Teac Phono

[Escolastico Hall]

FREEStylus Matching Service

For your convenience, LP GEAR offers a free stylus matching service. If your turntable or stylus is not listed, all you need to do is:

- Look at the info and marking on the existing cartridge and stylus. We need the brand and model number.

- Photos will also be helpful.

- Send these to us via e-mail.

At your service for 28+ years, LP Gear is an indie global analog resource specializing in turntable stylus replacements, phono cartridges, belts, needles, headphones, audio electronics and accessories. We offer the most extensive universe of high quality replacement styli and turntable belts on the planet! You'll be startled by the improvement when upgrading a stylus, cartridge or system component.

Fully balanced from the head amplifier to the equalizing amplifier sections to the buffer section on the final output stage, the dual-mono TEAC PE-505 MM/MC phono preamplifier maintains the kind of signal purity essential to hearing reference-grade analog playback. Complete with fully differential inputs and outputs, a differential output equalizing circuit that absorbs errors on the balanced output, and a high-precision RIAA circuit, the component contains everything required from an audiophile phonostage. A subsonic filter, mono function, switchable gain, pair of XLR inputs for MC use, pair of XLR outputs, and a VU meter that displays subsonic signals cover practically all needs.

Ditto the switchable load capacity for MM cartridges and switchable load resistance for MC types. Seven MC impedance settings and four MM capacity options extend your flexibility. In addition, the load-resistance measuring function allows you to select an appropriate load-resistance by pressing the "Measure" key on the front panel to show the total load-resistance value, including cable resistance on the gauge. Individual EQ curves for mono vinyl and those with EQ from Decca and Columbia also come standard.

Anchored by three-pin pin-point feet, the metal-encased PE-505 looks as good as it sounds. As to the latter: Consider its 106dB MM signal-to-noise ratio (86dB for MC) as a starting point. You'll enjoy rich, extended bass, dynamic slam, smooth highs, and tremendous clarity. In addition, TEAC ensured PE-505 remains on the level for foreseeable future by including a USB input for any firmware updates. Add to such convenience that any adjustments can be made on the front panel (no DIP switches here), and PE-505 steps to the front of its class. 100% Music Direct Satisfaction Guaranteed.

From the head amplifier to the equalizing amplifier sections to the buffer amplifier section on the final output stage, PE-505 employs a fully-balanced circuit design throughout all stages that amplifies, equalizes, and maintains signal purity of even the most extremely faint audio signals picked up by a cartridge. Even unbalanced signal on the conventional RCA input is converted to the differential processing mode right after the input terminals.

Absorbing errors on the balanced output, the differential output equalizing circuit delivers a more accurate audio signal. The differential output circuit that cross-multiplied the hot and cold outputs each other. As the result, both signals are equalized for a pure and natural audio signal delivery.

PE-505 equips switchable load-capacity for MM cartridges and switchable load-resistance for MC cartridges. Furthermore, the load-resistance measuring function allows users to select an appropriate load-resistance by pressing the MEASURE key on the front panel to show the total load-resistance value including cable resistance on the gauge. Also, the Subsonic function shows subsonic signals less than 6Hz on the gauge, while the subsonic filter (17Hz, -24dB/octave) cuts unnecessary low frequency out of the hearing range.

With the quick demagnetize function, both magnetized iron cores of MC cartridges and the step-up transformer are demagnetized by playing back a vinyl record for as short as 30 seconds with the DEMAG position.

Place a qualifying order over $49* and receive FREE DOMESTIC GROUND SHIPPING.

When your order subtotal reaches $49 in the shopping cart the shipping charge for associated qualifying items will automatically be adjusted on your order. If you continue to see a shipping charge on your order, please check the exclusions listed below.

*Ground shipping to the 48 contiguous states only (FPO/APO excluded).

**Orders must be at least $49, before tax, to qualify.

This offer also excludes Oppo, demos, closeouts/sale items and freight shipped items.

This offer cannot be applied to previously placed orders.

Music Direct reserves the right to select the carrier and ship method within the terms of this offer.

Music Direct reserves the right to change the terms of this promotion or discontinue this offer at any time.

This offer is not included on any shipments to FPO/APO addresses. Music Direct will contact you with shipping charges for these addresses.

Customers can choose an alternative expedited shipping method but it will not qualify for this free shipping offer.

Music Direct will not charge additional shipping for any back orders items. Orders will be held to ship all back ordered items together when they are all received in stock.

Please Note: Orders that are less than $125 are not guaranteed to ship via FedEx. The ground shipping method used will be determined at Music Direct's discretion. Average ground delivery time ranges from 7-14 business days. Music Direct does not guarantee delivery within that specified time period.

We strive for 100% customer satisfaction with every order and back it up with our 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Should you have an issue of any kind, rest assured we're here to make it right! We stand behind every product we sell and offer free live support if you need assistance setting-up, troubleshooting, or maximizing your purchase. We also have a variety of resources available to customers including:

Audiophiles are interesting in that many of them tend to eschew simplicity in favor of complexity, as demonstrated by the sheer number of separate boxes some use to handle each function of a system. The reason for doing so is obvious: an outboard DAC, dedicated CD transport, outboard phono stage, separate pre- and power amplifiers, and tuner (not to mention the various cables necessary to hook them all up) allow the listener to tweak the sound of a system at any point in the chain. Admittedly, in this regard, my own system is very non-"audiophile." For my reference integrated amplifier, I use a Bryston B100SST that features both an onboard DAC and MM phono stage. That leaves only the speakers, turntable, and something to spin CDs on to affect the sound of my stereo. I prefer to keep things simple.

For this reason, I was pretty curious when the assignment came to review TEAC’s Reference AG-H300mkIII stereo receiver ($349 USD). This little box, only half the width of most standard components, costs roughly one-twentieth the price of my reference integrated, yet manages to handle all the same functions (except that it has an AM/FM tuner but no DAC). Even I, who values simplicity and a more integrated design approach, was surprised by what such a small box at such a bargain-basement price is claimed to do. I wanted to know what the tradeoffs were.

Around back are five inputs, including CD, phono, tape, CD-R/MD, and auxiliary, as well as two outputs for recording with the tape or CD-R/MD functions. An AM loop antenna and an FM antenna (both included) also plug in at the back. In addition, there is a reset switch should the receiver be shut down by a power surge. The lone pair of speaker posts can accept bare wire or banana plugs.

At opposite ends of the faceplate are two large knobs: one for selecting the source, the other for adjusting the volume. There is also a dial for channel balance, and tone controls for 10dB bass and treble adjustment. In addition to the five dials and a headphone input are buttons for Power and Standby, FM Mode (mono or stereo), Tuning/Preset controls, Tuning Mode (Manual or Preset), Band (AM or FM), and Memory (to program radio-station presets). The combination of the small faceplate and large display, which also indicates which input has been selected, means that the front of the AG-H300mkIII is busy, to say the least.

The TEAC won’t win any beauty contests, but its small size and overall symmetry help make it pleasing to the eye. Furthermore, its large display can be easily read from across the room. Holding the AG-H300mkIII in my hands, I was impressed with its relative solidity, due in part to its thick front panel of brushed aluminum. And I was surprised by how many features you get for $349. I couldn’t help thinking that the AG-H300mkIII might be ideal for someone buying his or her first component system, or someone assembling a smaller second system for the office or bedroom.

I had some reservations about using the PSB Platinum M2s, but little reason to worry. When listening to CDs, I rarely turned the volume dial up by more than 25% to play as loudly as I could tolerate (with LPs, the volume ended up closer to 50%). At higher volumes, the PSBs started sounding hard and the bass became really loose, but I never drove the TEAC into clipping, and I suspect I had some headroom to spare. The little AG-H300mkIII was more powerful than its size and price indicate.

The AG-H300mkIII’s tuner section worked well, particularly the FM band, which was able to lock on to the strongest stations and bring their signals into my listening room with excellent clarity. I was able to appreciate the TEAC’s large display most when using the tuner, because it was so easy to read from across the room. I wish the remote had allowed me to navigate across the entire FM band rather than just skipping between a few preset stations -- or had a scan function that served the same purpose but locked on to only those stations with the strongest signals.

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