- Reference-quality CD transport designed for external DACs
- Based on TEAC’s trusted CD-5020A mechanism
- $1,699 / £1,299 (about AU$2,666)
TEAC has announced a new CD transport in its acclaimed Reference series. The PD-507T has been “meticulously enhanced” to deliver what TEAC says is pristine, ultra-clear audio for delivery to the DAC (digital-to-audio converter) of your choice – yes, as a CD transport not a CD player, you’ll need to a another step between this and an analog amp. Naturally TEAC would recommend teaming it with a model such as the recently released TEAC UD-507 DAC…
The transport mechanism is the TEAC CD-5020A, which has long been used for broadcast applications thanks to its ruggedness and reliability. TEAC has combined the mechanism with a semi-floating mounting structure and specially designed drive circuit to deliver “a markedly more refined audio experience.”
TEAC PD-507T CD transport: key features and pricing
The PD-507T is purely for audio CDs, including CD-R and CD-RW, but not Super Audio CD (SACD), which may infuriate some collectors. It has coaxial digital and optical outputs, each with its own separate power output, and the transport can turn off the power to the unused output.
The entire design is about delivering the cleanest signal to an external DAC, and to that end there’s a toroidal-core transformer for clean power, two independent rectifier circuits for the motor/pickup, two independent rectifier circuits for the clock and digital output, and a low phase noise crystal clock oscillator.
TEAC says that the electrical circuitry and mechanical construction have been fine-tuned to deliver an even higher level of sound quality than previous models.
Design-wise it’s a straightforward affair that doesn’t draw attention to itself, although it does benefit from a new amber full-dot OLED display and new control terminals.
Since the vinyl revival, we’ve had so many elite new record-playing options vying for a spot among the best turntables, and all promising to treat the sound of your wax with special care and attention.
CDs haven’t had as much love, and their digital nature means they don’t get the same mechanical attention, so for the many music fans who have a large collection, it’s nice to see a new release like this that’s focused on getting that absolute most out of your discs. Unless they’re SACDs, of course.
The PD-507T will be available from Q4 2025 and has a recommended retail price of $1,699.99 / £1,299 / €1,299 (about AU$2,666).
