TEAC CD Player Comparison: VRDS-701, VRDS-701T & PD-505T | Moon Audio
Aug 19, 2024 at 2:08 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 2
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✨ https://www.moon-audio.com/blogs/expert-advice/teac-cd-transports-review-comparison ✨

SHOP THE VIDEO
➕ TEAC VRDS-701 CD Player, USB DAC: https://www.moon-audio.com/products/vrds-701-cd-player-usb-dac
➕ TEAC VRDS-701T CD Transport: https://www.moon-audio.com/products/vrds-701t-cd-transport
➕ TEAC PD-505T CD Transport: https://www.moon-audio.com/products/pd-505t-cd-transport
➕ TEAC UD-701N DAC Headphone Amp: https://www.moon-audio.com/products/ud-701n-headphone-amplifier-usb-dac-and-network-player
➕ TEAC CG-10M Clock: https://www.moon-audio.com/products/teac-cg-10m-a-master-clock-generator
➕ Meze Empyrean II Headphones: https://www.moon-audio.com/products/empyrean-2-headphones (Original Discontinued)
➕ Silver Dragon Premium Cable for Meze Headphones: https://www.moon-audio.com/products/silver-dragon-cable-meze-headphones
➕ Blue Dragon Power Cable: https://www.moon-audio.com/products/blue-dragon-power-cord
➕ Black Dragon Coax Digital Cable: https://www.moon-audio.com/products/black-dragon-coax-digital-cable
➕ Silver Dragon USB Cable: https://www.moon-audio.com/products/silver-dragon-usb-cable

🎶 Yep, you read that right! CDs are hip again. 💿

✨🎧 It's time to blow the dust off your beloved CD collection because audiophiles have made CD transports hip again! Yep, CD transports are back and we're comparing two TEAC CD transports, the VRDS-701T and PD-505T vs the VRDS-701 CD Player — Let's get to it! 🎧✨
 
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Aug 24, 2024 at 6:12 PM Post #2 of 2
Thanks for posting this. Was looking for the review Drew promised when he posted the unboxing > here. Anyway, I happen to own the Teac VRDS 701 CPD / DAC...

My-Desktop-Stereo.jpg


BTW please note it's recommended (in the owner's manual) to NOT use the handles as a pickup point. Page 2, right side Caution block....
The handle-like parts on the left and right sides of the front panel are decorative. Do not put your fingers through them
or use them to carry the unit.
But, yeah, the handles can be used to move the unit, but per Teac, I'd definitely not use them carry it.

Sound...
So if you're seeking a borderline analytical sound with some nice bottom-end presence then you'll enjoy the VRDS-701. The main differences between these units lie in their features, technology, and ergonomic scenarios which we'll jump right into!
Per my setup - Denafrips Iris DDC via optical cable > Teac 701 via SPDIF coaxial >Denafrips Pontus DAC via XLR cables > Denafrips Artemis headphone amp with the HD800S via balanced out (or HD700 with balanced Black Dragon cable), I find the CD player to be neutral, with plenty of detail, soundstage, presence, and bass. I will add the Artemis headphone amp is described as a colored amp (warm) which also balances out the HD800S phones so this CDP sounds really good there.

With the Teac 701 as a standalone unit and pushing my Audioengine HD6 active speakers, the sound is less expansive and there's a slight loss in detail. Admittedly though my speakers aren't premier, but they're still a good enpough for close listening desktop speakers. In fact, I rather like this pairing as I find low listening levels are really good coming with the Teac.

Note, I'm not able to run the speakers through the Denafrips Pontus DAC or Artemis headphone amp as there are no outputs on the Artemis aside the headphone out, and the Pontus is an either-or output amp - meaning use either the XLR or RCA outs. I run the XLR outs to the Artemis for the best sound. My system is built for headphones not speakers.

The Teac 701 CD/DAC as a unit is brilliant with lots of features for digital file playback, and also supports MQA CD's....

Fourplay Between The Sheets MQA.jpg


I have both the original CD release and now the MQA version, and the cut to the chase impression is hard to tell the difference. Some tracks sound better on the original, some on the MQA version. Overall though the bass is better on the original release, but I'm sure that's more original mastering than "MQA", but....

As for VRDS clamping / damping, I can attest it works. With my old Rotel RCD-1072 CD player if I pushed hard the drawer of the stand it was sitting on the CD would skip. On the Teac, I can (lightly) slam the drawer closed and the CD would play as though nothing happened. So yeah, very good with vibrations and bumps - and cleaner playback.

The Teac 701 VRDS CDP/DAC is a great unit and well built. All one has to do is remove four top screws and a solid piece aluminum cover to marvel at the craftsmanship put into this unit.

Listening to CDs on this through my headphone setup is just pure joy, and the sound is pretty much lifelike with great channel separation, staging, and detail. Vocals are clear, front, and center. Midrange is excellent, bass is hard and impactful.

Price.... Honestly, I think $3799 is a bit rich (I was fortunate to get it for 2/3 thirds that new), and especially since it doesn't support SACD playback. But.... you do get a well-made piece of gear that truly performs. Here's a review Darko did on it - NEXT-LEVEL sound quality with CDs & STREAMING | TEAC VRDS-701 review....



My only regret looking back is perhaps not going with a unit that supports SACDs such as the Marantz SACD 30N, which also happens to be $900 bucks cheaper. On the other hand of my near 3000 CDs, I only have about 15 SACDs, so.... Outside of SACDs, no regrets.

My two cents.

To add a note.... when I say the 701 doesn't support SACDs, that is they don't support the SACD "only" channel format. If you have "Hybrid SACD"s, they're also playable on standard CD players such as the Teach 701. You won't get the DSD channel, you'd get the PCM channel instead.
 
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