Website author headshot
Cameron Oatley
ExtremeHiFi
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi

Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.

What reviewers think

Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.

Product Strengths

  • Combines a satiny top-end sheen with an authoritarian dynamic slam and impressive transparency
  • Soundstages were deep and wide where appropriate
  • Produced transient sharpness on the bottom and in the mids
  • Tonally neutral-sounding
  • Bottom-end extension and resolution of low-level detail were high quality

Product Considerations

  • Super-refined reproduction of transients as somewhat on the polite side overall, and better suited to jazz and classical than to harder-edged rock, soul, and blues
  • Requires a very low loading value to get the most out of it, surprising considering the recommended 100-200 ohms
  • At 17gm, it is on the heavy side

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The TechDAS TDC01 Ti offered transparency similar to the Kuzma CAR-60
  • The TechDAS TDC01 Ti also produced Proteus-like overall dynamic 'slam'

Takeaway: The TechDAS TDC01 Ti cartridge is a high-quality product that combines smoothness with dynamic slam, making for a refined sound. Its neutrality and detail make it a good choice for audiophiles who enjoy jazz and classical music.

What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.

All

TDC01

reviews

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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022

Manufacturer details

Specifications:

  • Type: Moving Coil (MC)
  • Frequency Response: 10 – 50,000 Hz
  • Output Voltage: 0.45 mV (at 1 kHz)
  • Internal Impedance: 1.4 ohm
  • Recommended Load Impedance: 100 – 200 ohms
  • Recommended Tracking Force: 2.0 – 2.3 g
  • Cartridge Weight: 12 g
  • Cantilever: Super Duralumin (A2017)
  • Stylus Tip: Semi-line contact (3 μm x 30 μm)
  • Housing: Super Duralumin (A7075) with DLC coating
  • Housing Base: Super Duralumin (A7075) with DLC coating and damping treatment
  • Channel Balance: 0.5 dB (at 1 kHz)
  • Channel Separation: Over 30 dB (at 1 kHz)

The TDC01 cartridge features a novel egg-shaped housing which was chosen because of its unchallenged structural Section Modulus properties. This unique housing made of A7075 Super Duralumin, and although difficult to machine with such extreme precision, is an ideal form factor to dissipate extraneous energy coming from the record groove. This, in turn, allows the generator system to reproduce only the clean signal of the music itself.
The TDC01 cartridge features a novel egg-shaped housing which was chosen because of its unchallenged structural Section Modulus properties. This unique housing made of A7075 Super Duralumin, and although difficult to machine with such extreme precision, is an ideal form factor to dissipate extraneous energy coming from the record groove. This, in turn, allows the generator system to reproduce only the clean signal of the music itself. The result is absolute purity of tone, with deep, detailed bass, extraordinary smooth clarity of the midrange, and crisp, clean highs bathed in pure air; together with the vast dynamic range of this design – and making a clear departure from the thin sound that so often is present in many MC cartridges – the TDC-01 presents a musical presentation of absolute beauty, solid authority, and incredible, holographic realism.
Manufacturer Site

Brand highlights

Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:

  • TechDAS turntables employ air-bearing platters and vacuum record hold-down systems across their entire product line, even in their most affordable models.
  • The brand's turntables often feature a multi-layered chassis construction utilizing a combination of different materials to minimize vibration and resonance.
  • TechDAS emphasizes precise control of platter rotation, often employing sophisticated motor control systems with quartz oscillators and microcontrollers.
  • They offer design their products as tool-like and highly customizable, accommodating up to four tonearms with a variety of armboard options.

Air Force V Premium

  • Positioning: Entry-level model, designed for affordability and compactness.
  • Description: Offers a compact design with integrated motor, making it ideal for smaller spaces. Features a dual platter system and a CNC machined aluminum chassis, providing a high signal-to-noise ratio similar to higher-end models. This model is suitable for those with a limited budget who still desire advanced air technologies and a solid build.

Air Force III Premium S

  • Positioning: Mid-range model with enhanced vibration isolation.
  • Description: Includes newly designed suspension feet for improved vibration isolation, making it suitable for varied environments. Features a heavy gunmetal platter and air bearing technology, offering a lower noise floor compared to the Air Force V Premium.

Air Force One Premium

  • Positioning: High-end model with advanced air technologies.
  • Description: Incorporates a heavy platter and advanced air suspension system, providing superior rotation accuracy and dynamic sound. Offers a choice of titanium or duralumin upper platter, setting it apart from the Air Force III Premium S.

Air Force Zero

  • Positioning: Flagship model, designed as the ultimate reference turntable.
  • Description: Features a colossal design with a 330 kg system and advanced motor technologies, delivering exceptional rotational precision. Its air suspension and multi-layer platter system provide a noise floor and soundstage unmatched by the Air Force One Premium.
See All Products
Avg. Product Price
$5,001-$10,000
Used For Sale
4
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
253
 of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
15
Founding Year
2010

Our take on the brand

TechDAS is a premium turntable brand that uses rare air bearing and vacuum hold-down technologies, designed by former Micro Seiki engineer Hideaki Nishikawa. Their Air Force series turntables combine high-mass chassis with advanced air suspension systems to minimize vibrations, while their vacuum hold-down system reduces record warping for better sound quality.

Look inside the brand

Brand Page

Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

What's your approach to customer support?

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

What other products pair best with yours?

From our interview with
.
Brand Page

What if you spend more?

No items found.

What competes at this price?

EMT Tontechnik
JSD Novel Titan
6995
/
Released
2021
Ultimate stereo cartridge with EMT multi-layer core transducer and titanium body
Check Amazon
EMT Tontechnik, originally developed for German broadcasters, is renowned for its high-performance moving coil cartridges and digital reverb units that emphasize honesty and coherence. Their turntables and cartridges maintain a distinct sonic signature that blends transient speed with musical attack, while their reverb units, including the EMT 246 with its EMT 250 algorithm, are considered among the best digital reverbs ever made.
Expand Details

Our Summary

No items found.

Product Strengths

  • Generous low-frequency transient textures, such as fingers plucking double bass strings
  • Smoothness, refinement, good timbral balance, and commendable transparency
  • Precise build quality
  • Seamless delivery, producing musical pleasure on a rich, colorful pallet

Product Considerations

  • The Titan does not include a stylus guard, which could be a problem for people with cats, children, or housekeepers
  • A particular vocal sibilant characteristic—a super-narrow, almost sweet peak—was noted
  • If hard rock is your thing—look elsewhere

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Original vs test pressing of The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark—the EMT's generous presentation of bass transient textures was there too, without overhang

Takeaway: The EMT JSD Novel Titan MC cartridge uses modern materials to enhance a classic design, delivering a fast and fresh sound. With its high output and precise build, it reliably delivers satisfying musical experiences.

Video review

Our take on the brand

EMT Tontechnik, originally developed for German broadcasters, is renowned for its high-performance moving coil cartridges and digital reverb units that emphasize honesty and coherence. Their turntables and cartridges maintain a distinct sonic signature that blends transient speed with musical attack, while their reverb units, including the EMT 246 with its EMT 250 algorithm, are considered among the best digital reverbs ever made.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
EMT Tontechnik
JSD Novel Gold
7995
/
Released
2021
Ultimate stereo cartridge with EMT multi-layer core transducer and high-density body
Check Amazon
EMT Tontechnik, originally developed for German broadcasters, is renowned for its high-performance moving coil cartridges and digital reverb units that emphasize honesty and coherence. Their turntables and cartridges maintain a distinct sonic signature that blends transient speed with musical attack, while their reverb units, including the EMT 246 with its EMT 250 algorithm, are considered among the best digital reverbs ever made.
Expand Details

Our Summary

No items found.

Video review

Our take on the brand

EMT Tontechnik, originally developed for German broadcasters, is renowned for its high-performance moving coil cartridges and digital reverb units that emphasize honesty and coherence. Their turntables and cartridges maintain a distinct sonic signature that blends transient speed with musical attack, while their reverb units, including the EMT 246 with its EMT 250 algorithm, are considered among the best digital reverbs ever made.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

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