T+A Symphonia Streaming Integrated Amplifier

The Symphonia

With this streaming amplifier, we pay homage to nearly 50 years of Engineering Emotion. Breathing life into the claim “The Future of Retro” this device is both a bold look to the future of audio as well as a nod to the generations of T+A engineers, designers and craftspeople past and present whose ideas and hands have helped shape some of the most iconic devices, be it in terms of technology, looks or aesthetics.

Merging our very latest in streaming technology, digital to analogue conversion and amplification with an industrial design that celebrates our most beloved past products, from phased front panels to hand assembled VU-metres, the Symphonia is retro in the very best sense of the term: grounded in the past without just rehashing it yet also embracing the future without forgetting its roots. It combines the past and modernity on the quest to be a sonic companion for eternity.

Concept

Like every T+A product, the Symphonia was crafted with a bold vision: to deliver a universally capable "one-box system" that redefines what's possible. With an extensive array of sources, it offers near-limitless playback options. Its advanced DSD and PCM converters transform digital signals into rich, analogue soundscapes of breathtaking quality, while the built-in amplifiers - boasting 250 watts of power - bring this sound to life with remarkable clarity and depth.

At the heart of the Symphonia lies the third generation of our Audiophile Streaming Architecture (ASA G3). This cutting-edge combination of hard- and software ensures effortless access to streaming services, USB sources, and a seamless, intuitive experience with Connect Services, allowing you to play music directly from some of your favourite mobile apps.

Design

Measuring 10 x 38 x 34 cm (H x W x D), the Symphonia is more than a product; it’s a celebration of nearly fifty years of T+A design tradition. Its proportions pay homage to our first preamplifiers from 1985, while its control elements and VU meters evoke the innovative spirit of our modern Series 200. The bevelled edges of the front panel nod to the timeless elegance of our iconic R Series, carefully refined since the 1990s. Few buttons, thoughtfully placed, grace its extended front panel, and rotary push controls offer swift, intuitive access to every function and setting. From the first stroke on an empty piece of paper, to it’s hardware design all the way to hundreds of thousands of lines of software code, the Symphonia was designed not just to keep pace with the digital age but to elevate the opportunities it brings.

Streaming & Converter

Our Audiophile Streaming Architecture (ASA) G3 transforms the Symphonia into a true citizen of the Internet of Things, all without sacrificing a single note of sound quality or the versatility of its sources. From the very beginning, the ASA G3 was built with a crystal-clear mission: to unlock the full potential of sound while offering unparalleled choice of sources.

At its core are powerful network boards that process incoming signals via Wi-Fi, LAN, and USB Master Mode. This enables the Symphonia to access not only on device streaming services like Deezer, Qobuz, and Tidal but also high-resolution local network files up to 384/32 (HD) as well as native DSD 256. Streams from mobile devices, whether through Connect or AirPlay (under certification), are delivered with the highest possible fidelity.

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.

Nowhere is this blend of comfort and quality more evident than in the intricate handling of DSD playback. The ASA G3 is capable of streaming DSD files natively from the network. These streams are delivered directly to our groundbreaking True-1Bit Converter, where they are processed as a native bitstream without the otherwise typical - and often detrimental - conversion steps.

The converter architecture built into the Symphonia, featuring both a dedicated PCM and a dedicated DSD converter, is truly groundbreaking because it challenges - and surpasses - a long-held norm with superior sound quality. Conventional converters process DSD signals by converting them into PCM, an approach we fundamentally reject. This harmful conversion defies our philosophy and inspired the development of the True-1-Bit Converter, which processes DSD files natively, with no conversions, delivering data in its purest form: an unadulterated 1-bit stream. Seamless playback and the highest-quality reproduction come together in perfect harmony, thanks to the revolutionary T+A Path Separation Technology.

On the PCM side, the Symphonia employs a derivative of the T+A Double Differential Converter, whose circuitry compensates for tonal non-linearities with exceptional precision. The outcome is astonishing: breathtaking linearity and dynamic range, paired with virtually zero harmonic distortion, exemplify the meticulous engineering behind this achievement.

While we believe in delivering unaltered music reproduction, we also understand the importance of tailoring our devices to the unique preferences and needs of each listener. That’s why the Symphonia provides custom algorithms for its PCM Double Differential Converter, allowing users to fine-tune the sound to their individual taste, making every listening experience as personal as it is sonically perfect.

Power Supply

Despite their efficiency advantages, conventional switch-mode power supplies come with a significant drawback: disruptive interference that can have a lasting impact on sound quality. At T+A, we saw this challenge as an opportunity to innovate, and the result is a fusion of necessity and engineering brilliance: the T+A High-Frequency Sine Power Supply. With its pure sine wave and a frequency more than twice as high as traditional power supplies, it effectively neutralises interference.

After years of tireless development, T+A engineers have achieved what once seemed impossible: the creation of capacitors that recharge 100,000 times per second - 2,000 times more frequently than conventional systems. This breakthrough enables them to respond instantaneously to even the sharpest signal peaks, always delivering precisely the amount of electrical energy required.

Our Sine Power Supplies are engineered for unparalleled durability. These "hard power supplies" remain steadfast even under extreme demands, providing the power amplifiers with an unwaveringly stable voltage. This innovation not only fulfils our promise of pristine sound quality but redefines what a power supply can achieve in the pursuit of audio excellence.

Power Amplifier

In the Symphonia, we rely on in-house customisations of the Class-D amplifiers powered by the groundbreaking PURIFI Eigentakt™ technology. Developed by the pioneering Danish technology company, this platform stands in our eyes as nothing less than the world's leading concept for Class-D amplification, overcoming the limitations that have long held back other digital amplifiers through a meticulous and innovative approach.

In the past, digital amplifiers were often constrained by high load dependency, signal distortion, phase noise, and increased harmonic distortion at high power levels. The amplifier technology integrated into the Symphonia not only eliminates these challenges but redefines performance.

Keeping an eye on what is potentially untamed power is our Intelligent Safe Control (ISC), which regulates the system in case a set of pre-defined parameters exceed their operating limits.

Connections & T+A DASS

A T+A streaming integrated amplifier is designed to be the central hub of your musical home. That’s why we’ve equipped the Symphonia with the range of connections needed for truly universal use. With two digital, two analogue, and two USB inputs, as well as an HDMI interface, the Symphonia seamlessly connects to virtually any source. Meanwhile, an integrated phono module ensures that even the most classic of sources benefits from the Symphonia’s remarkable sound performance. A preamp output and subwoofer connection allow the Symphonia to integrate harmoniously into existing systems, making it a versatile and indispensable part of any audio setup.

The Symphonia isn’t just another device - it’s a carefully crafted command centre for all your musical needs, offering connection, clarity, and uncompromising quality.

All analogue signal paths are inherently sensitive to digital interference. In a receiver designed to meet the highest expectations, a deliberate and meticulous separation of these two domains is the cornerstone of sonic perfection. Only in this way can the analogue music signal remain as pure and unaltered as the artist captured it in the studio.

This is why we developed the Digital-Analogue Separation System - using ultra-fast Silicon Labs isolators, we establish a galvanic separation between the digital and analogue sections of the device, effectively shielding the analogue signal from disruptive interference. To ensure that this separation is upheld throughout the entire signal path, we’ve even gone as far as to isolate the power supplies for the digital and analogue domains.