I recently purchased the T+A PA 3100 HV integrated amplifier. The new unit went into my system three days ago. I will be posting findings as I get more time on the unit.
I had a chance to evaluate a PA 3100 HV demo unit in my home system for a number of weeks, prior to my purchase decision. My amplifier evaluation also included other integrated amplifiers as well as my Pass XP-20 and XA-30.8 preamplifier and amplifier.
The integrated amplifiers auditioned/demoed in home were:
- Lyric Audio Ti140 Mk2 (PP KT150)
- Mastersound Evo 845 (Parallel SE 845)
-Ypsilon Phaethon (Hybrid)
Other integrated amplifiers on my list were the Grandinote Essenza, Gryphon 300 and the Vitus SIA-025. I hope to demo these (or equivalents) at dealers or in-home at some point. |
@jafant Thank you.
@nitewulf The Lyric Audio Ti140 Mk2 rose to being very special, when certain synergies kicked in. Quite amazing.
@ricred1 +1 on "it’s so important to try components in your own system and let your ears decide." |
@thieliste Thanks and good luck with your search.
Nearly 96 hours of run time now. It will be good to cross off the first 100. |
@musicfx I'll echo Charles' comments...congratulations on finding the right mix for yourself and most importantly being "happy with [it] all!" Incredibly Impressive Statement: I liked the amp so much, I changed my speakers to Wilson Audio Alexia’s. It isn't often one hears this. Says a whole lot about the PA 3000 HV. Thanks for posting here. For those of us (like myself) who are new to T+A components, any advice or additional thoughts to share will be really helpful. |
@yyzsantabarbara I'm curious as well.
Here is info on the 8 'series' from The Absolute Sound:
"Another example of the rapidly evolving digital source component, T+A elektroakustik MP 8 is a compact entry in the “8” series that expands the capabilities of the company’s DAC 8 DSD to include music streaming. The MP 8 brings additional digital source options to your system including embedded streaming services (Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer), CD playback via an integral drive, FM and FM HD, Internet Radio, Bluetooth, and USB stick playback. It will connect to any uPnP device on the network. When combined with the DAC 8 DSD’s traditional AES/EBU, USB, and SPDIF inputs, the pairing has all options covered. The build-quality is typical of T+A—outstanding German engineering. The small-sized chassis is made from machined aluminum plates 6mm thick, the sides and front panels are extruded aluminum, the jacks and connectors are custom-made from gold-plated brass, and the feet are vibration damped. Price: $4750."
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@yyzsantabarbara Thanks for sharing your impressions from the LA show and the additional information. I have also heard that something is coming but do not have anything definitive (at this time). I’m with you on the ability to go Ethernet direct.
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My T+A PA 3100 HV has nearly eight weeks of run time on it.
I had a time setback due to an IC needing burn-in (received a brand new cable instead of my fully broken-in one). A new duplex also required longer break-in than expected. Thus the delay in posting.
I recently updated / upgraded(?) my server. It allows me to bypass the network switch and eliminate one LAN cable by bridging ethernet within the unit, resulting in a direct connection to my player. This has resulted in immediate and clear gains in system performance. I'm not clear on what 'portions/aspects' can be attributed to the subtraction or to the addition, but the 'combination' impact from both is major.
I'll be adding a LAN filter and playing with combinations of direct LAN cables vs. combos with filter.
I'm also adding short custom DC cables for power from the Linear Power Supply.
Both of these additions should be in system and fully resolved by the end of July.
Now that I am familiar with the major components AND all are fully broken-in AND I have a firm sense and feel for my system's performance, I'll start writing the review next week. If it comes together in a way that I can publish it in installments, I'll provide the links here, noting the updates.
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@brrgrr My "promised" review is way overdue. My apologies. The system has been fluid and evolving and I’ve been busy with other aspects of life.
Bottom line, the T+A PA 3100 HV is exceptional.
For my system, my preferences and my goals, performance results and sound quality with it in system are clearly superior to that of my Pass separates. And this is with system performance at a very good level, with the Pass gear in it!
@audiothesis is correct in his assessment. Skip heard my system early in it’s development with the T+A, etc. and even at that point in time, differences were easy to pick out and preference was clear. Since then, a period of seven months, system performance has moved significantly and positively across the board.
Recently @hoopster visited and spent a few hours listening to my system. I’ll summarize that he was quite taken with the T+A. This coming from an analog and tube audiophile, regarding a fully solid state and computer based system. I’ll leave it to him to share specifics, as he sees fit.
The Tekton SEs are very easy to drive. I’m running them with a 2A3 amp at this moment. Absolutely no issues running the same speakers with the T+A.
@audiotroy ’s description is on the mark. I encourage you to reach out to him...he has a very good feel for this component.
If you can swing the additional spend, I suggest going with the 3100 over the 3000. PM me if you would like to connect. I’m happy to discuss in person as well.
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Is the T+A PA 3100 HV integrated amplifier hot to touch? How much ventilation does it require? @hgeifman The 3100 runs fairly warm. You can touch it, but you will not want to leave your hand on it for a length of time. I have it in the console opening for a center channel speaker with about an inch of free space above it. For the U.S. market it comes with an Energy Saver feature that can be enabled or disabled. More stringent jurisdictions have it enabled only. I have left it on fully (not standby) for a number of weeks (multiple times) without any issues. |
@yyzsantabarbara It does not. Wish I could help. |
@denon1 @russellrcncom In addition to the Pass XP20 - XA30.8 pre and amp combo, my T+A PA 3100 HV was compared, in home and over time, with these integrateds: the Lyric Audio Ti140 MkII; MastersounD Evo 845 (briefly, but in home); and the Ypsilon Phaethon; prior to my making a final choice.
I stopped additional comparisons because I was more than satisfied with the T+A. And, to be honest, though comparisons can be fun and exciting, they take energy and time to coordinate, setup, break in, and evaluate; not to mention taking away from the pursuit of purely enjoying the music.
I also needed to get busy optimizing my system with the T+A as a key component in it.
Recently, I've been running comparisons between the T+A and my Grandinote Genesi Preamp and Scott Sheaffer's Found Music 2A3 mono amps.
All in all, I have compared the T+A PA 3100 HV with a solid state pre-amp combo (Pass), two tubed integrateds (Lyric, MastersounD), a hybrid tube-solid state integrated (Ypsilon), and a solid state pre with a low watt SET amp (Grandinote + Found Music).
I found all of the amplification chains highly satisfying and I can easily recommend each one, though with caveats for each.
This doesn't need saying, but one's preferences, goals, room, and system synergies will play a far greater role in choosing one over the other vs. simply the component on it's own merits.
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@denon1 The T+A PA 3100 HV has better control, has better resolving power (more insightful and nuanced), is more transparent, is more impactful and dynamic, is more natural in it’s warmth (surprising outcome here), has the edge in timing, presents voice (male and female) with greater realism, etc. etc.
A negative for me, was that in direct comparison, the Pass gear sounded grainy [in direct comparison only] and didn’t offer the level of insight, richness of texture and harmonics and musical density that the T+A does [in my system, per my preferences].
I clearly and easily preferred the T+A over the Pass duo and found it to be superior.
However, once I added the SR PowerCell 12 SE with the Galileo HC PC to my system, the Pass combo sounded fantastic. Had I added the SR power conditioner first, I would have been less driven to look for alternatives to the Pass combo. BUT the T+A also moved forward with the PowerCell 12 SE in system. Closer now, but I still prefer the T+A and continue to find it to be ahead of the Pass combo.
Reiterating: This is based on my system and my preferences and goals.
Please Note: I can see why another member would be very satisfied and happy with the Pass gear.
And I still own my Pass combo. |
@audiotroy In your opinion, what would be the top five speaker pairings for the T+A PA 3100 HV?
I'm leaving this very open ended to get a feel for what pairings you find ideal, for reference purposes. They can of course be lines you carry and perhaps some you do not. Thank you. |
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@audiotroy Thanks on the heads up on the Reference DAC! |
