The Taga Harmony HTA-700B v.3 silver represents the culmination of a series of hybrid amplifiers that have won over audiophiles seeking a warm sound without sacrificing power. This compact yet high-performance model cleverly combines tube preamplification and transistor amplification to deliver a balanced and musical listening experience. Praised by the international specialist press, it stands out for its versatility, meticulous construction, and excellent value for money.
A Sophisticated Hybrid Design
The HTA-700B v.3 is based on a hybrid architecture that leverages the complementary qualities of two amplification technologies. The preamplification section uses two American-made 5BK7 tubes that serve as buffers, providing the warmth and harmonic richness characteristic of tube amplifiers. These tubes are visible on the top of the device, creating an attractive visual effect, especially when illuminated by their orange backlighting.
The power stage, on the other hand, uses a pair of TDA7296 transistors operating in class A/B. This configuration delivers a comfortable power output of 2 x 45 watts at 4 ohms and 2 x 26 watts at 8 ohms, sufficient to efficiently drive most bookshelf speakers and some medium-sized floorstanders.
At the heart of the device, an oversized 150-watt toroidal transformer ensures stable and responsive power delivery, with constant voltage and minimal residual ripple. This energy reserve results in better dynamics and increased ability to control different types of speakers. High-quality filter capacitors (2 x 50V/3300μF) ensure stable playback while enhancing musical tone and soundstage depth.
Audiophile Components and Build Quality
Despite its affordable price point, the Taga Harmony HTA-700B v.3 makes no compromises on the quality of its components. The engineers have selected Wima audiophile capacitors, renowned for their transparency, for the input and output of the tubes as well as for the tone controls.
The Japanese-made ALPS volume potentiometer is another premium feature, ensuring precise control with minimal noise and crosstalk between channels. Its tactile feel during use also reflects the attention to detail.
The thermal dissipation system has been particularly well designed, with an oversized aluminum heatsink, independent for each channel. This design efficiently disperses internal heat and allows for high-power playback over long periods with limited distortion.
High-quality gold-plated speaker terminals provide almost lossless audio signal transmission to the speakers. All these details contribute to the overall sound quality and durability of the device.
Comprehensive Connectivity and Versatile Use
The HTA-700B v.3 stands out for its versatility in terms of connectivity, allowing you to integrate virtually any audio source into your system. On the analog side, you have two line inputs (CD and Line) via RCA connectors.
For digital sources, the amplifier is equipped with an optical input compatible with audio streams up to 24-bit/192 kHz. The HTA-700B v.3 USB model also features a USB input for playing digital audio files up to 32-bit/768 kHz or DSD512 stored on computers or smartphones.
Wireless connectivity is also included, with a built-in Bluetooth v4.0 receiver that lets you stream music from a compatible smartphone, tablet, or computer. A dedicated Bluetooth antenna is provided to optimize reception.
For headphone listening enthusiasts, the HTA-700B v.3 includes a high-quality headphone preamplifier capable of delivering up to 300 mW at 300 ohms. This section is powerful enough to properly drive most audiophile headphones on the market, from low-impedance models (32 ohms) to more demanding ones (300 ohms).
A preamplifier output (Pre-Out) completes the package, allowing you to connect an external power amplifier, an active subwoofer, or powered speakers.
Remarkable Sound Performance
The Taga Harmony HTA-700B v.3 stands out for its balanced sound signature that combines the warmth of tubes with the precision of transistors. The frequency response ranges from 20 Hz to 20 kHz (±2 dB), covering the entire audible spectrum with remarkable linearity.
The preamplification tubes provide harmonic richness and smoothness in the midrange, making listening particularly enjoyable over long periods. Vocals benefit from a natural presence and organic texture that enhance immersion in the music.
In the bass register, the transistor power stage ensures effective speaker control, producing firm and articulate bass. The soundstage is characterized by its width and depth, creating a generous stereo image, even if it does not favor surgical precision.
For users wishing to customize the sound to their preferences, the amplifier features tone controls for bass (100 Hz, ±8 dB) and treble (10 kHz, ±10 dB).
Evolution Compared to Previous Versions
The HTA-700B v.3 represents the latest evolution of Taga Harmony’s HTA-700 series of hybrid amplifiers. Compared to the HTA-700B v.2, this new version brings several notable improvements.
The audio circuit has been optimized for better linearity and reduced distortion. The toroidal transformer has been redesigned to provide even more stable and responsive power. These changes result in a wider soundstage and improved ability to reproduce fine details.
The digital-to-analog conversion section has also been improved. The USB version, in particular, offers extended compatibility with high-resolution audio formats.
The aesthetics have been slightly refined, with a more polished finish and a new brushed aluminum remote control that enhances user comfort.
