Teac X-1

Esoteric as they say.
The X-1s is part of the last units Teac launched before bringing "Esoteric" from a tag to a full brand in Japan. The X-1 and X-1s were tagged Teac worldwide but Esoteric in Japan. However, it is only recently that ESOTERIC became a full-fledged independent brand à la Kenwood/Kensonic/Accuphase.

Produced three years after the original VRDS-equipped P-1 drive, the X-1 played in the big league for sure... although, Teac's wise, it "only" was an integrated player. Still very very far from Teac's own first DL-700 CD player that was a NEC CD-803 rebadge !

Besides the VRDS drive shared with the contemporary P-2s (and not the P-2, which used that of the P-1 with a zinc platter), the X-1s sported Teac's staple ZDII with 1/16 shift 20bit converters, copper all over and ultra-select componentry - naturally.

The front panel is interesting in itself as it is made of a mix of steel and ceramic. With a 3,5 density (vs. aluminium's 2,7), that composite not only allows to "carve" rounded shapes more easily but also damps external vibrations and offers low conductivity therefore serving as electric shield as well.

Balanced analog outputs are naturally at hand, along 75 Ohm-true BNC digital outputs and more common coaxial and optical TOS. ST was reserved for the P-2 drives and subsequent siblings.

Upgraded as X-1s (1990) were the VRDS mech' itself (bigger motor, less resonant, copper plated, green tinted brass platter) and more "audiophile" care on the boards with copper shielding. The X-1s was also (discreetely) available with different front finishes in Japan - like red marble-like. Very ugly.

Besides being filled with technological niceties, the X-1 is perhaps Teac's only fairly well designed digital unit - unlike most of the stuff designed during the 1990s. Even if fairly heavy-ish, its looks stand well the test of time.
As a drive only as well, for sure ! Sound-wise too, even if somewhat multibit-like dry, tight & bright to my ears (but we all have our own personal ears).