TAD M700 Power Amplifier

Description

Overview

The M700 is a reference power amplifier from TAD, part of the marque’s Reference series and built to the company’s pursuit of sound reproduced without alteration. It is a fully-balanced, end-to-end symmetrical design intended to drive demanding loudspeakers with authority and neutrality. It is closely related to the two-channel M700S, sharing the same engineering and chassis.

Design & build

The amplifier uses a newly designed cast-aluminium monocoque chassis with a high internal loss factor, chosen to suppress sympathetic vibration and to resist the sound pressure radiated by nearby loudspeakers. A wide-stance construction inherited from the earlier M600, with a low centre of gravity set by the angle of four height-adjustable spike feet, provides a solid and resonance-controlled base.

Sound & performance

The M700 is rated at less than 0.005% distortion, a signal-to-noise ratio above 125dB, a frequency response of 1Hz–100kHz (+0/-3dB) and 29.5dB of gain. The whole design is directed at delivering a powerful, condensed sound with deep, rich bass while retaining the fine spatial detail of the recording — the hallmark of TAD’s Reference amplifiers.

Key features

The M700 adopts a BTL (bridged transformerless) configuration to achieve total symmetry, extended down to the circuit topology and boards. Twin power transformers rated at a combined 2.8kVA, wound by hand around a bobbin-less core, feed four custom 33,000µF capacitors. A matched pair of hand-selected FET devices keeps the input stage as simple as possible, true to TAD’s “simple is best” philosophy.

Technology

End-to-end symmetry is the central idea, with the layout balanced against the influence of temperature, magnetic fields and internal vibration. A DC servo circuit stabilises operation against changes in operating temperature and input level, and the hand-matched input FETs ensure consistent, repeatable performance from unit to unit.

Specifications

Type: fully-balanced reference power amplifier. Distortion: less than 0.005%. S/N: more than 125dB. Frequency response: 1Hz–100kHz (+0/-3dB). Gain: 29.5dB. Configuration: BTL (bridged transformerless). Transformers: twin, 2.8kVA combined. Capacitors: 4 × 33,000µF. Chassis: cast aluminium with height-adjustable spike feet. Made by TAD’s Reference series.

Who it’s for

The M700 suits the two-channel listener assembling a reference system around demanding loudspeakers, who wants effortless power combined with control and tonal neutrality. It is an amplifier to be partnered with a revealing source and preamplifier and set up with care in a well-considered room.

Why buy from Hidden Home Technology

Amplification of this standard rewards careful matching to the loudspeaker and room. We can advise on system pairing, arrange a demonstration, and handle delivery and setup across the South. Speak to our team to arrange a listen or to discuss the right configuration for your system.

The Hidden Home view: TAD M700

The M700 is the monaural power amplifier in TAD’s Reference series, so a stereo system uses a pair. TAD rates it at 700 watts into 4 ohms and builds it to be symmetrical from input to output. The M700S is the two-channel version of the same design.

It suits large speakers that are hard to drive and a listener who wants the amplifier to add nothing of its own. We also sell TAD’s CR1TX and Reference One TX speakers, which sit in the same Reference series.

Call us to talk through whether your system wants the stereo M700S or a pair of these.

Sources: TAD Laboratories, “TAD Reference Power Amplifier TAD-M700 / M700S”, the maker’s own page. Our own M700 page.

Read what the critics say about more of our power amplifiers in The Hi-Fi Review Bible.