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Teac UD-503-B Dual-Monaural USB DAC with Headphone Amplifier Black
Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Teac |
Color | Black |
Connectivity Technology | Wired |
Special Feature | noise-isolation |
Included Components | Remote control (RC-1319), AAA Batteries x 2, RCA-Mini Plug Cable, Power Cord, Cushion for Foot x 3, Owner's Manual (including Warranty card) See more |
About this item
- USB DAC that supports 11.2MHz DSD and 384kHz/32-bit PCM
- Dual-monaural circuit structure used from the power supply to the digital and analog sections
- Both left and right channels have their own high-end AK4490 DACs, which are made by Asahi Kasei Micro devices Corporation
- Two high-capacity toroidal core power transformers-one each for left and right channels
- Four types of PCM digital filter and two types of DSD filter
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Product details
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- Product Dimensions : 17 x 13 x 7 inches; 9.3 Pounds
- Item model number : UD-503-B
- Date First Available : December 31, 2015
- Manufacturer : TEAC America, Inc.
- ASIN : B0179XNQUQ
- Customer Reviews:
Product Description
Dual-monaural USB DAC that supports 11.2MHz DSD with built-in fully-balanced/parallel-unbalanced headphone amplifier DAC with dual-monaural structure is even more advanced High-performance VERITA AK4490 DACs support 11.2MHz DSD and 384kHz/32-bit PCM For DAC chips, which are the keys to digital audio, we have used VERITA AK4490 DACs, which are made by Asahi Kasei Micro devices Corporation and have an established reputation for use in high-end audio equipment. The VELVET SOUND architecture provides the fine expressive capability suitable for the playback of high-resolution audio sources that reproduce sound waves outside the human audible range. Furthermore, a newly developed low distortion technology enables performance of S/(N+D) = 112 db.
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the build quality of the headphone amp. They say it is a good quality hi-end DAC with built in headphone amplifier. However, some customers disagree on sound quality.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers are satisfied with the build quality of the headphones. They mention that it has a good quality hi-end DAC with built-in headphone amp.
"...research said this was the unit I was looking for… a good a good quality hi-end DAC with built in headphone amp that delivered. Sold!..." Read more
"Nice sound, great build quality, nice functions and features but I personally did not care for the "Velvet" sound of the AK4490 DACs..." Read more
"Quality DSD DAC." Read more
Customers are mixed about the sound quality of the DAC. Some mention that the clarity and overall sound quality produced by this DAC revealed the equipment. They say that it sounds equally solid and beautiful, with a more realistic sound reproduction. However, others say that they did not care for the velvet sound, and that the music always came out scrambled.
"...The sound is clear, clean, and concise here, and those bass notes drop. The 503 also makes files like AAC and MP3 files sound better than they are...." Read more
"...I played music in DCart 10 and through the UD-503 the music always came out scrambled. I correctly re-installed UD-503 drivers 3 times to no avail...." Read more
"Nice sound, great build quality, nice functions and features but I personally did not care for the "Velvet" sound of the AK4490 DACs..." Read more
"...This DAC has a more realistic sound reproduction especially if your preference is classical music and songs compared with the Oppo HA-1 which I've..." Read more
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Anyway to make a long story short, after researching both the UD-301 & 501, I was set to get UD-501 when I found Teac had a 503 model. Further research said this was the unit I was looking for… a good a good quality hi-end DAC with built in headphone amp that delivered. Sold!
Let me say this… if you’re looking for a quality DAC and/or a headphone amp, the UD-503 could fill both needs at a reasonable price.
I build my own PC’s and my current system is a Windows 10 Pro, x64 on an Intel i7 4770K processor; 512gig SSD drive (OS); 2TB hard drive (storage); 32gig of RAM on Gigabyte G1 Sniper 5 motherboard. The board has a built in Creative 3D Core soundcard, but I’m using my dedicated Creative ZXR card instead. I’m also running a Sapphire (AMD) R9 Fury graphics card, but I don’t use it for sound.
Sound components…
• Audioengine A5+ powered speakers
• Audioengine S8 Subwoofer
• Audioengine D1 DAC
• Creative ZXR card with daughter board (DBPro)
• Teac UD-503 DAC
• LG Blu-Ray Writer
• Media Players: JRiver Media Center; iTunes (latest versions).
• Music files: CD’s, MP3, AAC
• Cables: generic high quality, with the USB cable being Belkin’s Gold Series A/B cable (6ft).
The setup (Windows 10) … Prior to connecting the UD-503 to a Windows PC download Teac’s USB drivers from their website and install them. The unit won’t work without them. No need for Mac users.
Connect all your components and connect the unit to the PC via USB. BTW I also connected the Optical (SPDIF) connection to my soundcard as well. The 503 allows for multiple inputs you can toggle through them via the Input selector. Basic setup of the unit is painless and easy at the unit’s default settings. And there are no required driver setting to be messed with. Plug and Play.
Initial thoughts…. It’s smaller than I’d imagined even with its listed dimensions of 11.5 W x 9.7/8 D x 3.3/8 H. It’s heavy (9.3Lbs) and feels well balanced; there’s minimal plastic on the unit (display panel, connectors), and Its black brushed metal body is extremely stylish. The feet (3) on the bottom of the unit swivels. The on/off switch is a silver level which looks great against the black of the unit. It’s certainly is a nice looking DAC.
For those of you thinking about opening up the unit for a peek, you’ll need a small torx head screwdriver. You’ll also need a bigger one for the side panels.
Speaking of on/off… if the unit goes into standby mode you’ll have to toggle the switch off and on again to fire up the unit. Imputing a sound source alone won’t do it. The 503 will go into Standby mode if no signal is sensed for 30 minute. You can only disable Standby, not change its settings.
The volume knob is the continuous type. Volume settings are retained and separate for both analogue and headphone output. Yes, there is only one volume knob, but the unit switches internally when it senses headphones.
Speaking of volume, there are 4 line out levels to choose from – Off, Variable, Fixed +6db, and Fixed 0. Off provides no line out signal; Fixed 0 and +6 allows the volume to be controlled from another unit. The +6 just adds a tad more power to the volume. These setting don’t affect the headphone amp. Variable allows you to use the volume control on the unit itself.
On my system when using the USB connection, I’m unable to control 503’s volume from my PC. I actually called Teac’s tech about this and the person I spoke to confirmed it was happening to one of their machines. They indicated this would be looked into and perhaps a new driver would solve it. Stay tuned. For now, I use the remote.
That said though, it is possible to control the volume from PC when using the optical out (SPDIF) connection. However, you’ll be required to choose the Playback Device for which the optical connection belongs to, and not the TEAC drivers. This option could affect your sampling range.
Remote…. The UD-503 comes with hand held remote about 8 inches tall, 1.5 inches wide, ¾ inch deep. It has a brushed silver aluminum face with a semi-matte plastic body. It solid and heavy and balance well in the hand. It covers everything the unit can do, and has 18 buttons divided in 3 sections. This leaves you about 5 inches of space at the bottom of the remote and it fits comfortably in your hand and leaves your thumb within easy reach of the volume and mute buttons.
Heat – No heat issues, and no vents. I’ve also had it running for hours and it barely gets warm.
Sound… I’m not a sound engineer or true audiophile but I do like good clean sounding music and as such collect audiophile grade cd’s including JVC’s XRCD, MFSL, DCC, Japanese SHM pressings, etc.
When I now listen to these CD’s through my LG Blu-Ray drive on my PC through the 503, there’s an airiness about the music that wasn’t there before in both the ZXR and D1 DAC. The music now seems warm, fuller and lush, even at low volume. I must say Audioengine’s A5+, their S8 sub coupled with the 503 plays very well here, and creates a powerful PC sound system.
The UD-503 has a warmth and musical character that neither the ZXR or D1 DAC can match. Though the Audioengine D1 DAC, is nearer to the Teac in sound quality than the ZXR, it falls short in terms of warmth, and bass.
And for the record, I love all types of music but my favorites are early 70’s to late 80’s jazz, R&B, and rock. I’m not a bass head, it’s just you notice the bass when playing something like Return to Forever’s Duel of the Jester and the Tyrant. This is a jazz rock band featuring Chick Corea, keys; Al Di Meola, Stanley Clarke, guitars; and Lenny White Drums, put on a 12-minute jam session in that title track. The sound is clear, clean, and concise here, and those bass notes drop. The 503 also makes files like AAC and MP3 files sound better than they are. Keep this in mind though… garbage in = garbage out. At the end of the day I suspect the 503 will only be hindered by the source you feed it, and not the other way around.
Headphone wise is where the UD-503 blows the Audioengine D1 DAC out the water. Unfortunately, my AudioTechnica ATH MX50’s went belly up so I’m currently stuck with just my Bose QC 25’s, until I replace the MX50’s with Sennheiser’s HD 700’s. That said, I will say the QC 15’s sound vastly improved listening to them through the 503’s headphone amp. No doubt there. Clear winner… 503. I can only imagine what the Sennheiser HD 700’s are going to sound like when I get them. More to come.
Music players… Right now I’m currently doing a trial run with JRiver since it seems like a nice companion to the UD-503 with features and setting designed to get the most sound out of your sound files. For now, both JRiver and iTunes are using files encoded in AAC under iTunes at 256 kbps.
Final thoughts (for now) … All and all, though the 503’s cost was more than I envisioned spending, I’m glad I got it. It’s an investment that should give years of satisfaction with listening to music at my PC. It’s also one beautiful piece of equipment; and to my ears it sounds equally solid and beautiful. And the fact that I don’t have to go out and purchase and additional headphone amp is a big bonus also. More to come.
Highly recommended. 5 Stars.
I found 2 issues with the UD-503-B. I have been restoring music off of vinyl for over 20 years using Diamond Cut Production software (currently using DCart 10). EVERYTIME I played music in DCart 10 and through the UD-503 the music always came out scrambled. I correctly re-installed UD-503 drivers 3 times to no avail. To be fair, I am having trouble with a DLL file that crashes DCart 10 quite often, And this problem may have started before I got the TEAC. The day before I sent it back, I went back and tried different ways to see if it would scramble in MediaMonkey or YouTube - and the UD-503 worked fine.
2ND ISSUE - I may have kept the unit but in the final analysis - I don't like the Velvet Sound. When you have great music performances and sound quality - you get pulled into it and continue to say . . . what can I play next.
Not so with the Teac UD-503 - it is not Ear Candy (and for that price it should be).
Note: IMHO My Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (older version) has a better sound.
Had high hopes and expectations but forced to return. I do not recommend this DAC.
Seriously, one would think that if TEAC is selling a unit like this for $1,000 and Senn is selling headphones for another $1,000, between the two companies, this should not be a scavenger hunt. The only cable which I have found that comes close is a $150 dual 3 pin male XLR HD800 cable matching set, and it will arrive from China sometime before Thanksgiving! Senn sells a 4 pin male XLR cable set which basically is an attempt to force the buyer to buy another Senn product for $2,000!
The only adapter I have located that would work with the Senn 4 pin ending XLR make, is a single 4 pin female XLR which is attached to a 3 conductor 1/4 headphone plug. For the dual 3 pin male XLR ends, I would have to sit around waiting for the boat to arrive from China; even after spending $150 and waiting 3-4 weeks, what will be unload from the container, which could easily be packed with 3 million of these 3 ounce pieces of wire; and I will then move on to phase 2 of this purchase for the "off brand" cable only gets one half way to finishing the job; for it requires another purchase of a dual 3 pin XLR female to 1/4 male headphone plug to make the connection to the TEAC which has been warming up for the big day!
It is absolutely wrong for Senn to attach a $350 bill to their own "in house" $25 production cost cable which has the inflated prices which would blow the tires on my car; and as far as I am concerned it should be included with the headphones, unless of course Senn concedes that the sound quality improvement isn't worth their effort and expense to get the customer to hang on to this product any more than we already are.
These kind of things I find to be rather troubling for this should all have been thought through by both TEAC and Senn, and at the bare minimum make it well known and highly visible on each of their websites, where the customer should be looking to get the best performance possible out of each product.
If I don't find a solution by tomorrow, both of these guys are back in the box and I will be more than happy to settle for a slight loss in quality, but knowing that I am getting the most out of the products without being sent on a very unnecessary scavenger hunt.
So TEAC, if you happen to read this, I hope you can respond and tell us what you had in mind when you placed dual headphone ports on the front of your UD-503 along with dual 3 pin XLR balanced ports on the rear. Did you study the market, making sure that the products would be readily available, seeing that you had not intention of providing at least the y cable adapter?
And as for you Senn, is it possible that after all of these years of success, you have taken customers like myself, for granted, forgetting that many of us first had to dream of owning such a quality and expensive product, and then to satisfy the desire; have purchased several of your products on the way to finally "making the big leagues"?
Do you not realize that by selling one very unsatisfactory cable, which you have priced at 1/3 of the cost of your reference flag-ship headphones; you are leading anyone who has 5th grade math skills, to conclude that 3 x the cost of production for the cables is the most accurate indicator of one of two things; #1 your headphones are way overpriced, or #2 you are deliberately taking advantage of your loyal customers and apparently; that is, assuming that the corporate math skills average out to be at least 5th grade, you have thought this all though while sitting around the corporate table. Did anyone mention that this kind of thing might shake the confidence of your customers, and that by being willing to take another 1/3 of what the headphones cost, was placing your integrity on a questionable foundation?
Hope to hear from one or both of you. Seriously, how hard can it be to produce a quality cable which attaches to the HD 800's and to save money you could have continue to have the cables ending in two 3 pin male XLR's; and then include in the box a small little lunch zip lock with two 3 pin female XLR-1/4 inch 3 contact headphone plug adapters. this simple gesture is not only a sound business decision but also a very profitable customer care step which lends to customer endearment. We all would basically now be all set for, both of the two most likely balance cable options which are found on the majority of the equipment which serves the HD 800's allowing us to hear your very well made product.
"It is what every one else does"; yes this we all know ,but it is amazing that this childhood excuse we have all used on our moms and dads when we were at a more innocent age; is till being used in the adult corporate world today.
All the best to you, for that would mean all the best to your customers.
Thanks!