Disc Players

Comparisons with the fully integrated MP 3100 HV [HFN Sep '17] are instructive because, linked to its doubling of upsampling rate (from 384kHz to 768kHz and DSD512 to DSD1024), there are areas of incremental, and significant, improvement. The SDV 3100 HV, with its additional preamp section, offers a higher 17.9V maximum output from a similar 45ohm source impedance but, measured via a comparable 6V output, the A-wtd S/N ratio is improved from 113.8dB (MP 3100) to 115.7dB (SDV 3100). Tested in 'wide' mode with the 120kHz cut-off frequency, the SDV 3100 HV has a markedly reduced level of ultrasonic requantisation noise over the MP 3100 HV, and all previous T+A DAC implementations of this type, amounting to a 20dB difference at 100kHz (re. –10dBFs).

High frequency distortion is largely unchanged at 0.0012%/0dBFs – a function of the analogue output stage – but below –20dBFs distortion at 20kHz is some 10x lower via the SDV 3100 HV [blue infill, Graph 1, below]. This digital improvement is reflected with SACD/DSD sources at midrange rather than high frequencies where 0.00016% bests the MP 3100 HV's 0.0005% at 1kHz/0dBFs. Jitter remains phenomenally low at <10psec with LPCM sources and <30psec with DSD [see Graph 2, below]

Frequency responses are determined by your choice of digital filter. With CD or 48kHz digital inputs this varies from –0.3dB/20kHz (FIR Long) to –4.6dB/20kHz (Bezier). T+A's FIR Short filter has new coefficients and a response now changed from –0.3dB to –3.8dB/20kHz (48kHz media) and from –0.6dB to –5.0dB/45kHz (96kHz media). The response with SACD is also slightly more attenuated, but extends from –0.7dB/20kHz to –3.4dB/40kHz, –13dB/80kHz and –21dB/100kHz. PM