Representing the Reference 301 line, the USB-DAC Teac UD-301-X differs from its counterparts with its smaller size and low profile. But this has not affected its quality in any way. Moreover, the device has a quite attractive price for its declared technical specifications. Which draws attention to itself.
USB-DAC Teac UD-301-X – review, features
The UD-301-X is based on a dual mono design using MUSES8920 J-FET operational amplifiers and pairs of 32-bit BurrBrown PCM1795 digital-to-analog converters. This approach prevents mutual interference between channels. Plus, it provides rich bass with fast transient response.
Thanks to the CCLC (Coupling Capacitor Less Circuit) design, the signal path lacks decoupling capacitors that degrade sound quality, causing low-frequency attenuation and phase mismatch due to filtering. Maximizing the output potential to headphones is achieved by limiting power supply to the line outputs.
The Teac UD-301-X is equipped with an energy-efficient toroidal power transformer, ensuring a stable power supply to each part of the circuit. The balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) outputs can be switched for direct connection to a power amplifier or active speakers, if needed.
Asynchronous data transfer over USB is ensured by precise internal clocking of the device for correct management of synchronization of data packet sending and receiving. This suppresses jitter that degrades signal quality. The UD-301-X supports Hi-Res content playback in PCM formats 32bit/192kHz and DSD128 (Native). When processing signals with a sampling rate of 96kHz and below, the DAC can improve sound quality by upsampling the signal to a higher frequency.
Technical specifications of USB-DAC Teac UD-301-X
| DAC chip | 2 x PCM1795 |
| Headphone amplifier | + |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 105 dB |
| Harmonic distortion | 0.0015% (1 kHz) at 192kHz sampling |
| Headphone amplifier power | 100 mW per channel
(32Ω at 0.1% distortion) |
| Nominal load impedance | 16 Ω – 600 Ω |
| Input type | USB 2.0 Type B, S/PDIF: Coax RCA, Optical |
| Output type | XLR, RCA |
| Output voltage (RCA) | +14 dBu |
| Output voltage (XLR) | 2.0 Vrms |
| PCM support | 32bit/192kHz (USB); 24bit/192kHz (Coax); 24bit/96kHz (Opt); |
| DSD support | Native 2.8/5.6 MHz (USB) |
| DXD support | – |
| MQA support | – |
| ASIO support | + |
| Bluetooth | – |
| Built-in preamplifier | + |
| Remote control support | – |
| Power supply | Internal power supply |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 215 × 61 × 238 mm |
| Weight | 2 kg |
Overall, this little device (USB-DAC Teac UD-301-X) can be purchased even for active speakers. Or to expand the functionality of an existing Hi-Fi system. This versatility makes the DAC a very interesting solution for many applications.
