receiver, supports virtually any source. Equipped with the third generation of the T+A Audiophile Streaming Architecture, it offers access to streaming services such as Deezer, Qobuz and Tidal. Streams from mobile devices can be played in high quality via Connect or AirPlay services. Uncompressed FLAC files are played via aptX HD Bluetooth, and DSD files can be streamed natively without conversion, as the converters convert PCM signals precisely into analog signals.

The workmanship of the R 2500R is also impressive: the housing made of thick-walled aluminum is milled from solid blocks and finished with hand-brushed, high-gloss anodized surfaces. Florian Kettenburg praises the compact "one-box system" that takes up little space and yet effortlessly controls even demanding loudspeakers.

bass precision

The combination with the Audio Physic Midex loudspeakers, which are equipped with PowerTrain technology and the HHCM midrange driver without a centering spider, ensures precise bass reproduction. The special arrangement of the woofers in the middle, instead of at the bottom, reduces unwanted bass resonances and optimizes the bass reproduction even in acoustically difficult rooms. For Kettenburg, the Midex is also characterized by a natural sound that makes the musicians seem almost tangible in the room.

The combination of the T+AR 2500R and the Midex brings out the best in both devices: the amplifier controls the speakers confidently, while the Midex creates a wide, orderly soundstage. Both T+A and Audio Physic are German manufacturers who develop and manufacture locally, which offers additional service advantages.

Individually adapted

Kettenburg uses the Plus Speaker Cable from Transparent Cable as a speaker cable. These cables, hand-made and calibrated to the respective cable length, offer a natural, balanced sound reproduction without overemphasizing the high frequencies. The Transparent Network Technology balances the electrical properties to ensure optimal signal transmission.

"Although the system is compact and suitable for the living room, it delivers real and natural sound at a high-end level," emphasizes Kettenburg. "The system gives you the feeling of being there live at a concert."

Technical data

T+AR 2500R

preamplifier

• Frequency response (+0 / -3 dB) : 0.5 Hz - 300 kHz
• Signal-to-noise ratio : 105 / 109 dB
• Total harmonic distortion | Intermodulation | Channel separation : < 0.001 % | < 0.001 % | > 90 dB
• Input sensitivity (nominal) :
  • High level input (unbalanced cinch): 250 mVeff ... 4 Veff / 20 kOhm (IN 2 and IN 3)
  • High level input (balanced XLR): 500 mVeff ... 8 Veff / 5 kOhm
  • Analog preamplifier output (Cinch): nom 1 Veff, max 9.5 Veff / 47 Ohm

power amplifier

• Rated power per channel :
  • 250 watts @ 4 ohms
  • 140 watts @ 8 ohms
• Frequency response (+0 / -3 dB) : 0.5 Hz - 150 kHz
• Slew rate : 60 V / µS
• Damping factor : > 65
• Headphone output : 4.4 mm Pentaconn (6 Ohm)

connections

• Digital inputs :
  • 3 x S/P-DIF: 1 x standard coax, 2 x optical TOS-Link (32...192 kHz / 16-24 bit), DSD64 (DOP)
  • 1 x USB DAC: Device mode up to 768 kSps (PCM), DOP256 and DSD 512* (*DSD 512 only from Windows PC with driver or Linux PC with kernel > 4.4)
  • 2 x HDMI IN, 1 x HDMI OUT with ARC
• D/A converter :
  • PCM: Double differential quadruple converter, 4 x 32-bit sigma-delta D/A converters per channel, 705.6 / 768 kSps
  • DSD: T+A-True-1Bit DSD D/A converter, up to DSD 512 (22.4 / 24.5 MHz)
• Upsampling : Synchronous upsampling with 4 selectable algorithms (FIR short, FIR long, Bezier/IIR, Bezier)
• Analog filter : Phase-linear Bessel filter, 3rd order, switchable with 60 or 120 kHz cutoff frequency
• Frequency response :
  • PCM:
    • 44.1 kSps 2 Hz - 20 kHz
    • 48 kSps 2 Hz - 22 kHz
    • 96 kSps 2 Hz - 40 kHz
    • 192 kSps 2 Hz - 80 kHz
    • 384 kSps 2 Hz - 100 kHz
    • 768 kSps 2 Hz - 120 kHz
  • DSD:
    • DSD64: 2 Hz - 44 kHz
    • DSD128: 2 Hz - 60 kHz
    • DSD256: 2 Hz - 80 kHz
    • DSD512: 2 Hz - 100 kHz

CD player

• Formats : CD/DA, CD-R, CD-RW, CD-Text
• Frequency response and dynamic range : 2 Hz – 20 kHz / 100 dB

streaming client

• Formats : MP3, AAC, OGG-Vorbis, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, DFF, DSF (PCM 32-384 kHz, 16/24 Bit, MP3 up to 320 kBit, DSD64; DSD128; DSD256)
• Supported media servers : UPnP 1.1, UPnP AV, DLNA compatible servers, Microsoft Windows Media Connect Server (WMDRM10)
• Supported streaming services : airable Radio and Podcasts, Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music HD, highresaudio, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Apple Airplay2, Audirvana, Roon
• Features : Auto Network Config., Internet Radio Station Database (automatic updates)

network connections

• LAN : Fast Ethernet 10/100 Base-T
• WLAN : IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax 2x2 MIMO
  • 2.4 GHz band: max gain 3.2dBi
  • 5 GHz band: max gain 4.25dBi
  • Max. output power: up to 17dBm (at antenna connection)

USB ports

• USB ports : 2 x USB 2.0 Mastermode

tuner

• FM :
  • Frequency range: 87.5 – 108 MHz (Europe/US); 76 – 90 MHz (Japan version)
  • Sensitivity: Mono (26dB S/N) 0.9 µV, Stereo (46 dB S/N) 40 µV
  • Overload resistance: 103 dB µV
  • Stereo channel separation: 50 dB
  • RDS functions: station name, radio text
• DAB :
  • Reception standard: DAB, DAB+
  • Frequency band: 168 – 240 MHz (Band III)
  • Overload resistance: 103 dB µV
  • Sensitivity (BER = 10 – 4): 2.5 µV

Bluetooth

• Supported audio formats : A2DP, AVRCP 1.4 (aptX® HD, SBC, AAC)
• Frequency band : 2.4 GHz: 2042Mhz ... 2480Mhz
• Max. transmit power : <10 dBm (EIRP)

power supply

• Mains voltage : 220-240 V, 50-60 Hz
• Normal operation (max.) : 800 watts
• Standby (ECO) : < 0.5 W

Dimensions | Weight | Accessories | Versions

• Dimensions (H x W x D) : 16.5 cm x 46 cm x 40.5 cm
• Weight : 14 kg
• Accessories : Power cable, remote control SRC 2, 2x WLAN antenna, FM antenna
• Optional accessories : PHE-P/PA R MM/MC Phono Module, Power Three HD (Carbon), Power Bar, Audio Quad (Carbon), Speaker Hex (Carbon)
• Finishes : Aluminium silver anodized (43), Aluminium black anodized (42), brushed

AUDIO PHYISC MIDEX

Dimensions

• Height : 1120 mm / 44 in
• Width : 202 mm / 8.0 in
• Depth : 340 mm / 13.4 in
• Base area (W x D) : 360 x 450 mm / 14.2 x 17.7 in

Weight

• Weight :
  • wooden version: ~ 32 kg
  • glass version: ~ 36 kg

Electrical data

• Recommended amplifier power : 30-180 W
• Impedance : 4 Ohm
• Efficiency : 89 dB

frequency range

• Frequency response : 30 Hz - 40 kHz

speaker configuration

• Tweeter : HHCT III, 39 mm / 1.5 in
• Midrange : HHCM SL, 150 mm / 5.9 in
• Woofer : 2 x 180 mm / 7 in Alu Cone

scope of delivery

• Accessories included : Black glass front panel, spike set

INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSPARENT SUPER SPEAKER CABLE

The SUPER Speaker Cable is a high-quality addition to any sophisticated music or home cinema system. In combination with other REALISTIC Transparent System components, it offers more precise and powerful music reproduction, with a deep, dynamic sound foundation and an expanded sense of space for a more intense music experience.

Handmade in the USA, the SUPER Speaker Cable is equipped with robust, gold-plated connectors that enable lossless power transmission through high-quality, precisely wound OFHC copper strands. The cable's solid construction ensures unhindered power transmission even during demanding musical passages. Specially developed networks support the efficient transmission of low frequencies and reduce interference and noise, so that even fine details are reproduced clearly. This results in more precise, powerful bass and an overall refined music reproduction that clearly surpasses the PLUS Speaker Cable.