4-pin XLR headphone amplifier that can be switched between balanced and active ground
A total of four diamond buffers, one in each of the left, right, positive and negative circuits, are used in the dedicated headphone amplifier, enabling the connection of balanced drive headphones. Moreover, even during single-end use, by driving these amps in parallel, they can provide stronger drive than ordinary single-end headphone amplifiers. This enables the potential of many types of headphones, including 600Ω high-impedance headphones, to be realized.
Active ground is a drive method, based on the principles of a balance connection, that approaches 0 V by connecting the COLD connector to the ground and driving the ground forcibly using an amplifier circuit. Not only can a more ideal ground be realised than when using an ordinary ground, the impact of humming noise coming from the power can also be suppressed. Moreover, by lowering the noise floor, TEAC expect silence to be deepened, allowing the breathing of the artists and the texture of sounds to be felt more intimately.
MQA full decoder that also supports digital inputs
MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) is a high-quality audio codec that enables playback at the same quality level as studio masters. The UD-701N has an MQA decoder that controls D/A-converted waveforms with a precision as fine as 5 ms in order to achieve analog waveforms that are true to the original recordings. Playback sound that seems like the original to the human ear can be achieved by greatly reducing the “sound blurring” that occurs easily when sounds start suddenly and at other times when sound pressure differences are extreme.
Since a full decoder is included, in addition to file and network playback, MQA data from digital inputs can also be decoded. Playback of MQA CDs is possible by connecting the digital output of a CD player to the UD-701N.
Upconversion
The upconversion function 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 (384kHz maximum). RDOT, which applies an analogous interpolation method using fluency logic, is a technology that was developed to enable reproduction and playback of frequencies higher than 20 kHz that are lost by 44.1kHz/48kHz digital signals. Based on the information read, analogous data is generated between the waveform samples, which also results in data above 20 kHz.
Bluetooth® receiver supports LDAC, aptX™ HD and other high-resolution transmission formats
In addition to the LDAC™ and LHDC codecs, which can transmit audio data with quality that is considered high resolution (96kHz/24-bit), it also supports Qualcomm® aptX™ HD, which is capable of 48kHz/24-bit transmission. Of course, the popular AAC, Qualcomm® aptX™ and SBC codecs are also supported, so you can easily enjoy high-quality wireless playback from smartphones and digital audio players.
Support for popular and convenient network functions, including OpenHome and Roon Ready
Common control apps that support OpenHome can be used with the UD-701N, which also supports this platform. Moreover, playlists on the UD-701N can be managed using TEAC HR Streamer and other control apps that support OpenHome. Gapless playback is also supported. With support for Roon Ready, functions provided by RAAT (Roon Advanced Audio Transport), including high-quality audio playback, easy and convenient operation using apps, and multi-room synchronised playback, can be used without limits.
* Support for Roon Ready will be added in a firmware update made available after product release.
Spotify Connect, Tidal, Qobuz, and TuneIn (Internet Radio)
Along with Spotify Connect, this model also supports Tidal and Qobuz, which are subscription music streaming services that enable listening to lossless CD-quality (44.1kHz/16-bit) recordings.
* Tidal Connect will be added in a firmware update made available after product release.
Bulk Pet USB transfer technology enables stable data transmission
When transmitting large amounts of digital data by USB cable from high-resolution audio sources, large inconsistencies arise in the processing loads of both the sending computer and the receiving USB DAC, and audio dropouts and other problems can occur. Using the Bulk Pet USB transfer technology, however, the same amount of data is transmitted at a steady rate, levelling the processing loads of both sides and realising stable data transmission. Since changes in computer load conditions can also affect audio quality, you can select from four pre-set transmission modes to choose the preferred audio quality.
Design features to prevent vibration
A floating structure is utilised to keep transformers, which can easily cause vibrations, isolated from the bottom panel. The lengths of all the side fins, which are for heat dispersion, have also been adjusted to prevent sympathetic vibrations.
In addition to using the minimum number of circuit board attachment screws, TEAC original pinpoint feet that utilize a new mechanism to provide play where they contact the bottom panel are used to thoroughly suppress vibrations that affect audio quality.
TEAC HR Audio Player, which supports 22.5MHz DSD playback with both Windows and Mac, provided for free
This free dedicated software can be used to easily play 22.5Mhz DSD and 384kHz/32-bit PCM, which represent the next generation of high-resolution audio sources, from Windows and Macintosh computers. By simply starting the software and selecting the UD-701N connected by a USB cable, digital audio data can be transmitted reliably with optimal conditions.
Since this software is designed for use with this model, there is no need to worry about the troubles that often occur with USB audio settings, including "no sound being output even when the USB DAC is recognised" and "sound being down-converted when it is output."
TEAC HR Streamer, which enables high-resolution playback from smartphones and tablets, provided for free
TEAC have prepared the Teac HR Streamer; a network control app of our own design, that supports Open Home. With the ability to make libraries by loading artwork and music tag data from song data already stored on NAS, intuitive and quick track selection operations are possible. Furthermore, you can select tracks and add them to playlists as you like, crossing freely between cloud services and local networks, including audio files stored on NAS and USB flash drives, as well as FLAC and MQA sources on Tidal and Qobuz. TEAC HR Streamer can be used on iOS and Android devices.
