TEAC AI-503 Integrated Amplifier/DAC Review Test Bench

Test Bench

Two channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 22.3 watts
1% distortion at 26.1 watts

Two channels driven continuously into 4-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 48.5 watts
1% distortion at 55.9 watts

Analog frequency response:
–0.13 dB at 10 Hz
–0.03 dB at 20 Hz
–0.14 dB at 20 kHz
–2.77 dB at 50 kHz.

48 kHz PCM frequency response:
–0.13 dB at 10 Hz
–0.03 dB at 20 Hz
–0.63 dB at 20 kHz
+1.96 dB at 24 kHz.

318teac.meas.jpg

This graph shows that the AI-503’s left amplifier channel, with two channels driving 8-ohm loads, reaches 0.1% distortion at 22.3 watts and 1% distortion at 26.1 watts. Into 4 ohms, the amplifier reaches 0.1% distortion at 48.5 watts and 1% distortion at 55.9 watts.

THD+N from the amplifier was less than 0.008% at 1 kHz when driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load. Crosstalk at 1 kHz driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load was –80.97 dB left to right and –85.37 dB right to left. The signal-to-noise ratio with an 8-ohm load from 10 Hz to 24 kHz with “A” weighting was –99.21 dBrA.—MJP

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COMMENTS
Ovation123's picture

Seems this would be at least as likely, if not more so, to be used with headphones than speakers (even if both are connected, I'd wager headphones would get a fair bit of use). Not all headphones play equally well in such devices--would have been nice to get output impedance for headphone jack, as well as power ratings at different impedance levels (for example, 300-600ohm cans, or some with low sensitivity at lower impedance).

anmpr1's picture

Compared to the feature set on integrated amps from the '70s, these modern things offer no real value. Basically a 22 watt/channel line level stage for a thousand dollars. No phono. No tape facilities, No filters. Where's the value in that? Good thing it has meters, so you'll know that the 20 watts aren't going to blow out your speakers. LOL. I just don't see it. I'd rather buy a used Accuphase or Sansui, refurbish it, and add an external DAC.

katherinerose6's picture

The AI-503 would be nearly perfect if it included a phono input, but if it doesn't, concrete driveway brisbane you may still obtain that functionality by using a turntable with an integrated phono stage or an external phono preamp.

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