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TEAC UD-701 vs NT-505 vs ?

I stream Quboz and Tidal via a Bluesound Vault 2. Vault transmits to Parasound JC2 to modded A21 to Vandersteen Quatro CTs. (See my profile for complete description of system.) Happy, really very happy, with Vault 2 but it is likely best point at which to upgrade my system.

Considering TEAC NT-505 ($2K) and new TEAC DAC/streamer UD-701 ($4K), which has some very attractive features: in-house-built discrete Delta-Sigma DAC with FPGA circuity, dual-mono signal path, four separate power supplies... Have seen enthusiastic reviews for NT-505 from owners here. Only one review by Moon Audio out about UD-701, and they are not an uninterested party. Curious if any out there have heard UD-701?

Open to other suggestions, including used with roughly $6K price ceiling. See TMR has used Aurender A-10s for sale. Used PS Audio Direct Wave DAC with bridge is another consideration, although I have seen owners comment negatively about the bridge.

Not wed to DAC/streamer combo but that has appeal to me because it eliminates a box, connecter, and power cord, all of which add to cost and connector makes signal path less direct.

Also not wed to SS but a tube DAC appears to me to introduce an additional source of distortion into my otherwise SS system, so it will then be affected by both SS and tube distortion.

Thoughts?

Bosssound

128x128bosssound

Showing 5 responses by chestercopperpot

chestercopperpot
5 posts
 

I just ordered a TEAC UD 701, based entirely on (sparse) online reviews, forum posts and one friend's recommendation. It arrives in a month. I currently use last year's Node and an RME ADI 2 DAC. Is a integrated streaming DAC from TEAC better SQ than what I have? It seems that RME and TEAC are by few or no one.

I'm asking forum members who have tried one or both DACs, RME & TEAC, what your impressions are. Personally I'm looking to upgrade my pre amp (RME's digital pre amp) and the DAC itself. Only SQ matters. I ike my RME, and I haven't heard another DAC yet that improves my system (Stax HP, Carbon, RME, Node).

I'm also really intrigued by upsampling, which the TEAC send to do pretty dang high with DSD. I've tried it a little, not much. But does upsampling even have an effect on what I hear?

 

chestercopperpot
5 posts
 

Well, I'm not known for conventional behaviour;)

I'm asking these questions because I can still return the TEAC DAC, and I'm trying to 'meet' anyone with more experience than me, so that I am prepared when it arrives. I've never heard the 505, never heard an Esoteric DAC, and those seem like pretty important points of comparison. 

Certainly I'll share my comparison of the RME with TEAC; so far I have heard Mola Mola and T&A 200 DAC, neither were noticeably better. 

chestercopperpot
5 posts
 

@milpai ​​​​​​ can I ask what are the other DACs on your 5-6 list?

chestercopperpot
5 posts
 

My UD-701 arrived much earlier than expected:)

I’m still comparing. It’s difficult to do blind DAC tests in my setup. But I’m very happy with the TEAC so far. The biggest benefit early on is its dexterity with DSD. I finally heard true DSD today rather than PCM converted, and...what do you know, it’s amazing!

I doubt I’ll stop using the RME, it’s so capable in so many ways, plus the new desktop remote has me excited. But I’m almost certainly keeping the TEAC, specifically for DSD.

 

 

chestercopperpot
5 posts
 

I did an in-store demo of the T&A200 for 3 hours, only streaming Qobuz, and I did not find the PCM or upsampled sound to be noticeably better than the RME. I have not played DSD through anything other than the RME and the TEAC. 

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