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Teddy Pardo TeddyDac DAC review

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Posted on December 14, 2010 at 08:03:05
nightmusic
Audiophile

Posts: 8
Location: Florida
Joined: November 23, 2003
 I'm really excited about writing this review. For 10 years I've been searching for a digital source to compliment a high resolution system. All of the past digital sources I've owned have left me longing for more. I'm thrilled to hear that we've finally entered an age where technology and knowledge has come together to make such a product. This product proves that digital can truly be musical. If this is something you're interested in, please read on.

I believe the success/failure of all audio products are dependent upon the specific system they are implemented in. Therefore, I feel that it is important to briefly describe the system it was auditioned in. My system is comprised of a Shindo Monbrison preamp, Lafon 8 watt WE 300B monoblocs, Arome CD matching transformer, and Shindo made Altec Valencia horn speakers. This system is capable of producing the inner most details found in recordings. Conversely, if there is the slightest weakness in the system, it will constantly and painfully let you know. I hear absolutely everything through those horns! Nothing seems to get by them undetected.

As a digital transport, I have predominantly utilized the Squeezebox Touch; however I also have an Oppo BDP 83 player that I have used. The good news is, both of these transports produce excellent results with this DAC.

Now let's talk about the TeddyDac... I was originally introduced to Teddy Pardo when I was searching for an upgraded linear power supply to use with the Touch. I subsequently purchased a TTouch and was very pleased with the results. This led me to inquire about the TeddyDac. Teddy told me the TeddyDac produces qualities similar to the TTouch power supply, just more of it and better. I told him to send one my way since he gives a 14 day trial period on all his products.

The DAC arrived in a compact black chasis approximately the same size as the TTouch power supply. This made it easy to place it within my cabinet. The TeddyDac has a total of 4 inputs - 2 coax, 1 USB, and 1 toslink. Teddy says it will take appoximately three weeks to fully break in the TeddyDac; however you can easily hear what the DAC is doing in your system after 48 hours of constant burn in.

I've listened to the DAC via the coax and toslink connections. Both are quite good; however the SB Touch sounds amazingly good when connected to the TeddyDac via a Lifatec Silflex glass toslink cable. This toslink cable can't be beat for the money IMHO. The Black Cat Veloce digital cable does a great job of communicating music via the coax inputs.

So how does it sound??? It sounds like music to me! TeddyDac represents a new generation of DACs. All of the previous DACs I have previously owned (Audio Aero, Bel Canto, 47 Labs, Altmann, Audial, Wavelength, and others) I would consider to reside in a previous generation of DACs. This DAC does an incredible job of converting the digital signal to an anologue signal sounding exactly like the original recording. In other words, it gets out of the way and lets the music come through. It starts by doing this with the darkest black background I have ever heard. The musical palate is totally dark and silent.

Most DACs considered non-fatiguing are also rolled off in the high frequency range. Not so with TeddyDAc. With this DAC you get a level of detail you never knew was previously there because it has always been rolled off or hidden by accompanying high frequency digital distortion. The TeddyDac simply removes the high frequency distortion often associated with digital sources and lets the detail shine through like the morning sun.

I previously shied away from DACs described as being detailed because my horns wold painfully remind me that there was a problem with the source. This is the first DAC I have encountered that allows you to hear the little nuances you never knew were there in a way that produces zero fatigue. I used to cringe in my seat when I knew the part of a track was coming that contains a great deal of high frequency energy. With the TeddyDac, I now welcome those parts of the track and can't wait for them to come.

The TeddyDac also does a miraculous job of allowing the listener to hear the venue where the music was recorded. If the music was recorded in the Sistine Chapel, it will sound just as did when it was played/recorded in this venue. Conversely, if the music was recorded in a venue with poor acoustics, it will communicate that to the listener as well. As I stated previously, this DAC just gets out the way and lets whatever is on the recording walk right on into you system undistorted. There is no sugar coating here... TeddyDac simply converts the digital signal to a very clean and accurate analogue signal. Nothing more. Additionally and most importantly, if there is emotion contained in the original recording, then it is clearly conveyed to the listener via the TeddyDac.

So how does this DAC do this? If I had to guess, it must be related to the linear power supply generated via Teddy's patented voltage regulators. There are at least 10 of these regulators contained within the TeddyDac. Whatever it is, it obviously works quite well in the digital domain.

Another quality I should comment on is the bass energy this DAC produces. Bass notes shine though just like the high frequency energy does - clear, precise, and plentiful. Bass is really important to me because it can add so much body and presence to music. TeddyDac does and excellent job of conveying this to the listener as well. This also adds to the DAC's ability to communicate venue and emotion.

If you have a high resolution system and you've been searching for a digital source to compliment it, I highly recommend the TeddyDac. It is the first DAC I have ever encountered that actually caused me to take a sick day and stay home just so I could listen to it in my system all day. Just be careful... The hours can seem like minutes when you're listening to music via this DAC. TeddyDac proves that time also flies when the music sounds good!

 

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RE: Teddy Pardo TeddyDac DAC review, posted on December 14, 2010 at 08:50:40
knewton
Audiophile

Posts: 563
Location: Mid-Atlantic/Northeast
Joined: May 18, 2010
 A nicely written user review. While I've not auditioned the TeddyDAC, I feel that you've identified what is perhaps the worst subjective aspect of most digital playback systems in the following excerpt:

"I previously shied away from DACs described as being detailed because my horns wold painfully remind me that there was a problem with the source. This is the first DAC I have encountered that allows you to hear the little nuances you never knew were there in a way that produces zero fatigue. I used to cringe in my seat when I knew the part of a track was coming that contains a great deal of high frequency energy..."

Judging by that comment, it would appear the TeddyDAC, indeed, resides on the upper echelon of digital playback.
_
Ken Newton

 

RE: Teddy Pardo TeddyDac DAC review, posted on December 14, 2010 at 10:15:10
nightmusic
Audiophile

Posts: 8
Location: Florida
Joined: November 23, 2003
 Ken,

You're exactly right! This is why I classify the TeddyDac in the next generation of DACs. I have yet to hear another digital source capable of this level of clarity, resolution, and detail with such a low subsequent noise floor. This DAC finally excites me about the future of digital! Previously, I was afraid this may not be digitally possible...

 

RE: Teddy Pardo TeddyDac DAC review, posted on December 14, 2010 at 18:24:58
Todd Krieger
Audiophile

Posts: 37333
Location: SW United States
Joined: November 2, 2000
 This should be a candidate...... The white paper is one of the most technically-sound I've seen.......... (The only minor disagreement is the claim that data files sound better than music cda files.) The design on paper looks very solid.

 

RE: Teddy Pardo TeddyDac DAC review, posted on December 15, 2010 at 05:02:47
Gerry E.
Audiophile

Posts: 2192
Location: Saratoga Springs, NY
Joined: February 19, 2000
 That's a very nice system you have there NM! Just out of curiousity, how did you come across this DAC? It's quite a bit off the beaten path. Thanks.

Gerry

 

RE: Teddy Pardo TeddyDac DAC review, posted on December 15, 2010 at 10:46:18
nightmusic
Audiophile

Posts: 8
Location: Florida
Joined: November 23, 2003
 Gerry,
You're right! This DAC is definitely off the beaten path; however I take pride in discovering products like this. It's one of the great things the WWW has allowed us to do. Without it, I never would have come across it.

Hey Todd!
I know you've been playing this game a long time, too. You may not remember, but we had some correspondence together 6 or 7 years ago about digital. If I'm not mistaken, you may have been using the Prism Dream DAC at the time.
Tell me more about the toslink you discovered. I can't find any info on it. You're welcome to PM me.

 

RE: Teddy Pardo TeddyDac DAC review, posted on December 16, 2010 at 12:03:52
aBB


 
one year ago you did not think that your system has any
Weaknesses

 

He also makes power supplies for Naim gear, posted on December 16, 2010 at 12:31:44
Frihed89
Audiophile

Posts: 15703
Location: Copenhagen
Joined: March 21, 2005
 They are lightning-fast at any price and cost far less than the Naim versions.

 

RE: Teddy Pardo TeddyDac DAC review, posted on December 16, 2010 at 12:33:19
Frihed89
Audiophile

Posts: 15703
Location: Copenhagen
Joined: March 21, 2005
 I have seen a number of his power supplies in Denmark, but the last time I looked at his site a few months ago, the Teddy Dac was discontinued.

 

RE: Teddy Pardo TeddyDac DAC review, posted on December 17, 2010 at 00:14:14
teddy_pardo


 
Hi,

The TeddyDAC was never discontinued, it was just out of stock. We have them available again now.

Teddy

 

OOPs. Sorry. I was working from (bad) memory, posted on December 17, 2010 at 05:16:14
Frihed89
Audiophile

Posts: 15703
Location: Copenhagen
Joined: March 21, 2005
 Glad to hear it.

 

RE: Teddy Pardo TeddyDac DAC review, posted on December 17, 2010 at 06:30:14
nightmusic
Audiophile

Posts: 8
Location: Florida
Joined: November 23, 2003
 Unfortunately for audiophiles like us, digital has historically proven itself to be an inherent weakness in our systems. Fortunately, it is quickly becoming less of a weakness due to technology, information sharing, and great minds at hard work. I remain optimistic about the future of digital. Subsequently, I will not hesitate to make future changes to the system when/if it continues to improve. Our ears and our wallets just have to determine if the change to the system is warranted...

 

RE: Teddy Pardo TeddyDac DAC review, posted on December 17, 2010 at 19:55:10
kenzo
Audiophile

Posts: 955
Location: San Francisco
Joined: September 27, 2003
 Hi,
It seems from the documentation on your site, and from the discussion, that undersirable power supply artifacts and deficiencies can be a contributor to sound quality issues with DACs.

If this is the case, do you have any experience with power "regenerators"? These devices claim to generate a completely new and distinct AC power source from line AC.

Would these devices help to alleviate some of the deficiencies in line AC?

thanks,
kenzo


 

RE: Teddy Pardo TeddyDac DAC review, posted on December 17, 2010 at 21:32:57
barrows
Audiophile

Posts: 62
Location: Rocky Mountain
Joined: September 1, 2010
 Kenzo;

I use a re-built/modded PS Audio P-300 AC Regenerator to power my DAC(s) and indeed it does help, but it is not a magic bullit. The DAC's onboard power supplies have to be well designed, as the rectifiers make noise of their own, commonly used three pin IC regulators are noisy, and have rather limited bandwidth and output impedance-hence large amounts of electrolytic capacitance is required. Even with the P-300, I have found using the better power supply circuits, with discrete regulators (I prefer shunts) and the best low noise parts makes a significant difference in the performance of a DAC (or phono stage, or preamp for that matter).

 

RE: Teddy Pardo TeddyDac DAC review, posted on December 17, 2010 at 21:43:36
kenzo
Audiophile

Posts: 955
Location: San Francisco
Joined: September 27, 2003
 I also own a P-300. It's built like a tank and has been running almost non-stop for 10 years.

Recently I took it out of the system for a few months as a test, but as soon as I plugged it back in I could hear a noticeble improvement. Iirc, some very high end components include "regenerators" built right in to the device. Can't recall which though...






 

RE: Teddy Pardo TeddyDac DAC review, posted on December 17, 2010 at 22:21:51
barrows
Audiophile

Posts: 62
Location: Rocky Mountain
Joined: September 1, 2010
 Kenzo:

A P-300 that old likely has dried out capacitors. If I were you I would consider getting them replaced (and upgraded). If you are handy at working on solid state amplifiers, you can do this yourself. Otherwise I would suggest sending this P-300 off to Cullen Circuits for re-capping. They will also be able to do some upgrades to the unit for you if you would like. I did this work on my P-300, and was very pleasantly surprised with the improvement-the main supply/filter caps were done-totally dried out, and there were a few other electrolytics that were in sorry shape. Rick Cullen upgrades the P-300 with better caps for a very reasonable price, and he can do other mods (improve the output wiring, change the AC receptacles, etc) if you would like.

 

RE: Teddy Pardo TeddyDac DAC review, posted on December 17, 2010 at 22:38:59
kenzo
Audiophile

Posts: 955
Location: San Francisco
Joined: September 27, 2003
 hmm, thanks for the tip, hadn't thought of that. I emailed cullen circuits, will see what is the reply.

Would a visual inspection detect caps that had degenerated? To be safe, I assume I'd should wait a week at least after the unit is unplugged before opening it?

kenzo

 

RE: Teddy Pardo TeddyDac DAC review, posted on December 18, 2010 at 01:57:38
teddy_pardo


 
"I use a re-built/modded PS Audio P-300 AC Regenerator to power my DAC(s) and indeed it does help, but it is not a magic bullit. The DAC's onboard power supplies have to be well designed, as the rectifiers make noise of their own, commonly used three pin IC regulators are noisy, and have rather limited bandwidth and output impedance-hence large amounts of electrolytic capacitance is required. Even with the P-300, I have found using the better power supply circuits, with discrete regulators (I prefer shunts) and the best low noise parts makes a significant difference in the performance of a DAC (or phono stage, or preamp for that matter)."

I couldn't say it any better... :-)

As explained above, most of the noise is generated by the rectifier. If you look at the power rail at the output of the rectifier/smoothing capacitor you'll see noise in the form of a low frequency triangle wave.

Now, if you look at this noise with a spectrum analyzer you'll see that this noise is translated into sine waves at all audible frequencies and above. The SuperTeddyRegs almost eliminate this noise and are IMO the major contributors to the high resolution and natural sound of the TeddyDAC

 

RE: Teddy Pardo TeddyDac DAC review, posted on December 18, 2010 at 08:15:14
barrows
Audiophile

Posts: 62
Location: Rocky Mountain
Joined: September 1, 2010
 Kenzo:

I would almost be willing to gauruntee that your main filter caps are dried out with a P-300 that has not been serviced in ten years. Inspection may,or may not, reveal the problem. Sometimes the caps will be bulging at their tops. When I removed mine, I could shake them and they would rattle!
Unfortunately, the P-300s were specced with capacitors used at the limits of their voltage rating-this combined with the heat generated inside the P-300 leads to the caps drying out.
Get all the elctrolytics replaced, Rick Cullen will also upgrade them to better caps if you like (highly recommended). Remember, the P-300 is essentially a signal generator, with an amplifier output stage, like any amp, it will perform better with better parts (lower noise, better dynamics). It is totally worth spending some money on it, as the general design is very sound, and with new, upgrade capacitors it will perform better than new.
Mention my name when you hear from Cullen Circuits as well.

 

RE: Teddy Pardo TeddyDac DAC review, posted on December 18, 2010 at 08:19:46
kenzo
Audiophile

Posts: 955
Location: San Francisco
Joined: September 27, 2003
 I'll do that, and thanks again for the info!

ken

 

RE: Teddy Pardo TeddyDac DAC review, posted on December 18, 2010 at 08:23:07
kenzo
Audiophile

Posts: 955
Location: San Francisco
Joined: September 27, 2003
 Fascinating, thanks for the information! I hope we will see this knowledge translate to better ps circuitry in ever increasing audio components as time goes on...

kenzo

 

RE: Teddy Pardo TeddyDac DAC review, posted on December 18, 2010 at 08:47:12
ted_b
Audiophile

Posts: 803
Joined: January 14, 2001
 Nice review. I have demo'd over a dozen DACs over the past year and I feel for you when you talk about getting ready to cringe at either complex passages or on-the-edge high frequency information. The best ones reduce that cringe to a nice "ahhhhh, that's it".

So, I've read the whitepaper but still can't figure out if the TeddyDac does 24/192. I realize the specs say so, but does that mean it handles those files natively (there is no sample rate indicator). thx
Ted (great name, huh?)

 

RE: Teddy Pardo TeddyDac DAC review, posted on December 18, 2010 at 11:38:53
teddy_pardo


 
Yes, the TeddyDAC fully supports 192/24 files on the three S/PDIF inputs. The USB input is limited to 48/24. To those who want to use 192/24 with USB, for optimal results I recommend using M2Tech HiFace, or HiFace Evo for which I also make a dedicated power supply (the TeddyEvo).

Teddy

 

RE: Teddy Pardo TeddyDac DAC review, posted on December 21, 2010 at 16:21:26
John V
Audiophile

Posts: 248
Location: NEW ZEALAND
Joined: May 10, 2010
 Todd: would you mind/care to expand a little your view over data files ?
Thanks.

 

RE: Teddy Pardo TeddyDac DAC review, posted on June 25, 2011 at 05:59:35
dianathheunter


 
so you think this is better than your previous DAC? the Audial Model S?

 

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