The High-End Munich Audio Show is being held this week (May 18th through 21st) and there have been a number of interesting new product introductions far. In addition, Japan-based TAD (Technical Audio Devices) is also making some news with the debut of its New Reference Series D700 CD/SACD Player.
For show attendees, the D700 CD/SACD-Player will be displayed in Atrium 3.1, Room C113.
Tip: In addition to the D700, TAD is also showing its CE1TX loudspeakers (which we have reported on previously).
What the D700 Offers
To start, the TAD D700 is designed to provide optimum CD, SACD, CD-R, and CD-RW playback via several innovative technologies.
Transport Mechanism
The D700 incorporates an upgraded “Silent” CD/SACD transport mechanism for greater disc reading accuracy. The disc transport features a high-precision loading tray mechanism that incorporates metal bearings that provide smooth opening and closing.
The disc tray is made of machined aluminum that suppresses vibration, while the laser pickup incorporates an infinite conjugate optics system that ensures both stable operation and a high-precision signal readout.
The precision friction-free brushless DC servo motor reduces operating noise and has a longer operating life.
Ultra-High C/N Master Clock UPCG
The D700 is equipped with TAD’s proprietary Ultra-High C/N Master Clock Circuit. This technology supports precise accuracy in reproducing signals from CD or SACD discs, as well as signals from external digital sources. In the third-generation UPCG (Ultra-High Precision Crystal Generator), the oscillator has been upgraded to reduce phase noise and achieve greater audio and C/N (Carrier to Noise Ratio) performance.
External Power Supply
The D700’s power supply unit is physically separate from the main unit. This prevents vibrations and magnetic flux leakage from the transformer affecting the disc-drive and sensitive audio circuit inside the main unit.
To increase power supply purity, the internal coil of the transformer is directly connected to the power supply circuit. This minimizes the contact points with lead wires.
Tip: The terminals for directly connected coils, mounting terminals for motherboards, and clamping screws are made of oxygen-free copper coated with nonmagnetic materials to eliminate magnetic distortions.
A toroidal transformer with a 400 VA power rating – not uncommon in power amplifiers but unheard-of in disc players – powers the audio circuit to achieve greater signal transition performance.
The entire power supply is housed in a rigid cast aluminum monocoque chassis to suppress unwanted vibrations.
Simplified Analog Audio Circuit
TAD’s emphasis on simplicity is realized by a newly developed current-feedback amplifier incorporated into an I/V converter with FET devices in its input stage. This enables an ultra-wide-range signal transmission, resulting in increased accuracy in signal conversion. In addition, non-magnetic carbon resistors are used for feedback resistance, providing a nonmagnetic signal path.
Parallel-connected Twin Differential D/A-converters
The D700 includes twin Parallel-connected Burr-Brown 24-bit/192kHz D/A converters which dramatically improve audio performance via greater signal-to-noise ratio, linearity, and dynamic range, as well as lower distortion.
Tip: The D700 can also be used as a high-performance stand-alone DAC. The DAC works with the Ultra-High C/N Master Clock UPCG previously mentioned to reclock digital signals fed from external sources, including digital data streams from a computer.
Low-Center-of-Gravity Construction
The main unit is housed on a sturdy double-layered chassis made of an extra-thick cast-aluminum base with three-point support spikes and a 6 mm-thick copper-plated steel chassis to achieve a low-center-of-gravity construction. This suppresses vibrations to minimize their effect on the mechanism and audio circuit sitting on the chassis.
Gold-Plated Connections
Gold-plated coaxial connectors and high-quality semi-rigid coaxial cables are employed for the wiring of the master clock oscillator to achieve a high-purity transmission path.
Controls and LED Status Display
The pressure-sensitive, rather than capacitive-sensitive, keys and static-lighting LED display on the front panel eliminate high-frequency noise, contributing to better sound quality. A wireless remote control is also provided.
Specifications
- Playable Discs: SACD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW
- Input Terminal (digital): Balanced XLR x 1, Coaxial RCA x 1
- Output Terminal (digital): Balanced XLR x 1, Coaxial RCA x 1
- Supported Sampling frequencies: (XLR/coax) 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz. The Digital output provides upconversion to 88.2 kHz sampling frequency.
- Output Terminal (analog): Balanced XLR x 1, Unbalanced RCA x 1
- Analog Audio Output Voltage: Balanced 4V, Unbalanced 2V (0 dB at 1KHz)
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): 115 dB
- Frequency Response (CD): 4 Hz – 20 kHz
- Frequency Response (SACD) 4 Hz – 40 kHz
- Power Consumption: 43 W (standby power consumption 0.5W or less)
- Main Unit Dimensions (WHD): 450 × 185 × 440 mm (17.7 x 7.28 x 17.3 inches)
- Power Supply Dimensions (WHD): 220 × 185 × 430 mm (8.7 x 7.28 x 16.9 inches)
- Main Unit Weight: 26.5 kg (58 lbs/7 oz)
- Power Supply Weight: 13.0 kg (28lbs/11 oz)
Availability and Pricing
The Reference Series D700 CD/SACD-Player will be available in Europe from May 2023 at a suggested retail price of 49,000 Euros (this includes 19% VAT) through highly qualified retail partners. (US pricing not provided)
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