T+A Elektroakustik SDX 3100 HV Reference Streaming DAC / Preamplifier

T+A SDX 3100 HV Reference Streaming Pre DAC With ASA G3 network playback, separate PCM and DSD conversion paths, a discrete double-mono preamplifier, and a class-A headphone amplifier. The SDX 3100 HV combines T+A’s reference streaming platform, separate PCM and DSD converters, and a fully analog preamplifier in one component. Designed as the successor to the SDV 3100 HV, it can serve as the source and control center of a system built around power amplifiers or active loudspeakers. Its third-generation Audiophile Streaming Architecture supports music services, Connect protocols, Internet radio, local network storage, USB drives, Bluetooth, and high-resolution network playback. Network streaming supports PCM up to 384 kHz/24 bit and DSD256, while the two USB DAC inputs accept PCM up to 768 kHz and native DSD1024. Separate Conversion Paths for PCM and DSD T+A’s Path Separation Technology gives PCM and DSD their own digital processing, converter, and analog output stages rather than converting both formats through a common architecture. PCM is handled by a double-differential quadruple converter with four 32-bit sigma-delta DACs per channel. T+A arranges the eight converter channels in a symmetrical configuration intended to average converter nonlinearity and lower the noise floor. Six selectable PCM playback modes include long and short FIR filters, Bézier-based processing, and two non-oversampling modes. DSD is sent as a native 1-bit stream to T+A’s True 1-Bit converter without first being converted to PCM. Two DSD conversion modes are available, and the analog reconstruction filter can be switched between 60 kHz and 120 kHz bandwidths. De-Jitter Masterclock The De-Jitter Masterclock examines the clock recovered from an incoming digital signal before conversion. Signals that meet T+A’s frequency and stability criteria can be used directly, while less stable signals pass through an additional PLL stage before being reclocked. Separate quartz oscillators are used for the 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz sampling-rate families. This multi-stage system reduces the influence of timing errors from connected digital sources before the signal reaches the DAC. Reference Analog Preamplifier The preamplifier uses a fully symmetrical, double-mono circuit built from discrete components. Its analog stages are galvanically isolated from the digital section, while separate power supplies and mains connections are provided for the analog and digital circuitry. Volume is controlled by a relay-switched attenuator with channel-matching tolerance of less than 0.05 dB at -60 dB. Two pairs of balanced XLR outputs allow the SDX 3100 HV to drive power amplifiers, active loudspeakers, or other line-level equipment. Three analog line inputs are provided: two balanced XLR inputs and one unbalanced RCA input. An optional plug-in PH HVMM or PH HVMC phono module can also be installed. Both versions provide adjustable sensitivity, while the MM module offers selectable input capacitance and the MC module provides selectable cartridge loading. Entirely Analog Sound Adjustment The sound-processing section operates entirely in the analog domain, avoiding an additional analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion. It includes adjustable loudness, bass and treble controls with selectable operating frequencies, and a three-band parametric equalizer. Individual functions can be bypassed and removed from the signal path by gold-contact relays when they are not required. Bass and treble can also be adjusted separately for the left and right channels. Discrete Class-A Headphone Amplifier The internal headphone amplifier uses a discrete output stage based on T+A’s HV circuit technology and operates in class-A with current delivery up to 200 mA. Separate 6.3 mm and balanced 4.4 mm Pentaconn connections are provided for conventional and balanced headphone cables. ASA G3 Streaming and Control The ASA G3 platform provides wired Ethernet and dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity, along with access to TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect, Deezer, Amazon Music HD, HIGHRESAUDIO, Apple AirPlay 2, Audirvana, and airable Internet radio and podcasts. Roon support is listed by T+A as undergoing certification. Bluetooth 5.4 supports aptX HD, AAC, SBC, and MP3. The SDX 3100 HV can be controlled from its front panel, the supplied aluminum F 3100 remote, or the T+A MusicNavigator G3 app for iOS and Android. Solid Aluminum HV Construction The chassis is made from non-magnetic aluminum, with internal aluminum plates measuring between 10 and 15 mm thick separating the major functional sections. The compartmentalized construction provides mechanical stability and helps shield sensitive analog circuits from power-supply, processor, and digital interference. Features ASA G3 network streaming platform Network playback up to PCM 384 kHz/24 bit and DSD256 USB DAC playback up to PCM 768 kHz and native DSD1024 Separate digital, converter, and analog signal paths for PCM and DSD Double-differential PCM converter with four 32-bit DACs per channel T+A True 1-Bit native DSD converter Four oversampling filters and two NOS modes for PCM Two selectable DSD conversion modes Switchable 60 kHz or 120 kHz analog filter bandwidth Multi-stage De-Jitter Masterclock Discrete, fully symmetrical double-mono preamplifier Relay-controlled volume adjustment Two balanced XLR analog inputs and one RCA analog input Two pairs of balanced XLR preamplifier outputs Optional PH HVMM or PH HVMC phono module Entirely analog tone controls, loudness, and three-band parametric equalizer Discrete class-A headphone amplifier 6.3 mm and balanced 4.4 mm Pentaconn headphone outputs Two USB DAC inputs and two USB host connections Two HDMI inputs and HDMI ARC output Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX HD, AAC, SBC, and MP3 10/100/1000 Base-T Ethernet and dual-band Wi-Fi FM and HD Radio reception Solid non-magnetic aluminum chassis Separate analog and digital power supplies F 3100 remote control included What’s Included F 3100 infrared remote control 2 Wi-Fi antennas 2 power cords XLR cable RCA cable USB-C cable FM antenna HLink cable User manual Specifications Preamplifier Frequency Response (+0/-3 dB): 0.5 Hz–300 kHz Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 108 dB / 117 dB Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.001% Intermodulation Distortion: <0.001% Channel Separation: 110 dB Volume-Control Channel Matching (At -60 dB): <0.05 dB RCA Input Sensitivity and Impedance: 250 mV RMS–9 V RMS / 10 kΩ XLR Input Sensitivity and Impedance: 500 mV RMS–18 V RMS / 20 kΩ XLR Output Level: 1.45 V RMS nominal; 19.6 V RMS maximum XLR Output Impedance: 50 ohms D/A Converter PCM Converter: Double-differential quadruple converter with four 32-bit sigma-delta DACs per channel Maximum PCM Conversion Rate: 705.6/768 kSps DSD Converter: T+A True 1-Bit native-bitstream converter Maximum DSD Conversion Rate: DSD1024 PCM Playback Modes: Long FIR, short FIR, Bézier/IIR, Bézier, NOS 1, NOS 2 DSD Playback Modes: DSD 1, DSD 2 Analog Filter: Third-order phase-linear Bessel filter; switchable 60 kHz or 120 kHz DAC Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.001% DAC Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted): 117 dB DAC Channel Separation: 110 dB Streaming Supported Formats: MP3, AAC, OGG Vorbis, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, DFF, DSF Network PCM Playback: 32–384 kHz, 16/24 bit Network DSD Playback: DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 MP3 Data Rate: Up to 320 kbps, constant or variable bit rate Streaming Services and Protocols: TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect, Deezer, Amazon Music HD, HIGHRESAUDIO, Apple AirPlay 2, Plays with Audirvana, airable Radio and Podcasts; Roon certification pending Control App: T+A MusicNavigator G3 for iOS and Android Internet Radio: airable Internet Radio Terrestrial Radio (US): FM and FM-HD Bluetooth Bluetooth Version: 5.4 Profiles: A2DP, AVRCP 1.4 Codecs: aptX HD, SBC, AAC, MP3 Analog Connections Balanced Analog Inputs: 2 stereo XLR Unbalanced Analog Inputs: 1 stereo RCA Balanced Analog Outputs: 2 stereo XLR pairs, variable level Optional Phono Input: PH HVMM moving-magnet module or PH HVMC moving-coil module Digital Connections AES/EBU Inputs: 1; up to 192 kSps/24 bit RCA Coaxial Inputs: 2; 32–192 kSps, 16–24 bit BNC Coaxial Inputs: 2; 32–192 kSps, 16–24 bit Optical Inputs: 2 Toslink; 32–192 kSps, 16–24 bit USB DAC Inputs: 2; asynchronous PCM up to 768 kSps and DSD1024 HDMI Inputs: 2 HDMI Output: 1 with ARC Digital Output: 1 coaxial RCA, IEC 60958 LPCM USB Host Connections: 2 USB 2.0 T+A System Connections: IPA Link and 2 HLink Network Ethernet: 10/100/1000 Base-T Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2 × 2 MIMO, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Headphone Amplifier Headphone Outputs: 6.3 mm and balanced 4.4 mm Pentaconn Output Impedance: 6 ohms Output Stage: Discrete class-A Maximum Output Current: 200 mA General Power Consumption: 60 W maximum analog; 40 W maximum digital Standby Power Consumption: <0.5 W Comfort Standby Power Consumption: <2 W Mains Input: 2 × 110–120 V, 50–60 Hz Finishes: Silver Lacquer 47, Titanium Lacquer 64 Dimensions (H × W × D): 6.7" × 18.1" × 18.1" (170 × 460 × 460 mm) Weight: 57.3 lb. (26 kg)