TEAC NT-505-X: Progressive network streamer

Like its predecessor (NT-505), the TEAC NT-505-X uses dual mono circuitry to process audio signals with even greater clarity, with the latest ESS Technology ES9038 Q2M chip used on each of the two channels. It improves the S/N (signal to noise) ratio by processing each channel individually in monaural mode, as well as providing native DSD512 (22.5 MHz) and 768 kHz/32-bit PCM playback capabilities.

The TEAC NT-505-X model is one of the most progressive network streamers today. Each of its channels uses an ESS Technology ES9038 Q2M DAC, working with PCM (up to 32 bit/768 kHz) and DSD (up to 22.5 MHz). An upsampler based on a programmable FPGA chip is installed in front of the DAC, which uses the Fluency algorithm and provides an increase in the PCM sampling rate by 2, 4 and 8 times, as well as conversion of the digital signal to the DSD format up to 12.2 MHz. The player has two clock generators (for signals that are multiples of 44.1 and 48 kHz) and allows you to connect an external clock (10 MHz). You can change the sound using 4 filters for PCM and a pair of filters for DSD.

The balanced circuitry of the TEAC NT-505-X with separate power toroidal transformers for each channel complies with the double mono principle. TEAC-HCLD technology involves the use of high-current buffer discrete amplifiers in the analog stage, guaranteeing a wide dynamic range. The digital isolator prevents interference from digital sources, for example, from a computer via USB, from entering the analog section. The volume control with TEAC-QVCS technology provides 256-step adjustment in 0.5 dB steps and can change the volume for both headphones and line output.

With a LAN connection to a local network and support for DLNA 1.5, access to audio files from networked PCs, Macs and NASs is provided, incl. to Hi-Res formats up to 24 bit/192 kHz and 5.6 MHz (DSD). The same parameters are supported when playing files from external drives connected via a USB port on the front of the case. The application for iOS and Android devices allows you to control playback and provides access to online services Spotify, Deezer, TIDAL and Qobuz and TuneIn. For wireless audio streaming, a Bluetooth circuit with aptX, AAC and SBC codecs is used. The standard AB-class headphone amplifier uses TEAC-HCLD technology, develops 500 mW per channel and “drives” even 600-ohm stereo phones.

The player has an elegant metal body. On the facade of the TEAC NT-505-X aluminum case there is an OLED display, a headphone jack, USB for external drives and a coaxial/optical input (minijack). In the rear there are RCA and XLR outputs (fixed/adjustable), LAN, coaxial and optical inputs, BNC for external clock and asynchronous USB with Bulk Pet technology (4 modes), providing more stable data transfer from the computer to the TEAC NT-505- X compared to the traditional method. The TEAC NT-505 network player provides high quality sound and has all the necessary functionality to work with modern formats.

Characteristics of TEAC NT-505-X

DAC ESS Technology ES9038 Q2M (32 bit/768 kHz PCM, 22.5 MHz DSD)
Upsampling switchable, PCM: 2x, 4x, 8x up to max. 352.8/384 kHz; PCM to DSD (up to 22.5/24.5 MHz)
PCM filters: Sharp Roll Off, Slow Roll Off, Short Delay Sharp, Short Delay Slow, Low Dispersion, off; DSD: Narrow: 39 kHz (2.8 MHz), 78k kHz (5.6 MHz), 156 kHz (11.2 MHz) or 312 kHz (22.5 MHz), Wide: 76 kHz (2.8 MHz) , 152 kHz (5.6 MHz), 304 kHz (11.2 MHz) or 608 kHz (22.5 MHz)
Frequency response 10 Hz – 80 kHz (+ 1 dB, – 3 dB, 192 kHz PCM input, output RCA, digital filter disabled)
Signal-to-noise ratio 110 dB (192 kHz PCM input, RCA output, digital filter disabled)
Harmonic distortion 0.002% (192 kHz PCM input, RCA output, digital filter disabled)
Output impedance 188 ohms (XLR ), 150 Ω (RCA)
XLR Output Voltage: 2 V (1 kHz, 10 kΩ, fixed, 0 dB), 4 V (1 kHz, 10 kΩ, fixed, +6 dB), 12 V (1 kHz, 10 kΩ , adjustable); RCA: 2 V (1 kHz, 10 kΩ, fixed, 0 dB), 4 V (1 kHz, 10 kΩ, fixed, +6 dB), 6 V (1 kHz, 10 kΩ, adjustable)
Headphone amplifier maximum output power 2×500 mW (32 Ohms)
Supported headphone impedance 16-600 Ohms
Supported formats for playback via LAN and USB for external drives PCM up to 24 bit/192 kHz, DSD512 (22.5 MHz)
Supported web services TIDAL, Qobuz
Roon certification Ready has
Bluetooth version 4.0, profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, codecs: LDAC (24 bit/96 kHz), Qualcomm aptX-HD (24 bit/48 kHz), aptX, AAC, SBC, max. number of connected devices: 8
App control supported for iOS and Android devices
Inputs 3.5 mm hybrid (coaxial/optical, 24 bit/192 kHz, DSD 2.8 MHz (DoP)), USB port (type A, front panel, PCM up to 24 bit/192 kHz, DSD up to 22.5 MHz), coaxial (24 bit/192 kHz, DSD 2.8 MHz (DoP)), optical (24 bit/192 kHz, DSD 2.8 MHz ( DoP), asynchronous USB, type B (up to 32 bit/768 kHz PCM, up to 22.5 MHz DSD, supports Bulk Pet technology), Ethernet port (LAN)
Outputs Linear RCA (fixed/variable), balanced XLR (fixed/variable), 3.5mm headphone jack (16-600 ohms)
Other switching BNC input for external 10 MHz clock generator
Power supply two toroidal transformers (one each channel)
Dimmable OLED display, switchable Remote control
RC-1330
Software player TEAC HR Audio Player (Windows, Macintosh), included, allows you to play Hi-Res audio in DSD512 and PCM formats (32 bit/768 kHz)
Streamer application TEAC HR Streamer (Windows, Macintosh), included, controls audio streaming from various devices, computers, NAS servers and the Internet, supports DSD 5.6 MHz and PCM up to 192 kHz
Power consumption 18 W, standby: 0.4 W
Dimensions (WxHxD) 290x81x249 mm
Weight 3.9 kg