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Quick Takes - TEAC PD-H300 CD Player - July, 2001


Jared Baldwin

 

Ratings:
Extraordinary
Good
Acceptable
Mediocre
Poor

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TEAC PD-H300 CD Player
 


System: single tray

Digital Filter: 8x oversampling

Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz

Outputs: 1 Analog, 1 Optical Digital

Signal to noise: >90dB

Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.02% (1kHz)

Dimensions: 3 3/4"H x 8 1/2"W x 12 1/4"D

MSRP: $270.00

What they say:

The PD-H300 CD player is part of the Reference 300 series distributed by TEAC. The TEAC 300 series falls between the entry level 100 series and the top of the line 500 series. The quality D/A converter ensures you that you get out of your CDs what you were meant to: high quality sound. The TEAC 300 series is designed with the same features as the TEAC 500 without one critical thing, the larger size. The TEAC 300 series is exactly half the width of a normal component found in your A/V rack. The TEAC 300 series allows the benefit of maximum options for placement without compromising all-important quality.

What we found:

The PD-H300 has an expensive look, whether complementing the décor at home or an illuminating executive feel in the office. Probably the first thing you will notice about the TEAC PD-H300 is the eye-catching gold-plated finish that gives the initial impression that this player cost much more than it actually does. A smooth loading tray boosts your confidence in this well made product each time you load up a new CD. This player delivers on the high quality sound that it promises and won't make your CDs sound like yesterday's recordings. Although the optical digital output (or digital coaxial) is standard on most players now, you will still appreciate the noticeable difference in sound quality. I also found the space that you save by stacking the half-size components up at the office would be very useful, leaving room for things like a lava lamp or even a plant.

The fact that track numbers are not displayed on the bottom beyond the 15th track that shows the remaining number of songs can be a nuisance if you are trying to record a copy of that CD and don't know how many tracks are remaining. However, the obvious solution to this is as simple as looking at the jacket that comes with the CD. You can't fast forward within a song using the buttons on the faceplate, so you have to use the remote to do so, which leads to a source of potential frustration and interesting dilemma, since you can't use the remote control if you do not hookup the proper RCA plugs on the back of the unit that connects the remote control. Worse yet, if you don't have the necessary remote inputs on the back of your receiver, the remote control cannot be used. Shuffle play and repeat can only be used via the remote control as well. Let me also mention that you do not get a remote with the CD unit and will need to buy a TEAC receiver to get the remote. This may influence your decision to buy a compatible TEAC unit. It's not a bad thing to have to buy all TEAC, but somewhat limiting on options. Looks aside, a price tag of $270 may be a little steep for a single disc player, although it does come with a longer than average warranty from TEAC.

Rating:

Looks:
Sound:
Build:
Ease of Use:
Value:

- Jared Baldwin -

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