Thread: TEAC UD-501: Dual Mono DAC with DSD Streaming

Originally Posted by wisnon

Pity you said the Qute is harsh, I was thinking its one to get.

I couldn't use my Naim Nait XS with the demo as it's with Naim at the moment. I used my MA RX6 speakers, Chord Odyssey 2 cable and at first a Cyrus 8XPd, then an Audiolab 8200a. DSD playback was OK, but what we all like about DSD is it's musicality when compared to hires PCM, the QuteHD just sounded a bit artificial to me. As for 16/44, a FLAC rip of the Nirvana MoFi CD, Smells Like Teen Spirit was just not listenable to. Yet it sounds great through my Rega DAC.

Originally Posted by Afveep

Jblack or silver, for $949.00

Given the spec, if sounds good, it's still great value. I reckon it'll end up at £799 in the UK rather than the £699 shown on What Hifi's site.

Originally Posted by Afveep

Just got an email from Acoustic Sounds. It is indeed in stock, in black or silver, for $949.00
Vinyl Records, SACDs, DVD Audio, Audiophile Equipment | Acoustic Sounds

Same supplier found on Amazon.com

$849.99 at Elusive Disc, but not in stock yet....

TEAC UD-501 DUAL-MONAURAL PCM/DSD USB DAC (BLACK)-Elusive Disc

I'm in the U.S., ordered mine already, and got a much better deal than what's been listed here so far above from Ron Buffington at http://liquidhifi.com/. He's an Esoteric and Teac dealer (among other brands).

Ron's contact info is ronaldbuffington@msn.com, 704-953-6034.

I usually don't post referrals like this, but I wouldn't feel right knowing you guys are looking at paying more than the MSRP for this thing.

I just ordered one from the same guy mentioned above. When I heard his quote, I couldn't place my order fast enough. Hopefully I will have mine in about a week or so. I'm very excited to finally get to listen to one of these units!

A guy from our local community just need a initial comparison of the TEAC versus his Meitner. Head over here for a read:-

Native DSD Playback & Mytek Stereo 192-DSD DAC Discussion Thread

Has anyone seen any Windows drivers available for download yet for the Teac 501?

Sure, all the links you need are here:
TEAC UD-501 DUAL-MONAURAL PCM/DSD USB DAC (BLACK)-Elusive Disc

Thanks wisnon

Welcome!

@valenroy

Have you ever tried connecting the DAC directly into the amp and manage volume in software? I know JRiver MC even recomends their volume control as superior to most preamp solutions, but don't know if Foobar has that feature.

It would certainly help get a componet out of the chain

Originally Posted by Selarom

@valenroy

Have you ever tried connecting the DAC directly into the amp and manage volume in software? I know JRiver MC even recomends their volume control as superior to most preamp solutions, but don't know if Foobar has that feature.

It would certainly help get a componet out of the chain

I did try for a short period of time using Audirvana's MBIT+ dithering volume control and I wasn't too impressed. It works fine for PCM material but when it comes to DSD, the data stream is piped to the DAC without any volume attenuation possible. This itself has already put me off the concept. As with all digital volume control, bits are discarded to lower the gain. Foobar works with PCM material as well but the same limitations applies to DSD. Hope that answers your question.

Originally Posted by valenroy

I did try for a short period of time using Audirvana's MBIT+ dithering volume control and I wasn't too impressed. It works fine for PCM material but when it comes to DSD, the data stream is piped to the DAC without any volume attenuation possible. This itself has already put me off the concept. As with all digital volume control, bits are discarded to lower the gain. Foobar works with PCM material as well but the same limitations applies to DSD. Hope that answers your question.

Right, I didnt think about dsd. I dont think the software manages the dsd stream other than at 1bit/2.8 mhz. I guess if it could do it at something like 32 bit(like the Sabre DAC), it could attenuate the volume enough that you dont loose that only bit of information. But I dont know much about this stuff, maybe Miska can clarify here..

Thanks again Valenroy

Originally Posted by Miska

For PCM if you at the same time increase sampling rate and perform noise shaping you could even reduce number of output bits and still have the same dynamic range the original had. And for DACs that have 32-bit input capability, you have extra 48 dB space for attenuation for 24-bit content, or 96 dB for 16-bit content.

DSD just needs different algorithm, but all the same stuff can be done with DSD too.

So it is possible, but there is no algorithm yet... I seem to re-call from an article somewhere that some studios are mixing in DSD using something like "DSD high" where DSD they work at 8bit/2.8mhz (dithered?) and then when done they go back to 1 bit/2.8mhz.

Would it be something along those lines?

Don't want to get the thread on a tangent, but just thinking it would be cool not having to use a preamp and go directly to amp from the DAC. Not that using preamps is bad, but it seems that the general consensus is that the less items in the chain, the better.

It be interesting to know how good is the TEAC playing DSD straight to AMP with volume controlled digitally from playback software done properly.

Originally Posted by Miska

Well, I have my own algorithm in my software, and actually I have now all the processing that is available for PCM available also for DSD. But of course I cannot speak for other software.

Miska:

So you have the mean to control the volume in DSD domain. Is there a loss of sound quality after certain level of attenuation?

Can't get the Teac to play DSD files in J River 18.

I am using ASIO and configured the bitstream to play DSD. However, it won't play.

However, the DSD files play fine using the included TEAC player.

Anyone have any luck getting DSD file playback in J River?

Have you tried Wasapi Event?

Yes, J River with the Teac.

Tried Wasapi Event and still the same problem.

That's worrying, I was going to buy the Teac to use with MC18.