Technical Audio Devices, aka The Big Room Full of TAD | FLAX 2024

Talk about synchronicity. Brian Hunter and I have been awaiting a personal demo within the large Technical Audio Devices (TAD) room on the 2024 Florida International Audio Fest, and I obtained an e mail notification from PTA author Graig Neville sending me a draft of his newest overview–for the TAD C1000 preamplifier. Yes, it was a coincidence, however it was additionally a affirmation that Technical Audio Devices is in every single place today, making one other highly effective push into the hearts and minds of US audiophiles.

Words and Photos by Marc Phillips

For the previous few high-end audio reveals, Technical Audio Devices has been exhibiting in a really particular and helpful means, packing each single product they make into a big room, grouped collectively in all-TAD methods so {that a} present attendee can mainly say “I’d like to listen to this and this and this” and the exhibitors can fulfill the request. This present was barely totally different, nevertheless–Brian and I have been capable of meet TAD President Shinji Tarutani, who has been with this Japanese firm for over 30 years.

Despite a fake pas–I forgot to convey enterprise playing cards to a gathering with a revered Japanese businessman–I used to be nonetheless capable of ask a few questions. First, is it T.A.D. or “Tad”? I requested solely as a result of Dave Malekpour of PAD Hifi (the brand new distributor) pronounced it “Tad,” and I had that KEF-like second of realizing I’ve been saying TAD mistaken all these years. Tarutani-san’s diplomatic reply was that both means is ok, though he says “T.A.D.” Perhaps that’s why I preserve calling this firm “Technical Audio Designs”–I’m enjoying it secure.

The second query was only a affirmation–is Pioneer nonetheless TAD’s dad or mum firm? With this new elevated presence within the US, coupled with some imprecise scuttlebutt within the corridors, I believed possibly Technical Audio Devices had gone its personal means. Nope, TAD continues to be part of Pioneer. That brings up my persevering with curiosity on this company through the years–you by no means know once they’re going to make one thing unexpectedly spectacular, be it from TAD or Pioneer UK or Pioneer Elite or Andrew Jones. But TAD appears to be underneath the agency grasp of Tarutani-san today, and so they’re producing some unbelievable gear.

Graig Neville has been fairly effusive about Technical Audio Devices–I’d forgotten he scored the C1000 preamplifier for overview. As for me, I would have the ability to overview a pair of audio system which have all the time been an enormous favourite of mine–these chunky Compact Evolution TX stand-mounted three-ways ($40K/pair with devoted stands) that I first heard a couple of dozen years in the past. They had an enormous and thrilling sound that I’ll always remember. So when Technical Audio Devices requested me if I used to be focused on reviewing something I instantly mentioned the CE1TX-WN, the newest model. I’m giddy simply occupied with that.