[newzooreview]

Good morning,
I'm sorry, but I'm not familiar with the electronics you're talking about
and I don't know who/what this newzooreview is.
🤔

Hi,

New Zoo Revue was a strange children's show with adults in animal costumes (an owl, a frog, and a hippopotamus). I really didn't think much about choosing a user name when I first joined the site to learn more about Salk speakers. Then people thought I was an actual reviewer, so the name here went from odd to confusing. So it goes.

The A10 suits my needs well because it has a real, active preamp using relays for very transparent volume control that preserves the dynamics of the music (more than a passive preamp or digital volume control typically can do). It's also a real Roon Ready streamer, so the A10 uses the Roon Advanced Audio Transport network protocol to stream local files, and the volume control in the Roon app physically adjusts the volume on the A10.

I think if Roon Ready certification is not relevant and the advantages of an active pre-amp are not of interest, then there are other dac/preamps that could be of interest. I considered the Auralic Vega S1 with external power supply, for exampe, but my earlier experience with Auralic was that their implementation of Roon Ready does not sound very good. Their Lightning DS playback software sounds better with their equipment, but it is a clumsy interface with limited features.

I have not heard the Nuprime Evolution DAC 2. It seems to use an opamp for the pre-amp section, which would not be my first choice. And it has no streaming capacity, so would need a streaming device to feed it.

I would not cheap out on the streaming device. Bits are not just bits. The audio data, the 0s and 1s, are reconstructed from an analog square wave signal. Timing errors and noise in the system effect both the quality of signal feeding the DAC and the degradation of the fidelity in the DAC chain. Pairing a $3500 DAC/amp with a streaming box 1/10 that cost will almost always limit the performance of the DAC/amp.

[lupocerviero]

Great suggestion, it's a brand I respect, but there's no info/review to give me an idea of ​​the device's performance and their trdd technology. I'm not crazy about the pro audio aesthetic.
How did you come across this device?

[lupocerviero]

Hi,

New Zoo Revue was a strange children's show with adults in animal costumes (an owl, a frog, and a hippopotamus). I really didn't think much about choosing a user name when I first joined the site to learn more about Salk speakers. Then people thought I was an actual reviewer, so the name here went from odd to confusing. So it goes.

The A10 suits my needs well because it has a real, active preamp using relays for very transparent volume control that preserves the dynamics of the music (more than a passive preamp or digital volume control typically can do). It's also a real Roon Ready streamer, so the A10 uses the Roon Advanced Audio Transport network protocol to stream local files, and the volume control in the Roon app physically adjusts the volume on the A10.

I think if Roon Ready certification is not relevant and the advantages of an active pre-amp are not of interest, then there are other dac/preamps that could be of interest. I considered the Auralic Vega S1 with external power supply, for exampe, but my earlier experience with Auralic was that their implementation of Roon Ready does not sound very good. Their Lightning DS playback software sounds better with their equipment, but it is a clumsy interface with limited features.

I have not heard the Nuprime Evolution DAC 2. It seems to use an opamp for the pre-amp section, which would not be my first choice. And it has no streaming capacity, so would need a streaming device to feed it.

I would not cheap out on the streaming device. Bits are not just bits. The audio data, the 0s and 1s, are reconstructed from an analog square wave signal. Timing errors and noise in the system effect both the quality of signal feeding the DAC and the degradation of the fidelity in the DAC chain. Pairing a $3500 DAC/amp with a streaming box 1/10 that cost will almost always limit the performance of the DAC/amp.

Okay, now everything is clearer.
I didn't realize it was a reference to your nickname, and the word "review" had led me astray. My bad! ☕
I absolutely agree about the importance of a good preamp, and as I said, because of the turntable, I need line inputs. I also agree that the a10 covers all my current and likely future needs, with an excellent level of quality and flexibility. Since I'm in no rush, I'm reading and looking at many solutions, including more traditional ones, such as all separate elements. I'm studying many interesting components and doing some further research on the Volumio Rivo+ (🇮🇹), Audio Research ref5se or LS28se, Denafrips Pontus and Venus, as well as less expensive components like the Topping d90 discrete et similia.
As I said, streaming isn't a priority for me, but a convenience.

[Jeff_From_Michigan]

Great suggestion, it's a brand I respect, but there's no info/review to give me an idea of ​​the device's performance and their trdd technology. I'm not crazy about the pro audio aesthetic.
How did you come across this device?

Not sure who this question is for. If it's regarding the TEAC, I saw Steven Stone's glowing review in Absolute Sound and I know it would be on my audition list if I was looking for a DAC/Preamp. Not sure how many of your boxes this one checks off, but it was very recent in my memory so I thought I would throw it out there.

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/teac-ud-507-dac-preamplifier/

[newzooreview]

I assume the question relates to the TEAC rather than the A10, since the original post referenced the A10 as an option under consideration.

Regarding the TRDD technology used in the TEAC, there is ample information available online regarding what TEAC states about it, and there are reviews about the sound and operation of the UD-507.

I respect someone who would like to learn more from people here who might have used the UD-507, but this should be paired with some due diligence background research to lubricate the discussion and respect people's time.

Just go to grok.com and ask away.

Here are the results from such an inquiry:

"TRDD Technology in the TEAC UD-507

The "TRDD" in the UD-507 refers to TEAC's proprietary TRDD 5 (TEAC Reference Discrete DAC) technology, a custom-designed, all-discrete (non-integrated circuit) digital-to-analog converter. Unlike conventional DACs that rely on off-the-shelf chips from manufacturers like ESS or AKM, TRDD 5 is an in-house development by TEAC, emphasizing musicality over raw specifications. It's the fifth iteration of TEAC's Reference Discrete DAC lineup, evolved from designs used in their flagship 701 Series products (like the VRDS-701 CD player).

How TRDD 5 Works

Discrete Design Philosophy: TRDD 5 uses individual discrete components (transistors, resistors, etc.) rather than a single monolithic IC, allowing TEAC engineers greater flexibility to tune the circuit for specific sonic characteristics. This approach prioritizes natural timbre, accurate imaging, and an immersive soundstage, resulting in what TEAC describes as a "truly musical experience" with reduced digital harshness.

Signal Processing: An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) handles all incoming digital signals before conversion. It applies a proprietary algorithm to process PCM and DSD formats, ensuring seamless handling of high-res audio without jitter or distortion. The dual-monaural setup—one TRDD 5 module per channel—prevents left-right interference, enhancing spatial accuracy.

Performance Benefits: Compared to integrated DAC chips, TRDD 5 offers superior dynamic range, lower noise floor, and better phase accuracy, leading to clearer highs, tighter bass, and a more three-dimensional presentation. TEAC's brand manager, Jo Yoshida, highlighted it as the UD-507's "most important feature," noting its role in providing "a more immersive musical experience for all listeners."

Evolution and Context: TRDD technology builds on TEAC's decades of audio expertise, starting from earlier discrete designs in their high-end lines. The "5" denotes refinements like improved power supply integration and compatibility with modern formats (e.g., DSD512 and MQA). It's not just about specs—reviews emphasize its "highly musical sound" that feels organic and engaging, avoiding the analytical edge of some chip-based DACs."

[lupocerviero]

Not sure who this question is for. If it's regarding the TEAC, I saw Steven Stone's glowing review in Absolute Sound and I know it would be on my audition list if I was looking for a DAC/Preamp. Not sure how many of your boxes this one checks off, but it was very recent in my memory so I thought I would throw it out there.

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/teac-ud-507-dac-preamplifier/

Yes, the reply was related to your message; I simply replied without quoting.
I'll read the review right away, thanks.

[lupocerviero]

I assume the question relates to the TEAC rather than the A10, since the original post referenced the A10 as an option under consideration.

Regarding the TRDD technology used in the TEAC, there is ample information available online regarding what TEAC states about it, and there are reviews about the sound and operation of the UD-507.

I respect someone who would like to learn more from people here who might have used the UD-507, but this should be paired with some due diligence background research to lubricate the discussion and respect people's time.

Just go to grok.com and ask away.

Here are the results from such an inquiry:

"TRDD Technology in the TEAC UD-507

The "TRDD" in the UD-507 refers to TEAC's proprietary TRDD 5 (TEAC Reference Discrete DAC) technology, a custom-designed, all-discrete (non-integrated circuit) digital-to-analog converter. Unlike conventional DACs that rely on off-the-shelf chips from manufacturers like ESS or AKM, TRDD 5 is an in-house development by TEAC, emphasizing musicality over raw specifications. It's the fifth iteration of TEAC's Reference Discrete DAC lineup, evolved from designs used in their flagship 701 Series products (like the VRDS-701 CD player).

How TRDD 5 Works

Discrete Design Philosophy: TRDD 5 uses individual discrete components (transistors, resistors, etc.) rather than a single monolithic IC, allowing TEAC engineers greater flexibility to tune the circuit for specific sonic characteristics. This approach prioritizes natural timbre, accurate imaging, and an immersive soundstage, resulting in what TEAC describes as a "truly musical experience" with reduced digital harshness.

Signal Processing: An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) handles all incoming digital signals before conversion. It applies a proprietary algorithm to process PCM and DSD formats, ensuring seamless handling of high-res audio without jitter or distortion. The dual-monaural setup—one TRDD 5 module per channel—prevents left-right interference, enhancing spatial accuracy.

Performance Benefits: Compared to integrated DAC chips, TRDD 5 offers superior dynamic range, lower noise floor, and better phase accuracy, leading to clearer highs, tighter bass, and a more three-dimensional presentation. TEAC's brand manager, Jo Yoshida, highlighted it as the UD-507's "most important feature," noting its role in providing "a more immersive musical experience for all listeners."

Evolution and Context: TRDD technology builds on TEAC's decades of audio expertise, starting from earlier discrete designs in their high-end lines. The "5" denotes refinements like improved power supply integration and compatibility with modern formats (e.g., DSD512 and MQA). It's not just about specs—reviews emphasize its "highly musical sound" that feels organic and engaging, avoiding the analytical edge of some chip-based DACs."

Thanks for the extensive explanation of trdd technology. It may be an interesting product, but it should be listened to, and reviews supported by measurements would also be helpful. Purely subjective reviews have too many variables (rest of the system, listening room, experience, age and independence of the reviewer, etc.) to be completely reliable. In light of this, the A10 currently remains the most likely option.