Teac ZD-5000 CD-player Review

The Teac ZD-5000 compact disc player features a number of circuit and mechanical refinements not found in most CD players. The “ZD” in the model number stands for “zero distortion” and refers to a special “dither” circuit that is said virtually to eliminate the rise in distortion typical of CD players at very low signal levels. This small yet measurable distortion is a byproduct of the digital-to-analog (d/a) conversion process, in which random small quantization errors at very low signal levels create a sound similar to analog white noise.

According to Teac, its ZD circuit makes a distinct improvement in the linearity of the d/a converter at levels below — 70 dB, with a corresponding reduction in odd-harmonic distortion. The ZD-5000 also uses separate d/a converters (with oversampling digital filters and seventh-order analog filters) for the two channels, instead of the more common practice of multiplexing (switching) a single converter between the left and right channels.

The disc-playing mechanism uses a linear motor to position the laser over the disc, which cuts access time in half in comparison with players employing rotary motors and gears for that purpose. A three-beam laser pickup provides high tracking accuracy. To minimize the effects of external vibrations, the entire player is mounted on heavy-duty insulating feet.

In addition to its technical features, the ZD-5000 has extensive operating control conveniences. Up to twenty selections (from a maximum of ninety-nine) can be programmed for playback in any order; an auto-space feature inserts a 4-second silent interval between selections if desired. There is also direct access to any track, manual search in either direction (at twenty times normal speed) with audible sound, track skipping in either direction, and index selection when the record contains index coding. The repeat function can be applied to any track, any programmed sequence, the entire disc, or any user-defined portion (phrase repeat). The intro mode plays the first 10 seconds of each track before proceeding to the next one (touching play halts the scanning operation).

The Teac ZD-5000 has a timer-play mode for automatic playback of a previously loaded disc when power is turned on by an external timer. The front-panel headphone jack has its own volume control, which also controls the level at a second set of line-output jacks on the rear apron (the normal line outputs are at a fixed level). All the line-output jacks are gold-plated. The rear apron also contains a connector for use with a future subcode control terminal.

The display window shows the ZD-5000’s operating status at a glance, including the current track number, index number (where applicable), elapsed time on the current track, and the status of the various repeat and program modes. It can also show the total number of tracks and playing time of the disc and the time remaining on the disc or in the current track.

The player is finished in black with gold lettering and trim. Most of the pushbuttons are black plastic except for the main transport controls and the power switch, which have a brushed satin-gold finish. The player comes with a wireless infrared remote control that duplicates all of its operating and program functions, including adjusting the level control for the headphone jack and the variable line output.

The Teac ZD-5000 is a full-sized and surprisingly heavy CD player. It measures 17-1/2 inches wide, 13-1/2 inches deep, and 3-7/8 inches high, and its weight of slightly over 20 pounds (about double that of most current CD players) reflects its rugged construction. Price: $1,100.

Lab Tests

The output level from the fixed outputs of the ZD-5000 was almost exactly 2 volts from a maximum-level (0-dB) recorded test signal. The playback frequency response was among the flattest we have ever measured, varying less than ±0.05 dB from 20 to 20,000 Hz. The channel imbalance was less than 0.1 dB. The A-weighted noise level, referred to 0 dB, was —97.1 dB. The playback distortion was 0.002 percent at 0 dB, increasing slightly at lower levels (the largest value we measured was 0.01 percent at —10 dB). The distortion was almost purely second-harmonic, the least objectionable type of distortion from a listening standpoint, besides being at an entirely negligible level.

The interchannel phase shift rose from a few degrees at frequencies below 5,000 Hz to 41.5 degrees at 20.000 Hz. Both the phase shift and distortion we measured from the ZD-5000 were comparable to those of most other CD players we have tested, despite its “zero distortion” circuits and separate d/a converters. The stereo channel separation, however, which decreased smoothly from 111 dB at 1,000 Hz to 92 dB at 20.000 Hz, was one of the greatest we have yet measured from a CD player (especially at the higher frequencies).

Like most of today’s better CD players, the Teac ZD-5000 had no difficulty tracking through all the simulated defects on the Philips TS5A test disc. The transition from Track 17 to Track 18 of that disc, which are not separated by a silent interval, was perfect, with no clipping of the opening syllable of Track 18. The slew time from Track 1 to Track 15 of the TS4 test disc was 1.5 seconds, about twice as fast as most current players. The only respect in which the ZD-5000 fell short of outstanding performance was in its response to physical impact. Moderately hard finger drumming on the top plate above the playing mechanism was enough to cause mistracking. Drumming elsewhere on the top cover had somewhat less effect, and on the sides the player was nearly immune to this treatment.

Comments

Because of its perfection in such key performance parameters as frequency response and channel separation, and its well-above-average performance in almost all other respects, the Teac ZD-5000 is among the top two or three CD players we have tested. Considering also its operating flexibility and rugged construction, it would be easy to accept Teac’s presentation of this machine as a flagship product, justifying its rather considerable price by today’s standards.

Despite Teac’s emphasis on its “zero distortion” circuits, however, the ZD-5000’s distortion was no lower than that of virtually every other home CD player we have tested. Furthermore, despite its undeniable massiveness and solid construction, it was actually more sensitive to physical impact than several less expensive players we have tested, although, in all fairness, it was a good deal better than many others.

Those people who can hear significant differences in sound quality between CD players will have to listen for themselves to discover if the ZD-5000 has any special sonic characteristics. One thing seems certain—this is a very fine, well made, and smoothly operating machine. Its premium price may well be justified by its heavy-duty construction, which clearly sets it apart from the rest of the field. And it may also be that its combination of absolutely superlative frequency response and almost total absence of crosstalk, among other things, contributes to a sound quality that the most critical listener will appreciate. Whatever your reaction to such details, the Teac ZD-5000 is one of the best CD players you are likely to find on today’s market.

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