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Showing 1 of 26 conversations about:
axtran
59
May 4, 2018
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I highly recommend getting one of these. If you’re only driving headphones, it is all that you need on your desk/in your setup. I have mine also going into an Audio-GD Master 9. The price is a tad high for this drop, though. If you can get it for $650 or less and you want to kill off any sign of GAS, go ahead and pick this up!
May 4, 2018
coolerking
164
May 4, 2018
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axtranWhy would you highly recommend even 650 for a completely unknown entity from a company with no legacy in the Headphone Space? That is a lot of money!!! What do you like about the product? Can you compare it to any other known products? I am not being hostile, I actually value peoples opinions , especially on the sound signature.
If people want ergonomics, and a "cool retro design" at the expense of quality sound, then, OK, God Bless You.
May 4, 2018
axtran
59
May 4, 2018
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coolerkingWell, TEAC has been known in audio for a long, long time. I used to have an old TEAC stereo that I used with a really old pair of Sony headphones in the early 90’s, as well as a few TEAC source CD players (classics!).
What they’ve done here is create an evolution of their progression through DACs which include headphone amplifiers. The big key with the sound is that it is full and silky, if you wanted my opinion on an adjective for how I feel about the sound. It definitely is _not_ clinical. This is actually the last device that I purchased which stopped my hunt for a DAC (I’ve been through Schiit’s Modi 2, Bifrost Multibit, a Geek Pulse X, and an Audio-GD NFB28 before realizing that I enjoyed NOS DAC sound). The only other DACs that I still own are an OL DAC (just small for the work office) and a TDA1543 NOS DAC that I use with my electrostats. Otherwise, the silky sound out of this UD-503 reminds me of what I get out of Philips DACs (which is specifically the smooth and silky sound that I like).
From a power perspective, this amplifier is strong. It really only shows slight weakness if I give it a super hungry driver (e.g. Fostex T50RP). I purchased my Audio-GD Master 9 before I found the UD-503, else I doubt I’d even own the amplifier myself—that’s saying a lot (I hope) about how I feel about the headphone amp built-in.
The design features are trendy. The feet here have the “vibration absorbing” design to it, and the screen looks good. The smooth knob feel and the general build quality is extremely good.
Hope that helps!
May 4, 2018
BlueSkies
89
May 5, 2018
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axtranI love my TEAC setup (UD-501 + HA-501 + Beyer T1v1). A lot of people have an "attitude" that wont let them open up their minds and try this. If they can get past that and try this equipment, it's a shock to many how good it sounds. I'm like you - I don't look at "upgrades" anymore. I'm done.
May 5, 2018
axtran
59
May 5, 2018
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BlueSkiesNice! I had slight skepticism because I do enjoy seeing things like raving reviews online, however I do also know that in audio, my ears are the only ones that matter. I took a leap of faith and purchased my UD-503, and I have no regrets, at all. It's nice to be able to find a single unit that can do it all, for the sake of desk space. my Master 9 is definitely huge and overbearing on my desk, in my tiny little office.
I also own a pair of Beyer T1v1's that I use with this setup, and it's one of my favorite headphones in my collection. The sound is exactly on-point! The only modification that I have performed on the Beyer was when I drilled out holes for Mini-XLR jacks, so that I can run removable cables and my balanced setup.
May 5, 2018
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