TMS-3 is a combination of DAC, audiophile music network player, and streamer functions. This model has inherited all the great technical achievements of the ThivanLabs DAC designs from the first model in 2013 to the latest models with excellently updated and improved technical and technological designs of today.

The TMS-3 integrates an ES9038 chip for the digital-to-analog converter, which was incredibly successful in the DAC Tube Music Processor TMP-9038 model from ThivanLabs. “Digital as Analog” is a central design concept for both the DAC Tube Music Processor (TMP) and the Tube Music Server (TMS) from ThivanLabs. These criteria make the TMP DACs and TMS truly special in the high-end digital-to-analog converter and music network player/music server market. What is special is that all TMP DAC and TMS models use ThivanLabs’ proprietary output transformers (OPT). This OPT technology has been researched and developed for many years to optimize sound signal transmission as purely as possible.

In-house OPT production is strictly controlled and constantly optimized; the quality and durability of ThivanLabs OPT are superb. In terms of sound, the focus is on a high dynamic range. While noise is always kept at the lowest level, the very high dynamic range ensures the purest analog sound with subtlety, authenticity, inspiration, warmth, density, and detail. By using the OPT, the sound becomes truly detailed and soft at high frequencies, while the bass is well-controlled but very natural. However, the output transformer is susceptible to interference from the magnetic fields of surrounding devices such as isolation transformers or power amplifier power transformers, which cause noise and hum. Therefore, when setting up the system, it is necessary to keep these sources of interference at a radius of at least 40 centimeters away from the tubes on the TMS.

The TMS-3 is equipped with a display that makes operation easier, as well as a volume remote control.

The following elements contribute to the special sound quality of the TMS:

Almost all other DAC and music server devices on the market use semiconductor boards for output with a lot of negative feedback. This solution provides a clean sound, but invisibly filters out all harmonics when converting sound signals. As a result, the sound, especially the sound of instruments and vocals, loses its naturalness. Therefore, listeners perceive the sound as too digital, emotionless, and dry.

In contrast, the use of vacuum tubes for the TMS output circuit ensures smoothness and authenticity of the sound while maintaining the true integrity of the sound!

The vacuum tube output circuit is single-ended and uses 12AU7 and EL84 vacuum tubes. The entire circuit is Class A without negative feedback to maximize the possibilities for converting sound signals and to achieve the most detailed sound possible. The high fidelity of the music, even the singer's vocal vibration or the most detailed sound of musical instruments, is preserved and transmitted to the listener.

Digital inputs (2)

– optical (TOSLink):
PCM 44.1k -192k 24bit / DOP DSD64
– Coaxial (RCA):
PCM 44.1k -192k 24bit / DOP DSD64

MUSIC SERVER (IIs):
Raspberry Pi 4-2G

Software:
Volumio

USB:
2 x USB 2.0 (total max. 100 mA)
2 x USB 3.0 (USB, HDD, SSD . . . total max. 500mA)

LAN:
Gigabit

Analog outputs:
Connection:
1 stereo pair RCA
1 stereo pair XLR


Tubes:
1 x 12AU7 2 x EL-84

Single-ended transformer coupling

Digital decoder:
ES9038 PCM 44.1 kHz – 384 kHz 32 bit / DSD64 – DSD256

Function:
Full-function remote control and selector switch: volume, digital inputs, mute, filter

Frequency response:
20 Hz – 20 kHz (+/-0.2 dB)

Power requirement:
230 V (100/110/117/240 V/50–60 Hz can be set depending on the market)

Power consumption:
36W

Dimensions (W x D x H):
45 x 40 x 12.5 (cm)

Weight:
17 kg

Herstellerangaben:

Thivanlabs
Ward 14
District 3 Truong Sa
812/39 , Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam

Verantwortliche Person:

TCG Trading Ltd.
Döppers Esch 7
48531 , Nordhorn
Germany
info@tcg-gmbh.de