Jud Posted June 10, 2017 Share Posted June 10, 2017 https://www.massdrop.com/buy/teac-nt-503-usb-dac-and-network-player?1=1&utm_placement=24&referer=9QFFBA&mode=guest_open&utm_campaign=Automated Daily Promotional 2017-06-10&utm_source=SparkPost&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Daily Promotional&utm_content=1497083177297.651668585158907937397638 6-14-17 edit: My intent is simply to let people know a DAC they may like is on sale for a good price. I would prefer not to see this become the subject of any controversy or argument. So as the OP, I'd like to politely request that we try to "keep it straight" in this thread. Thanks, everyone. plissken 1 One never knows, do one? - Fats Waller The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. - Einstein Computer, Audirvana -> optical Ethernet to Fitlet3 -> Fibbr Alpha Optical USB -> iFi NEO iDSD DAC -> Apollon Audio 1ET400A Mini (Purifi based) -> Vandersteen 3A Signature. Link to comment
wgscott Posted June 10, 2017 Share Posted June 10, 2017 I've had this DAC for awhile and it is great. I paid $299 more for it. Link to comment
tmtomh Posted June 10, 2017 Share Posted June 10, 2017 Nice! Massdrop's $699 appears to be $100 less than the lowest price available elsewhere. Link to comment
Popular Post wgscott Posted June 11, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted June 11, 2017 I'm kind of surprised this DAC isn't more popular. It checks a bunch of boxes: 1. Includes volume control/pre-amp functionality (volume control is in the analogue domain). 2. Standard USB/coax/optical functionality 3. Network player/input 4. Does DSD 5. Lots of upsampling/filter choices to play with 6. Input for external clock (not clear why it is needed, but it is there) 7. TEAC has a good reputation for bang for the buck. plissken and tmtomh 2 Link to comment
Popular Post esldude Posted June 11, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted June 11, 2017 If this same exact DAC was covered in Schiit at this price there would be a backlog of months to get one. The Computer Audiophile, plissken and tmtomh 3 And always keep in mind: Cognitive biases, like seeing optical illusions are a sign of a normally functioning brain. We all have them, it’s nothing to be ashamed about, but it is something that affects our objective evaluation of reality. Link to comment
Popular Post TubeLover Posted June 11, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted June 11, 2017 2 hours ago, esldude said: If this same exact DAC was covered in Schiit at this price there would be a backlog of months to get one. And certain people would immediately start a discussion bashing it for some obscure measurement that does not even translate into actual performance! JC The Computer Audiophile, Superdad and Albrecht 3 Link to comment
beerandmusic Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 On 6/10/2017 at 5:19 PM, wgscott said: I'm kind of surprised this DAC isn't more popular. It checks a bunch of boxes: 1. Includes volume control/pre-amp functionality (volume control is in the analogue domain). 2. Standard USB/coax/optical functionality 3. Network player/input 4. Does DSD 5. Lots of upsampling/filter choices to play with 6. Input for external clock (not clear why it is needed, but it is there) 7. TEAC has a good reputation for bang for the buck. even though it is a dac, i wish it had an analog input like their ud503, so i didn't need a preamp for my analog sources, but i agree, best bang for the buck! Link to comment
beerandmusic Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 On 6/10/2017 at 5:29 PM, esldude said: If this same exact DAC was covered in Schiit at this price there would be a backlog of months to get one. my guess is that they have far outsold schiit...it's just schiit doesn't have the manufacturing capabilities that teac does (grin). Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 Good find @Jud If Teac could check the RoonReady box, this thing would be amazing. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
Popular Post AJ Soundfield Posted June 14, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted June 14, 2017 On 6/10/2017 at 8:19 PM, wgscott said: 7. TEAC has a good reputation for bang for the buck. Looks like a very nice piece, but TEAC is Mid-Fi. Meaning emits mid to low dollar soundwaves. Unmeasurable, but we must assume 100% real audible esldude, crenca and mansr 3 Link to comment
Jud Posted June 14, 2017 Author Share Posted June 14, 2017 A J, my apologies, because you're certainly not the only one in the thread to do this, just the most recent, reading which triggers the following request from me: My intent is simply to let people know a DAC they may like is on sale for a good price. I would prefer not to see this become the subject of any controversy or argument. So as the OP, I'd like to politely request that we try to "keep it straight" in this thread. Thanks, everyone. plissken 1 One never knows, do one? - Fats Waller The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. - Einstein Computer, Audirvana -> optical Ethernet to Fitlet3 -> Fibbr Alpha Optical USB -> iFi NEO iDSD DAC -> Apollon Audio 1ET400A Mini (Purifi based) -> Vandersteen 3A Signature. Link to comment
rando Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 Please update first post with direct quote or link to above message for archival purposes, OP. About twice a year I'll admit to the guilty pleasure of looking through the audiophile section at Massdrop for devices like this. Good find, Jud. Link to comment
AJ Soundfield Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 Well, it certainly looks like a very nice, full feature set piece for the money. I was addressing Scott's surprise at "popularity" (unclear whether this means sales of units or posts on forums). The device itself at that price, would be fine by my reckoning.... Link to comment
beerandmusic Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 2 hours ago, AJ Soundfield said: Looks like a very nice piece, but TEAC is Mid-Fi. Meaning emits mid to low dollar soundwaves. Unmeasurable, but we must assume 100% real audible If this is mid-fi what are all the dacs that don't include galvanic isolation circuitry. It also won Japan's most authoritative award. The TEAC sounds as good as just about any DAC i have compared it to, including SCHIIT, which doesn't even incorporate galvanic isolation...and everyone knows that SCHIIT is the best available, even without dsd. Link to comment
firedog Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 By all reports it is a great value for the money, both in terms of features and sound. Main listening (small home office): Main setup: Surge protector +>Isol-8 Mini sub Axis Power Strip/Isolation>QuietPC Low Noise Server>Roon (Audiolense DRC)>Stack Audio Link II>Kii Control>Kii Three (on their own electric circuit) >GIK Room Treatments. Secondary Path: Server with Audiolense RC>RPi4 or analog>Cayin iDAC6 MKII (tube mode) (XLR)>Kii Three . Bedroom: SBTouch to Cambridge Soundworks Desktop Setup. Living Room/Kitchen: Ropieee (RPi3b+ with touchscreen) + Schiit Modi3E to a pair of Morel Hogtalare. All absolute statements about audio are false Link to comment
wgscott Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 All I really meant is that I think this is worth looking into for anyone (a) who wants to pay $100s, rather than $1000s, and (b) doesn't absolutely require an analogue source input. I'm certainly no expert, but I would think adding Roon (or other networking features) should be something addressable in a software update. I also didn't mention it has bluetooth, but if anyone wants that option, it is there too. I haven't seen measurements for this one, but the Teac 501 (its immediate predecessor) impressed a lot of people (both subjectively and objectively). I got this via Amazon when it was first introduced, so it was a bit of a risk, but in reality there were no issues. Link to comment
beerandmusic Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 ^^^ i think it is worth trying for even anyone interested in spending 1000's.... it will sound just as good, if not better. Link to comment
Daudio Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 13 minutes ago, firedog said: By all reports it is a great value for the money, both in terms of features and sound. FYI An audiophile I've known for well over 40 years, who has been a high-end retailer, a manufacturers rep., as well as having the best ears in our group, bought one of the first TEAC -503's. He had used a -501 DAC since they came out, and thought that the -503 would be an upgrade. Enough that he sold his 501 immediately after receiving the -503 (and an initial listening trial). Some days later he had more listening time in on the new DAC, and came to regret his hasty decision. I think he lost good money in the various buys and sells, but he is back to an original -501 model DAC and happy with it. Perhaps folks can find a used -501 cheaper then this deal ? Link to comment
esldude Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 2 hours ago, wgscott said: All I really meant is that I think this is worth looking into for anyone (a) who wants to pay $100s, rather than $1000s, and (b) doesn't absolutely require an analogue source input. I'm certainly no expert, but I would think adding Roon (or other networking features) should be something addressable in a software update. I also didn't mention it has bluetooth, but if anyone wants that option, it is there too. I haven't seen measurements for this one, but the Teac 501 (its immediate predecessor) impressed a lot of people (both subjectively and objectively). I got this via Amazon when it was first introduced, so it was a bit of a risk, but in reality there were no issues. You forgot to add among its features were some audiophile cred things like Velvet sound DACs, and that a famous DAC chip designer designed it by ear to have Velvet sound. I mean it had to be by ear, as there is no AES approved criteria to measure Velvet sound. And always keep in mind: Cognitive biases, like seeing optical illusions are a sign of a normally functioning brain. We all have them, it’s nothing to be ashamed about, but it is something that affects our objective evaluation of reality. Link to comment
AJ Soundfield Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 3 hours ago, beerandmusic said: everyone knows that SCHIIT is the best available, even without dsd. I didn't know that, so I guess I don't know SCHIIT Daudio 1 Link to comment
Popular Post plissken Posted June 14, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted June 14, 2017 Nice score... It cost as much as a Power Supply + USB re-animator and the best part you don't have to use USB. esldude and Jud 2 Link to comment
Popular Post Miska Posted June 14, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted June 14, 2017 5 hours ago, wgscott said: I haven't seen measurements for this one, but the Teac 501 (its immediate predecessor) impressed a lot of people (both subjectively and objectively). I got this via Amazon when it was first introduced, so it was a bit of a risk, but in reality there were no issues. I've measured it (from USB input) and it performs well too, other than the built-in DSD upsampling which is horrible. But as long as you stick to the DAC chip filters and modulators, or alternatively drive it straight with DSD it works well. I don't use the network or BT functionality, just USB input. So if you want just the same DAC without network stuff, but instead with balanced headphone output, get UD-503 instead. Good thing (compared to UD-501) with the UD/NT-503 is that it works with native DSD up to DSD256 on Linux too. THD @DSD256 (150k analog filter): IMD @DSD256 (150k analog filter): P.S. Jitter is quite a bit lower at DSD256 compared to 44.1k PCM inputs. Jud and wgscott 2 Signalyst - Developer of HQPlayer Pulse & Fidelity - Software Defined Amplifiers Link to comment
Ralf11 Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 I'd just like to know if it sounds better than the Oppo Sonica... Link to comment
beerandmusic Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 7 hours ago, AJ Soundfield said: I didn't know that, so I guess I don't know SCHIIT it was sarcastic because of all the controversy about a thread that was killed that had the title about the yggy is the best dac. Link to comment
watchdoc Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 I'm not sure how Massdrop works but I guess this deal is over??? Link to comment
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