BobSherman Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 Originally I had my eye on the UD503, but saw the NT503 was the same price, and the only sacrifices were things I won't use anyway (dual headphone port, analogue inputs). I don't really "need" the networking stuff, but if it is the same price, it might be fun to have it to give me something to experiment with.They are both very nice units but in my opinion the NT would be a better choice. The analog inputs and the extra headphone jack would not serve any purpose for me either, and the streaming ability is definitely a plus. I don't have the Teac but I do have another DAC, an S16 with an AK DAC chip and I do not think you would be disappointed in the sound. For $1000 it is packed with a lot of features and really looks like a very nicely designed unit. Besides the online streaming, you could also stream from your NAS using MinimServer which would be cool. NCore400 are very nice also. I actually own a pair, you would not be disappointed. The 500s are supposed to be even better. Are you planning on building them, or purchasing them already built? I apologize if my comments drove you to upgrading your system. Upgrading can be fun, so I hope you do enjoy it. As far as bicycles go a favorite upgrade as a kid was a clothespin and a playing card. Link to comment
BobSherman Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 My primary concern is neither would be a significant sonic improvement (the difference between the two sets of DIY Class D amps in particular). At least with the DAC, it would have a more up-to-date set of features, even if it didn't sound different.I also have 400HG HxR and the NCores are better, significant is a tough one. Clearly better in many aspects, but I could live happily with either one. As you move up the differences do get smaller. Link to comment
BobSherman Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 (first of 3 kids started college). Link to comment
BobSherman Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Yeah, both NC400 and ClassDAudio are extremely easy, even for a DIY idiot like me. In both cases, the one thing that bugs me is the lack of a good RC on/off switch. (Right now, I have mine plugged into one of those power strips that turns it on when it detects I have turned on the pre-amp.) Something like this maybe? http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Conserve-Switch%C2%81-Protector-F7C01008q/dp/B003P2UMNK Link to comment
BobSherman Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 I actually have two of those (and also a Wemo switch that allows IP control). I worry about the spike created by the relay. Maybe I worry about it too much.You might be worried a bit too much, I do not think that would be a problem. But it is not an expensive item and anything is possible. I actually have a couple also and since you mentioned this I called Belkin to ask them. The tech person thought I was speaking a foreign language, and did not really understand so she typed it out and forwarded the question to an upper-level technician. She put me on hold and came back saying that the switching function is protected for spikes and surge also. For all I know she could've put me on hold been drinking coffee, or she could have asked the question of the janitor, but I hope she didn't. Regards Bob Link to comment
BobSherman Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 One that scrupulously avoids answering my question. The way this is written as being after the converter and amplifier section, would mean it is not digital but electronically controlled analog. If that makes sense? As for its quality of implementation, can't be sure but I would think it's actually pretty decent. The only complaints about the 501's headphone section was maybe not enough output, this would not apply to this unit necessarily, but there were no complaints about the volume control in the reviews I have read about the older unit. I would think the NT503 is a good bet. The price is right, the feature set is really good and Teac is a good company. I would not worry about the one negative comment, the person who went for the X 20 in that thread felt it was better then some other really good DACs also. I really doubt that it's the Teac is two dimensional, it would have to be really poorly designed to be that bad sounding. As far as the rest of the thread on WBF a lot of that thread was driven by an individual who was banned from there, banned from here and is pretty much FOS anyway. Most of the stuff that he touts, he has never actually ever listen to! He ran a big campaign against USB and the superiority of ESS. No mention of bad USB anymore as he is actually marketing a $7500 preamp which features USB and AK 4990 chips. Bill, you really are an audiophile oh my God, you're making yourself crazy over what DAC to choose. You see this stuff is contagious. Regards Bob Pre-amp Circuits Based on “TEAC-QVCS” High-precision Volume Control [TABLE] [TR] [TD][/TD] [TD]In the pre-amp section, the NT-503 employs the “TEAC-QVCS” (Quad Volume Control System), a fully-balanced circuit design from the output of the D/A Converters and Volume Amplifier section. Control signals from the volume knob precisely control four independent variable-gain amplifiers simultaneously — both positive and negative for the left and right channels. With this circuit design, audio signal paths are simplified and independant left and right channels and phase is preserved for clear sound quality with outstanding channel separation. (This does not apply to unbalanced analog input.) [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] This “TEAC-QVCS” also provides 256 steps or 0.5dB steps of volume control, precisely throughout the effective range from -95dB to +24dB. Both the line output and headphone volume can be controlled to the exact level you wish with a remote control, something that's difficult to achieve with a motorized volume control. This feature becomes even more useful when connecting various types of headphones with different impedances. Link to comment
BobSherman Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 Oy vey.Yes... Maybe not the best way to conclude his post. lol Link to comment
BobSherman Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 I'm now worrying about what USB cable to buy. Anyone audition this: LOL... Yes the Belkin is fine. Link to comment
BobSherman Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 or just use one you have sitting around the house.The puppy probably chewed them already! Link to comment
BobSherman Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 5 X $7 = $35 Timbre wolves. i.e., Link to comment
BobSherman Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 Don't. Wait till she notices how great it sounds.... Many moons ago I had a friend who would change the price on the receipt so his wife would not know what he was spending on audio. His $1500 phono cartridge became $150. Was not pretty when she eventually found out! Link to comment
BobSherman Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 I haven't had a chance to mention the purchase to my wife yet...Good luck. Link to comment
BobSherman Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 I've only started listening to it, and with the Halide Bridge and Dirac room correction, it sounds rather similar to what I had. I haven't tested the USB connection yet, or done anything more than flip through the filters quickly (and the differences are audible, but subtle). I need to spend some quality time with it (meaning without a 12 year old in the next room having a melt-down about thermal paste) when no one else is at home.Kids have it hard these days! Link to comment
BobSherman Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 BTW, even professionals are helpless with the little daemons. The neighbor down the street has a job teaching kids who can't stay in mainstream classes. 10-20 kids with emotional problems of varying seriousness every weekday doesn't phase him. His own kids? I had to laugh the other day when his 7th-grader (a really great kid, by the way) hollered at him, loud enough for me to hear a couple doors down while I was out playing with the dog, "Nobody likes you!" But it doesn't last. Yes it can be difficult. Like when a teen breaks an appendage, (their cell phone) you would think life for them as we know it has ended! Link to comment
BobSherman Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 Sorry for the OT. Will be interested to read what your impressions are of various inputs, internal and external filters, etc., when you have time to relax and listen. (Heh, whenever that is.)Yes and using the highend USB cable with the direct input. What Bill said about filters in is early comments are true IMO. I have a AKM DAC, the S16 and the filters changes are slight, but I tend to prefer the slow ones. YMMV. Link to comment
BobSherman Posted April 8, 2016 Share Posted April 8, 2016 Don't want to go all Zen on you, but a thought is to not bother listening carefully. Just see what gets you tapping your feet or wanting to hum along and feeling like listening to more.Are you saying. [video=youtube;d-diB65scQU] Link to comment
BobSherman Posted April 8, 2016 Share Posted April 8, 2016 no. This: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfyzyads9hy lol Link to comment
BobSherman Posted April 8, 2016 Share Posted April 8, 2016 I'm using Audirvana+ (and, optionally, Dirac room correction as an AU plug-in, which is why I am going through some gymnastics that are probably irrelevant to less OCD listeners). I briefly looked at the Teac player but it didn't seem to offer anything. I don't think it does any network things. I think you have to configure it using the iOS interface its local webserver (there is a separate manual for all the network stuff on the Teac website). I am curious, do you also listen without Dirac? Maybe get a feel for the new DAC without it, then dial in the room afterwards? Link to comment
BobSherman Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 I tried the DLNA functionality today, just to prove to myself it worked. First I tried serving a test library with Kodi. The file structure shows up in the Teac remote, but none of the files (mp3, flac, alac) shows in the remote. I then tried UMS, and this worked better, but seems to want to transcode everything (my real library is mostly ALAC). I also installed mediatomb, which would be an ideal DLNA server since it will run GUIless in the background, but I haven't messed with it yet. If DLNA precludes streaming ALAC natively, gapless, and precludes using room correction, I probably won't make much use of it. However, I am fairly convinced that this, or something similar, is really how computer audio ought to be done (rather than via USB, for example).Sounds cool,lots of nice useful features. Will you be setting up MinimServer? I think it is a good way to go. As far as not using USB... If the computer functions (streamer) are built in, that is a good thing. (channeling Martha Stewart) It all depends what you are doing, allot a different ways to have fun. The radio stuff is nice also. Even in an area with a decent amount of stations, (NY) I have not used FM for years. [Tutorial] Installing MinimServer on FreeNAS or FreeBSD Link to comment
BobSherman Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 After going through all the dependency installations, etc, I went to the MinimServer page MinimServer downloads and saw there is an OS X version. Within 30 seconds of download I am natively network streaming DSD. Everything "just works" (except for album art in the control iOS app. I probably need to have it in the folder rather than embedded.). I'll be interested to hear what happens when it transitions to the next track. Anyway, thanks for the tip. (The NAS is 15 miles from here on a completely different network, so this is much better).Yes setup is definitely easier on a MAC or PC. Link to comment
BobSherman Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 I feel almost as dirty as when I download Flash.Do these feelings have anything to do with Pee-wee Herman? Can downloading Flash lead to wearing raincoats and flashing in theaters... Link to comment
BobSherman Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 Sorry to revive an old topic, but I recently purchased the UD-503, and have the XLR outs going to active speakers. Is the volume control on the UD-503 an "acceptable" way to control the volume, or should I be looking for a better solution?On paper yes, but maybe someone who owns one will give some better feedback. Link to comment
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