User manual
Teac AI-503 Stereo 60W Integrated Amplifier

User Manual for Teac AI-503 Stereo 60W Integrated Amplifier

• Product category: Amplifiers Teac
• Brand: Teac
• Description and content of package
• Technical information and basic settings
• Frequently asked questions – FAQ
• Troubleshooting (does not switch on, does not respond, error message, what do I do if...)
• Authorized service for Teac Amplifiers

Product description

VERITA AK4490 DACs Support 11.2 MHz DSD and 384 kHz / 32-Bit PCM
• Along with native playback of 11.2 MHz DSD signals through direct processing, a wide range of high-resolution audio sources (including 384 kHz / 32-bit PCM digital input) are supported by the VERITA AK4490 DACs, made by Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation. These DACs enable the reproduction of enhanced detail and stereo sound in high-resolution audio sources.

Dual-Mono Configuration Supports Balanced Transmission
• The dual-mono configuration extends to the D/A converter and the preamp and incorporates two independent mono circuits for the left and right channels. Starting with the D/A converters, this arrangement is designed to provide enhanced isolation between the two channels. The suppression of interference between the left and right channels is particularly important when it comes to headphone listening.

Preamp Section Designed for Balanced Transmission
• The preamp circuit uses the TEAC-QVCS (Quad Volume Control System), which has a balanced design. It allows balanced processing of the audio signal at every stage, from immediately after digital-to-analog conversion until the signal reaches the volume amplifier. Control signals, transmitted from the volume knob, simultaneously adjust the variable-gain, amplifier-type volume controls of four independent circuits, providing a positive and negative for both the left and right channels. Using this system, the unnecessary manipulation of audio signals is eliminated, and the left/right and positive/negative independence of the audio signals is preserved until a point immediately before the power amplifier, helping to achieve clear sound quality with enhanced channel separation for balanced analog inputs. Additionally, "gang errors" (level discrepancies between left and right channels at low volumes), which can be an issue during headphone listening, have been eliminated, so you can enjoy accurate audio even when using low-impedance earphones.

Pre-Outs for Power Amplifiers or Active Speakers
• The AI-503 can also be used as a preamp. As the volume from the RCA output jacks can be varied, you can achieve augmented audio quality by connecting a power amplifier to the pre-out jacks. In addition, the unit has a pair of analog RCA input jacks, so you can also connect a turntable with a built-in phono EQ amplifier, a cassette deck, or other analog equipment.

Built-In 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz Clocks
• The AI-503 supports asynchronous transfer mode when connected by USB, allowing it to control PCM and DSD signals by synchronizing them with its own clock (generated by a crystal oscillator) rather than synchronizing with a computer clock signal that is typically unstable and noisy. Two dedicated clocks (running at 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz) are built in. By clocking signals that are a multiple of the clock frequencies to a crystal oscillator, designed with inherently low phase noise, the damaging effects of jitter on audio quality can be suppressed, and the audio source can be reproduced more faithfully.

4 PCM and 2 DSD Digital Filters
• Filter types include four PCM and an "off" mode, as well as two DSD digital filters. You can use the remote control to set the optimal filter according to the input file format and type of music. You can also change the filter during music playback so that you can fine-tune the audio quality.
  
  PCM Filters:
  • FIR SHARP: FIR filter with a steep roll-off, used to sharply cut signals outside the audio band
  • FIR SLOW: FIR filter with a slow roll-off, used to gently cut signals outside the audio band
  • SDLY SHARP: Short delay filter with a steep roll-off, used to sharply cut signals outside the audio band
  • SDLY SLOW: Short delay filter with a slow roll-off, used to gently cut signals outside the audio band
  
  DSD filters:
  • CUTOFF at 50 kHz, CUTOFF at 150 kHz (When receiving signals at 352.8 kHz or 384 kHz, the digital filter will be disabled during playback, regardless of this setting.)

ICEpower a/s Class-D Power Amplifier
• In order to deliver enhanced audio performance, Teac incorporated a power amplifier made by ICEpower a/s to help ensure high-resolution playback of delicate signals as well as augmented linearity at higher output levels. The use of a Class-D power amplifier enables the inclusion of a dual-mono circuit configuration in the DACs while retaining a compact form-factor at only 11.4 x 3.2 x 10.4".

Toroidal-Core Power Transformers
• Power is supplied by toroidal-core power transformers designed to suppress magnetic flux leakage and prevent electromagnetically induced noise, providing clean and stable current at all times.

Metal Enclosure Provides Vibration Resistance
• Since the enclosure is completely made of metal, which is resistant to external noise, the infiltration of electromagnetic noise generated by computers and other equipment is well-suppressed. This creates an electrically "clean" internal environment with little noise, even in outside environments that offer difficult conditions for audio equipment. The metal chassis also has 8mm-thick aluminum panels on both ends. These features help prevent twisting and bending for enhanced stability. In addition, its footprint allows it to be placed on tables, sideboards, and in other small spaces.

Dimmable VU Meters for Level Monitoring
• Providing a visual indicator of system gain, analog level meters are built into the front of the unit. These meters provide insight into the operating levels of the system and feature a dimmer function which can be set to one of four levels (bright, normal, dim, off), allowing you to adjust the brightness to match the lighting of the room, or turn off the operation of the level meters completely.

Headphone Amp with a Discrete Push-Pull Circuit
• The dedicated headphone amp employs Class AB operation, as well as a discrete push-pull circuit and op amp. This circuit design is engineered to suppress noise while maintaining the operational range of a Class-A amplifier. The fine details and nuances of your music, as captured in high-resolution audio, are designed to be delivered in a natural dimensional manner.
  
  The AI-503 headphone circuit design also features separated grounding for left and right channels from the amp to the final 4-pole jack. By separating the grounding of the left and right channels from the amplifier, channel separation is increased and a more transparent soundstage achieved. (Earphones and headphones with 3-pole plugs can be used, but to benefit from separate left/right ground drive, you should use earphones or headphones with 4-pole plugs.) In addition, the headphone amp output features a 2-stage gain-switching function which enables optimal volume setting when listening through anything from low-impedance in-ear monitors to high-impedance 600-Ohm headphones.

User Interface
• The aluminum volume knob with firm torque and toggle switches are designed to provide a sense of satisfying certainty in operation. The remote control is topped with aluminum alloy, and can be used to adjust volume in steps as small as 0.5 dB.

USB, Coaxial, and Optical Digital Inputs
• The USB input supports resolutions up to 11.2 MHz DSD and 384 kHz / 32-bit PCM. In addition, "DSD native playback", in which DSD is converted directly to analog without first being converted to PCM, is also supported.

Bluetooth Receiver with LDAC Support
• The onboard Bluetooth receiver supports LDAC, aptX, AAC, and other wireless transmission of high-quality audio, enabling easy audio streaming from your smartphone or tablet.

Front Panel Digital Input
• The front digital input jack is a convenient way of connecting digital audio players with optical and analog outputs.

Free TEAC HR Audio Player Application
• TEAC HR Audio Player, a free music playback software, allows native playback of 11.2 MHz DSD, 384 kHz PCM, and other high-resolution music files. With no complex configuration required, the TEAC HR Audio Player may be installed quickly and easily on any Mac or Windows computer.

Additional Features
• • Ground connection supported by a 1/8" 4-pole stereo headphone jack (combined with regular 1/8" stereo mini type)
  • Designed for low-energy consumption with an automatic power-saving function
  • IEC inlet
  • Compliant with RoHS

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