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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
darberb
13 posts
 

I was also impressed by the UD-701N when I received it. I eventually decided to add the Master Clock. Just as @vinylcat and ​​​​@celestial__sound state it was a good upgrade. Also surprised me as I was expecting a very subtle change not a noticeable improvement. 

milpai's avatar
milpai
2,315 posts
 

Review and measurement

Came across this today.

vinylcat
28 posts
 

@milpai 

Tks for the link...interesting review.

I will say that as far as "limited soundstage depth", the UD-701N was certainly better than the Yggdrasil in my system, but I'm not certain what he was specifically comparing it to in his context.

milpai's avatar
milpai
2,315 posts
 

Every system is different. Measurements are not everything. This is a very good DAC, from what little user experiences I have read.

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?

 

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