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
I am a bit baffled. You are asking this question after ordering the DAC. Normally people register to ask questions and seek advice, before ordering. If anything you can now tell us about how you feel about this DAC compared to the RME that you own 😃 I want to get a new DAC because the Oppo that I have is not really a DAC, but a disc player with a DAC. The Teac is in the top 5-6 list and hence the interest in this thread, for me. Do let us know what you feel. |
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. |
@milpai ​​​​​​ can I ask what are the other DACs on your 5-6 list? |
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.   |
