T+A AMP 8: Power amplifier designed to work with the branded DAC 8 DSD

The AMP 8 power amplifier circuit is based on the solutions used in the PA 3000 HV. The input stage is a J-FET cascode amplifier with cross-coupling, and the voltage is amplified by a Hawksford FET cascode operating in class A. The output stage, responsible for current amplification, uses high-quality ThermalTrak transistors with stable characteristics and high speed. Moreover, the voltage and current amplification circuits are separated from each other and have separate power supplies. This design minimizes the influence of the feedback effect, i.e. the reverse effect of the acoustics on the voltage amplifiers responsible for the sound quality is reduced to zero. As a result, it was possible to achieve a signal bandwidth exceeding 200 kHz. The company calls this concept an “isolated current amplifier” (ICA). In those sections of the circuit that are crucial for sound quality, T + A engineers installed select audiophile components: non-magnetic Vishay resistors and ELNA and WIMA capacitors.

T+A AMP 8 is a power amplifier designed to work in conjunction with the branded DAC 8 DSD model, which includes a high-class DAC and preamplifier. T+A AMP 8 has a fully aluminum case, in which there is no hint of the use of ferromagnetic materials. The chassis and top cover of the amplifier are made of 6 mm thick aluminum plates. The sides and front panel are elegant black profiles made using complex extrusion technology. The case rests on damping feet. On the front panel there are only 3 LEDs indicating power on, activation of the Auto mode and signal supply to the speakers.

The T+A AMP 8 power supply is designed to handle serious loads and includes a toroidal transformer capable of generating up to 400 watts of power. The amplifier can handle even the most demanding speakers. The power supply for the left and right channels is separate, which minimizes their mutual influence on each other.

The T+A AMP 8 amplifier has balanced and unbalanced inputs. There are two pairs of gold-plated screw terminals. There is a CTRL trigger jack for connecting the DAC 8 DAC for remote control of the amplifier on/off. The sound of the T+A AMP 8 can be described as energetic, dynamic and high-resolution, but at the same time delicate, transparent and truly audiophile. The duo of DAC 8 DSD and AMP 8 sets new standards for high-quality sound, going far beyond its price category.

T+A AMP 8 specifications

Input sensitivity/input impedance 0.7 V/10 kOhm (RCA), 1.4 V/5 kOhm (XLR)
Nominal output power: 2 x 80 W (8 Ohm), 2 x 110 W (4 Ohm); Peak: 2 x 110 W (8 Ohm), 2 x 130 W (4 Ohm)
Frequency range 1 Hz – 200 kHz (0 dB, – 3 dB)
Signal-to-noise ratio 103/110 dB
Channel separation 81/65 dB
Harmonic distortion factor 0.009%
Damping factor more than 170
Inputs balanced XLR, unbalanced RCA
Other switching input trigger CTRL connector Speaker
output 2 pairs of gold-plated screw terminals
Cooling low-noise cooler, controlled by a microprocessor
Protection system microprocessor
Power consumption 400 W
Power consumption in standby mode 0.2 W
Dimensions (WxHxD) 270x95x270 mm
Weight 7 kg (without power supply)