Welcome a visitor from another system: T+A P3000 HV

Kuoppis

Kuoppis

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Jan 19, 2015
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A couple days ago I got a visitor from another planet to grace my system and do wonders in the pre-amplification section. Say hello to the beast from Herford.

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This thing is really substantial for a preamp. Weighing about 30 Kg it is about three times as heavy as the Ayre KX-5 Twenty carrying out the same duties in my system earlier. This is a symmetrical double mono design, in this case quite unmistakably exemplified through separate power cords for each channel.

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It is quite funny, when switching this pre on you hear a series of slight clicks when the system relays are getting ready to do their job. Similar clicks follow when adjusting the volume, telling the user this is a mechanical resistor based top quality volume control. Yeah well, good luck trying to pack all this greatness into a DAC. You can watch the start-up show through a window.

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So, what does it do? It plays music very nicely. Tech is the same as in all T+A HV series components. The high voltage solid state design is relying on hand picked J-FETs and simulates a tube performance curve, operating at 100 V (compared to the HV Series power amplifier’s 360 V). Result is a very high dynamic range.

How does it sound? Really excellent. I always liked the pre-section of the PA 3000 integrated for its high resolution, yet silky sound. It is a wonderful combination of superb detail retrieval, fast attack, great dynamics and yet a relaxed presentation. Mids and highs are smooth, bass is dynamic but never bloated. Digital through the Nyquist sounds really nice. Soundstage and reverb are stellar e.g. with Dick Hyman’s robo-Steinway Duke performance. With ZAZ’s brand new ‘Effet Mirroir’ the P 3000 HV creates a wonderful vinyl sound space to display her super-sexy frenchy nasalness. After a few more bland albums she has now luckily re-gained the charme of her first album (overall a very feminine presentation, I would say).

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So? A contender I would say. I will continue to explore a couple more options to identify my next pre. But the T+A is very nice, when powered properly. And it is built like a tank, the craftsmanship is simply incredible.


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What a beautiful looking preamp.

Please keep the updates coming....
 
joeinid said:
What a beautiful looking preamp.

Please keep the updates coming....
Click to expand...

Joe, quite interestingly enough, I briefly listened to a well setup demo of the newer T+A PA 3100 with the additional PS 3000 HV power supply yesterday. The speakers were Avantgarde Duo XDs.

The demo was very impressive, it provided everything I could wish for: speed, attack, dynamics, with enveloping mids, sparkling highs and a strong bass. The soundstage filled the entire room. And then there was this immediacy of sound through the horns. Very life-like.

It was not planned, but I do have to go back to spend some time with that demo the coming weekend [emoji3].

I think Mike has one of those T+A PA 3100’s in the store (not sure he has the additional power supply, but it definitely is worth it). It might make sense to pair up the some of his AGs with the T+A gear, to see what he thinks. I think they harmonize very well, little bit like you mentioned in another thread some powerful SS amps can be a good match.

If you get a chance, I recommend to try a T+A amp with your Duo XDs.


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The more I listen to this preamp, the better I think it is.

In addition to doing all the usual things right across the frequency ranges, it throws an enormous soundstage and sounds great with any kind of music. The sound is very balanced, I like the fact it is neutral. No sweetening up things unnecessarily.


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I’ve been a long term big fan of T+A from the first moment I heard it many years ago at CES.

I’ve had several pieces, including their amazing speakers (I have the Criterion 2200’s now and at $11,300, they are scary good).

For fun, I took this video yesterday. Yes, these are the little Harbeth P3ESR’s (Anniversary Edition).

https://youtu.be/XYNxaOqHbCc
 
Sounds great Mike, what’s the music?

You should try the T+A with some of your Avantgardes, you might be surprised [emoji3].


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Kuoppis said:
Sounds great Mike, what’s the music?

You should try the T+A with some of your Avantgardes, you might be surprised [emoji3].


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Click to expand...

I did! Sounded great, but you know me. I love my tubes.


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While I do have little complaints sonically, I find the remote working a bit sluggishly.

Appears the remote needs to be pointed quite accurately towards the device to react. Also, when operating the volume control, sometimes a separate press is required for each adjustment step and sometimes you can scroll. And the mute button does not work :(.

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