T+A MP 200 Networked CD Transport Page 2

It's all very seamless. Combine the MP 200 with other 200 series units, and it really feels like you are controlling a single device instead of a collection of separates. The SYS-Link also functions as a high-quality transport for the audio stream, so this one connection plays a dual role in coupling the MP 200 to its fellow 200 series brethren – smart thinking!

sqnote Northern Exposure
Fitting the MP 200 into a larger 200 series system featuring the DAC 200, A 200 and Focal Sopra No2 floorstanders [HFN Sep '15], setup and configuration couldn't be easier. And with the Inni album from Icelandic rock band Sigur Rós [Krúnk KRUNK7DVD] in the CD drive, T+A's transport immediately showed it had the temperament to convey this atmospheric live recording. It's distilled from two days of concerts at Alexandra Palace way back in November 2008, and the songs from this stage in Sigur Rós's career present as very airy and dreamlike, a character which the MP 200 – together with the other T+A components – certainly delivered. Singer Jónsi showing off his high vocal range – there's nothing quite like it – on 'Glósóli' was particularly impressive, with the MP 200 revealing its capacity to combine clarity and texture.

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The MP 200 hosts BT, WLAN and FM radio antennas with hardwired LAN, coaxial (2x) and optical digital inputs alongside USB-A for external HDDs. Outputs are on coaxial RCA (S/PDIF) and proprietary SYS Out (RJ45)/USB SYS connections

Wall Of Sound
Other tracks including 'Ny Batterí' and 'Svefn-g-englar' can't be categorised as easy listening, considering the lyrics are in a mix of Icelandic and the made-up language Hopelandic. But that doesn't seem to matter once you get the chance to experience the scale and depth of these works – something the MP 200 deftly enables, even when the band creates a massive distorted guitar-driven wall of sound at the end of Inni's opening track.

Proving that a plain vanilla CD can more than cut it as a hi-fi source if played through a capable system, the performance here was commendable, no doubt helped by the healthy dose of power delivered by Purifi's Class D Eigentakt module in the A 200. It's also a boon that controlling CD playback on the MP 200 is just as easy via the remote handset as through the app.

Staying in the northern hemisphere, 'Lokk' from Norway's Erlend Apneseth Trio [Hubro, 48kHz/24-bit download] marries traditional hardingfele fiddle-playing with thick layers of beats, streamed here via Roon. Reminiscent of electronic artist Four Tet, 'Impedans' was an intriguing listen, its flighty, repetitive melodies nimbly presented by the T+A player, pulling me into the performance.

Once there, the MP 200's detailed nature let me discover there's a lot more going on in the track than it would initially seem. Indeed, the hardingfele might look like a typical violin, but it's pretty eccentric when it comes to possible tunings (there are about 20 in use, including one called 'troll tuning'), and in the hands of Apneseth it becomes an incredibly versatile instrument. I enjoyed how the T+A system exposed the full texture of the string playing, be it delicately plucked or caressed with a bow.

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Abbreviated legends on T+A's FM200 system remote cater for input selection, volume and menu navigation

Swept Away
Modest as the compact MP 200 and other Series 200 units may present themselves, they're also up for sweeping orchestrations, as proved by Beethoven's Symphony No 9 performed by the Berliner Philharmoniker and conducted by Kirill Petrenko [Berliner Philharmoniker Recordings; 96kHz/ 24-bit]. Playing the Qobuz-sourced ALAC files from a USB SSD plugged into the MP 200's front USB port, and quickly selected via the MusicNavigator app, the player made getting drawn into this grand recording easy. The system appeared to shift gears effortlessly, both during the stately first movement and when transitioning to the exciting 'Molto vivace presto', where it gently pushed the timpanis to the front to shake things up a bit.

That light touch, exposing the finest detail without overdoing it, is where T+A's hardware typically excels. The flutes and glockenspiel got to play their distinct, youthful role in John Williams' 'Rey's Theme' [Star Wars: The Force Awakens OST, Walt Disney D002177202; 96kHz/24-bit], for example. But when the horns joined in, adding an epic dimension to the piece, this trio of 200 series components rose eagerly to the challenge.

As a final comment, I noted that tracking down music via Qobuz in the MusicNavigator app was a simple task. Often there are reservations to be had when a hi-fi company mentions it has developed its own software, but in this case the user experience is as excellent and stable as the sound is compelling.

Hi-Fi News Verdict
The Multi Source Player moniker is definitely well chosen, as T+A's MP 200 marries excellent streaming capabilities to a capable CD transport and even analogue, DAB+ and Internet radio. A smart, compact unit, it would be a great complement to any DAC, but combine it with its 200 series stablemates and you end up with an incredible music system that'll challenge many larger-format competitors.

COMPANY INFO
T+A elektroakustik GmbH & Co. KG
Germany
Supplied by: The Audio Business Ltd, Wilts, UK
01225 704669
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