Teac Reference Series

[Seth=L]

Hi everyone,

A new newbee here!

Great discussion going om here! I like the ref. series, but I can't find much information except for this forum! Thanks for setting this up many years ago and for keeping it running.

I signed up because my used AG-H550 and DV-H550 are in their way! I have a pair of Mission M52's waiting for the set.
In my internship in a small audiostore I learned and haard that those reference machines are able to drive even floorstanders. The combination of the AG-H550 with my Missions is a big questionmark for me. Does anyone of you have any idea of expections about it?

Thanks Jr

My experience with the AG-H550 is that it can handle most speakers with relative ease. It's one of the more robust components of the series. I've had full size receivers that didn't have as much power as the AG-H550. The inclusion of 6 channel preamplifier outputs on the rear is handy as well. In the event you found the power to be inadequate you could add an external power amplifier.

 

[Seth=L]

Hiya fellow Teac R500 fans,

I join purely because this is the only good feed on this (wonderful) product. I bought my system back in the late 90's and hooked it up with a bose acoustimass 3 speaker system and to this day i think its the sweetest sound I have ever heard.

Unfortunately, The MD player has started to fail on reading the discs. discussed this at length with the gents at Richer Sounds and they said they would services it for £70 but could not guarantee a fix as there are no replacement laser units. Does anyone know of a company that specialises in TEAC products? Or if I can pick up a replacement laser off ebay or the like?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Paul

MD parts are going to be very difficult to come by as they are nearly completely defunct everywhere. Lucky for you in the UK the players show up on eBay quite often, sometimes even NOS stuff. Your best bet is to replace it and it will likely cost less than repairs.

 

[Juniorvae]

My experience with the AG-H550 is that it can handle most speakers with relative ease. It's one of the more robust components of the series. I've had full size receivers that didn't have as much power as the AG-H550. The inclusion of 6 channel preamplifier outputs on the rear is handy as well. In the event you found the power to be inadequate you could add an external power amplifier.

Yes, that is what I've learned during my internship many years ago. I just can't remember this particular machine. I also remember that we sold the Mission M52's. We just didn't put them together as far as I remember.

Before my intern in this store I had no idea what good sound quality (like GOOOOOD sound quality) sounded like. I found out that the midi set my aunt owned by then was one of the sets we sold. Yep! An AH300 or an AH500. By then I didn't know they were different amps. I let one or those sets scream some music in the store to check it out. And yes. I became fan of the reference series!

The Teac reference series were THE midi components which were able to do the same job as de full size components. That is that the employees told me and what I heard. What blew the nice 'golden oldies' away in the store were the Linn classik music and the Linn classik movie. They were seen as one of the first all in one components with GREAT quality and much power! The other all in one components came from Denon, Onkyo and also from Teac. We actually didn't sell them because the owner and the employees didn't like the performances. We did sell the Arcam solo and an all in one Rotel component. (Maybe one of those NAD's too). The bad thing of all the good and strong all in ones is that many people forgot the Teac reference's.

Now after many years of saying:

 

[Juniorvae]

Yes, that is what I've learned during my internship many years ago. I just can't remember this particular machine. I also remember that we sold the Mission M52's. We just didn't put them together as far as I remember.

Before my intern in this store I had no idea what good sound quality (like GOOOOOD sound quality) sounded like. I found out that the midi set my aunt owned by then was one of the sets we sold. Yep! An AH300 or an AH500. By then I didn't know they were different amps. I let one or those sets scream some music in the store to check it out. And yes. I became fan of the reference series!

The Teac reference series were THE midi components which were able to do the same job as de full size components. That is that the employees told me and what I heard. What blew the nice 'golden oldies' away in the store were the Linn classik music and the Linn classik movie. They were seen as one of the first all in one components with GREAT quality and much power! The other all in one components came from Denon, Onkyo and also from Teac. We actually didn't sell them because the owner and the employees didn't like the performances. We did sell the Arcam solo and an all in one Rotel component. (Maybe one of those NAD's too). The bad thing of all the good and strong all in ones is that many people forgot the Teac reference's.

Now after many years of saying:

Mm I clicked on 'edit' but I didn't know that I just had 10 min for it. I guess I typed for 30 minutes or so... Anyway. I am soon a proud owner of my own AG-H550 and a DV-H550.

 

[Seth=L]

Mm I clicked on 'edit' but I didn't know that I just had 10 min for it. I guess I typed for 30 minutes or so... Anyway. I am soon a proud owner of my own AG-H550 and a DV-H550.

The receiver is solid, their DVD players are shaky.

 

[Juniorvae]

Thank you for replying so fast! I really appreciate that. Are the dvd players shaky in audio/video quality or shaky in 'how long they live'?
I have no experience with the DVD players, but I know that the sound of the cd players is better.

 

[Seth=L]

Thank you for replying so fast! I really appreciate that. Are the dvd players shaky in audio/video quality or shaky in 'how long they live'?
I have no experience with the DVD players, but I know that the sound of the cd players is better.

Mechanical noise is the biggest problem I have with their DVD players. They don't seem to offer very reliable performance either. As to their sound they are fine. Picture quality is standard for DVD players you can go to any big box store and buy. Nothing remarkable.

 

[Juniorvae]

OW, that sounds concerning. I have the same problem wih my very sheep Samsung DVD player. I'll check it Monday of Tuesday. Hopefully it will still serve me for many years.

I will let you know my experiences.

 

[Juniorvae]

Well, I've got it!
What an upgrade is that receiver. One bad thing about it is when the fan goes on. I thought the receiver didn't have one, but it is build in inside... And yes. If it's on, you hear it...
The DVDs player lets me down a little bit. It had/has problems with it's playback. Even original cd's gave problems. After cleaning the lens it became better, but still. The thing gives problems.
When it all plays... What a wall of crystal clear sound. It is more than enough to drive my floor standing speakers. They recommend amps between 25 until 100 watts or something. Anyway, the AG-H550 does not have any problems with the M52's. Other floor standing speakers could perform different of course... Well, the set is a big 'plus' for me!!!

 

[Seth=L]

Well, I've got it!
What an upgrade is that receiver. One bad thing about it is when the fan goes on. I thought the receiver didn't have one, but it is build in inside... And yes. If it's on, you hear it...
The DVDs player lets me down a little bit. It had/has problems with it's playback. Even original cd's gave problems. After cleaning the lens it became better, but still. The thing gives problems.
When it all plays... What a wall of crystal clear sound. It is more than enough to drive my floor standing speakers. They recommend amps between 25 until 100 watts or something. Anyway, the AG-H550 does not have any problems with the M52's. Other floor standing speakers could perform different of course... Well, the set is a big 'plus' for me!!!

I'm glad to hear you're enjoying the receiver, sorry about the DVD player.

Both the AG-H350 and AG-H550 have fans. The internal volume is so low and so much is crammed inside the chassis that the transistors have to be mounted to a funnel heatsink and a fan relieves the heat out the left side of yours in particular. I have an AG-H350 sitting on the shelf here that ventilates out the back, but the fan in mine has stopped working, so it doesn't get used much.

I also have an AG-L800 sitting around as well, it also has a rear mounted fan. I can hear it quite easily depending on the program level.

If you're after quality stereo only performance and wish to stick with the champagne finish Teac Reference series I'd recommend the A-H500 (not to be confused with the AV-H500). It's a stereo integrated amplifier. It is far and away in another league compared to any other Reference series component of the champagne variety. It's purely convection cooled, so no fan.

 

[Juniorvae]

To be honest. It doesn't really bother me very much. I have the receiver for over 1 week and it bothered me just one single time when the receiver was still on, but not playing anymore.
To look at my possible plans for the future I want to keep the surround receiver. That is why I wanted this one. A good surround receiver with also good quality sound.
About the DVD player... I think I will fix all problems and I will survive...
Thanks for your support, information and so on..

 

[Grahame]

Hiya fellow Teac R500 fans,

Unfortunately, The MD player has started to fail on reading the discs. discussed this at length with the gents at Richer Sounds and they said they would services it for £70 but could not guarantee a fix as there are no replacement laser units. Does anyone know of a company that specialises in TEAC products? Or if I can pick up a replacement laser off ebay or the like?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Paul

Hi Paul

Take the lid off and get the laser id. Then have a search on Google.
I took a chance on an eBay drawer mechanism/laser for my PD-H500i and it was fine.

Unfortunately the PSU has now started a loud buzz/hum.
My repair man says the transformer windings are separating.
I am looking for another unit to cannibalize
I've found a PD-H570 - seller says Err shows and thinks CD is stuck inside
Two questions for the gurus here:
Does this item have the same PSU?
I would like to have the multi CD capacity - is this broken unit likely to be an economical fix?

 

[Seth=L]

Does this item have the same PSU?
I would like to have the multi CD capacity - is this broken unit likely to be an economical fix?

You might get lucky and find out there's just a jam from improper use with the carrier, but other than that, not economical. They do not appear same PSU based on wattage. The PD-H570 has slightly higher power consumption. I had to scour google images and could only find Japanese models for the example. This does not necessarily mean the PSU is not the same, in fact it's highly possible they are the same, just so happens when they tested the units the PD-H570 had a slightly higher power consumption, probably due to the tray carrier mechanism.

PD-H500

PD-H570

 

[swazey]

Great thread! I have a pair AGH 550 receivers if anyone's

 

[Seth=L]

Great thread! I have a pair AGH 550 receivers if anyone's

Yeah, how much?

 

[Neo_Soul]

Yeah, how much?

I have the ag-h550 receiver and according to specs in 2 channel mode it has 80 watts per channel. Those of you that have this receiver and the h500 amp do you find the hamp more powerful than the receiver since I hear the amp is undertated with its 50 watts x 2 rating?

 

[Seth=L]

I have the ag-h550 receiver and according to specs in 2 channel mode it has 80 watts per channel. Those of you that have this receiver and the h500 amp do you find the hamp more powerful than the receiver since I hear the amp is undertated with its 50 watts x 2 rating?

Technically I believe the AG-H550 has more constant power. The A-H500 probably has a little more headroom giving it a more satisfying dynamic quality. The h500 is better suited for music with more dynamics, orchestral, jazz, and other well recorded/mastered tracks. If Rock is what you listen to the H550 might be a better choice.

 

[selekta]

New to Teac and this thread, excitedly waiting for my set to be delivered:

A-H500i amp
PD H503 3-CD player
T H500 tuner

The set is missing a remote though, and I was wondering which Teac remotes would work with it.
I understand RC 613 is the standard remote, but does it work with the CD changer too? Is RC 711 compatible too?

 

[Ibbz]

Hi I've had a TEAC AH300 as part of my bedroom set up since bought it new in 2000 from Kamla in Tottenham Court Road. I have the CD and Tape too - which I've since retired. Have had it connected to my iMac and a pair of B&W 601 S2 speakers and it sounds great.
Last week after 15 years I found a AH500i on eBay for £90 and bought it so I could upgrade the sound.
My question is, I'm thinking of buying an external DAC instead of using the internal one on my Mac.
Did TEAC make any made in Japan DACs which would look good with this system ? I want to avoid their latest Chinese made gear.
I've heard about the TEAC D700 - how's this like? Or the Esoteric D70. - but hear are most likely well over my budget - any ideas for a Japanese made (or Taiwan/Korea) TEAC DAC which would be an improvement over that in my iMac (2015 Retina) ?

Also what does the CD Ditect mode do?

 

[Ibbz]

And how would inch next a Little Dot Mk ii Vale Pre Amp to the TEaC?