I’ve been on a bit of a TAD bandwagon of late, so I was excited to see what was going on in the TAD and Protone room at Munich. When I walked in not only did I get to hear the TAD Reference level system with the new C700 preamplifier and the Reference 1 speakers in a new Signature finish in beautiful blue, I got to see new acoustic treatments from Protone.
Words and Photos by Graig Neville
This Polish company had their Schroeder 2D panels on display in the TAD and Protone room, which look nice, but they also showcased the Wooden Hex panels. These were unique, fun, and drop-dead gorgeous. They do not have distribution in the United States, but I want these so bad. Perusing their website (Polish only, so you need to translate the site) I noticed they have several other great products as well. I hope they find US distribution in the future.
Back to TAD–on static display in the TAD and Protone room, the Japanese company had the C1000 preamplifier that I raved about, along with the D1000 CD player, M1000 amp, and GE1 speakers. The fit and finish is fantastic and I heard them at Capital Audio Fest in 2023 to good effect in a truly terrible room.
Speaking of the actual rooms, the Munich show has more appropriately sized rooms than CAF or AXPONA. The full Reference series, including the brand new C700 ($68,500) was playing in the TAD and Protone room. The other TAD gear in the Reference series included the M700 ($90,000 each), D700 ($64,500), and Reference One ($180,000). This was the first time I’ve heard the Reference 1 speakers, and the system sounded glorious. Those biggish Reference 1 speakers just dissappeared in the TAD and Protone room. I came back to this system several times just to revel in the majestic sound. Percussion on tracks such as “Perceiving All” by Symbilico and Dacoit Duel by A.R. Rahman, Matt Dunkley & Czech Film Orchestra and Chorus were epic. Dynamics were fast, authoritative and had slam and pace.
TAD has a very small product catalog for the consumer market. They have a pro side to the company as well, but both sides share electronics. The pro market has a different set of custom compression drivers to build custom studio systems. Every TAD speaker I’ve heard is special, but the Reference One had my jaw on the floor it was so good. This system in the TAD and Protone room is one of my top two picks for best sound at the show.
TAD’s slogan, The artist’s intent, intact, does say it all. TAD is much less additive and more of a realized goal of reproduction excellence. Call me a fanboy all day, but you have to hear these systems to understand TAD’s excellence and vision.
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