D700 SACD Disc Player / DAC
OUR QUEST FOR PURE SOUND KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES
TAD's relentless pursuit of pure sound did not rest with the TAD-D600 CD/SACD player, which was introduced in 2010 and has since won critical acclaim for its uncompromising approach to delivering sound in its purest form. In designing its successor, the TAD-D700, our engineers have taken extra steps to refine an already great disc player by eliminating elements that might otherwise compromise the purity of the sound. The Ultra-High Precision Crystal Generator (UPCG), TAD's proprietary master clock technology, has been upgraded to the third generation for even greater precision. The post-digital-to-analogue conversion circuit has been refined to produce more accurate and dynamic audio signals. The redesigned chassis is even more robust, with a touch of Japanese artistic elegance. All of these refinements and engineering marvels incorporated into the TAD-D700 combine to reproduce every minute detail of the original recording, without adding or subtracting anything, to bring to life the outpouring of artistic expression by musicians and the creative intentions of music producers.
IMPROVED SOUND QUALITY DUE TO MORE ACCURATE D/A CONVERSION
True to TAD's long-held philosophy of providing artistic expression in music as it was originally performed, the D700 incorporates digital-to-analogue conversion technology of the highest precision. Because clock performance makes a crucial difference to the accuracy of D/A conversion, TAD engineers have spent years developing a new master clock for the D700. The result of their meticulous efforts is the Ultra-High C/N* Master Clock UPCG, which significantly reduces jitter in the frequency bands around the clock centre frequency. Our original approach to engineering, based on theory and real-world testing, makes it possible to bring the purity of musical performance to life.
*C/N: Carrier-to-noise ratio
THIRD-GENERATION UPCG WITH A ULTRA-HIGH C/N MASTER CLOCK
In developing disc players capable of the most accurate sound reproduction, TAD has focused on achieving better C/N performance by reducing jitter in the lower frequency sidebands relative to the centre frequencies. With the D700, we have gone one step further by incorporating an oscillator with an SC-cut crystal to further reduce phase noise. Developed in collaboration with a crystal manufacturer, this oscillator has minimal temperature drift when oscillating at room temperature. The improved third-generation UPCG with ultra-high C/N master clock is responsible for smooth and dynamic music reproduction with excellent spatial characteristics. The oscillator delivers consistently high C/N performance over an extended period of time and operates reliably with low power consumption.
SIMPLIFIED, HIGH-PURITY AUDIO OUTPUT CIRCUIT
TAD's quest for simplicity has culminated in a newly developed current feedback amplifier integrated into the D700's I/V converter, which feeds back the current from the D/A converters without altering it. This design achieves lower impedance and greater noise immunity, contributing to pure signal transmission. Its input stage is equipped with FET devices hand-picked and matched by our certified specialists. This ingenious design enables ultra-wide signal transmission, resulting in an unprecedented level of precision in signal conversion. Our quest to eliminate magnetic distortion has gone one step further. The non-magnetic, highly reliable carbon resistors used as feedback resistors contribute to a non-magnetic signal path. The combination of TAD's proprietary discrete circuit design and carefully selected high quality components improves signal linearity from very low to very high levels, bringing out the true presence of the music.
PARALLEL-CONNECTED TWIN DIFFERENTIAL BURR-BROWN PCM1794A D/A CONVERTERS
Two Burr-Brown PCM1794As, widely recognised as the best DACs in their class, are connected in parallel - one for each channel - in a balanced configuration. This improves audio performance in terms of signal-to-noise ratio, linearity, dynamic range and distortion. With this design, audio signals are transferred in their purest form from the DACs to the subsequent analogue audio circuitry, resulting in faithful reproduction of even the most subtle musical nuances and a dense, finely textured sound.
HEAVY DIE-CAST ALUMINUM CHASSIS
One of the most important factors in improving sound quality is controlling the vibrations that cause noise. The D700 is built around a die-cast aluminium chassis with high vibration absorption characteristics. A heavy 6 mm copper-plated steel plate is fitted to the chassis to further dampen vibration and lower the centre of gravity. This dual-layer structure provides greater rigidity to suppress vibration and minimise its effect on the platter mechanism. The copper plating also has the added benefit of lowering the ground impedance and improving the signal to noise ratio.
BUILT WITH JAPANESE ARTISTIC ELEGANCE
The D700 is housed in an enclosure that combines die-casting and machining processes rarely seen in hi-fi components. The design of the die-cast aluminium chassis of the main unit and power supply is inspired by the stone walls of Japanese castles, with the patterns on the surface chosen to create a dynamic and three-dimensional illusion.
EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLY PREVENTS VIBRATIONS AND ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE FROM AFFECTING THE MAIN UNIT
The D700's power supply is physically separated from the main unit. This design prevents vibrations and stray electromagnetic fields from the transformer from affecting the disc mechanism and audio circuitry inside the main unit, significantly improving sound quality. In addition, the two-unit design allows large-capacity transformers and rectifiers to be incorporated into a power supply without compromise, which is not the case with an all-in-one design.
POWERFUL 400VA TRANSFORMER
A powerful transformer plays a crucial role in ensuring highly stable power supply and fast response. In the D700, a powerful 400VA toroidal transformer - common in power amplifiers, but unheard of in disc players - powers the audio circuitry for greater signal transfer performance. The entire power supply is housed in a rugged die-cast aluminium monocoque chassis to suppress unwanted vibration. To increase the purity of the power supply, the transformer's internal coil is connected directly to the power supply circuit, minimising contact with the power supply wires. In addition, the terminals for the directly connected coils, the motherboard fixing terminals and the clamping screws are all made of oxygen-free copper, coated with non-magnetic materials to eliminate even the slightest magnetic distortion. The result is more faithful reproduction of recordings of pianissimo sections, as well as those of full-scale operas and symphonic orchestras.
THREE-POINT SUPPORT SPIKES
To support its heavy chassis and block the transmission of vibrations from the surface below, the D700 is fitted with die-cast aluminium three-point support spikes. This extremely rigid suspension thoroughly dampens any vibration that might otherwise be transmitted upwards from ground contact, and eliminates bouncing even when the surface on which the unit is placed is not perfectly flat. The three-point mount system is another key element in the D700's ability to reproduce high quality sound.
RUGGED, HIGH-PRECISION CD/SACD MECHANISM
The D700 features an improved CD/SACD drive mechanism for greater signal reading accuracy. The robust disc drive unit features a high-precision loading mechanism that opens and closes the disc tray with little vibration or noise, thanks to built-in metal shaft bearings. The pickup uses an infinite conjugate optics system to ensure both stable operation and high precision signal reading. The rigid disc tray is made from finely machined aluminium to suppress vibration and has an anti-vibration black coating to prevent diffusion of a laser beam and achieve even greater accuracy in signal readout.
HIGH-PRECISION STAND-ALONE D/A CONVERTER UNIT
The D700 doubles as a high-performance stand-alone D/A converter, capable of processing digital signals up to 192 kHz and 24-bit. The D700 is equipped with a high-precision sampling rate converter that works with the Ultra-High C/N Master Clock UPCG to reclock digital signals from external sources, including digital data streams from a computer.
- Gold-plated coaxial connectors and high quality semi-rigid coaxial cables are used to wire the master clock oscillator, providing a high-purity transmission path.
- The precision brushless DC servo motor, which has no brush-induced friction, reduces operating noise and has a longer operating life.
- The CD/SACD mechanism and its control circuit have a high C/N clock to reduce jitter and improve sound quality.
- Pressure-sensitive keys, rather than capacitive ones, and a static LED display on the front panel eliminate the effect of high-frequency noise on sound quality.
- Digital output (up-converted to 88.2kHz sampling frequency) exceeds CD format specifications for higher quality sound reproduction.
Made in Japan
years of experience
Press reports
Technical data
| Model | TAD Reference D700 Disc Player / DAC |
|---|---|
| Digital audio input connectors | 1x XLR balanced, 1x RCA coaxial |
| Input sampling frequency | 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz |
| Digital audio output connector | 1x XLR balanced |
| Output sampling frequency | 44.1 kHz, 88.2 kHz |
| Audio output level | 450 mVrms balanced output (1 kHz, -20 dB) 220 mVrms unbalanced output (1 kHz, -20 dB) |
| S/N ratio | 115 dB |
| Frequency response | CD: 4 Hz to 20 kHz SACD: 4 Hz to 40 kHz |
| Power requirements | AC 120 V, 60 Hz (USA); AC 230 V, 50 Hz/60 Hz (Europe) |
| Power consumption | 43 W |
| Power consumption during standby | 0.5 W or less |
| Dimensions | Main unit: 450 mm (W) x 185 mm (H) x 440 mm (D) Power unit: 220 mm (W) x 185 mm (H) x 430 mm (D) |
| Weight | Main unit: 26.5 kg / 58 lb Power unit: 14 kg / 30 lb |