To TEAC or not to TEAC

[Tacro]

Hi all,

Long term lurker, big time fan! Thank you all for the briliant conversations on the forum. It's been very informative.

I'm putting together a secondary desktop system. Budget is under $5000. Small work environment 25sqm. The speakers choices are ATC 19 or Pylon Diamond 18's.I planned to put the TEAC NT-505-X (Dual Mono ESS Dac - 2021) or TEAC NT 505 (Dual Mono AKM-2017) with a BoXem Arthur 4215/E2 (Purifi) Eigentakt amplifier @210W P/C@8ohms. Small footprint, crips transients, adequate power, neutral with a hint of warmth.

Now NAD is coming up with an all in one box solution c399 for the holidays which is an ESS Dac + Eigentakt amplifier with WIFI,Phonostage,2 way ApTX HD Bluetooth and dual subwoofer outs over the combo above.

Any thoughts or better recommendations? I honestly do not have any experience with NAD,

Thanks in advance.

 

[joeinid]

Welcome to the forum, thank you for your kind words.

 

[Mike]

Welcome.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Phil A]

Welcome! I'd consider something like a Lumin D2 in the mix. It has Leedh voluming processing as well.

 

[Hear Here]

> Now NAD is coming up with an all in one box solution c399 for the holidays which is an ESS Dac + Eigentakt amplifier with WIFI,Phonostage,2 way ApTX HD Bluetooth and dual subwoofer outs over the combo above.

I was a reluctant convert to NAD about 5 years ago, but I'm now a fan of their kit. I'm only familiar with their Master Series - M12, M32 and now M33. The C399 offers most of what the M33 does but in a less fancy case and a few frills omitted. Since the M33 has been showered with awards (3 from Stereophile alone), and from my first-hand experience, I would recommend you give the C399 very serious consideration - or just buy it!

Peter

 

[RDSChicago]

I don't think the C399 will have the "Eigentakt" amplifier. It's an NCore, not a Purifi like the M33 or 298.

 

[Swisstrips]

I have no experience with these but they might be of interest - cambridge evo and naim

 

[Tacro]

I don't think the C399 will have the "Eigentakt" amplifier. It's an NCore, not a Purifi like the M33 or 298.

You're probably right. On closer reading of their press release, it isn't very clear. I was scratching my head on how they managed to price the C399 at the same level as C298, with the added features.

Thanks for the warm welcome and the responses. I will be broadening my options and most definitely be checking out the C399 !

 

[Hear Here]

I don't think the C399 will have the "Eigentakt" amplifier. It's an NCore, not a Purifi like the M33 or 298.

I think you're vright. If it uses Ncore, this is arguably the "next best" to Purifi and likely to offer exceptional sound from the price range of speaker that is likely to be fed by the C299.

In fact, I had the M32 before getting the M33. This uses the DirectDigital amp module that seems to have been developed primarily by NAD. The sound quality of that module rivalled many (and bettered most) Class A and Class AB amps that I bought or borrowed to find a solid state amp to replace the SETs I'd been using previously. These other amps included ones costing twice the M32's price.

 

[Randy Myers]

I just received my C 298 and I am really liking it for my use in my system. The first Class D that sounds "musical" to me.

 

[Hear Here]

I just received my C 298 and I am really liking it for my use in my system. The first Class D that sounds "musical" to me.

I agree although the M32 with Direct Digital is almost as good as the Purifi module in the M33 and C298. I'm sure you'll keep us advised after a couple of weeks when you've got more experience with the C298 - pros and cons!.