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TEAC’s HA-507 Headphone Amp and Preamp Eschews Digital Circuitry For All-Analog Experience: Preview

At $1,999, the Technics HA-507 is a pure analog headphone amplifier and preamplifier with a balanced/dual mono configuration.

TEAC HA-507 Analog Headphone Amplifier/Preamp Front Top Silver

It has become a trend in the high-end headphone world to offer everything in a single component to maximize limited desk space and simplify the process; and that often includes the inclusion of a network streamer and phono pre-amplifier. Do headphone users need all of this additional circuitry — and does it compromise the overall sound quality? Products like the new TEAC HA-507 offer a different approach and those who require a DAC will need to consider something from the manufacturer or look elsewhere for the digital side of the equation.

TEAC HA-507

Although TEAC’s Reference 500 series includes UD models that combine both analog and digital features such as a DAC, the HA-507 forgoes all digital circuitry in favor of a pure-analog input/output solution for both its preamp and headphone amp functions. 

Equipped with an extensive power supply circuit, the HA-507 offers a rather robust 6.7 watts per channel (from its balanced outputs) and an extremely wide frequency response. When connected to the TRDD 5 discrete DAC, model UD-507, you can create a headphone playback system with separate digital and analog sections.

TEAC HA-507 atop AP-505
TEAC HA-507 used as preamplifier atop AP-505 stereo power amplifier.

The HA-507 can also be used as standalone analog preamplifier. When paired with a Reference 500 Series power amplifier, such as the AP-505, users can have a compact audio system that further enhances the quality of their loudspeaker listening experience.

Headphone Amplifier Section

The HA-507 incorporates a high power, wide range, low distortion headphone amplifier with a balanced/dual mono configuration. The headphone drive can output 6.7W + 6.7W (32Ω) via its balanced output. 

Pro Tip: The HA-507’s Preamp pass-through function enables connection to a separate power amplifier for headphones.

Headphone output connection options (wired only) include two balanced outputs (XLR 4-pin x 1, 4.4 mm Pentaconn x 1, and two Unbalanced outputs ( 6.3 mm x 1, 3.5 mm x 1). Switchable high, medium, and low headphone output gain is provided.

Preamplifier Section

In addition to using the HA-507 as a dedicated analog headphone amplifier, it also incorporates a full preamplifier section incorporating a balanced/dual mono configuration supported by “TEAC-QVCS Advanced” with a super high precision, ladder resistor network. 

Volume control is provided in 0.25dB increments and the lossless, long-life FET (Field Effect Transistor) input switching system does not include mechanical contacts.

The “TEAC-HCLD 2 (High Current Line Driver 2)” provides fast and powerful external amplifier drive capability.

As a preamplifier, inputs (XLR x 2, RCA x 2) are provided for connection of additional source devices, and outputs (XLR x 1, RCA x 1) are provided for connection to an external amplifier for powering speakers.

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The outputs can also be used to connect the HA-507 to an external DAC-equipped preamplifier. It can also be connected to a pair of active loudspeakers such as the Acoustic Energy AE1.

Power Supply

In addition to headphone amplifier and preamplifier functions, the HA-507 incorporates two independent power supplies (one for audio circuits and one for control circuits). Large toroidal power transformers with separate left and right windings exclusive for audio circuits are included with 18,800 μF per channel dual-mono configuration and high-speed Schottky barrier diodes.

TEAC HA-507 Analog Headphone Amplifier/Preamp Front and Back Silver

Exterior Design

The HA-507 incorporates an A4-size aluminum chassis suitable for both audio rack and desktop applications as well as a semi-floating 2.8mm thick aluminum top plate. Stressless metal feet with three-point provide placement flexibility which provides precise imaging and natural sound characteristics. The HA-507 has a fanless, efficient heat dissipation design.

TEAC HA-507 Analog Headphone Amplifier/Preamp Remote Control

Control

Control features include high-grade aluminum knobs with a patent-pending mechanism to prevent off-axis shaft movement, trigger in/through terminals,  and a dedicated remote (RC-1340) in combination with motorized volume control.

HA-507

Comparison

Here is a comparison between the analog-only HA-507 Headphone Amp/Preamp and UD-507 Analog/Digital Headphone Amp/Preamp/DAC.

TEAC HA-507 (left) vs UD-507 (right) Comparison
TEAC HA-507 (left) vs UD-507 (right)
HA-507UD-507
Price$1,999.99$2,099.99
Deceive TypeAnalog Headphone Amp and Analog PreampAnalog Headphone Amp and Analog/Digital Preamp/DAC
USB DACTRDD5 x 1 (L/R)
DSD Format Support22.5Mhz/32-bit Max
PCM Format Support384kHz/32-bit Max
Up-Conversion (Max)PCM 384kHz/32-bit (2 fs, 4 fs, 8 fs)
Dual MonoYesYes
Current Buffer CircuitTEAC HCLD2TEAC HCLD2
TEAC QVCS CircuitYesYes
Line/Balanced InputsYesYes
Line/Balanced OutputsYesYes
Line Parallel Unbalanced OutputsYesYes
High Precision Dual ClockYes
External Clock InputYes
Preamp Function  Yes – Analog onlyYes – Bult Pet Transmission
Line Output Level SwitchingFixed (0db)
Fixed (+6dB)
Variable
Path Thru
Off
Fixed (0db)
Fixed (+6dB)
Variable
Path Thru
Off
Front Digital InputYes (USB Type C)
Analog Line Inputs2 pairs (XLR, RCA)2 pairs (XLR, RCA)
Bluetooth ReceiverYes
Headphone Amplifier CircuitYesCurrent Strengthing Circuit
Headphone Output com nectors/Drive modesXLR 4-pin x 1 (Balanced, Active Ground)
4.4 mm 5 pole x 1 (Balanced, Active Ground)
Standard
6.3mm x1 (Unbalanced)
3.5 mm (1/8″) stereo mini x 1
XLR 4-pin x 1 (Balanced, Active Ground)
4.4 mm 5 pole x 1 (Balanced, Active Ground)
Standard
6.3mm x1 (Unbalanced)
FeetStressless Foot v 2Stressless Foot v 2
Remote ControlYesYes
Dimensions  (WHD)290 × 84.5 × 243.9 mm
11.5 × 3.4 × 9.6 inches
290 × 85 × 249 mm 
11.4 × 3.3 × 9.8 inches
Weight4.6 kg / 10 1/4 lbs4.9 kg / 10.8 lbs
Finishes Black/SilverBlack/Silver
TEAC HA-507 Analog Headphone Amplifier/Preamp Front Silver and Black

The Bottom Line

The TEAC HA-507 takes a different direction from the UD-500 series models. There is no DAC, Bluetooth, or other wireless connectivity. Instead, the HA-507 takes an all-analog approach from input to preamp output, and of course to its headphone output.

With no DAC and no digital audio inputs, your sources are limited out of the box. However, if you connect a source that has its own built-in DAC in combination with analog outputs, that would work to deliver digital sources to the HA-507.

One way this can be done is to pair the HA-507 with the TEAC UD-507, but you can also connect a media streamer with analog outputs to the HA-507 to listen to digital source content.

On can also connect a turntable and external phono pre-amplifier to the HA-507 to add vinyl playback to the system.

When connected to an external power amp, you can listen to music from speakers or you can take advantage of an increasing number of powered speakers which have their own built-in amps.

On the other hand, the HA-507 is pricey at $1,999, especially when you consider that less expensive options, such as the well-regarded Michael Fidler SPARTAN 30 ($600) or Schiit Audio Vali 3 ($149) may satisfy your analog-only needs, albeit without TEAC’s proprietary audio technology and more input/output flexibility.

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Price & Availability

The HA-507 MSRP is $1999 (USA) / €1899 (EU) / £1899 (UK).  It will be available for purchase with a Silver or Black finish starting January 2025 at TEACUSA.COM.

Find a local dealer at teac.jp/int. For more information, visit: teac.jp.

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