Distributor and custom studio designers PAD had the sponsors of the AXPONA badge lanyards, TAD Laboratories, in rooms 1239 and 1240. TAD president Shinji Tarutani-San was in attendance, showing that TAD is serious about making in-roads into the North American market. TAD should be a brand that many recognize. They were the research and development arm of Pioneer and have been developing gear for both the pro and consumer market as an autonomous company since 2007.
Words and Photos by Graig Neville
In Room 1239, the CE1TX loudspeakers ($35,000/pr) were playing with authority and musicality. The newly released C1000 preamplifier ($24,950) that I just reviewed was leading a system comprised of the DA1000TX mk2 DAC ($15,900), M1000 stereo power amplifier ($19,500), and various lengths of TAD Laboratories speaker and XLR cables. Room treatment was by Jocavi Acoustic Panels with Low Note C ($1,250/pr) and Wall Isolation Panels ($850/pr). The ME1 Black speakers ($14,500/pr) were on display but I didn’t hear them playing while I was there.
The TAD Laboratories CE1TX is a bookshelf that’s really not a bookshelf. With the ability to play as deep and authoritatively as many floor standing speakers of other brands, the CE1TX is a speaker for nearly every space and occasion. It fit well and sounded amazing in the smallish room, but I also have heard these speakers perform with excellence in larger rooms.
In Room 1240, TAD Laboratories had the new GE1-WN (Grand Evolution One) loudspeaker ($65,000/pr) playing. The CR1TX-BR/EB Reference system ($87,500) was listed on the price sheet, but I didn’t see it in the room. The Reference flagship C600 preamplifier ($32,000), D1000TX SACD/DAC ($21,000) and M700S stereo power amplifier ($65,000/pr) were on hand to create the “Artists’ Intent Intact” philosophy of the company. Supporting gear included TAD Laboratories cables, a Wolf Audio Systems Alpha 35X Audio Server ($9,500 – $13,000) and identical gear for the grounding/power conditioner and acoustic treatments in Room 1239.
TAD Laboratories has been hitting the show circuit pretty hard and should be in Munich this year as well. I have only heard the Reference line as shows but the Evolution line of gear that I had the pleasure of reviewing really smit me as some of the top level gear in audio. If you haven’t had a chance to hear TAD Laboratories gear, you really should.
If you would like to hear even more coverage from AXPONA 2024, check out our recap report and highlights from our audiophile-oriented show The Occasional Podcast. You can stream the episode direct from the embed below, or from your favorite podcast platform including iTunes, Android, Google, Deezer, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more.
