NEXT-LEVEL sound quality with CDs & STREAMING

NEXT-LEVEL sound quality with CDs & STREAMING | TEAC VRDS-701 review

Рет қаралды 101,089

Күн бұрын

This episode is brought to you by T+A and Roon:
👉 www.ta-hifi.de/en/
👉 roon.app/en/
🎥 Camera: John Darko
🎬 Editor: John Darko
🌈 Colour: Olaf von Voss
🕺🏻 Motion GFX: John Darko
💰 Ad segment: Jana Dagdagan
🎵 Song IDs? Playlists of all music heard in this video - and other videos - can be found on PATREON: / johndarko
0:00 Intro
1:09 vs Hegel Viking
3:12 Some technical stuff
5:10 Adding a network streamer
7:39 Headphone listening + CG-10M external clock
10:17 HAL 9000 + final thoughts
👉 As seen in this video...
TEAC VRDS-701
📖 eu.teac-audio.com/de-AT/audio...
TEAC CG-10M
📖 eu.teac-audio.com/de-AT/audio...
Hegel Viking
📺 darko.audio/2023/06/hegel-ann...
Cambridge Audio Edge NQ
🛒 audioadvice.io/Cambridge
Cambridge Audio Edge power amplifier
🛒 audioadvice.io/Cambridge
Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G
🛒 www.audioadvice.com/monitor-a...
FiiO R7
🛒 amzn.to/4aYGnQT
FiiO R9
📖 www.fiio.com/r9
Bluesound Node X
🛒 audioadvice.io/Bluesound
Eversolo DMP-A8
🛒 audioadvice.io/DMP-A8
FiiO FT3
🛒 amzn.to/4b1gAY9
Cables and power products by AudioQuest
🛒 audioadvice.io/Audioquest
Hi-fi furniture and speaker stands by Solid Steel
🛒 howl.me/ckbW9947Hdi
Room treatment by Vicoustic
📖 audioadvice.io/Vicoustic
Darko.Audio may earn a small commission from items purchased via affiliate links indicated with a '🛒'.
#cdplayer #cds #TEAC
__________________________________________________________________
📖 PLEASE READ *before commenting*!
1) Polite comments that advance the conversation are most welcome
2) No URLs, racist/sexist remarks or conspiracy theories
3) All comments here are moderated by a third-party
__________________________________________________________________
⏰ How our KZfaq videos get made:
darko.audio/2021/10/how-our-y...
Darko.Audio FAQ:
darko.audio/faq/
Why are/were comments turned OFF?
darko.audio/2020/10/why-im-sw...
What the bloody hell am I talking about?
• What the bloody hell a...
How is Darko.Audio funded?
darko.audio/funding/
__________________________________________________________________
🎧 Check out the Darko.Audio podcast:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
open.spotify.com/show/1mnKixp...
/ johnhdarko
__________________________________________________________________
Web: Darko.Audio
Instagram: / darkoaudio

Пікірлер: 257

@eugeneswanepoel877 2 ай бұрын

Americans and Canadians get an aluminum version. That got a smile out of me.

@ChatGPT1111 2 ай бұрын

You mean al-you-miny-umm! 😂😂😂

@YoungThos 2 ай бұрын

Of course, French Canadians still get the aluminium version as standard

@musictube123 2 ай бұрын

Of course, Americans and Canadians get the lower density aluminum version, rest of the world get higher density aluminium version 😊

@DethFromAbove1985 2 ай бұрын

I think an American scientist pronounced it wrong got very embarrassed and changed the spelling on the periodic table for the entire continent.

@contemporaryhomeaudio 2 ай бұрын

lol

@wfifa199 2 ай бұрын

I used to covet the Teac VRDS 7, 10, 20 and 25 cd players of yesteryears. Built like a tank. Good to see this latest version with digital inputs.

@MrNicks-gn8jc 2 ай бұрын

I got a rebuilt McIntosh MCD 7009 to match my Mac system; in part because it has VRDS transport system !!

@Big-J-8579 2 ай бұрын

Nice review and the Teac looks like a keeper. Thanks again!

@DonHamlin 2 ай бұрын

So nice to see a review of this player! I’ve had mine since December and it really is something special.

@RickRolling-tc7vb 2 ай бұрын

Thanks John, I think I had as much fun as you did with this one. Great to see such complete and nuanced reviewing delivered with panache - well done!

@christopherviers8302 2 ай бұрын

Wow...!!! Great review and better yet... Thanks for turning me on to Proem...!!! Nothing better than having someone turn you on to a great book or music...!!! I've started off with Proem's first album - 'Burn Plate No. 1' - as I enjoy beginning with an artist's first album, then listening to the rest of his/her/their work in chronological order, so as to get a sense of their evolution, per se... Thanks again Mr. Darko - much appreciated...!!!

@StrangeBrewReviews 2 ай бұрын

Great DAC in this beautiful machine. And s nice valu..TEACs new lines are amazing

@mwalker2496 2 ай бұрын

VRDS transports are the best transports on the planet. A version of which is also used in $100k Esoteric players and used to be bought by dCS and Wadia until Teac/Esoteric stopped supplying them. This TEAC is a genuine bargain.

@brianconcannon9358 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the Proem recommendation. Great stuff!

@ChrisWhittenMusic 2 ай бұрын

It looks lovely. Will have to save up.

@JoelOman1980 2 ай бұрын

There's something about your reviews Mr. Darko, that makes them soooo enjoyable to listen to/watch even though I know, I'll never afford some of the products on "display". I would love to pick up CDs again, like I was doing in the late 90s and early 00s. But I guess that streaming has made me lazy. Thank you for being such an honest and inspiring person both when it comes to products as well as music! (Yes! I love both the ambient and old school rock music that is mentioned in your videos)

@syanhc 2 ай бұрын

Wonderful review. ❤

@johnpischedda6951 2 ай бұрын

Nice one John !Digital inputs on a CD player are a must for me. Especially high end, when you're paying good money you want to be able to utilise the DAC you've paid for.

@andrewthompson5745 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for reminding me of my Proem CDs! I haven't played them since 2011.

@eyesintheskies 9 күн бұрын

Decided this was the one before I even read a review, good to hear that it lives up to my expectation 😃

@patbarr1351 2 ай бұрын

Always nice to see a great sounding, great looking CD player arrive. And that toggle switch screams "1978!" beautifully.

@professorcalculus5315 2 ай бұрын

Didn’t even know Teac was making high end audio! Thx John

@dannytse8767 2 ай бұрын

TEAC makes an even higher end line called Esoteric.

@Kukkema 2 ай бұрын

Let’s go!

@slip6699 2 ай бұрын

Haha that US /Canadian joke was well played.

@zerostat 2 ай бұрын

Yes pleas, music list and thank you!

@Brett1334 2 ай бұрын

Some of teacs higher end amps etc all look amazing, definitely need some more reviews of more of their gear!

@StrangeBrewReviews 2 ай бұрын

the TEAC ap505 hypexNcore is incredible, perfect for demanding bookshelf speakers.

@MrShufunk 2 ай бұрын

I love how you're so honest and saying things like "it's not a night and day difference" you don't hear that anywhere else imo 😊

@Touringtim 2 ай бұрын

Desperately WANT one!

@liverpoolk648 2 ай бұрын

Hi John...Liverpool Kev here...Firstly...I love your videos...your presentation style is simply wonderful...I am in my 60s now and have loved 'value HiFi' all of my life and have several HiFi setups across home and office...You clearly have a great sense of humour so hope you take this the right way....several years ago in UK...there was a wine tasting lady on tv who used ever more bizarre descriptions in wine tasting...I am sure she said once 'mmm yes badger with a touch of tarmac'...(might have made that one up) ...some of your descriptions (which I love by the way) have a touch of the Jilly Goolden about them....look her up John...I hope you will appreciate the crossover into high end HiFi audio description...Do take care and thank you so much for your videos....Liverpool Kev

@OldGuyHifi 2 ай бұрын

I saw it it at AXPONA. Sounded pretty good considering the venue.

@DavidMorley 2 ай бұрын

I'd love that Teac. I have been a big fan of Teac over the years. Never the coolest brand to like, but often surprisingly good.

@robvandenheuvel4617 2 ай бұрын

Another great review, still love playing CD’s on my Audia flight CD two, the Teac might be interesting though.

@DaveJablonski 15 күн бұрын

I subscribed after seeing that Galaxy 500 CD :)

@DigitalPhilosophers 2 ай бұрын

🤩 a CD player with volume control 🤩

@chrisvand2678 2 ай бұрын

Yeah, it's for the headphone amp. A lot of older and Pro cd-players have that built in.

@slartybartfast666 2 ай бұрын

Very interesting and timely for me. My teac vrds 10 which has given me 25 years of service has just gone to have its clock upgraded to see what difference it makes. I use it as a transport mainly nowadays and the digital output should benefit from the clock with an offboard psu addition. I got to say the tray of my old girl does not wobble like that new one!

@neilosullivan8216 2 ай бұрын

Your comment on the flimsy loading tray resonated . In the past I've had reliability issues with Teac equipment and it makes me hesitant to try them again.

@dodpr 2 ай бұрын

Im happy with my Onkyo C-7030, but if I had the funds, I’ll definitely get this. Looks well built and it’s fully featured.

@rog86 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the info to Proem, listening now and like it. John, do you have any lists anywhere of your recommended eletronic music? Cheeeers.

@djeejah 2 ай бұрын

let's not forget about their pro brand Tascam which was on top of the world back in the mid-eighties if i'm not mistaken. VRDS is a fantastic technology and a few others were doing great tech at the time. Whether made by Meridian or the manual tray with a magnetic puck made by Naim. they were more than a few notch above CD players using computer rather than audio tech. All in good old days.

@obstoaga8121 2 ай бұрын

Thanx for this review, might be just what I was looking for to replace my CA CXC.. I was eyeing the Hegel but never got to get over the slot loading mechanism, and the price..

@gaborhorvath7658 2 ай бұрын

I wonder how would you like the lower level Teac units, e.g. NT505 streaming dac. Glad you tried out the clock too, I was wondering if they make any audible difference.

@ZFXJ 2 ай бұрын

Hi John, superb review, as always. How would you compare the DAC to the Tambaqui? Or is the T. too far down the memory lane by now?

@robertcowart2456 2 ай бұрын

I'm still enjoying my Shanling ET3 connected to my Denafrips Terminator. This is an excellent setup that I enjoy immensely.

@richardthoreau9299 2 ай бұрын

Btw I use the Audioquest Thunderbird interconnects which it looks like you are using. How do you like them and have you done a review video on them yet?

@marknielsen8977 2 ай бұрын

So John, would you go as far as to say that the Teac "Blow the Hegel out of the water" ? or did it just "Wipe the floor" with it ? Great content and I think this Teac warrants further comparisons with both lesser & higher priced units in future videos.

@CarlosPerez-eb5er 2 ай бұрын

No SACD? Can be used as preamp? Thanks for the video.

@mrevonomis 2 ай бұрын

Great video again - but somebody at TEAC has definitely been peeking at my 2 year old Sabaj A20d DAC, it's aesthetically identical!

@datom0711 2 ай бұрын

Well, the actual highlight isn't the TEAC, it's your new USM Haller entertainment unit, very nice !

@diosubescu 2 ай бұрын

Love the intro ==> Air Swim - Circle De Soleil , obviously royalty free ....

@bpalpha 2 ай бұрын

As someone who passed on a Pioneer Elite DVD player with SACD capabilities (working, good condition, no remote) at the thrift (charity shop for Europeans) for all of $8us, I don't know how to feel about units this expensive. I love it. Been a big fan of TEAC/Tascam for a while. I happen to like the looks a lot. Diminishing returns. It's nice that the internal dac can receive external sources. Can you still be a Bonafide audiophile without space program level of spending?

@TheTastefulThickness 2 ай бұрын

As guttengerg says...an audiophile is someone who listens to music without muktitasking

@jp93309 2 ай бұрын

Lol sorry I picked up that Pioneer Elite player at Goodwill. $6 with my senior discount

@MehmetAtalay-on9yr 2 ай бұрын

No, you definitely need this as an audiophile. Don't forget to buy the right cables for at least 500 USD.

@connorduke4619 2 ай бұрын

Yes.

@WeeWeeJumbo 2 ай бұрын

i mean… this isn’t the high end of such components, there’s way pricier stuff than this, especially considering the broad functionality

@demazy 2 ай бұрын

John! Nice video as usual! Could you check AIAIAI TMA-2 Wireless+ Studio headphones and Unit-4 Wireless+ studio speakers please ? Low latency wireless transmission (stable 16ms), ideal for music producing and ok to dj with, or simply lossless quality on the go. They send CD quality wirelessly, both headphones and speakers. Double signal for stability. Thanks! Can’t wait to see your take on them and your precise analysis if ever you chose so! (Unit-4 vs LSX ?)

@simon89767 2 ай бұрын

I like the unit the cd player is sitting on, is it available to buy?

@stargator4945 2 ай бұрын

Thank you for this Episode. Seems to be a CD Player to stay for years. However, in this class, there are also some Players available supporting SACD Audio. Especially your Sponser T&A, Marantz, Denon have some. Also interesting would be if there is a lower version of this Teac Model and how different it is I think of the Marantz CD 60 for instance as a class below but still recommendable and more reachable for people not having so much money.

@papagen00 2 ай бұрын

my first CD player in the 1980's was a Teac, made in Japan 👍

@Larstig81 2 ай бұрын

I had a Teac VRDS 7 once, it needed a external DAC but it was a very good CD player. It was already old when I bought it. And sold it when the snare and lens failed.

@jonthompson8807 2 ай бұрын

So jelly of the green edition

@stuartboros7693 2 ай бұрын

I’m curious how the TEAC 702 transport is. I’m happy using my old Sony Dvp9000es as a transport with my Benchmark Dac/pre but I fear its days are numbered. How does the TEAC cd player compare to the Shandling transport plus a $2K dac?

@yru435 2 ай бұрын

Maybe use a better amp/pre combination to evaluate source components?

@RodneyAllanPoe 2 ай бұрын

CD players that have digital inputs are gold. Particularly if you have limited audio rack space.

@theluvofaudio148 2 ай бұрын

Spot on about Proem

@doctorbritain9632 2 ай бұрын

In Quebec it is also aluminium.

@interproservice 2 ай бұрын

What are the best sounding albums on Tidal? I need to test my DAC and HIFI.

@kosiekoos9408 Ай бұрын

I have a 80s Teac hifi stand. It makes my NAD 3020 sound better😂

@SANDEEPKUMAR-no8cb Ай бұрын

I love good quality sound of cd player.

@mk1st 2 ай бұрын

Looks like a nice unit. The clock though, that seems like the proverbial ‘audio catnip’

@Erwinhooi 2 ай бұрын

I was looking at the old Teac VRDS 25 that already had that flywheel/platter which is even more substantial. Those cd players look quite rigid and only need belt swaps every decade🤣 Thanks for some nice music tips. I am brainwashing myself with Leaving Laurel’s “When the quiet comes” at this moment👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

@julianwarr7246 2 ай бұрын

I guess the obvious competitor to this is the Marantz SACD-30N - it would be good to get some impressions on how these two players compare.

@user-lr1ct1wn1c 2 ай бұрын

Always like the Japanese gears, audio or other.

@peterkosar7007 2 ай бұрын

I’d like to suggest you to try the UD-701N (Network player/DAC/Balanced headphone amp and Preamp) as well.

@James-hb6ee 2 ай бұрын

As well as a couple of analog inputs.

@TheCharlesAtoz 2 ай бұрын

I looked up the Teac VRDS-701...it is $3,799US. Too rich for my blood.

@elgingaragegym 2 ай бұрын

The real value is it's DAC, I'll be honest I think at its price point considering it has digital inputs, it's better than most standalone DACs at that price let alone it's a CD player. Gustard R26, Musetec 005 and damn near as good as my T+A200.

2 ай бұрын

How about a $20 old DVD-burner and $10 Apple USB type C dongle?

@diegobalzarini1994 2 ай бұрын

It'll be over$5k here in Australia. That's my whole system😂

@nathanielbrice8725 2 ай бұрын

@still too expensive 🤣🤣🤣

@Peter_Crow 2 ай бұрын

@@diegobalzarini1994$4199 AUD

@estudiopmf 2 ай бұрын

This looks like a very interesting component. I have a Marantz CD50n, which does pretty much the same, plays cds, has digital inputs, could be used as a preamp and also has a streaming module. It’s sounds really good too, at least in my system. It might be a good option for those on a lower budget, it can currently be found for about 1500 euro in Europe.

@simonupstone4924 2 ай бұрын

Yes - I am seriously considering the Marantz CD50n which sits better within my budget than the TEAC, and as you point out, has the same functionality (CD player, DAC with inputs, headamp, nice dad remote) plus HDMI Arc input, and streaming functions (though HEOS is clunky - I'll stick with my network Roon endpoint).

@estudiopmf 2 ай бұрын

@@simonupstone4924I use Roon with it , my Roon rock server is connected to the usb dac on the Marantz and sounds terrific.

@dtna 2 ай бұрын

I didn't know that TEAC was still in biz. They were the best when auto cassette players first came out. The TEAC AC-9 auto reverse player.

@DataHoarders 2 ай бұрын

4:23 nice

@quantok 2 ай бұрын

Does it play the 2018 Pink Floyd Animals remaster that tripped up the Hegel?

@greenbeginner3353 2 ай бұрын

What about the streaming specified in the video title ?

@mechanickiwi4116 2 ай бұрын

Of course if you really want next level sound and you have the next level cables, next level anti vibration mounts,next level one's and zero's reader, you must of course get the gas levels in the room to the correct percentages, otherwise you just won't get to that next level.

@matthewholley8278 2 ай бұрын

2:21 Aliens Ate My Buick in a paper sleeve. Is this a new release? I'm only aware of it in a jewel case. Most under-appreciated album of his, IMO Nice CD player, btw!

@seanoconnor8843 2 ай бұрын

It's a shame they don't mass produce good stuff anymore. A stereo should never be an expensive gimmick. Unlike amplifiers and speakers it's difficult to make your own cd player

@dan44762000 2 ай бұрын

Appreciate you're a busy guy but I'd really value your opinion on the best DAP below £300, is there such a video on this channel maybe?

@SimonPepper 2 ай бұрын

Normally external OXCO units need days to really stabilise for their difference to be properly realised.

@zizendorf 2 ай бұрын

Okay, so I'm a CD guy and only purchased "expensive" interconnects for my Denon DCD-600 NE CD player. (In fact, the interconnects - simply amazing - were more costly than the Denon player. I liked this review and given CD's (and to some extent vinyl) are my preferred sources and are also my music collection, I'm curious if there's TEAC CD player without all the "streaming" stuff. I'm not opposed to streaming. I just won't get into another source format. I have no need. Any suggestions? Or, should I simply remain satisfied with the outstanding sound I already have found? (Woops, I think I answered my question as I typed it.) LOL

@richardthoreau9299 2 ай бұрын

Teac make the Esoteric SACD players which I have and have used for years…they are not cheap but I think well worth it/

@rgrtnyjjc 2 ай бұрын

Planet Dub… now there’s a blast from the past 😅

@user-rg4xn3ib4c 2 ай бұрын

I wish that cd loading trays were better, smoother, stronger movement, with firmer feel and action. Would it really cost that much to make them that way? Anyway Darko can you tell me why you do not like slot loading players? I always liked how smooth they work. Thanks! Great stuff!

@theonlyegg 2 ай бұрын

I can run out and by a nice used Sony or Panasonic garage sale cd player with Toslink. I wonder if the Teac will sound $2700 better? Doubt it.

@kitdenerley 2 ай бұрын

Good for you. Enjoy

@Krell666 2 ай бұрын

Why not try both and see?

@MrNicks-gn8jc 2 ай бұрын

How much life is in the laser of the garage sale unit? Can you even find a replacement laser assembly even NOS on the internet ?

@user-oq9mv8pc2g Ай бұрын

I can assure you those garage cd players will suck compared to a better player like this

@bitboy 2 ай бұрын

Nice USM

@dtracy03ss Ай бұрын

I have the Black model and it is absolutely Awesome, Got a Great Discount on it , all you have to do is ask! It was still 3k, But Well Worth it! By the way 4 Times Upsample is a Notable difference! No way am I buying the external Clock, the built in Goodies are top-notch, but I am going to try and run my Node X through it! As it will give me another input to use on my Pioneer SX1280!!!!

@bigjon3710 2 ай бұрын

I was looking to upgrade my 1997 VRDS 10. I wonder if this is much of an increase in quality🤔

@anthonystephenson7659 2 ай бұрын

@DarkoAudio As a hifi newbie, could you please tell me why you prefer tray CD loaders over slot loading mechanisms? I always thought trays looked, and felt, fragile... and not as aesthetically pleasing as a slot.

@mrchrisgau 2 ай бұрын

Not sure whether John will be answering. Let me share my 2 cents: In case of malfunctioning hardware, it’s pretty difficult to retrieve CDs from a slot loading player while a tray is often easier to deal with.

@attrktmarketing4582 2 ай бұрын

“I said skin marks” 😂 Wonderful piece of kit.

@biketech60 2 ай бұрын

In America it's $3800 . There is also a transport-only version at $2700 .in April 2024

@rhorto01 2 ай бұрын

It seems like it is a good time to get into higher end CD playback as there are a number of interesting options out there. SACD capability is still a sticking point for me as I have just enough of the things to want to use them. (And I don't get that segment of the audiophile world that denigrates the SACD format. These are the same folks that championed vinyl as a format when it was dead as a doornail. Why should I care if only 20-40 new titles get released in a year? They sound great.)

@Krell666 2 ай бұрын

The problem is the SACDs released seem to be re-releases of the same old middle of the road Jazz and rock staples. Where's the new releases? Electronica? Metal?

@rhorto01 2 ай бұрын

@@Krell666 You are right, it would be nice if there was a wider variety of releases. That being said, if you keep an eye on it some releases do come out for less obvious albums. (Classical releases on SACD do not have that problem. There is variety there.)

@mfg62 19 күн бұрын

Olá, Thank you but I wish they make it possible for you to do a review of the Teac transport 701T with the Teac UD-701N.

@mrkitewine7700 2 ай бұрын

Quite considerate of Teac to make a different version for those in North America. 😂

@wrangler10 2 ай бұрын

I have a question , i"m into buying a blue-ray player for 4k uhd movies (Panasonic DP-UB820EGK) and i wonder how good cd player is a blue-ray player like that Panasonic or should I have a dedicated cd player (similar priced) and why ?

@mikeb.7845 Ай бұрын

What a beast! For me in Canada, the AUDIOLAB OMNIA was and is the better solution and much cheaper with a lot of the same quality and uses. I couldn't pay $5000 CDN for the 701. I would weep.

@robertmackinnon4853 2 ай бұрын

Sound quality differences compared to the Shanling ET3 and the Teac 701.

@0chrislewis 2 ай бұрын

Beautiful CD player but sad to say SACD wasn’t listed in the specs😢

@peterbriggs2771 2 ай бұрын

Great review, it looks a value for money product. Unfortunately my CD was damaged by storm ingress of water, I was fortunate insured and listened to the Luxman 07X, Atoll Cd400, Marantz SA10. However, all had their merits, but found the Rega Isis valve. Such a joy to listen to the music, I stopped listening to the system but the music. This beautiful beast weighing at 19kg feeds directly into my Buchardt Anniversary 10 speakers, which I must thank you for you to introduce me to a new product I would never have considered. Thanks for all your reviews.😎👍🎵🎶