Digital has evolved, streaming dominates, but there’s still something about the CD experience that continues to captivate me. As soon as TEAC revealed the new CD transport and player in their 701 line, I knew I had to test them. And so began this sound journey.
The Opportunity and High Expectations
The opportunity arose to test an integrated amplifier that had recently added a phono stage. It was a hard one to resist, not just because of the addition, but also because of the brand, which promised quality and, by itself, a spike in views (something that, let’s be honest, never hurts, although it’s far, far from my priority).
I then suggested the TEAC UD-701N (DAC/Streamer/Preamp/Headamp) and the AP-701 (Power Amp) combo. Did you guessed why? Clever me? Perhaps not.
The brand representative welcomed the idea, the units arrived, and my expectations were high, something that doesn’t always work in your favour. What could go wrong? The truth is that the UD-701N quickly became my preferred digital source, even when compared to the network player of my system.
UD-701N – The Digital Heart of the System
Starting with the Biggest Surprise: A Reference Headamp
The biggest surprise? The UD-701N is one of the best headphone amplifiers I’ve ever tested. And I say this with full conviction.
I recall memorable performances from models like:
These powered the HEDDphone Two and Raal Requisite CA-1a. Even so, the UD-701N, with my humble Meze 99 Classics, revealed details that had previously been hidden. The synergy was perfect—musicality and sonic precision in a rare balance.
Features and Versatility in Focus
More than just an excellent headamp, the UD-701N offers:
- Proprietary DAC (dual delta-sigma developed in-house by TEAC)
- PCM support up to 384kHz and DSD
- Integrated streamer with HR Streamer app
- Roon, Bluetooth, and AirPlay compatibility
- RCA and XLR analog inputs
I used sources like:
- MoFi StudioDeck (with Rothwell Simplex phono stage—since the UD-701N doesn’t have a built-in phono stage)
- AVID Ingenium (with Avid Pellar phono stage)
- Accuphase DP-450 (CD player)
- Volumio Rivo (Streamer/Transport)
Starting with the analog side, the UD-701N, when used as an analog preamp, acts like a discreet football referee: it lets the sound flow, without interfering with the signature of the connected source. If you already have an analog source you like, this TEAC could be the perfect hub to integrate it into your Hi-Fi setup.
Integrated DAC
The DAC follows the same philosophy of transparency: offering remarkable clarity and crisp clipping, both using the resident digital transport, the Volumio Rivo, and with the HR Streamer app. Unlike other trendy streamers, such as the Eversolo A6 Master Edition, which opts for a more incisive approach with sharper edges, the UD-701N favours a more rounded and enveloping cut, but without losing definition. Developed in-house with two delta-sigma chips, it supports both PCM and DSD and has Bluetooth and AirPlay support.
AP-701 – The Perfect Match, or a Sideshow?
In this pair, the UD-701N is clearly the “Alpha.” The AP-701 reinforces the combo, but without overshadowing its sibling.
I’ve already mentioned the transparency of the UD-701N when used as a preamp for analog sources. The AP-701 deserves attention for its dual-mono design, which enhances channel separation and creates a phenomenal sense of space and immersion. Listening to The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking LP was a cinematic experience, where every nuance of Waters’ performance and his recording companions shone and transported me, creating total immersion in the musical narrative.
The internal DAC of the UD-701N, combined with the HR Streamer, delivered textured and deep bass on Vamp by Trentemøller and 24 Hours by Tom Jones, using the Revival Atalante 3 speakers. With more demanding speakers like the omnidirectional Duevel Planets, the AP-701 only began to shine in the bass and midrange at medium-high volumes. For reference, my room is less than 25 square meters. When I connected the setup to my integrated amp, the E-280, the results were more satisfying in this regard, although the Accuphase’s advertised power reserve is lower. The price difference could explain some of these discrepancies with the AP-701. However, when compared with the Pier Audio MS-84SE, the argument fades: While the EL84 valve integrated amplifier loses in definition and soundstage width, it compensates with expressiveness and impetuosity in the low frequencies—a surprising find.
The TEAC Siblings Together, with Roon
The Lone Figures remix from Time by Poppy Ackroyd has scale and bass with physical kick. The bouquet left by Adriana Varela’s voice in Perfume by Bajofondo and Luciano Supervielle exudes from the omnidirectional speakers powered by the AP-701, with rhythm marked by high volume and bass that shook the building, increasing my neighbors’ desire to stick knives into voodoo dolls with moustaches. Arooj Aftab continues to enchant my room with the magic of her voice and Anoushka Shankar’s sitar in Udhero Na, offering detail, depth, and musicality in near-perfect balance with the Atalante 3 speakers powered by the Japanese combo and a little help from the LAN iPurifier Pro filter.
The UD-701N delivers one of my favorite gems, Baby and Me by Sara Mitra, in the 257k version purchased on iTunes years ago, without attempting to mask the flaws of the low-resolution file, yet still making me groove with the rhythmic bounce of the track.
In Dance of the Knights, from Romeo and Juliet by Prokofiev, performed by Lisa Batiashvili and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe: the setup reveals all the nuances of Lisa’s solo, and the orchestra as a group of musicians, not a wall of sound. However, as this is a track I compare on every piece of equipment that passes through, it seems to lack a hair’s worth of the impetuosity from Batiashvili and the bass drum when I used the AP-701, in direct comparison with the E-280.
Since I’ve Been Loving You… We return to Bonham’s pedal squeal, more than evident in the delivery of this setup. But of course, this song is more than that—it’s an icon in rock’n’roll. When listening to it, few will resist mimicking Zeppelin’s drummer with their own foot. With the TEAC, it was no exception, and there it was, my foot tapping… Detail, but with musicality.
Build and Design – Nippon Perfection
- Anti-resonance foot system
- Solid and intuitive tactile interface
- High-quality materials
The design exudes Japanese essence, with a balance of modernity and tradition that is felt to the touch.
What’s the Verdict?
The attention to detail in the construction of the UD-701N and AP-701 is evident: the trio of anti-resonance feet, the overall quality perception, and the design that exudes Japanese essence, accompanied by a tactile interface that inspires confidence, marks both units.
The UD-701N proved to be a true Swiss Army knife: DAC, streamer, preamp, and headphone amplifier—all in one unit. Highly competitive, not just because of its features but also its sound performance. At a price of €3,000, it doesn’t seem like an undue investment, considering the quality and versatility it delivers. During the time it was here, it became my preferred digital source, and I must admit, it wasn’t easy to return it at the end of the review.
The AP-701, with its robust build and dual-mono design—which contributes to greater channel separation and immersion—didn’t have the same impact for me as the UD-701N. Its performance is very solid, but at a price of €2,700, it’s worth comparing with other options before finalizing the purchase.
and?…
If you’re building a high-end Hi-Fi system, the TEAC UD-701N is a safe, versatile, and captivating choice. As for the AP-701, it’s worth comparing with other options before making your decision.
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