T+A Symphonia Streaming Integrated Amplifier- The Future of Retro

The Herford-based company T+A elektroakustik GmbH & Co. KG is clearly one of the most renowned High-end HiFi manufacturers in Germany and can look back on a long tradition. Now the company is presenting a solution that, according to the manufacturer, is dedicated to the philosophy it has pursued for almost five decades – Engineering Emotion, as T+A elektroakustik GmbH & Co. KG. This new product is also intended to emphasise the company’s own product version ‘The Future of Retro’.

T+A Symphonia is the name of this solution, which is ultimately a modern All-in-One system that the manufacturer itself refers to as a Streaming Integrated Amplifier. The new T+A Symphonia is characterised by unlimited connectivity, streaming from a wide variety of sources and a powerful stereo integrated amplifier, all packed into a timelessly elegant, compact device.

The Future of Retro

The new T+A Symphonia Streaming Integrated Amplifier is both a glimpse into the future of audio and a tribute to the achievements of generations of engineers, designers and employees in the production of T+A elektroakustik GmbH & Co. KG.

The T+A Symphonia Streaming Integrated Amplifier is a fusion of innovative streaming technology, the latest D/A converters and state-of-the-art amplifier technology with an industrial design that is deliberately reminiscent of important products in the company’s history.

From bevelled front panels to hand-mounted VU meters, the T+A Symphonia Streaming Integrated Amplifier embodies the term ‘retro’ in the best sense of the word, according to the manufacturer. This solution is firmly rooted in the past without merely copying it, yet open to the future without forgetting its roots. It unites tradition and modernity in the endeavour to be a sonic companion for eternity, as T+A elektroakustik GmbH & Co. KG.

On a more sober note, it is a thoroughly elegant system measuring 38 cm in width, 34 cm in depth and 10 cm in height.

The front of the system, which is available in black or silver, features a display, VU meters, a series of buttons and connections such as a 4.4 mm Pentaconn for headphones and a USB-C port, as well as two rotary encoders.

Open for all conceivable sources

To act as a central interface, the T+A Symphonia Streaming Integrated Amplifier has a variety of interfaces, including two pairs of RCA sockets, one of which can be used as a phono preamp for MM cartridges and high output MC cartridges.

On the analogue side, the T+A Symphonia Streaming Integrated Amplifier also offers two further pairs of RCA sockets, one designed as a pre-out and the other as a connection for subwoofers.

An optical and coaxial S/PDIF interface is available for digital sources, and this solution also has an HDMI port, which is intended for connecting a TV set and therefore also supports ARC.

An external USB DAC and corresponding storage media can also be connected via additional USB-C ports.

Streaming is of course also offered, whereby you can not only access your own content on the network, but also services such as TIDAL, Qobuz, Deezer and Amazon Music. The system also supports Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect.

T+A ASA G3

At the heart of the T+A Symphonia is the third generation of audiophile streaming architecture, referred to by the manufacturer simply as ASA G3, which makes it a fully integrated part of the Internet of Things without compromising on sound quality or source diversity, as the manufacturer emphasises. Data can be accessed via WiFi, RJ45 Ethernet interface and USB.

For streaming, data with up to 32 bit and 384 kHz is supported for signals in Linear PCM, as well as DSD up to DSD512. The built-in USB DAC even allows signals with a resolution of up to 32 bits and 768 kHz in Linear PCM and DSD512.

It should also be mentioned in passing that the T+A Symphonia Streaming Integrated Amplifier naturally also offers Bluetooth, supporting the aptX and aptX HD codecs in addition to SBC and AAC.

What is important in this context is that it is a Bluetooth transceiver, which means that not only smartphones can be integrated as a source, but also corresponding headphones can be controlled. Here, T+A elektroakustik GmbH & Co. KG naturally leads the way with its own T+A Solitaire T.

Separate converters for Linear PCM and DSD

An outstanding feature of the new T+A Symphonia Streaming Integrated Amplifier is that it does not use a single converter for Linear PMC and DSD, but instead relies on dedicated PCM and DSD conversion.

The T+A True 1Bit Converter processes DSD files natively by reproducing them as a pure 1-bit stream, without conversion and therefore completely loss-free, as the manufacturer claims. The PCM double differential converter reduces the already extremely low background noise and enables outstanding linearity, dynamics and freedom from distortion.

Classic radio on board

Many people will still find this solution exciting because it not only offers Internet radio, but also classic radio, both via FM and DAB.

Powerful performance

Despite its comparatively compact dimensions, the T+A Symphonia Streaming Integrated Amplifier is a solution that is not stingy with power. According to the manufacturer, up to 250 watts of power per channel are available, promising that even demanding speaker systems can be driven with impressive clarity and power.

“Technologically closely related to our R-Series and Series 200, the Symphonia concept is nevertheless unique. It combines state-of-the-art streaming technology, advanced digital-to-analogue conversion and powerful amplification in a design that celebrates T+A’s iconic past – from the first electronic systems of the 1980s to our Series 200. At the same time, its technology and operation are clearly focused on the future.”

Conradin Amft, COO at T+A elektroakustik GmbH & Co. KG

Prices and availability

According to the manufacturer, the new T+A Symphonia Streaming Integrated Amplifier can be ordered immediately and the first units will be delivered from April 2025. The recommended retail price is € 8.490,-.

Getting to the point

T+A elektroakustik GmbH & Co. KG calls its latest offspring a streaming integrated amplifier, which can justifiably be categorised in the very popular Just add Speakers category, because the T+A Symphonia Streaming Integrated Amplifier essentially has everything a modern audio system needs to offer to guarantee flexible use. In this specific case, the company from Herford stands for the fact that this is done at the highest level with its good name…