TEAC UD-301-X USB DAC Preamplifier User Manual

: June 15, 2024
: TEAC

Table of Contents

TEAC UD-301-X USB DAC Preamplifier
Product Information
Product Usage Instructions
PRODUCT DETAILS
Colour
Features at a glance
Included accessories
Specs
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TEAC UD-301-X USB DAC Preamplifier

TEAC-UD-301-X-USB-DAC-Preamplifier-product

Product Information

Specifications:

Model: UD-301-X
Color: Silver
Product Code: 243560
SRP: $449.00
DAC Type: Dual Monaural
USB Streaming: Supports asynchronous transfer mode
Up-Conversion: Up to 192kHz
DACs: BurrBrown PCM1795 32-bit DACs (one for each channel)
Op-amps: MUSES8920 Op-amps for analogue audio processing
Headphone Amplifier Circuit: Dual-Monaural CCLC design
Power Transformer: Toroidal-core
Body Material: Robust aluminum
Dimensions: Width 215mm, Depth 238mm

Product Usage Instructions

USB Streaming:
The UD-301-X supports asynchronous transfer mode for USB streaming. When connecting the device to a computer via a USB cable, the UD-301-X’s internal clock is used for timing control, ensuring more accurate data packet transmission. This feature minimizes signal-compromising jitter and provides cleaner conditions for digital audio signals.

Up-Conversion:
The UD-301-X allows you to up-convert digital audio signals of 96kHz or less to double or quadruple the original sampling frequency. This feature improves the audio quality when playing back lower-resolution audio sources, such as CDs. You can enable or disable the up-conversion function according to your preference.

Dual Monaural Design:
The UD-301-X employs a dual monaural circuit design for processing Hi-Res audio data. Each channel (left and right) has its own single monaural circuit, eliminating signal interference between channels and improving stereo playback performance.

High-Performance DACs:
At the heart of the UD-301-X’s digital audio section, there are two high- performance 32-bit DACs (BurrBrown PCM1795s), one for each channel. These DACs can accurately process large amounts of data, including Hi-Res audio sources like DSD128, resulting in more precise and detailed playback.

MUSES8920 Op-amps:
The analogue audio processing stage of the UD-301-X utilizes MUSES8920 Op-amps developed by New Japan Radio Corporation. These Op-amps handle the I-V conversion, converting output current from the DACs into voltage signals. The dual-monaural approach is applied to this stage, ensuring high-quality analogue audio processing.

CCLC Headphone Amplifier Circuit:
The UD-301-X features a dual-monaural headphone amplifier circuit with Coupling Capacitor-Less Circuit (CCLC) technology. This design delivers a rich bass sound and quick transient responses when listening to Hi-Res music. Unlike conventional circuits, the CCLC design avoids low-frequency reduction and phase misalignment caused by high-pass filtering within capacitors.

Toroidal-Core Power Transformer:
To provide stable and ample power to every part of the circuit, including the high-performance DACs, the UD-301-X is equipped with an energy-efficient Toroidal-core power transformer. This transformer ensures a steady supply of current even during sudden dynamic swings, maintaining reliable performance.

Robust Aluminum Body:
The UD-301-X features a robust aluminum body, which not only provides excellent rigidity but also helps minimize the adverse effects of vibration on the final sound quality. Despite its small footprint, measuring 215mm in width and 238mm in depth, the unit is designed to fit perfectly in compact spaces.

FAQ:

Q: Can I disable the up-conversion function?
A: Yes, the up-conversion function can be enabled or disabled according to your preference. Please refer to the user manual for instructions on how to configure this setting.
Q: What is the advantage of the dual monaural design?
A: The dual monaural design allows each channel (left and right) to have its dedicated circuit, eliminating signal interference between channels and improving stereo playback performance. This design ensures optimal conditions for processing Hi-Res audio data.
Q: Does the UD-301-X support DSD128?
A: Yes, the UD-301-X’s high-performance DACs (BurrBrown PCM1795s) are capable of processing DSD128, allowing for accurate playback of Hi-Res audio sources.

Shrinking high-performance audio into a desktop-friendly package, this is a full-fledged dual monaural DAC (digital to analogue converter)

PRODUCT DETAILS

Supports DSD128 Native playback
The UD-301-X is equipped with a USB port supporting DSD Native playback. This directly converts DSD signals into an analog waveform in ASIO2.1 and DoP formats, without changing the PCM format. In addition, asynchronous transfer mode is also supported for accurate data transfer by referencing the more accurate on-board clock of the AI-301DA-X. Furthermore, a free TEAC HR Audio Player allows users to play back Hi-Res files such as DSD128 and PCM192/32 from Windows/Mac without the need for complicated configuration.
USB streaming supporting asynchronous transfer mode
As digital audio data travels from a computer to the UD-301-X via a USB cable, timing control for sending/receiving data packets is defined by the UD-301-X’s internal clock which is much more accurate than that of most computers. This asynchronous transfer mode theoretically eliminates signal-compromising jitter and allows digital audio signals to travel in electrically ‘cleaner’ conditions.
Up to 192kHz up-conversion
When handling digital audio signals of 96kHz or less, you can up-convert them to double or quadruple the original signal sampling frequency. Even when playing back a conventional CD (which is 44.1kHz), a smoother analog audio signal is obtained by up-converting to a higher sampling frequency. This up- conversion function can be disabled, according to the user’s preference.
Dual monaural design to eliminate signal interference
To process Hi-Res audio data under the best conditions, the UD-301-X employs a dual monaural circuit design whereby each of the left and right channels comprises its single monaural circuit. This circuit design avoids mutual interference between left and right channels and enables improved stereo playback.
High-performance BurrBrown PCM1795 32-bit DACs
At the heart of its digital audio section, the UD-301-X uses a pair of 32-bit processing DACs (digital to analogue converters), namely BurrBrown PCM1795s, one for each channel. These high-performance DACs are capable of processing large amounts of data such as DSD128, rendering more accurate playback of Hi- Res audio sources.
MUSES8920 Op-amps for high-quality analogue audio processing
On the analogue processing side, the key to defining final sound quality, the MUSES8920 Op-amps developed by New Japan Radio Corporation are employed to process the I-V conversion which turns output current from the DACs into voltage signals. A dual-monaural approach is also applied to this stage of processing.
CCLC for dual-mono headphone amplifier circuit
When listening to Hi-Res music via the UD-301-X’s dual-monaural headphone amplifier circuit, the CCLC (Coupling Capacitor-Less Circuit) delivers a rich bass sound and quick transient responses. Conventional headphone amplifier circuits cannot avoid the reduction of low frequencies and misalignment of phase caused by high-pass filtering within capacitors as they couple output stages.
Also works as a standalone headphone amplifier
In addition to its dual monaural headphone amplifier circuit design, the UD-301-X further strengthens its credentials as a headphone amplifier by offering the ability to disable XLR and RCA outputs on the rear panel. This limits the power supply to the headphone amplification process, so maximizing its potential for headphone output. The UD-301-X offers ease of use as a headphone amplifier because the headphone volume is always varied by the master volume control on the front panel, regardless of the output mode (fixed, variable or disabled).
Toroidal-core power transformer for plenty of power
The UD-301-X features an energy-efficient Toroidal-core power transformer to deliver plenty of stable current to every single part of the circuit, including two high-performance DACs (digital to analogue converters) that carry out ultra-high-speed processing. Even when there are sudden dynamic swings, where large amounts of current are required instantly, the UD-301-X’s power supply will prove equal to the task.
Robust aluminum body, and small footprint
A 215mm width and 238mm depth create a footprint that allows you to place the unit in the smallest of spaces, while the full-metal body provides excellent rigidity and minimizes the adverse effects of vibration on final sound quality.
XLR Balanced outputs
The UD-301-X is capable of working as a high-performance DAC with professional audio equipment and high-end audio units, as well as with consumer hi-fi components, thanks to its pair of XLR Balanced output terminals.
Pre-amplifier mode to connect with power amplifier
The output from both XLR Balanced and RCA Unbalanced outputs can be set to, fixed, variable or disabled, depending on your needs. This flexibility, among other things, allows you to connect to power amplifiers for a separate-based system or, indeed, active speakers when the unit is set to variable mode.