CnoEvil said:
I for one would like to read your cliché-ridden post.
You may be the only one, but here goes, replete with clichés...
For the uninitiated, this is a mini-review of the Teac PD-H600 CDP.
Some back story is probably useful, since I've expressed frustration and disappointment with several very recent AV purchases. I won't go into details, though I no longer have concerns about my new AVR, which sounded hard and sibilant but has softened following a factory reset, avoidance of YPAO auto-calibration, some careful manual tweaking and perhaps some bedding in. Now, on to the Teac...
I took delivery early this morning, connected everything up and have let it do its thing ever since. This is where the back story becomes pertinent. Recent feelings of disappointment have been replaced by a sense of enthusiasm and satisfaction.
This is an outstanding CD player. It has transformed my system's performance with music (though I was using a cheap BDP as a CD transport before). There's no need for adjustment. Connected to my amplifier via analogue to take advantage of the Teac's DAC, I simply switch the amp to Pure Direct, hit play and beautiful sounds emerge from my speakers.
First of all, the level of detail produced is astonishing (to my admittedly non-audiophile ears). I'm hearing details and layers of sound in well worn CDs I've never heard before. Bass is taut and articulate. The top end is crisp yet never veers toward brightness. Everything in-between sounds rich, balanced, composed and revealing. Most importantly, the sound is never muddled. Individual instruments and other musical elements sound clear and precise. Timing is perfect. The sound is dynamic when needed, too, though never fatiguing.
For comparative purposes, I did some A/B testing with the Teac and BDP. The difference between the two is significant. I of course expected the Teac to noticeably outperform the BDP, though I didn't expect such dramatic results.
I'm inclined not to get too carried away, especially after seven hour's listening. In the coming weeks I'll become more familiar with the 600's performance with a wider range of music. For now, however, this feels like a moment of pay off following more than a month's anxiety. I’m sure the 600 sounds considerably better again through a dedicated stereo amplifier and I almost feel it’s an insult to run it through my AVR. Unfortunately, until I have room for a separate stereo set up, that’s where it’ll have to stay.
It's also beautifully and solidly constructed; the 600 looks and sounds high-end. Every aspect of operation feels smooth and classy, right down to the remote. With the exception of the Golden Ear Award, I don't think the 600 has received the acclaim it deserves, which perhaps explains why it's now available at heavily discounted prices.
Any negatives? It only plays CDs and MP3s. The front display is a little small and hard to read (but I've switched this off anyway). That's about it. I'd urge anyone in the market for a new CDP with a budget of £200-300 to track one down. Overall I'm delighted and confident I'll remain so.
I'll go easier on the adjectives next time!
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