For those that live and die on knowing what is in the rest of the system etc, here are the details.
Nakamichi CD4 as cd transport
Monarchy DIP Superdrive
Bolder Mensa DAC
B&K pre/pro – old analog pre/pro, in direct mode (bypasses most of the internals)
DIY speakers utilizing WR125S drivers from CSS/DIY Cable
Cabling is all Bolder – 2 digitals, M-80 analog IC’s, and M-80 speaker cables.
The Mensa is powered by a Bolder PSU.
Oneac 2 amp used on Bolder Teac.
There are 2 dedicated lines for the whole system.
The room is roughly 17x14x7, but one of the 17 sides is open to a laundry room, and a few other alcoves in the fully finished basement. Fully carpeted, system on one of the 14 walls, sofa on long wall, minimal furniture, but two full floor to ceiling bookcases at the rear, behind the listening position. No room treatments present. Roughly 400 square feet, and in cubic terms it is around 2800.
Now, a little background – I jumped on the Teac Tripath thing this past summer, and was impressed enough with the results to sell off my Sugden integrated amp. I later built these DIY single driver speakers and then sold off my Totem speakers. I had the DIO upgraded to Mensa status in the summer, and have been buying up used and new Bolder cabling throughout the year.
Back in the summer, Wayne got in touch with me, and offered to try out some mods on one of my Teacs. I sent it off to him. He poked around it, and subsequently came up with some areas that he figured could be improved. I added to that list, and this configuration was born – I will leave it up to Wayne to explain what was done, and his prices for doing this, since it is his business, I am just the satisfied customer here.
The amp was done, and shipped. It arrived rather worse for wear, so it returned to Colorado from Toronto, for an overhaul. (For the record, it was damaged to the point where Wayne went ahead and purchased an entirely new amp to do the mods to again – this guy DEFINES customer satisfaction, with exceptional communciation along the way.) Then it went back in the mail, and showed up here, this time in fully functional condition (thank god…). I tossed it into the system, and began the prescribed several hundred hour break in. It has been running 24/7 for 30 days now, and has stopped changing the way it sounds, as of this week. Again, thank god – there were evenings when I would sit down in front of it, spin up a cd, and wonder what happened from the night before – the treble was the most fluid one day, and the next was gravel…
So, now it is ready to listen to.
For this post, I will confine my comments to just this configuration for the moment, and will start another thread that outlines comparing the Bolder Teac, to a stock one, to a stock one with power supply mods by VinnieR.
First off, this little $99 amp was lots of fun to listen to, when I first bought it back in the summer. I wrote a couple of things about it here, and some others decided to risk the dough, and bought a few too. Along the way, people discovered and shared, ways to improve the sound of their Teac, and plenty of folks have had a good read, while some of us have had a great listen!
Logistically, the modded amp is a pleasure to deal with. Having 2 inputs where there used to be 3, greatly increases the ease of installing the IC's, and allows for the use of mondo RCA connectors, if you have them. I chose the new WBT Nextgen RCA inputs, and they are really nice to use - solid and secure connectors. The output binding posts are also a HUGE leap forward in use - these are really nice parts, that make it SO much easier to get a solid connection on the spades on my Bolder M-80 speaker cables, compared to the cheddar stock ones!
There are a number of things that the modded amp does better than the already capable stock one. There is improved smoothness to the revealing top end, there is a clearer, cleaner midrange, and the bass is staggering. I have had several people over to hear my system, and the little 4.5 inch full range speakers create more bass than one would think they should – the speakers are rear ported, and semi corner loaded (around 28 inches from the sidewall, and 20 inches from the rear wall) BUT, when I change over to my other Teac, there is markedly less bass, and control over the bass.
I have listened to a variety of types of music on this setup, let me break down some of it.
Rebecca Pidgeon – The Raven – Spanish Harlem
Rebecca Pidgeon – The Raven – You Got Me
Norah Jones – Come Away With Me – Turn Me On
Norah Jones – Feels Like Home – What Am I To You
Leonard Cohen – 10 New Songs – Alexandra Leaving
Everything But the Girl – Best Of – The Only Living Boy in New York
Massive Attack – Protection – Better Things
Tracy Chapman – Give Me One Reason – Give Me One Reason
Sonny Rollins – Saxophone Colossus – St. Thomas
The Prodigy – The Fat of the Land – Mindfields
The Prodigy – Music for the Jilted Generation – Poison
The Chemical Brothers – Exit Planet Dust – Leave Home
So, I listen to a broad variety of music, and this version of the amp responds well to all well recorded music. I have some older Stone Roses, from the mid to late 80's, and that bright recording is still quite bright - I guess I am suggesting that this amp does not mask anything, but relays what is on the original recording, in my experience.
The most interesting thing that goes on, with this amp in my system is an increased connection to THAT space that the music is presented in, with THIS space that I am listening in. Since there is much detail available in the presentation, I am able to follow the music, and be aware of spatial cues etc - neither owns the presentation, but both are present. It seems to me that I am drawn closer to the music now, and that my room is more able to sound like the room that the music came from - not sure I am able to communicate that point effectively, but I am attempting to!
Lastly, the question of finance. Most people are quick to dismiss most digital amps (at least those from non-audiophile sources/companies) as cheap. Well, I guess it became cheap when J&R started moving them out at $99, but it really is not just a cheap amp that plays well. With the addition of Wayne's well thought out and implemented mods, this piece has become my amp, not my amp until I find my amp...
I urge any and all near Burlington to PM, I am more than happy to have you over and bend an ear - and I recommend that if you own a Teac, and like the way it sounds - get in touch with Wayne and have a chat. You may not end up doing business with him on your amp, but if you do, I am willing to bet that you will be very pleased with the transformation.
This is an amp that is much improved in how you hook it up, and several steps forward in musical reward, and THAT is what I am after - affordably, of course!
