John Darko
New from T+A, not Future-Fi but “The Future of Retro”: the German manufacturer’s VU-meter-fronted Symphonia is a high-end streaming amplifier that promises 125wpc into 8 Ohms (and 250wpc into 4 Ohms) from an in-house customised (Class D) Purifi Eigentakt module. That module is juiced by T+A’s Sine power supply, about which its website says, “With its pure sine wave and a frequency more than twice as high as traditional power supplies, it effectively neutralizes interference.”
T+A is staying quiet about the chip deployed at the centre of the D/A converter’s circuit — but which centre? The DAC in the Symphonia features separate pathways for PCM and DSD data streams, the latter enjoying a dedicated 1-bit converter (likely via a low-pass filter).
That DAC is fronted by T+A’s “Audiophile Streaming Architecture” (ASA G3) over Ethernet or wi-fi with the corresponding app supporting “Deezer, Qobuz, Amazon Music and Tidal, as well as high-resolution local network files up to 384/32 (HD) and DSD 256 natively”. Über hi-res support doesn’t end there. According to the press release,” by using the USB DAC mode, listeners can enjoy resolutions up to 768/32 PCM and DSD512.”
For those who’d rather get busy with a smartphone: Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and (with the wind behind the certification process) Apple AirPlay 2 will be supported at launch. My T+A contact tells me that Roon Ready certification is in motion but no ETA can be given.
Symphonia’s Bluetooth interface supports Qualcomm’s aptX HD in both directions – as a streaming input and an output to Bluetooth headphones – and the quarter-inch socket on the front panel talks to wired headphones.
Beware T+A’s website copy: “Adding to this symphony of features is the ability to play uncompressed FLAC files via aptX HD Bluetooth technology – a blend of convenience and sound fidelity that embodies the best of both worlds.”. Yes, aptX HD will play FLAC files but not before discarding data; it’s a lossy compression algorithm.
‘Round back, we note two sets of analogue RCA inputs; a phono input that supports MM and high-output MC cartridges; TOSLINK and coaxial digital inputs; two USB-C inputs, one for USB DACs and one for USB storage device; an HDMI ARC socket for TV hook-ups, pre-amplifier outputs and two subwoofer outputs that I am told are low-passed at 250Hz.
Price? US$9990. Shipping begins in April. Your choice of silver or black.
Further information: T+A
