TDAI-2200 Digital Design
In its simplest form, the TDAI-2200 is a digital integrated amplifier with 200-watts x 2 into an 8-ohm speaker load and 375-watts into a 4-ohm load. Before you wince about the word digital in the same sentence as amplifier you should know that the TDAI-2200 is a true digital amplifier. In fact, TDA in the model number stands for True Digital Amplifier (the ‘I’ stands for Integrated).
Simply stated, most digital amplifier designs are actually analog-digital hybrids. In the hybrid scheme, the PCM (pulse code modulation) incoming PCM signal of a CD player is converted to an analog signal then converted once again to a PWM (pulse width modulation) digital signal in the output stage of the amplifier. This design is widely used because of its lower cost; however, it can result in increased harmonic distortion particularly at very high frequencies, as high as 80-100kHz. Some may argue that the human ear cannot hear frequencies higher than 15kHz to 20kHz so distortion at 80kHz is no big deal. I would make the point that 80kHz is the 3rd harmonic of 10kHz and that the accurate reproduction of harmonic frequencies are critical to true high fidelity reproduction.
The TDA design converts the PCM signal directly to a PWM signal (digital-to-digital), eliminating the digital-to-analog-to-digital conversion process and resulting in an unbroken digital signal path. It’s dubbed Equibit, and is the foundation of the Lyngdorf design.
A New Listening Experience
While listening to the TDAI-2200, I struggled to find the right words to describe its sound qualities. It was easy to identify its luscious, rich, full, detailed, ultra-clean nature, but this is not a typical amplifier. I landed on five words that best describe its sound:
- Pace
- Tempo
- Clarity
- Fidelity
- Musicality
These words help paint a word picture of the unique Lyngdorf sound.
Pace & Tempo
Pace and tempo refer to the amplifier’s speed. Pace and tempo are related to transient response, which describes the amplifier’s ability to react quickly to an abrupt wavefront resulting in a sudden change in the amplitude. The pace and tempo of the Lyngdorf TDAI-2200 was evident at all levels and frequencies resulting in a truly dramatic audio experience. Its pace and tempo removed the sense of reproduction and resulted in a sense of unveiled reality, like being there.
Clarity
Like a high-definition video image, the TDAI-2200 is like a window into the music absent any audible distortion or coloration.
Fidelity
Loyal, faithful to the original are synonyms of fidelity that helps describe the Lyngdorf sound. Listening to the Lyngdorf amp removes all the barriers that sound reproduction introduces to music and takes you to the original performance. It peels away the layers of components and sounds like music production, not reproduction.
Musicality
Finally, musicality perfectly describes the Lyngdorf sound. Its melodic sound brings out the best in all genres of music.
Add words like balanced tonal response, solid, tight bass, open, light and airy mids and highs and you get the idea.
Lyngdorf Room Perfect System
In my enthusiasm to describe the Lyngdorf sound, I overlooked one of the most important features of the TDAI-2200 – the optional Room Perfect system.
As good as an audio component can sound, we all know intuitively that the listening room is as important, if not more than the components and speakers that make up the system. In fact, the room is part of the audio system and is one of the keys to true high fidelity. The sound from a speaker interacts with the walls and furnishings in a room to produce its own unique sonic signature. Sometimes, if you’re lucky it’s a good sound, sometimes not depending on the room and its acoustic characteristics.
There are several solutions to ‘remove’ the effects of the room from the system, including room acoustic treatments and most recently, DSP or Digital Signal Processing. DSP systems are sophisticated computers and processors that measure the acoustic effects of the room and correct them electronically with highly developed algorithms, similar to an equalizer but more precise. Some systems measure and set speaker size, distance and level, while others provide system equalization. Lyngdorf’s Room Perfect is such an advanced system.
How Room Perfect Works
Like many DSP systems, Room Perfect uses a microphone on a mic stand (included) connected to the TDAI-2200 to measure and correct the room’s acoustics. Unlike some systems, Room Perfect is a multi-point system, which relies on measurements taken from several different locations in the room rather than simply measuring the sound only from the listening position.
The Lyngdorf Room Perfect system guides the user through each step and measurement position. The system starts out at ‘0%’ and each additional measurement position increases the ‘Room Knowledge’ of the acoustic characteristics of the room until it reaches 100%, if possible. According to Lyngdorf, it takes 4-6 measurement positions to reach the recommended 97%. Lyngdorf also states that in some rooms that require little correction may not register more than 50%. In my room, I measured the room in five different positions and quickly reached 98%.