TEAC AI-301DA USB DAC Integrated Amplifier

TEAC AI-301DA

A compact pre-main amplifier with USB input and fully compatible with high-resolution DSD.

Features at-a-glance

•  A compact design that fits anywhere
• 60W + 60W output power, enough to drive floor standing speakers
• Built-in Bluetooth® receiver supporting Qualcomm™ aptX®
• USB DAC supports DSD128 and PCM192/32
• Coaxial and optical digital inputs for digital audio sources (ie STBs and TVs)
• BurrBrown PCM1795 32-bit D/A converter
• Tuned in Europe

Rich and engaging sound quality, refined in Europe

The previous AI-301DA sounded excellent but the TEAC engineers have gone even further with AI-301DA-X, listening, tuning and refining the audio quality over an extended period of time, the final tuning being carried out in Europe. The results of those efforts can be heard in the rich, musical character and considerable dynamic ability of this latest version.

Robust aluminum body and small footprint

A sleek and compact body with a small footprint (215mm width, 254mm depth and 61mm height) allows you to place the AI-301DA-X in very small spaces, such as in a tiny gap in a TV stand or on a desktop. A beautifully machined aluminum volume knob and panels give it an innate feeling of elegance, while full-metal body construction achieves excellent vibration suppression, to minimise any adverse effects on sound quality.

Built-in Bluetooth®. receiver for wireless streaming

The AI-301DA-X features a built-in Bluetooth®. receiver module supporting the Qualcomm® aptX™. codec for high quality wireless audio streaming. Qualcomm® aptX™. achieves low-latency and excellent error recovery, resulting in superb sound, qualities which have made this codec an industry-standard for wireless streaming. And, for the benefit of those streaming from an iPhone/iPad, the high-performance AAC codec is also supported.

Automatically powers up on detecting a digital signal

The AI-301DA-X automatically turns on when an incoming digital audio signal is detected, and automatically turns off when the signal is switched off. This allows you to, for instance, switch on the AI-301DA-X merely by powering up your TV set, ensuring you can enjoy enhanced TV audio with the minimum of fuss.

32-bit BurrBrown PCM1795 D/A converter

In order to process the huge amounts of digital audio data present in DSD128 and PCM 192kHz/32 content, a high-performance BurrBrown PCM 1795 D/A converter is employed. Its 32-bit processing conveys fine detail and a depth of sound from Hi-Res files that’s far beyond what you can hear from standard audio CD.

Supports DSD128 native playback

The AI-301DA-X is equipped with a USB port supporting DSD Native playback. This directly converts DSD signal into an analogue waveform in ASIO2.1 and DoP formats, without changing the PCM format. In addition, asynchronous transfer mode is also supported for accurate data transfer by referencing the more accurate on-board clock of the AI-301DA-X. Furthermore, a free TEAC HR Audio Player allows users to play back, Hi-Res files such as DSD128 and PCM192/32 from Windows/Mac without the need for complicated configuration.

High quality 100mW + 100mW headphone output stage

The AI-301DA-X integrates TEAC’s CCLC (Coupling Capacitor-less Circuit) into its onboard headphone amplifier, an innovation that that delivers rich bass sound and quick transient response, by eliminating capacitors in the output stage, while delivering 100mW + 100mW of output power (32ohm load).

Conventional coaxial and optical digital inputs

In addition to a USB audio input, conventional S/PDIF inputs are also provided, the coaxial digital input supporting signals up to 192kHz/24-bit while the optical supports up to 96kHz/24-bit.

Subwoofer pre-out for 2.1 system

A subwoofer pre-out on the AI-301DA-X allows you to connect a powered subwoofer for extra bass sound in a 2.1ch system, especially useful for TV sound enhancement.

Specifications