TEAC Introduces UD-507 DAC, Preamp, and Headphone Amplifier

TEAC Corporation announced the release of a completely redesigned 500 Series DAC/Preamp/Headphone Amplifier, embracing the high-end 700 Series design concept in a compact A4 size package. The new TEAC UD-507 has everything to please anyone looking for a high-quality, affordable DAC, with all the right features for high resolution audio, wired and wireless. The headphone amplifier is a fully balanced dual mono circuit, and the preamplifier features multiple analog/digital inputs.​
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The TEAC UD-507 is equipped with the company's proprietary "TRDD5" (TEAC Reference Discrete DAC), which was designed following in the footsteps of the discrete DAC design applied to the acclaimed 701 series. "The most important feature of the UD-507 is the newly designed and manufactured "TRDD 5" discrete D/A converter. The design goal of this in-house developed discrete DAC is to provide a more immersive musical experience for all listeners. Thanks to the clear soundstage and precise imaging, you will discover the breath and articulation of your favorite artists that you never noticed before," explains Jo Yoshida, TEAC Brand Manager.

In this DAC design, all digital input signals are processed at 64-bit/512fs by a delta-sigma modulator in FPGA, which incorporates a proprietary algorithm, and converted to analog signals by 16 elements per channel (one element is a pair of logic circuits and a low-pass filter with high-precision resistors). DSD signals are processed directly, while PCM signals are converted to a 1-bit signal by a delta-sigma modulator before being output as a high-quality analog signal. As a USB DAC, the UD-507 supports up to 22.5MHz DSD and 32-bit/384kHz PCM playback, and users can select between two operating methods: multilevel (multi-bit) delta-sigma method or the 1-bit delta-sigma method.

For USB audio playback, the TEAC UD-507 supports Asynchronous USB, which controls PCM and DSD data transfers by synchronizing to the clock generated by the UD-507’s internal high-precision crystal oscillator, instead of synchronizing to eventually noisy PC or external source clocks. The UD-507 offers two types of dedicated clocks, 44.1kHz and 48kHz, each of which applies an audio-grade high-precision crystal oscillator with low phase noise to input signals at integer multiples, minimizing the effect of jitter on sound quality and faithfully reproducing the original sound. The UD-507 also supports a 10MHz external clock input that can be synchronized to an external master clock signal. Synchronization with a high-precision external clock enables an upgrade to even higher quality music reproduction.
  The D/A converter section is independent of the left and right channels, and a dual monaural circuit is used throughout the analog output stage. The dual monaural configuration, with two monaural circuits for each channel, prevents interference between L/R signals and improves perceived stereo image.

​The UD-507 is a headphone amplifier featuring the TEAC-HCLD2 (TEAC High Current Line Driver), which is characterized by its high current supply capability. Compared to the previous model, the maximum output power has been greatly improved by strengthening the power supply, resulting in a generous driving power of 1,200mW + 1,200mW (balanced output at 100 ohm load), which is comparable to a dedicated headphone amplifier without DAC. The power amplifier gain can be switched between 3 positions (Low/Mid/High) to fine-tune the output to best match the sensitivity and impedance of the headphones. The UD-507 is equipped with a 4-Pin XLR and Pentaconn jack with switchable balanced/active ground.
 
For use as a preamplifier, the UD-507 incorporates the TEAC-QVCS (Quad Volume Control System) high precision analog volume attenuator and a powerful TEAC-HCLD2 high current line buffer circuit. A wide variety of devices can be connected to the five digital inputs and two analog inputs (unbalanced and balanced), including USB Type-B (rear), USB Type-C (front), Coaxial, Optical, and Bluetooth. The chassis designed was also improved, with the UD-507 featuring a new 2.8mm thick top plate, and the transformer suspended from the base plate in a floating structure, designed to minimize to prevent vibrations. A new mechanism, TEAC’s original Stressless Feet v2, which has a gap between the bottom plate and the foot, was also implemented to thoroughly control vibrations that affect sound quality.

On the wireless front, the UD-507 supports LDAC and LHDC codecs for high-resolution audio (up to 24-bit/96kHz), as well as Qualcomm aptX HD, which is capable of transmitting at 24-bit/48kHz from compatible sources. The UD-507 also supports versatile codecs such as AAC and Qualcomm aptX and supports multipoint connectivity, allowing two devices to be wirelessly connected at the same time.

Other key features include full MQA decoding on all digital inputs except Bluetooth, and an up-sampling function that uses RDOT-NEO (Refined Digital Output Technology NEO) to smoothly augment PCM digital audio signals and upconvert their sampling frequencies 2, 4 or 8 times (up to 384kHz maximum).

TEAC also bundles the free Teac HR Audio Player software for Windows and Mac, allowing anyone to easily play 22.5MHz DSD and 32-bit/384kHz PCM from computers. By simply starting the software and selecting the UD-507 connected by a USB cable, digital audio data can be transmitted reliably in optimal conditions.
 
The UD-507 will be available for purchase in June 2024. Pricing is yet to be confirmed.
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