C600 Preamplifier
UNPARALLELED TRANSPARENCY AND MUSICAL FIDELITY
The C600’s quality results from a fundamental reassessment of all aspects of electrical and mechanical design. It creates reference quality that etches a new name in the history of TAD. From the meticulous left/right symmetrical design, dual mono construction and fully balanced circuitry, it reaches a new peak of performance. Faithful in every respect to our TAD philosophy of the closest approach to the original artistic intent, the TAD C600 Reference Series Preamp possesses unprecedented reproduction capability. The rich world concealed in each and every musical performance is conveyed with unrivalled accuracy and fidelity, true to the original musical performance.
MACHINED CHASSIS
33mm thick and weighing 15kg, the sub-chassis is fabricated by precision processing of pure aluminum ingots, achieving a high level of vibration control that drastically minimizes the impact of vibration from speakers or other sources, as well providing a stable mechanical ground. All the additional chassis parts are machined to the same high accuracy as the sub-chassis, serving to reduce the impact of vibration and external noise while contributing to the reproduction of music with ultra high purity and faithfulness to the input signal. The spike-shaped three-point support feet ensure mechanical stability on any support surface. These comprehensive measures combine to free the C600 from undue external influences and allow it to achieve its full potential.
DUAL ENCLOSURE
In order to eliminate any influence from the power supply to the amplification circuit and signal routing, the C600 uses a dual enclosure configuration that separates the amplifier from the power supply. This minimizes the effects of noise caused by vibration or magnetic flux leakage from the power supply transformer. A power amplifier-grade 400VA rated toroidal transformer provides a degree of precision that allows accurate signal transmission, even during large signal levels and fast signal fluctuations. Together with a fully balanced circuit design that eliminates unnecessary noise currents, the result is the ultimate in low noise performance.
CONTROL
The controls, LED display and illumination operate via a circuit method based on direct current, minimizing their impact on sound quality. The control circuit wiring and power supply are housed inside a shield that centrally divides the enclosure. This prevents interference with the circuit boards and further improves left/right signal separation.
HIGH PRECISION
TAD’s new ladder-resistance switching electronic volume control circuit achieves an absolute channel level difference of 0.1dB or less, even at attenuations of more than 100dB. The distortion produced by the circuit is only 0.0005% (@1Vrms input). The impedance seen at the input and output terminals is independent of volume setting, minimizing interaction with the signal circuitry and maximizing fidelity of the sound. The use of fully independent left and right electronic volume control circuits ensures accurate auditory lateralization and sound field reconstruction. The input selector switch and volume control shaft bearing incorporate a precision ball bearing with a diameter of 41mm. These features provide the highly precise operating feel that you expect from TAD.
SIMPLIFICATION
Based on the TAD concept that “a signal route exemplified by the absolute minimum of functions results in the most accurate and high quality sound,” the C600 has an extremely simple circuit configuration. Following input signal volume adjustment by the electronic volume control, the circuit configuration utilizes only one voltage amplification stage. Equipping each of the two line outputs with their own dedicated amplifier circuits eliminates the output circuit signal branching as well as interference from connected equipment that can cause sound quality deterioration. In order to transmit music signals as simply and accurately as possible, the monitor switch has been eliminated due to its potential effect on sound quality. Furthermore, the audio pass-through function sets the gain to unity, without introducing additional switching circuitry, to maintain maximum signal purity.
Made in Japan
years of experience
Press reports
"[...] The C-600 is a great example of an absolutely top preamp, which does not have the “solid state” tone color. It has its own distinct character, but in a blind test could easily be taken for a tube device. Operating it is a pleasure and it is very well designed. Its developers thought through every last detail. It is a real top high-end with no ifs, no buts and no quantifiers. It just is."
Technical data
| Model | TAD Reference C600 Preamplifier |
|---|---|
| Input connectors | 3x balanced, 3x unbalanced |
| Output connectors | 2x balanced, 2x unbalanced |
| Rated output voltage | balanced 1.5 V, unbalanced 0.75 V |
| Maximum output voltage | balanced 16 Vrms, unbalanced 8 Vrms |
| Rated distortion (T.H.D.) | 0.0015% |
| IHF SN | 120 dB |
| Frequency response | 10 Hz to 100 kHz, -1dB |
| Gain | 12 dB |
| Analog maximum permissible input voltage | balanced 20 V, unbalanced 10 V |
| REC OUT connector | 1x balanced, 1x unbalanced |
| Power requirements | AC 220 V to 240 V, 50 Hz/60 Hz (Europe/Asia) |
| Power consumption | 52 W |
| Power consumption during standby | 0.5W or less |
| Dimensions | Main unit: 450 mm (W) x 150 mm (H) x 440 mm (D) Power unit: 220 mm (W) x 185 mm (H) x 430 mm (D) |
| Weight | Main unit: 29 kg / 63.9 lb Power unit: 15 kg / 33.1 lb |