I must confess, the company TEAC I had not until recently on the radar.
That changed when I read the first enthusiastic reports on the A-H01 in the trade press. A low-power amplifier with built-in DAC and digital input via USB and quality music output allowed by the computer 'and at a moderate price; a single, but detailed and enthusiastic review from Amazon USA: I wanted to test myself!
Now the device is in two weeks at my house, and I did not give her.
I place my existing Denon PMA 700AE connected it (certainly not a bad amp!) With the CD player DCD 500, namely digital. (Connected analog was the sound a little worse). Now I'm not very good at it, analyze differences in playback accurately. But one thing is clear: this little guy is so much fun, he has fire, he dissolves better, and he has also to my 8-Ohm cabinets for my taste enough power.
The downside: Now is added one or the other CD, which you must certify lousy sound. On the other hand gave the crawl my collection rediscoveries and positive surprises.
Connecting a PC I have not tested it in more detail. After installing the drivers from the supplied CD under Windows 7 (64-bit) works fine, and a combination living room with a computer would be nothing in the way. And also music in high resolution (24-bit / 48KHz, etc.) I will try at least.
A word about the remote control: That's really cheap standard goods. That was not an argument against the purchase, for which you have a Harmony for me? The database has the commands at hand (many are not anyway). In this context, one should mention two peculiarities of TEAC. Standby via remote control is not the vision; on and off is only possible on the device itself, the selection of the input is activated at the amplifier with a single button (switching through in a certain order), on the remote with discrete switches -. with the exception of the two line inputs, which alternate when on the remote control to L1 / L2 button presses. The only instruction the way, did not work at first on the Harmony and had to be taught.
My previous Conclusion: An absolute buy recommendation for all stereo - fans with and without digital ambitions!
ADDENDUM: I have now recently my project of a living room PC can realize to play music mainly. The hardware consists of an older notebook (Dell Inspiron 9400) without (!) Own display, connected via USB to my beloved and TEAC via DVI-HDMI adapter with my flat-panel televisions. In addition, a compact wireless keyboard with trackball, the whole thing should be so convenient to use from the sofa ..
Here in brief my experiences:
1. How do I was worried about my research on the Internet, was 2 device is detected under Linux the A-H01 not as an audio class although that is so promised. Were tested and XBMCbuntu OpenELEC. Beginner Since I am a complete Linux, I took the easiest way: Windows. 7
2. When I use XBMC Media Center.
3. I had of relevant providers diverse pieces of music in high quality concerned (up to 96 kHz / 24 bit). Pre-listening, I realized quickly that is not necessary for my ears and my equipment this effort. I have seen no improvement over well-produced CDs.
4. XBMC offers various add-ons, including a music-streaming services. Unfortunately, this version will only work with the most expensive account, but also offers the best quality of the difference between 160 Kbit and 320 can be determined.
All in all I am very satisfied with this solution up to this point. Of course there are still needs, for example to get the flavor of Linux to run or to test a remote control instead of the wireless keyboard. But I can to all buyers of the A-H01 only guess times to test a media PC as compared to media players certainly the most flexible solution.