TEAC UD-505-X Headphone Amplifier and USB DAC

TEAC UD-505-X Headphone Amplifier and USB DAC

Condensed high-end audio design philosophy and audio design know-hows learned from over 6 decades of our experience in a small cabinet as small as an A4-sized footprint.

The UD-505-X is a class-leading dual monaural USB DAC with an integrated fully-balanced headphone amplifier, that fuses high-end audio design concepts and TEAC’s decades of audio design experience, in an A4-sized footprint. The dual mono structure processes stereo signals with higher purity, and the D/A converter section uses one ESS Technology ES9038 Q2M in each of the left and right channels.

This model achieves a high signal-to-noise ratio by using each DAC in mono mode.
Moreover, we upgraded it with high specifications that enable native playback of
22.5MHz DSD and 768kHz/32bit PCM formats. In the analog processing section,
which can be considered the key to audio quality, we include four TEAC-HCLD2 circuits. These are improved versions of our previous TEAC-HCLD. For headphone output using the newly-adopted diamond buffer circuit, in addition to two standard 6.3mm connectors, one 4.4mm 5-pole headphone connector is available, enabling balanced connection and active ground connection with a single plug.

The Bluetooth® receiver supporting LDAC™ and Qualcomm® aptX HD™ allows you to enjoy high-quality wireless audio streaming from your smartphone on this reference USB DAC.

ESS Technology ES9038 Q2M high-performance DAC supports resolutions up to 22.5MHz DSD and 768kHz/32bit PCM
We have employed one DAC chip, which is a crucial component for digital audio, in each of the stereo channels. The ESS Technology ES9038Q2M SABRE32 Reference DAC that we use has a strong reputation in the high-end audio market. Using 32-bit HyperStream® II DAC architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, which are ESS original technologies, an outstanding dynamic range is realized and linearity is increased in the D/A conversion. As a result, clear and accurate audio playback with superior.

Dual monaural circuit design and fully-balanced design
A dual monaural circuit configuration is used throughout, from the power supply (including power transformers), to the D/A converters in the digital section and the Analog output stage. From the high-performance D/A converters to the massive toroidal-core power transformers, each element is configured for single channel processing. This prevents mutual interference effects while reproducing a rich acoustic expressiveness. In addition, the Analog audio signals of both the left and right channels are processed in full balanced mode soon after the D/A converters all the way to the output terminal, contributing to an improved S/N ratio and extended dynamic range.
This allows the fantastic sense of air that Hi-Res formats possess to be processed and conveyed without any losses.

High-quality wireless audio streaming via Bluetooth®
In addition to conventional SBC and AAC codecs, the UD-505-X also supports LDAC™ (24bit/96kHz Hi-Res audio transmission), and Qualcomm® aptX™ HD, a codec that uses 24bit/48kHz format transmission. These allow you to playback playlists on your smartphone and tablet wirelessly.

Dual onboard clocks for 44.1kHz and 48kHz, and an external clock input
Instead of referencing to an unstable and noisy PC clock during USB audio playback, a more accurate and on-board clock is generated by a high-precision, low phase-noise, audio-grade crystal oscillator for USB asynchronous transfer mode. The UD-505-X accommodates two on-board clocks exclusively for 44.1kHz and 48kHz sampling frequencies and applies the appropriate one to incoming digital signals - those that are multiples of 44.1k or 48k - to reproduce identical sound to the original by eliminating jitter effects on the audio signal.
In addition, an external 10MHz clock input is also provided, to synchronize with an even higher-precision master clock generator, such as the TEAC CG-10M/CG-10M-A, for yet further upgraded audio playback with excellent sound quality.

Up-conversion up to 384kHz/32bit PCM and 24.5MHz DSD
Employing RDOT-NEO (Refined Digital Output Technology NEO), a fluency algorithm that renders digital audio signals smoothly, the UD-505-X up-converts PCM digital signals up to 384kHz/32bit PCM and 24.5MHz DSD. With the up-conversion function activated, you will hear an improvement in quality, even with music that you are familiar with.

"Bulk Pet" USB transfer technology for enhanced audio quality
When transferring large volumes of digital data for Hi-Res audio sources through USB cables using conventional isochronous transfer mode, large variations can occur in the processing loads of the sending computer and the receiving USB DAC.
This can cause sound to drop out and other problems to occur. However, with our new USB transmission technology – dubbed "Bulk Pet" – a fixed amount of data is transmitted constantly, levelling out the processing burden on both devices and contributing to stable data transmission.
Changing the processing burden on the computer directly affects audio quality so users can select the setting they prefer (from four transmission modes).

Seven types of PCM digital filter
Seven types of PCM digital filters are available in this model. This allows you to choose the best filter according to the input file format and music style. Since the filter can be changed with a single operation of the included remote control, you can easily enjoy the differences in the subtle sound nuances of each filter type. The unit can also be used with no enabled filters.

Dual high-capacity toroidal-core power transformers
The dual monaural theme continues. Two over-sized high-capacity toroidal-core power transformers are employed in the UD-505-X, supplying stable, individual current sources for each of the left and right channels. This means neither channel will be affected by changes in the power consumption of the other during digital processing.

Specs

Supported formats
USB input
PCM 16/24/32 bit
44.1k/48k/88.2k/96k/176.4k/192k/352.8k/384k/705.6k/768k Hz
DSD 2.8M/5.6M/11.2M/22.5M Hz
Coaxial digital input
PCM 16/24 bit
32k/44.1k/48k/88.2k/96k/176.4k/192k Hz
DSD 2.8MHz(supported with 176.4kHz/24-bit DoP format)
Optical digital input
PCM 16/24 bit
32k/44.1k/48k/88.2k/96k/176.4k/192k Hz
DSD 2.8MHz(supported with 176.4kHz/24-bit DoP format)

DAC section
USB DAC ESS Technology ES9038 Q2M ×2
Up-conversion up to 384kHz/32-bit PCM, 24.5MHz DSD

Audio inputs
USB USB B port, USB 2.0, asynchronous mode transfer, bulk transfer
Compatible Software TEAC HR Audio Player (Windows, Macintosh)
COAXIAL digital (rear) RCA pin ×1 (gold-plated)
Input level 0.5Vp-p
Input impedance 75Ω
Optical digital (rear) TOS-link ×1
Input level -24.0 to -14.5dBm peak
Coaxial digital (front) 1/8” (3.5mm) mini* ×1 (combined with optical digital input, detected automatically)
Input level 0.5Vp-p
Input impedance 75Ω
* 1/8” Mini - RCA conversion cable included.
Optical digital (front) 1/8” Mini Optical*×1 (combined with coaxial digital input, detected automatically)
Input level -24.0 to -14.5dBm peak
Analog (rear) RCA pin ×1 pair (gold-plated)
Input impedance 24kΩ
Input sensitivity 130mV
Bluetooth®
Bluetooth® version 4.0
Output class Class2 (Range: approx. 33ft/10m)
Supported profiles A2DP, AVRCP
Content protection SCMS-T
Supported codec LDAC™, Qualcomm® aptX™ HD, aptX™, AAC, SBC
No. of paired device maximum 8 devices

Audio outputs
XLR balanced XLR ×1 pair (gold-plated)
Output level Fixed (0dB), fixed (+6dB), variable, output off (selectable)
Maximum output leve 2.0Vrms (1kHz, full scale, into 10kΩ, when set to fixed (0dB))
4.0Vrms (1kHz, full scale, into 10kΩ, when set to fixed (+6dB))
12.0Vrms (1kHz, full scale, into 10kΩ, when set to variable)
Output impedance 188Ω
RCA unbalanced RCA pin ×1 pair (gold-plated)
Output level Fixed (0dB), fixed (+6dB), variable, output off (selectable)
Maximum output leve 2.0Vrms (1kHz, full scale, into 10kΩ, when set to fixed (0dB))
4.0Vrms (1kHz, full scale, into 10kΩ, when set to fixed (+6dB))
6.0Vrms (1kHz, full scale, into 10kΩ, when set to variable)
Output impedance 150Ω

Headphone outputs
Connector 1 1/4” (6.3mm) TRS stereo jacks ×2 (gold-plated)
Polarity (balanced) Tip: HOT, Ring: COLD, Sleeve: NC (GND)
Polarity (unbalanced) Tip: L, Ring: R, Sleeve: GND
Connector 2 4.4mm 5-pole Pentaconn ×1 (gold-plated)
Polarity (balanced) Tip: L+, Ring1: L-, Ring2: R+, Ring3: R-, Sleeve: GND
Maximum output
Balanced 700mW + 700mW (into 32Ω)
Unbalanced 500mW + 500mW (into 32Ω×1)
350mW + 350mW(into 32Ω×2)
Active ground 500mW + 500mW (into 32Ω)
Supported impedances 16 to 600Ω

Clock section
Internal clock
Type Crystal oscillator
Number of clocks 2 (44.1kHz and 48kHz)
External clock input
Connector BNC (gold-plated)
Input frequency 10MHz
Input impedance 50Ω
Input level Rectangle wave: equivalent to TTL levels
Sine wave: 0.5 to 1.0 Vrms

Audio performance
Frequency Response 10 to 80,000 Hz (+1/–3 dB, 192kHz PCM input, RCA output, digital filter off)
Total harmonic distortion 0.002% or less (192kHz PCM input, RCA output, digital filter off)
S/N ratio 110dB or higher (192kHz PCM input, RCA output, digital filter off)

Power supply
US/Canada AC 120V 60Hz
UK/Europe AC 220 to 240V 50Hz
Power consumption 18W (0.4W in standby)
dimensions (including protrusions) 290(W)×84.5(H)×248.7(D) mm / 11.4”(W)×3.3”(H)×9.8”(D)
Weight 4.1kg / 9.1lbs
Included accessories Power cord, RCA mini plug adapter cable, remote control(RC-1330), 2 AAA batteries for remote control, 3 feet cushions, Owner's Manual(with warranty)