Teac UD-507 DAC/ Preamp/ Headphone Amplifier - High Musical Discrete DAC
Based on technologies and experiences around the Teac Reference Series 700, the new Teac UD-507 DAC/ Preamp/ Headphone Amplifier has been developed, as Teac Corporation describes the latest solution of the Teac Reference 500 Series, which was presented for the first time at the High-end 2024 in Munich.
- The new Teac UD-507 DAC/ Preamp/ Headphone Amplifier is a completely newly developed solution of the Teac Reference 500 Series.
The Japanese HiFi manufacturer Teac Corporation can point to many an exciting product line, but the Teac Reference 500 Series stands out in particular, as it offers the finest HiFi systems at very attractive prices. This product line is now to be expanded with a new solution in the near future, at least Teac Corporation presented a first sample at the High-end 2024 in Munich.
The new Teac UD-507 DAC/ Preamp/ Headphone Amplifier is a completely newly developed D/A converter, preamplifier and headphone preamplifier, based on the technologies and experience gained in the design of the latest Teac Reference 700 Series solutions, as the company promises.
No bigger than a sheet of A4 paper
Once again, the manufacturer emphasises the compact size of the new Teac UD-507 DAC/ Preamp/ Headphone Amplifier, like all solutions in the Teac Reference 500 Series, which, as is typical of Teac Corporation, have a certain vintage touch that makes the products look timelessly elegant and very classy.
The front is made of metal, as is the rest of the housing, with a choice of silver or black.
The new Teac UD-507 DAC/ Preamp/ Headphone Amplifier measures 290 x 85 x 249 mm and weighs 4,9 kg.
Proprietary Teac Reference Discreet DAC TRDD5
Above all, the new Teac UD-507 naturally functions as a D/A converter, with an optical and coaxial S/PDIF interface available, as well as a USB-B port and a USB-C port for direct connection to a PC or Mac
While the S/PDIF interfaces can process signals in Linear PCM with up to 24 bit and 192 kHz as well as DSD, at least via DoP, the full potential is available via the USB ports. Here, the new Teac UD-507 supports audio signals in Linear PCM with up to 32 bit and 384 kHz as well as DSD up to DSD512. According to the data sheet, signals encoded in lossy MQA can also be processed.
The USB ports naturally rely on asynchronous data transfer and Teac Corporation also provides the appropriate software for Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS with the Teac HR Audio Player.
It should also be mentioned that this solution comes with Bluetooth, although this is Bluetooth 4.2 and therefore not necessarily a current standard. Nevertheless, in addition to the Bluetooth profiles A2DP and AVRCP, the codecs AAC, SBC, but above all aptX, aptX HD as well as LDAC and LHDC are supported. Signal transmission in Hi-res audio is also possible via Bluetooth, up to 24 bit and 96 kHz.
Signal conversion is carried out using the proprietary Teac Reference Discreet DAC TRDD5, which works on a 64-bit, 512 MHz delta-sigma modulator implemented using FPGA, whereby DSD signals are processed directly, whereas linear PCM signals are first converted into 1-bit signals and then output as analogue signals. Up-sampling is available on request.
Precise clocks in the form of high-precision quartz oscillators for 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz and a multiple of each serve as the basis for signal conversion. An external clock generator can also be accessed via a 10 MHz BNC input.
Dual Monaural Construction and Fully Balanced Signal Transfer
Teac Corporation emphasises that even the D/A conversion is designed in such a way that the left and right channels are constructed independently of each other and that this naturally results in a fully balanced output stage. This is referred to as dual monaural construction and fully balanced signal transfer.
In addition to an unbalanced RCA output, the new Teac UD-507 DAC/preamp/headphone amplifier also features a balanced XLR output.
It should also be mentioned that the Teac UD-507 DAC/ Preamp/ Headphone Amplifier has a so-called Quad Volume Control System, abbreviated as Teac-QVCS, as well as Teac-HCLD2 Enhanced-Current Output Buffer Circuits and, as a preamplifier, can fall back on two additional analogue inputs, one designed as an unbalanced input in the form of RCA sockets, the second as a balanced input with XLR.
Headphone amplifier ideally equipped for any headphones
The manufacturer particularly praises the headphone amplifier, which is designed to provide sufficient power for any headphones, meaning that it can also easily drive models with particularly high impedance.
Headphones can be connected either via an unbalanced 6.3 mm stereo jack or via a balanced 4.4 mm Pentaconn as well as a 4-pin XLR also designed for balanced headphone models.
As a guideline, the manufacturer specifies an output of up to twice 1.200 mW at 100 ohms via the balanced outputs and twice 900 mW at 32 ohms via the unbalanced output.
Power supply based on toroidal transformers
The power supply of the new Teac UD-507 DAC/ Preamp/ Headphone Amplifier is based on two toroidal transformers, one of which is reserved solely for the analogue components and the second for the digital components.
Prices and availability
According to Teac Corporation, the new Teac UD-507 DAC/ Preamp/ Headphone Amplifier will soon be available in specialised stores. As an indication of the price, the company has so far only quoted US$ 2.099,-. A matching infrared remote control is included in the scope of delivery.
Getting to the point
The latest addition to the Teac Reference 500 Series is based on technologies and experience gained from the development of the latest solutions of the Teac Reference 700 Series, says Teac Corporation about the Teac UD-507 DAC/ Preamp/ Headphone Amplifier, which the company first presented at the High-end 2024 and which will soon be available from specialist retailers.
| PRODUCT | Teac UD-507 DAC/ Preamp/ Headphone Amplifier |
|---|---|
| Price | US$ 2.099,- |
| BRAND | TEAC AUDIO |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Teac Corporation |
| Distribution | Teac Corporation |
| More about this manufacturer at HIFI BLOG |
