TCD-70T CD Player by Taga Harmony
When I first caught wind of Taga Harmony's latest release, the TCD-70T CD player, my curiosity was immediately piqued. A tube-based CD player hailing from Poland, promising a harmonious blend of vintage warmth and modern precision—it's not every day you see that in the audio world.
Taga Harmony, a brand that's been making waves with budget-friendly yet high-quality audio gear, seems to have pulled out all the stops with this one. The TCD-70T features a vacuum tube stage utilizing two 6N2 tubes, thoughtfully mounted on ceramic sockets. For enthusiasts who crave that rich, warm tonal character only tubes can deliver, this is a nod to classic audiophile sensibilities.
Digging into the digital heart of the player, it boasts the renowned ESS SABRE ES9018 Reference 32-bit DAC with Hyperstream™ II architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator. This setup is known for delivering exceptional clarity and detail, ensuring that digital audio is converted to analog without missing a beat.
Power integrity hasn't been overlooked either. The inclusion of a hefty 100W toroidal power transformer speaks volumes about the commitment to clean and stable power delivery, which is crucial for minimizing noise and distortion.
On the disc-reading front, the TCD-70T employs the Sunplus SPHE8104G IC with Intelligent Correction technology. This means improved accuracy and stability when reading CDs, reducing errors, and ensuring smoother playback. Complementing this is a buffer memory and a 2-pole fully differential linear phase Bessel filter, which maintains phase linearity and minimizes distortion across the frequency spectrum.
In terms of connectivity, the player doesn't disappoint. It offers both unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR analog outputs. The balanced XLR outputs are a welcome addition for those looking to minimize electromagnetic interference and noise—ideal for a cleaner signal path. Digital outputs include both optical and coaxial options, providing flexibility for various setups. There's also a headphone output with adjustable volume for those intimate listening sessions.
The build is solid, featuring an aluminum faceplate that exudes a sleek, minimalist aesthetic. Available in black and silver finishes, it's designed to fit seamlessly into a variety of audio setups.
For those keen on tweaking their setups further, the TCD-70T comes with an IEC C14 power inlet and a removable Schuko-IEC C13 power cord, offering the option to upgrade to a premium audiophile power cable down the line.
Considering all these features, the $700 price tag positions the TCD-70T as a compelling option for anyone looking to experience the fusion of classic tube sound with modern digital capabilities.
Technical Specifications:
- Vacuum Tubes: 2 x 6N2 for unbalanced RCA output (ceramic sockets)
- Supported Disc Formats: CD-Audio (CD, CD-R, CD-RW)
- DAC Chip: ESS SABRE ES9018 Reference 32-bit DAC with Hyperstream™ II architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator
- Analog Filter: 2-pole fully differential linear phase Bessel filter
- Digital Outputs: Optical, Coaxial
- Analog Outputs: Unbalanced RCA, Balanced XLR
- Headphone Output: ≤30 mW, 32 Ω (with volume regulation)
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (±1 dB)
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): < 0.005% (A-weighted) at 1 kHz 0 dBFS
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): > 110 dB (A-weighted)
- Crosstalk: < -100 dB at 1 kHz
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 43 x 7 x 32 cm
