Wow...!!! Great review and better yet... Thanks for turning me on to Proem...!!! Nothing better than having someone turn you on to a great book or music...!!! I've started off with Proem's first album - 'Burn Plate No. 1' - as I enjoy beginning with an artist's first album, then listening to the rest of his/her/their work in chronological order, so as to get a sense of their evolution, per se... Thanks again Mr. Darko - much appreciated...!!!
Nice one John !Digital inputs on a CD player are a must for me. Especially high end, when you're paying good money you want to be able to utilise the DAC you've paid for.
There's something about your reviews Mr. Darko, that makes them soooo enjoyable to listen to/watch even though I know, I'll never afford some of the products on "display". I would love to pick up CDs again, like I was doing in the late 90s and early 00s. But I guess that streaming has made me lazy. Thank you for being such an honest and inspiring person both when it comes to products as well as music! (Yes! I love both the ambient and old school rock music that is mentioned in your videos)
Very pleased to see you recommend Proem. As you liked the Teac, I reckon you’d also dig the Exposure 3510 CD Player too - just CD no other features at all, but an amazingly well implemented DAC to my ears.
Hi John...Liverpool Kev here...Firstly...I love your videos...your presentation style is simply wonderful...I am in my 60s now and have loved 'value HiFi' all of my life and have several HiFi setups across home and office...You clearly have a great sense of humour so hope you take this the right way....several years ago in UK...there was a wine tasting lady on tv who used ever more bizarre descriptions in wine tasting...I am sure she said once 'mmm yes badger with a touch of tarmac'...(might have made that one up) ...some of your descriptions (which I love by the way) have a touch of the Jilly Goolden about them....look her up John...I hope you will appreciate the crossover into high end HiFi audio description...Do take care and thank you so much for your videos....Liverpool Kev
Very interesting and timely for me. My teac vrds 10 which has given me 25 years of service has just gone to have its clock upgraded to see what difference it makes. I use it as a transport mainly nowadays and the digital output should benefit from the clock with an offboard psu addition. I got to say the tray of my old girl does not wobble like that new one!
As someone who passed on a Pioneer Elite DVD player with SACD capabilities (working, good condition, no remote) at the thrift (charity shop for Europeans) for all of $8us, I don't know how to feel about units this expensive. I love it. Been a big fan of TEAC/Tascam for a while. I happen to like the looks a lot. Diminishing returns. It's nice that the internal dac can receive external sources. Can you still be a Bonafide audiophile without space program level of spending?
I recently had a mint condition Pioneer Elite DV-47Ai(gave it to a friend) with remote that I used as a backup in case my main device failed. It was pretty good, utilizing three Burr Brown 192kHz/24-bit (3x2 Channel) Audio DACs but definitely inferior to my Rega Apollo, and really inferior to a Yamaha CD-S2100 SACD player. One thing about these elderly machines is that they don't give you the option to play either layer on an SACD. Pop an SACD in the player and you cannot compare it to the CD layer. Yes, they're available on the cheap but the last few years have really improved on the digital front and these older machines just don't excite the senses. I'd tell you what I own now but you'll think that I must be daft but it changed my world view on reproduced sound.
Your comment on the flimsy loading tray resonated . In the past I've had reliability issues with Teac equipment and it makes me hesitant to try them again.
This looks like a very interesting component. I have a Marantz CD50n, which does pretty much the same, plays cds, has digital inputs, could be used as a preamp and also has a streaming module. It’s sounds really good too, at least in my system. It might be a good option for those on a lower budget, it can currently be found for about 1500 euro in Europe.
Yes - I am seriously considering the Marantz CD50n which sits better within my budget than the TEAC, and as you point out, has the same functionality (CD player, DAC with inputs, headamp, nice dad remote) plus HDMI Arc input, and streaming functions (though HEOS is clunky - I'll stick with my network Roon endpoint).
let's not forget about their pro brand Tascam which was on top of the world back in the mid-eighties if i'm not mistaken. VRDS is a fantastic technology and a few others were doing great tech at the time. Whether made by Meridian or the manual tray with a magnetic puck made by Naim. they were more than a few notch above CD players using computer rather than audio tech. All in good old days.
Thanx for this review, might be just what I was looking for to replace my CA CXC.. I was eyeing the Hegel but never got to get over the slot loading mechanism, and the price..
It seems like it is a good time to get into higher end CD playback as there are a number of interesting options out there. SACD capability is still a sticking point for me as I have just enough of the things to want to use them. (And I don't get that segment of the audiophile world that denigrates the SACD format. These are the same folks that championed vinyl as a format when it was dead as a doornail. Why should I care if only 20-40 new titles get released in a year? They sound great.)
The problem is the SACDs released seem to be re-releases of the same old middle of the road Jazz and rock staples. Where's the new releases? Electronica? Metal?
@@Krell666 You are right, it would be nice if there was a wider variety of releases. That being said, if you keep an eye on it some releases do come out for less obvious albums. (Classical releases on SACD do not have that problem. There is variety there.)
Thank you for this Episode. Seems to be a CD Player to stay for years. However, in this class, there are also some Players available supporting SACD Audio. Especially your Sponser T&A, Marantz, Denon have some. Also interesting would be if there is a lower version of this Teac Model and how different it is I think of the Marantz CD 60 for instance as a class below but still recommendable and more reachable for people not having so much money.
I was looking at the old Teac VRDS 25 that already had that flywheel/platter which is even more substantial. Those cd players look quite rigid and only need belt swaps every decade🤣 Thanks for some nice music tips. I am brainwashing myself with Leaving Laurel’s “When the quiet comes” at this moment👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I wonder how would you like the lower level Teac units, e.g. NT505 streaming dac. Glad you tried out the clock too, I was wondering if they make any audible difference.
John! Nice video as usual! Could you check AIAIAI TMA-2 Wireless+ Studio headphones and Unit-4 Wireless+ studio speakers please ? Low latency wireless transmission (stable 16ms), ideal for music producing and ok to dj with, or simply lossless quality on the go. They send CD quality wirelessly, both headphones and speakers. Double signal for stability. Thanks! Can’t wait to see your take on them and your precise analysis if ever you chose so! (Unit-4 vs LSX ?)
2:21 Aliens Ate My Buick in a paper sleeve. Is this a new release? I'm only aware of it in a jewel case. Most under-appreciated album of his, IMO Nice CD player, btw!
Of course if you really want next level sound and you have the next level cables, next level anti vibration mounts,next level one's and zero's reader, you must of course get the gas levels in the room to the correct percentages, otherwise you just won't get to that next level.
I had a Teac VRDS 7 once, it needed a external DAC but it was a very good CD player. It was already old when I bought it. And sold it when the snare and lens failed.
Okay, so I'm a CD guy and only purchased "expensive" interconnects for my Denon DCD-600 NE CD player. (In fact, the interconnects - simply amazing - were more costly than the Denon player. I liked this review and given CD's (and to some extent vinyl) are my preferred sources and are also my music collection, I'm curious if there's TEAC CD player without all the "streaming" stuff. I'm not opposed to streaming. I just won't get into another source format. I have no need. Any suggestions? Or, should I simply remain satisfied with the outstanding sound I already have found? (Woops, I think I answered my question as I typed it.) LOL
I’m curious how the TEAC 702 transport is. I’m happy using my old Sony Dvp9000es as a transport with my Benchmark Dac/pre but I fear its days are numbered. How does the TEAC cd player compare to the Shandling transport plus a $2K dac?
I have the Black model and it is absolutely Awesome, Got a Great Discount on it , all you have to do is ask! It was still 3k, But Well Worth it! By the way 4 Times Upsample is a Notable difference! No way am I buying the external Clock, the built in Goodies are top-notch, but I am going to try and run my Node X through it! As it will give me another input to use on my Pioneer SX1280!!!!
So John, would you go as far as to say that the Teac "Blow the Hegel out of the water" ? or did it just "Wipe the floor" with it ? Great content and I think this Teac warrants further comparisons with both lesser & higher priced units in future videos.
Btw I use the Audioquest Thunderbird interconnects which it looks like you are using. How do you like them and have you done a review video on them yet?
VRDS transports are the best transports on the planet. A version of which is also used in $100k Esoteric players and used to be bought by dCS and Wadia until Teac/Esoteric stopped supplying them. This TEAC is a genuine bargain.
Hello, really need your help…. Can you tell me the name of that side unit that your gear is sitting on. The beige coloured one with the chrome frame…It’s very cool and I want to get one. Thanks so much
I have a question , i"m into buying a blue-ray player for 4k uhd movies (Panasonic DP-UB820EGK) and i wonder how good cd player is a blue-ray player like that Panasonic or should I have a dedicated cd player (similar priced) and why ?
The real value is it's DAC, I'll be honest I think at its price point considering it has digital inputs, it's better than most standalone DACs at that price let alone it's a CD player. Gustard R26, Musetec 005 and damn near as good as my T+A200.
9 месяцев назад+7
How about a $20 old DVD-burner and $10 Apple USB type C dongle?
Great review, it looks a value for money product. Unfortunately my CD was damaged by storm ingress of water, I was fortunate insured and listened to the Luxman 07X, Atoll Cd400, Marantz SA10. However, all had their merits, but found the Rega Isis valve. Such a joy to listen to the music, I stopped listening to the system but the music. This beautiful beast weighing at 19kg feeds directly into my Buchardt Anniversary 10 speakers, which I must thank you for you to introduce me to a new product I would never have considered. Thanks for all your reviews.😎👍🎵🎶
Are the VRDS-701 USB Audio Class 2 complient? Meaning will it function with RPi Linux running LMS/Squeezelite? The product homepage is a bit silly in this regard only listing some proprietary app for Windows/macOS.
What a beast! For me in Canada, the AUDIOLAB OMNIA was and is the better solution and much cheaper with a lot of the same quality and uses. I couldn't pay $5000 CDN for the 701. I would weep.
@DarkoAudio As a hifi newbie, could you please tell me why you prefer tray CD loaders over slot loading mechanisms? I always thought trays looked, and felt, fragile... and not as aesthetically pleasing as a slot.
Not sure whether John will be answering. Let me share my 2 cents: In case of malfunctioning hardware, it’s pretty difficult to retrieve CDs from a slot loading player while a tray is often easier to deal with.
The natural comparison for this Teac would be the Technics SL-G700m2, I wiuld definitely try the Teac but it does not play SACD - which the Technics does - and this is a deal-breaker for me.
I wish that cd loading trays were better, smoother, stronger movement, with firmer feel and action. Would it really cost that much to make them that way? Anyway Darko can you tell me why you do not like slot loading players? I always liked how smooth they work. Thanks! Great stuff!
I like the ability to add an external clock. The improvement is great if your dac has a clock input too, otherwise there's no point! I run a dCS system that offers a dedicated clock. The Teac will not connect to dCS or other makes that offer a dedicated clock like Esoteric.Therefore l think its application is very limited. It only works if you use a Teac 700 dac and Transport. I'm disappointed because it's a missed opportunity it's competition is 10x the price.
Are you sure that you're not quoting the 701 Transport price because the 701 CD player sells for $3800.00 here in the States, $2700.00 for the 701T. Yeah, Teac and their upscale Lexus partner, Esoteric Audio, make some expensive basically atomic clocks based on Rubidium(an isotope). I've heard the differences and they're real. I understand the new turntable has the option of improved performance with an external clock for an extra five grand which is a lot less than past models.
It's a shame they don't mass produce good stuff anymore. A stereo should never be an expensive gimmick. Unlike amplifiers and speakers it's difficult to make your own cd player
Very nice review as always. Just wanted to add for the benefit of those interested in trying an external clock, that there are substantial benefits to be had by using one. Clocks in digital audio, need a highly vibration free environment to work at their best. And the interior of a CD player with a spinning Cd mechanism is not that ideal, neither is placing one on a spinning Cd player. You'd want the clock as isolated as possible. Use some pucks underneath, isoacoustics or still better use still points. Second is that it takes a really long while for a clock circuit to stabilize. So most dacs and Cd players sound better the longer they are left on. So, ideally we never switch off the external clock, and they are designed to be left on all the time for years. Only switch off your Cd player or dac when not in use. And after switching them on, leave them for 10 minutes for the internal clock to slightly stabilize, before activating external clock sync. Thirdly, clocks like the Teac / Esoteric are 10 Mhz / 50 ohm devices. And as can be seen, the timing frequency of those square analogue waves is 50 Mhz. Unlike the audio bandwidth of 20 to 20,000 khz, the clock signal is going on & off at 500 times the rate of a normal audio transmission. So clock cables which can carry that on/off with extreme precision, really matter here. If one doesnt want to spend on the cables, then the internal clock closer to the dac chip will perform better than the expensive external clock. On the cheaper side, but well performing ones are the "apogee wide eye" which is the cheapest in the list, going all the way to the very best Shunyata Sigma clock cables. So ideally, a clock vibrationally isolated, and left on for a very long time, with optimized cabling will make a very noticeable improvement. But as explained, it will get very expensive very fast. And that begs the question, why not buy a better CD player to start with. And there is no one correct answer that will fit all. In my case, I have a top of the line Esoteric CD spinner Iam very happy with. And the next upgrade is beyond my reach. So, a clock and the associated isolation and cabling for the added improvements makes sense to me. YMMV
![DIY BLUETOOTH PORTABLE SPEAKER 2x15W - BOOMBOX [SOUND TEST]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/6ixITn_gOtI/mqdefault.jpg)
I used to covet the Teac VRDS 7, 10, 20 and 25 cd players of yesteryears. Built like a tank. Good to see this latest version with digital inputs.
I got a rebuilt McIntosh MCD 7009 to match my Mac system; in part because it has VRDS transport system !!
Proem -- another great recommendation. I find myself browsing through Darko videos that I’ve seen already just for music recommendations.
Nice review and the Teac looks like a keeper. Thanks again!
Wow...!!! Great review and better yet... Thanks for turning me on to Proem...!!! Nothing better than having someone turn you on to a great book or music...!!! I've started off with Proem's first album - 'Burn Plate No. 1' - as I enjoy beginning with an artist's first album, then listening to the rest of his/her/their work in chronological order, so as to get a sense of their evolution, per se... Thanks again Mr. Darko - much appreciated...!!!
Americans and Canadians get an aluminum version. That got a smile out of me.
You mean al-you-miny-umm! 😂😂😂
Of course, French Canadians still get the aluminium version as standard
Of course, Americans and Canadians get the lower density aluminum version, rest of the world get higher density aluminium version 😊
I think an American scientist pronounced it wrong got very embarrassed and changed the spelling on the periodic table for the entire continent.
lol
Nice one John !Digital inputs on a CD player are a must for me. Especially high end, when you're paying good money you want to be able to utilise the DAC you've paid for.
Didn’t even know Teac was making high end audio! Thx John
TEAC makes an even higher end line called Esoteric.
So nice to see a review of this player! I’ve had mine since December and it really is something special.
Thanks John, I think I had as much fun as you did with this one. Great to see such complete and nuanced reviewing delivered with panache - well done!
Some of teacs higher end amps etc all look amazing, definitely need some more reviews of more of their gear!
the TEAC ap505 hypexNcore is incredible, perfect for demanding bookshelf speakers.
Great DAC in this beautiful machine. And s nice valu..TEACs new lines are amazing
There's something about your reviews Mr. Darko, that makes them soooo enjoyable to listen to/watch even though I know, I'll never afford some of the products on "display". I would love to pick up CDs again, like I was doing in the late 90s and early 00s. But I guess that streaming has made me lazy. Thank you for being such an honest and inspiring person both when it comes to products as well as music! (Yes! I love both the ambient and old school rock music that is mentioned in your videos)
Very pleased to see you recommend Proem. As you liked the Teac, I reckon you’d also dig the Exposure 3510 CD Player too - just CD no other features at all, but an amazingly well implemented DAC to my ears.
Hi John...Liverpool Kev here...Firstly...I love your videos...your presentation style is simply wonderful...I am in my 60s now and have loved 'value HiFi' all of my life and have several HiFi setups across home and office...You clearly have a great sense of humour so hope you take this the right way....several years ago in UK...there was a wine tasting lady on tv who used ever more bizarre descriptions in wine tasting...I am sure she said once 'mmm yes badger with a touch of tarmac'...(might have made that one up) ...some of your descriptions (which I love by the way) have a touch of the Jilly Goolden about them....look her up John...I hope you will appreciate the crossover into high end HiFi audio description...Do take care and thank you so much for your videos....Liverpool Kev
Decided this was the one before I even read a review, good to hear that it lives up to my expectation 😃
Very interesting and timely for me. My teac vrds 10 which has given me 25 years of service has just gone to have its clock upgraded to see what difference it makes. I use it as a transport mainly nowadays and the digital output should benefit from the clock with an offboard psu addition. I got to say the tray of my old girl does not wobble like that new one!
I love how you're so honest and saying things like "it's not a night and day difference" you don't hear that anywhere else imo 😊
As someone who passed on a Pioneer Elite DVD player with SACD capabilities (working, good condition, no remote) at the thrift (charity shop for Europeans) for all of $8us, I don't know how to feel about units this expensive. I love it. Been a big fan of TEAC/Tascam for a while. I happen to like the looks a lot. Diminishing returns. It's nice that the internal dac can receive external sources. Can you still be a Bonafide audiophile without space program level of spending?
As guttengerg says...an audiophile is someone who listens to music without muktitasking
Lol sorry I picked up that Pioneer Elite player at Goodwill. $6 with my senior discount
No, you definitely need this as an audiophile. Don't forget to buy the right cables for at least 500 USD.
i mean…
this isn’t the high end of such components, there’s way pricier stuff than this, especially considering the broad functionality
I recently had a mint condition Pioneer Elite DV-47Ai(gave it to a friend) with remote that I used as a backup in case my main device failed. It was pretty good, utilizing three Burr Brown 192kHz/24-bit (3x2 Channel) Audio DACs but definitely inferior to my Rega Apollo, and really inferior to a Yamaha CD-S2100 SACD player. One thing about these elderly machines is that they don't give you the option to play either layer on an SACD. Pop an SACD in the player and you cannot compare it to the CD layer. Yes, they're available on the cheap but the last few years have really improved on the digital front and these older machines just don't excite the senses. I'd tell you what I own now but you'll think that I must be daft but it changed my world view on reproduced sound.
Thanks for the Proem recommendation. Great stuff!
Darko, you are Fantastic!
I'd love that Teac. I have been a big fan of Teac over the years. Never the coolest brand to like, but often surprisingly good.
Always nice to see a great sounding, great looking CD player arrive. And that toggle switch screams "1978!" beautifully.
It looks lovely. Will have to save up.
Thanks for reminding me of my Proem CDs! I haven't played them since 2011.
Your comment on the flimsy loading tray resonated .
In the past I've had reliability issues with Teac equipment and it makes me hesitant to try them again.
Another great review, still love playing CD’s on my Audia flight CD two, the Teac might be interesting though.
Wonderful review. ❤
Im happy with my Onkyo C-7030, but if I had the funds, I’ll definitely get this. Looks well built and it’s fully featured.
Haha that US /Canadian joke was well played.
🤩 a CD player with volume control 🤩
I’d like to suggest you to try the UD-701N (Network player/DAC/Balanced headphone amp and Preamp) as well.
As well as a couple of analog inputs.
This looks like a very interesting component. I have a Marantz CD50n, which does pretty much the same, plays cds, has digital inputs, could be used as a preamp and also has a streaming module. It’s sounds really good too, at least in my system. It might be a good option for those on a lower budget, it can currently be found for about 1500 euro in Europe.
Yes - I am seriously considering the Marantz CD50n which sits better within my budget than the TEAC, and as you point out, has the same functionality (CD player, DAC with inputs, headamp, nice dad remote) plus HDMI Arc input, and streaming functions (though HEOS is clunky - I'll stick with my network Roon endpoint).
@@simonupstone4924I use Roon with it , my Roon rock server is connected to the usb dac on the Marantz and sounds terrific.
For less $$$ than this Teac the Marantz SACD 30N will do what the Teac does, PLUS play SACD and DSD files via the USB ports
Hi John, superb review, as always. How would you compare the DAC to the Tambaqui? Or is the T. too far down the memory lane by now?
I guess the obvious competitor to this is the Marantz SACD-30N - it would be good to get some impressions on how these two players compare.
Great video again - but somebody at TEAC has definitely been peeking at my 2 year old Sabaj A20d DAC, it's aesthetically identical!
let's not forget about their pro brand Tascam which was on top of the world back in the mid-eighties if i'm not mistaken. VRDS is a fantastic technology and a few others were doing great tech at the time. Whether made by Meridian or the manual tray with a magnetic puck made by Naim. they were more than a few notch above CD players using computer rather than audio tech. All in good old days.
Thanx for this review, might be just what I was looking for to replace my CA CXC.. I was eyeing the Hegel but never got to get over the slot loading mechanism, and the price..
Yes pleas, music list and thank you!
It seems like it is a good time to get into higher end CD playback as there are a number of interesting options out there. SACD capability is still a sticking point for me as I have just enough of the things to want to use them. (And I don't get that segment of the audiophile world that denigrates the SACD format. These are the same folks that championed vinyl as a format when it was dead as a doornail. Why should I care if only 20-40 new titles get released in a year? They sound great.)
The problem is the SACDs released seem to be re-releases of the same old middle of the road Jazz and rock staples. Where's the new releases? Electronica? Metal?
@@Krell666 You are right, it would be nice if there was a wider variety of releases. That being said, if you keep an eye on it some releases do come out for less obvious albums. (Classical releases on SACD do not have that problem. There is variety there.)
The 701 looks like a proper HiFi component.
Thank you for this Episode. Seems to be a CD Player to stay for years. However, in this class, there are also some Players available supporting SACD Audio. Especially your Sponser T&A, Marantz, Denon have some. Also interesting would be if there is a lower version of this Teac Model and how different it is I think of the Marantz CD 60 for instance as a class below but still recommendable and more reachable for people not having so much money.
Well, the actual highlight isn't the TEAC, it's your new USM Haller entertainment unit, very nice !
I was looking at the old Teac VRDS 25 that already had that flywheel/platter which is even more substantial. Those cd players look quite rigid and only need belt swaps every decade🤣 Thanks for some nice music tips. I am brainwashing myself with Leaving Laurel’s “When the quiet comes” at this moment👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I wonder how would you like the lower level Teac units, e.g. NT505 streaming dac.
Glad you tried out the clock too, I was wondering if they make any audible difference.
John! Nice video as usual! Could you check AIAIAI TMA-2 Wireless+ Studio headphones and Unit-4 Wireless+ studio speakers please ? Low latency wireless transmission (stable 16ms), ideal for music producing and ok to dj with, or simply lossless quality on the go. They send CD quality wirelessly, both headphones and speakers. Double signal for stability. Thanks! Can’t wait to see your take on them and your precise analysis if ever you chose so! (Unit-4 vs LSX ?)
2:21 Aliens Ate My Buick in a paper sleeve. Is this a new release? I'm only aware of it in a jewel case. Most under-appreciated album of his, IMO
Nice CD player, btw!
Maybe use a better amp/pre combination to evaluate source components?
I subscribed after seeing that Galaxy 500 CD :)
Desperately WANT one!
I'm still enjoying my Shanling ET3 connected to my Denafrips Terminator. This is an excellent setup that I enjoy immensely.
Love the intro ==> Air Swim - Circle De Soleil , obviously royalty free ....
Thanks for the info to Proem, listening now and like it. John, do you have any lists anywhere of your recommended eletronic music? Cheeeers.
Of course if you really want next level sound and you have the next level cables, next level anti vibration mounts,next level one's and zero's reader, you must of course get the gas levels in the room to the correct percentages, otherwise you just won't get to that next level.
I had a Teac VRDS 7 once, it needed a external DAC but it was a very good CD player.
It was already old when I bought it.
And sold it when the snare and lens failed.
Looks like a nice unit. The clock though, that seems like the proverbial ‘audio catnip’
Okay, so I'm a CD guy and only purchased "expensive" interconnects for my Denon DCD-600 NE CD player. (In fact, the interconnects - simply amazing - were more costly than the Denon player. I liked this review and given CD's (and to some extent vinyl) are my preferred sources and are also my music collection, I'm curious if there's TEAC CD player without all the "streaming" stuff. I'm not opposed to streaming. I just won't get into another source format. I have no need. Any suggestions? Or, should I simply remain satisfied with the outstanding sound I already have found? (Woops, I think I answered my question as I typed it.) LOL
Does it play the 2018 Pink Floyd Animals remaster that tripped up the Hegel?
I’m curious how the TEAC 702 transport is.
I’m happy using my old Sony Dvp9000es as a transport with my Benchmark Dac/pre but I fear its days are numbered.
How does the TEAC cd player compare to the Shandling transport plus a $2K dac?
I have the Black model and it is absolutely Awesome, Got a Great Discount on it , all you have to do is ask! It was still 3k, But Well Worth it!
By the way 4 Times Upsample is a Notable difference! No way am I buying the external Clock, the built in Goodies are top-notch, but I am going to try and run my Node X through it! As it will give me another input to use on my Pioneer SX1280!!!!
You're stacking the units - at this level - doesn't that affect your listening vs letting the units breathe?
So John, would you go as far as to say that the Teac "Blow the Hegel out of the water" ? or did it just "Wipe the floor" with it ?
Great content and I think this Teac warrants further comparisons with both lesser & higher priced units in future videos.
Btw I use the Audioquest Thunderbird interconnects which it looks like you are using. How do you like them and have you done a review video on them yet?
VRDS transports are the best transports on the planet.
A version of which is also used in $100k Esoteric players and used to be bought by dCS and Wadia until Teac/Esoteric stopped supplying them. This TEAC is a genuine bargain.
Shame that the clock won't work on them.
my first CD player in the 1980's was a Teac, made in Japan 👍
Hello, really need your help….
Can you tell me the name of that side unit that your gear is sitting on. The beige coloured one with the chrome frame…It’s very cool and I want to get one. Thanks so much
I have a question , i"m into buying a blue-ray player for 4k uhd movies (Panasonic DP-UB820EGK) and i wonder how good cd player is a blue-ray player like that Panasonic or should I have a dedicated cd player (similar priced) and why ?
In Quebec it is also aluminium.
I looked up the Teac VRDS-701...it is $3,799US. Too rich for my blood.
The real value is it's DAC, I'll be honest I think at its price point considering it has digital inputs, it's better than most standalone DACs at that price let alone it's a CD player. Gustard R26, Musetec 005 and damn near as good as my T+A200.
How about a $20 old DVD-burner and $10 Apple USB type C dongle?
It'll be over$5k here in Australia. That's my whole system😂
@still too expensive 🤣🤣🤣
@@diegobalzarini1994$4199 AUD
Darko, does it sound good with headphones
CD players that have digital inputs are gold. Particularly if you have limited audio rack space.
Let’s go!
Great review, it looks a value for money product. Unfortunately my CD was damaged by storm ingress of water, I was fortunate insured and listened to the Luxman 07X, Atoll Cd400, Marantz SA10. However, all had their merits, but found the Rega Isis valve. Such a joy to listen to the music, I stopped listening to the system but the music. This beautiful beast weighing at 19kg feeds directly into my Buchardt Anniversary 10 speakers, which I must thank you for you to introduce me to a new product I would never have considered. Thanks for all your reviews.😎👍🎵🎶
Teac make the Esoteric SACD players which I have and have used for years…they are not cheap but I think well worth it/
I can run out and by a nice used Sony or Panasonic garage sale cd player with Toslink. I wonder if the Teac will sound $2700 better? Doubt it.
Good for you. Enjoy
Why not try both and see?
How much life is in the laser of the garage sale unit? Can you even find a replacement laser assembly even NOS on the internet ?
I can assure you those garage cd players will suck compared to a better player like this
I was looking to upgrade my 1997 VRDS 10. I wonder if this is much of an increase in quality🤔
Are the VRDS-701 USB Audio Class 2 complient? Meaning will it function with RPi Linux running LMS/Squeezelite?
The product homepage is a bit silly in this regard only listing some proprietary app for Windows/macOS.
I didn't know that TEAC was still in biz. They were the best when auto cassette players first came out. The TEAC AC-9 auto reverse player.
What a beast! For me in Canada, the AUDIOLAB OMNIA was and is the better solution and much cheaper with a lot of the same quality and uses. I couldn't pay $5000 CDN for the 701. I would weep.
@DarkoAudio
As a hifi newbie, could you please tell me why you prefer tray CD loaders over slot loading mechanisms?
I always thought trays looked, and felt, fragile... and not as aesthetically pleasing as a slot.
Not sure whether John will be answering. Let me share my 2 cents: In case of malfunctioning hardware, it’s pretty difficult to retrieve CDs from a slot loading player while a tray is often easier to deal with.
The natural comparison for this Teac would be the Technics SL-G700m2, I wiuld definitely try the Teac but it does not play SACD - which the Technics does - and this is a deal-breaker for me.
I wish that cd loading trays were better, smoother, stronger movement, with firmer feel and action. Would it really cost that much to make them that way? Anyway Darko can you tell me why you do not like slot loading players? I always liked how smooth they work. Thanks! Great stuff!
Beautiful CD player but sad to say SACD wasn’t listed in the specs😢
No SACD? Can be used as preamp? Thanks for the video.
I like the unit the cd player is sitting on, is it available to buy?
I like the ability to add an external clock. The improvement is great if your dac has a clock input too, otherwise there's no point! I run a dCS system that offers a dedicated clock. The Teac will not connect to dCS or other makes that offer a dedicated clock like Esoteric.Therefore l think its application is very limited. It only works if you use a Teac 700 dac and Transport. I'm disappointed because it's a missed opportunity it's competition is 10x the price.
is the dac section the same as in UD701N?
ye
Normally external OXCO units need days to really stabilise for their difference to be properly realised.
Appreciate you're a busy guy but I'd really value your opinion on the best DAP below £300, is there such a video on this channel maybe?
4:22 "Obviously Americans and Canadians, you get an aluminum version" 😂
In America it's $3800 . There is also a transport-only version at $2700 .in April 2024
Are you sure that you're not quoting the 701 Transport price because the 701 CD player sells for $3800.00 here in the States, $2700.00 for the 701T.
Yeah, Teac and their upscale Lexus partner, Esoteric Audio, make some expensive basically atomic clocks based on Rubidium(an isotope). I've heard the differences and they're real. I understand the new turntable has the option of improved performance with an external clock for an extra five grand which is a lot less than past models.
I have a 80s Teac hifi stand. It makes my NAD 3020 sound better😂
It's a shame they don't mass produce good stuff anymore. A stereo should never be an expensive gimmick. Unlike amplifiers and speakers it's difficult to make your own cd player
I love good quality sound of cd player.
What are the best sounding albums on Tidal? I need to test my DAC and HIFI.
What about the streaming specified in the video title ?
Planet Dub… now there’s a blast from the past 😅
Very nice review as always. Just wanted to add for the benefit of those interested in trying an external clock, that there are substantial benefits to be had by using one.
Clocks in digital audio, need a highly vibration free environment to work at their best. And the interior of a CD player with a spinning Cd mechanism is not that ideal, neither is placing one on a spinning Cd player. You'd want the clock as isolated as possible. Use some pucks underneath, isoacoustics or still better use still points.
Second is that it takes a really long while for a clock circuit to stabilize. So most dacs and Cd players sound better the longer they are left on. So, ideally we never switch off the external clock, and they are designed to be left on all the time for years. Only switch off your Cd player or dac when not in use. And after switching them on, leave them for 10 minutes for the internal clock to slightly stabilize, before activating external clock sync.
Thirdly, clocks like the Teac / Esoteric are 10 Mhz / 50 ohm devices. And as can be seen, the timing frequency of those square analogue waves is 50 Mhz. Unlike the audio bandwidth of 20 to 20,000 khz, the clock signal is going on & off at 500 times the rate of a normal audio transmission. So clock cables which can carry that on/off with extreme precision, really matter here. If one doesnt want to spend on the cables, then the internal clock closer to the dac chip will perform better than the expensive external clock.
On the cheaper side, but well performing ones are the "apogee wide eye" which is the cheapest in the list, going all the way to the very best Shunyata Sigma clock cables.
So ideally, a clock vibrationally isolated, and left on for a very long time, with optimized cabling will make a very noticeable improvement. But as explained, it will get very expensive very fast. And that begs the question, why not buy a better CD player to start with. And there is no one correct answer that will fit all.
In my case, I have a top of the line Esoteric CD spinner Iam very happy with. And the next upgrade is beyond my reach. So, a clock and the associated isolation and cabling for the added improvements makes sense to me. YMMV
Thanks for sharing!
why do you prefer a tray loader over a slot load?
Maybe less wear and tear on your cd's
So jelly of the green edition