HiFi, Audio, Home Theatre, CD Player, CD Transport, DAC, Turntable, Tonearm, Cartridge, Phono Stage, Pre-amplifier, Power amplifier, Integrated Amplifier, Loudspeaker, Interconnect, Loudspeaker Cable, Power Cord, Power Line Conditioner, Accessories, Tweaks, Tips, Music, CD, LP, DIY
At long last, TAD's flagship power amplifier has arrived on our shores.
Over the years, local audiophiles have had many opportunities to savour TAD's excellent-sounding product line-up at AV Designs. However, TAD's flagship amplifiers, the M600 monoblock, and its successors, the M700 monoblock and M700S power amp had remained elusive.
The wait is now over.
The M700S is the stereo version of TAD's top dog amplifier, the M700 monoblock. They are practically indistinguishable from each other on their looks, just that the M700S is rated at 175w per channel while the monoblock doubles that to 350w.
This stereo power amp has a handy feature not normally seen in others, i.e., with the flip of a switch at the back, its operating mode can be changed from stereo to bi-amping. In bi-amp mode, it takes in 1 input channel from your pre-amp, and sends out the same signal on both output channels, one to independently feed your loudspeaker's bass and the other to its mid and highs. This is a great upgrade path, you just add another M700s into your system when the time comes. Of course, this will require your loudspeakers to be biamp/biwire-able, which all TAD loudspeaker models are capable of, but you would be out of luck with some loudspeakers such as those from, say, Wilson Audio and Magico.
The M700S is big, imposing and heavy at 75.5kg per unit. Yet its lines are refined and clean with no unnecessary adornment, the design language simply oozes class and quality to my eyes. Much of the bulk and weight is taken up by the block of solid metal (cast aluminium, as far as I could ascertain from TAD's website) that serves as the amplifier's base, it gives the M700S a wide and steady stance and doubles up as a stand for the amplifier (yep, just plonk the M700S directly on the floor, you need not invest in any additional hifi rack/platform/feet etc.).
The M700S has only balanced / XLR inputs
The M700S is used to drive the TAD Evolution One TX (E1TX) loudspeakers in the AV Designs demo system. The E1TX is also a new arrival in Malaysia and it is the biggest loudspeaker in TAD's Evolution Series.
Like all the loudspeakers in TAD's line-up, the E1TX uses a coaxial driver, the tweeter is made of Beryllium and the midrange magnesium. The upper most frequency response is stated as 60kHz, which is much higher than most conventional loudspeakers
The E1TX has 2 bass drivers. Its bass response goes down to 29Hz
There are 2 side-firing reflex ports, one on each side of the loudspeaker
The E1TX is bi-amp/bi-wire-able
In fact, the entire demo system consists of a complete TAD cast except the streamer, which is a Bryston unit. As seen below, the TAD-D600 acts as a DAC, and the preamp is a TAD-C600 unit. Both are from TAD's Reference Series where the M700S also hails from.
This system did all the technical stuff with aplomb - details, separation, definition, dynamics, frequency extension, sound-staging, attack, speed/pace, tonal colour/timbral accuracy etc. were all top notch. But more importantly these were done not for their own sake but with the gaze firmly on serving the music. The musical message was never lost, and the proceedings were always musically satisfying. I found that I could not focus on analysing the sound for long into any track, the sound compelled me to switch off the analytical and nit-picking side of my mind and go into music enjoyment mode again and again.
(Note: video taken with an iPhone SE)
The control of the M700S on the loudspeakers was flawless. Its control in the bass region was especially outstanding. Barring any acoustic issue in your listening room, you'd hear deep, well defined and well-delineated bass notes. The bass played tune. The highs from the M700S coupled to the Be tweeter of the E1TX were never gritty or painful to the ears even when played very loudly. The highs were pristine, fast and very articulate and had the requisite shine and bite if the recording called for it. The midrange was natural and true, I could detect a little welcome trace of warmth in the sound, which I believe was from the E1TX, that would make not-so-good recordings easier to listen to.
The scale of presentation from this system was big. Playing dynamic orchestral music and heart-thumping techno, the M700S remained unfazed. It never lost its grip and the music always remained coherent. I don't know what the limit of the M700S's drive capability is. I thought my ears would give up long before we reach that red line. Credit of course must also go to the E1TX loudspeakers, these guys can really go loud well.
With this listening impression, I don't know what more an audiophile would ask of a system really (but of course in TAD's scheme of things, there are 2 more speaker models in its Reference Series, the CR1TX and R1TX, that would, based on my experience with their earlier generations, somewhat outshine these already very excellent E1TX, though at much more substantial price points). So do yourself a favour and pay AV Designs a visit to listen to them before they found their new owners. Actually I gathered from James Tan that this M700s is already spoken for.
The list prices of the TAD equipment are:
TAD-M700S power amp - RM220,000
TAD-C600 preamp - RM177,000
TAD-D600 CD/SACD player - RM177,000
TAD-E1TX loudspeakers - RM109,000
P.S., I want to put in an extra word for the E1TX - while they cannot be said to be 'affordable', in my opinion they are not over-priced or crazily-priced in the current high-end scene, given its design, technology and workmanship. So if you are looking for a loudspeaker upgrade at this price range, please shortlist the E1TX and give it a good audition.
