Technics - SA-C600 Premium Class Network CD Receiver - Silver
Model: SA-C600
SKU: 6527277
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Customers commend the SA-C600 Premium Class Network CD Receiver for its exceptional sound quality, sleek design, and versatile connectivity options. The compact size and integrated CD player further enhance its appeal. While some users have expressed concerns about its power output with demanding speakers, the overall positive feedback highlights the receiver's strengths as a high-quality audio component.
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For those who consider themselves passionate about music, sound quality will always be of the utmost importance, equal to that of course the technical hardware found in the various players targeted to such individuals. The ability to listen to your physical copies and lossless collection without the constraints of modern degradations will always be something special. As such, over the past decade I have amassed an extraordinary physical music collection, currently consisting of around 500+ CDs and various collector sets. It has been every bit as rewarding as one could imagine, especially the joys of hearing immediate and profound differences between lossless copies of songs compared to the lossy files that I used to have. Naturally, this substantial effort isn’t worth much if I do not have a player that can supplement such a project. Thus, I was extremely excited to test the much raved about Technics SA-C600 Network CD player. As an audiophile/enthusiast targeted brand, Technics certainly doesn’t need an introduction.With an impressive list of features, including the ability to play CDs, various file formats over USB, and stream your collection over your home network, the SA-C600 is quite impressive. I certainly had high expectations going forward. Upon unboxing the SA-C600, the quality of the unit was immediately noticeable. With its minimalistic approach to design, the SA-C600 is absolutely breathtaking in person. The unit itself clocks in at roughly 10 pounds and is extremely well built. On the back of the unit, there are various inputs connections for your choosing such as a coaxial port, RCA ports, an optical jack, and a pair of speaker terminals that are rated between 4-16 ohms. Additionally, I was quite happy that there is an included subwoofer port as I will definitely be experimenting with that later on. Furthermore, the included phono port, along with its own internal power supply, is another huge benefit as you can easily connect any record player to it. Switching to the front of the unit, the SA-C600 has a front USB 2.0 port and a convenient 3.5mm jack for your headphones. On the top of the unit, you will see the CD player. The lid can be opened either left or right and does not require the unit to be on to switch discs. Additionally, during CD playback the SA-C600 features an illuminated section that adds a nice touch, especially in a darken room. Lastly, the front display features touch controls near the bottom of the screen. Thus, most should be completely satisfied. Before I discuss my sound tests, I wanted to briefly mention that as with most technical equipment, there are a couple of disclaimers I would like to discuss. As with any high-end audio equipment, sound quality and performance will always be the main topic of discussion.Consequently, however, sound is subjective to each individual; more accurately, it is recognizing that your ability (or inability) to hear certain frequencies and your own personal sound preferences may not be reflected in conclusions drawn by others. Thus, what I have listed here is what I personally observed and should be taken as such. For my setup, I decided to use my Klipsch RP-600M bookshelf speakers. These are rated for a frequency response of 45 Hz – 25 KHz. For power, they are rated at up to 100 watts and have an impedance of 8 ohms. Now while I was certainly aware that the SA-C600 was rated for 60 watts per channel, these RP-600M seemed to have fairly good response so I was curious to see how they will perform. Using X2 Audioquest speaker wire, I connected each speaker to the player via the bottom terminal (RP-600M supports bi amp configuration). Lastly, I tested both USB, CD and Bluetooth playback using my collection. The SA-C600 supports most of the common formats including WAV, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC, MP3, AAC. It also supports DSD up to 11.2 MHz, though it appears only two channels are supported. For USB playback, I only used FLAC files from my collection. Every file was thoroughly scanned via frequency analysis and over a spectrogram to verify that they are of proper quality. Most of my sources were limited to 44.1 KHz / 16 Bit as they are derived from my CDs, but where I could I tested high resolution copies (96 KHz/24 bit or 192 KHz/24 Bit). Lastly, I updated the player’s firmware to the most current version. Beginning with CD playback, I wasn’t expecting an immediate reaction to the sound, but I couldn’t help smile at what I was hearing. Perhaps it sounds a bit clichéd, but there are literally no words that could accurately convey what the experience was like. Starting with classical music, hearing new portions of the orchestra I never heard before blew my mind; though at times even the most subtle nuanced were perhaps even more exciting. Soundstage was extremely precise and crystal clear; middle frequencies were perfectly placed. Furthermore, solo parts were up and center and did not bleed into the rest of the orchestra. Cellos and basses were clear and concise at the lower frequencies. Surprisingly, SA-C600 seemed to push my RP-600s more than expected. Even with the drastic dynamic range, I was able to maintain its volume at 30 (max 100); the whole room was adequately filled. Switching to Jazz, the overall sound was lovely detailed. Snares of drums and brass instruments are striking; high frequencies were amazingly clear. I was really impressed at the instrument separation here. As for more bass heavy genres, Rap and Trance were still clear and concise. Despite the more heavily compressed tracks, I was still able to pick out some detail that I never heard before. While a subwoofer would have certainly benefited here, the RP-600M’s were still able to reproduce a good portion of the bass lines, though obviously limited in some parts. Overall, I think most will be completely surprised by the SA-C600. The sound quality was exceptional across all of the different genres that I listened to. As for USB playback, the SA-C600 handled all my FLAC files accordingly. I was also greatly pleased that the unit can read FAT16, FAT32 and NTFS. Additionally, I was also glad that browsing folders seemed very responsive. It also appears that the unit also supports gapless playback. All of my files played perfectly and reported the correct frequency and bit depth. As for Bluetooth, the SA-C600 handled everything as it should. One thing that really stood out was that it was extremely loud and I had to turn down the volume on my phone, which typically is not the case. With other accessories, you usually have to max the volume out on your device then set the volume accordingly, but here my volume was barely at 30%! I strongly recommend lowering the volume of your device before playing anything just in case. In conclusion, the SA-C600 is an impressive CD player with a wide list of functions that should fulfill the needs of audiophiles. With a sleek modern design, the SA-C600 provides plenty of options for you to get the most out of your music collection. As for sound quality, the unit provided a rich and warm sound that left me speechless in some instances. Furthermore, hearing different things on songs you have listened to for years is quite exhilarating to say the least. The SA-C600 performs exceptionally. Despite the price point, the SA-C600 offers substantial value and deserves an honest look if you are looking for a dedicated music player. Thus, the SA-C600 comes highly recommended.
Posted by Dragonhunter281
The Technics SA-C600 Network CD Receiver is an amazing device that may be the last CD player you ever own. But its a lot more than just a CD player, its more like a Digital JukeBox because it handles all of your songs in nearly every digital format imaginable from almost any source. It's not quite perfect for 2 reasons, which I struggled with and ultimately decided not to take a star off for, but you should be aware of the limitations. 1. There are a TON of ***Inputs*** that allow you to connect various digital and analog sources of music to your CD Receiver, phono, line in, PC, coax, sp-dif Optical and radio antenna. However, there are NO ***Outputs*** that allow you to send all that source music to an AV Receiver or Integrated Amp. There is also no HDMI passthrough or input for eARC so there is really just the Opt-In if you want to try and use this Network Receiver with a TV set, which isn't ideal since there's no eARC. Thankfully, there is an OPT-IN Auto Play toggle option in the Technics Audio Center under the Gear Icon > Other Settings > OPT-IN Auto Play. 2. There are a ton of connectivity options, but they are somewhat limited. What I mean by that is the source inputs can be connected to a variety of Streaming services, like Tidal, Spotify, Amazon Music, but the output and streaming is still governed by Apple Home/Air Play or Google Home/Chromecast integration. What this means is, I can't go into the apps for those services themselves and then choose the Technics as the output, I have to start streaming to Airplay and then choose the Technics as the output. Similarly, I can't play from Amazon Music, or use Alexa voice commands to start playing on the Technics like a smart speaker. It might seem like no biggy and it is a subtle difference but it is worth noting. The build quality and aesthetics are everything you would expect from a high-end piece of audio equipment with a nice metal look and Mid Century Modern Retro look that would fit right in with a Herman Miller Line media console in a Frank LLoyd Wright designed home. Instant classic in your den, office, or dining room with a pair of high quality, minimalist bookshelf speakers. The SA-C600 also has outputs for a subwoofer, but I'm undecided if I want to connect a sub as I'll mostly be playing music and don't want or need the bass to overpower the high and midrange of classical and pop I tend to listen to around the house. As for the sound quality. Its well worth it! Better than most AV Receivers in the same price range and just a step down from my Arcam SA20 integrated amp. Again, bitrate and source matters and you'll appreciate the quality from CD, but also the premium streaming services that offer higher bitrates. The app tells you the bitrate and file type for each song. Setup was a bit clunky if I'm being honest. As I alluded to previously, you have to go through Apple Home or Google Home to connect to WiFi. I used Apple Home and when I went to add device, there's no QR code and there's no automatic nearby detect on the first screen, you have to hit the text that says "Not one of these methods" or something like that and the SA-C600 pops right up. Then Apple Home transfers over your home WiFi info and you're off to the races. I also have a router in the same media cabinet so I could've easily hooked that up but I may end up moving the SA-C600 to the Dining Room so I didn't want to hard wire it. Also, the App seems limited to certain types of membership, for example, Amazon Music it seems like is limited to Amazon Music Unlimited, I have just Prime Amazon Music and when I went to play a song or sometimes searched for one, I'd get an error. I'll keep playing around with that and see if it improves. Overall the App is pretty neat, at first it seems very barren and antiquated looking but I think they actually went for a retro minimalist style to keep the UI clean and to focus on the music and the SA-C600 options. Its kind of cool when its loading or searching the network for songs, it kind of throttles the needle like an oldschool Analog volume or gain gauge. Cool stuff. Really enjoying the SA-C600 and if you're an audiophile that has some CDs or just someone who loves music and wants a super fancy Streaming JukeBox, then the SA-C600 is an option you should give a close look at!
Posted by TechBuyer
I had lofty expectations for this techniques SA-C600 CD receiver, and it easily lived up to them. This attractively designed receiver sports a polished contemporary aesthetic. The symmetrical and cleanly designed black chassis is accented by a brushed aluminum top crowned with a smokey grey CD cover. It is a thoughtful design rather than typical cookie cutter, and the quality is evident. The monochrome display is easy to read and has adjustable brightness. Build quality and construction feel excellent. This receiver plays compact discs, streams audio content, plays DAB/FM broadcasts, and has USB A and B ports. It also has a phono jack for connecting a turntable. Sound output options include right and left speaker terminals, a subwoofer output, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The receiver has Bluetooth, ethernet, and Wi-Fi connectivity. I opted to use Wi-Fi to connect to my home network, but the initial app and network setup proved to be a little annoying. I used the basic user guide rather than the one-page quick start guide because I assumed the thicker basic guide would be more comprehensive and helpful. The two apps suggested by the user guide are Google Home or Apple Home. The manual instructs to enter Wi-Fi setup, open Google Home or Apple Home, and follow the app instructions. That’s it. As an iOS user, I naturally tried Apple Home first. I opened the app and clicked add a device but the phone never detected the Technics receiver. The other option in Apple Home was to scan a QR code but there is no code on the receiver. Rather than continue wasting time trying to figure out Apple Home, I opened Google Home which easily found the receiver and allowed me to complete setup and add the receiver to my home Wi-Fi network. After setup, I tried using Google Home to control the device but the app was too bare bones. It also sometimes has trouble seeing the receiver despite seeing other connected smart devices on the network. I decided I would instead use the physical remote and my streaming apps to control the receiver. That’s when I thankfully finally found the QR code link to the Technics Audio Center app printed on the single-page quick start guide. I saw no mention of the app inside the more comprehensive user guide that I used for setup. I downloaded the Technics app and it immediately shot my enjoyment and ease of use levels up significantly. The Technics app offers much more granular control and sound customization than either Google Home or Apple Home. The receiver can be controlled by the physical remote or apps, but if it is powered off, only the physical remote or front panel buttons can power it on. Sound quality is the number one priority. This receiver looks good and has nice features, but none of that matters if it sounds bad. No worries there, because this receiver sounds excellent both playing a CD and streaming. It has good loudness, tight impactful bass, clear highs and mids, and a warm yet balanced sound profile. All of this is achieved without any added amplification. I further tweaked sound to my personal preference through the Technics app, but aside from a slight bass boost, it didn’t need much fine tuning. This Technics sounds great across multiple genres right out the box. I’ve played soul, hip hop, jazz, 80’s and 90’s pop, and classical on both CD and streaming. The receiver handles each genre wonderfully and I’m pleased with the overall sound quality and how easily it accommodates my eclectic musical tastes. I won’t go too deeply into sound because much of sound quality will depend on the type and quality of speakers or headphones used. I have the Technics connected to a set of decent quality bookshelf speakers and separate subwoofer. I also use it with a set of Hi-Res wired headphones. Both configs sound phenomenal, but I find myself preferring the headphones for the superior isolation and more immersive soundstage. The Technics Audio Center app has a few sound adjustments as well that helped push my listening enjoyment over the top. The biggest impact of this receiver was making me realize was how much I unknowingly missed playing CDs. I have hundreds of CDs that I’ve collected over the years. Although they have been relegated to storage in the basement since the early 2000’s, I always knew one day I’d play them again. I switched to MP3 and other ripped formats decades ago, and subsequently to Hi-Res players and lossless streaming more recently, but I continued buying and collecting CDs over the years to rip for my players and to hopefully physically play one day. That day has finally arrived. There’s something special about playing music directly from physical media that streaming and MP3/Hi-Res file players just can’t match. I assumed it I was because I’m older and was just being nostalgic, but I’ve even noticed some younger adolescents and teens are also getting more interested in playing physical media like vinyl. This receiver gives me the best of both worlds. It plays physical CDs and has a phono input, as well as streaming. The CD compartment access lid manually swivels open to either side to reveal the CD cavity and mount. I can see the CD at all times through the smoke-colored translucent lid. The lid design is neat and eye catching, but I have a couple of minor concerns. The first is the exposed gap between the lid and the receiver top. I included a photo showing the gap. Although the gap is only a fraction of an inch or so, it is large enough for me to clearly see the CD spindle through it. My concern is that dust and debris may eventually intrude through the gap. My other concern is the actual swivel motion. I noticed a large hair-like piece of debris was stuck to the underside of the lid. My belief is that it was caught by the lid while swiveling over the top of the unit. I plan to stay vigilant with dusting and cleaning which should help mitigate these concerns. I may also even invest in some sort of dust cover for when not in use. The CD controls can be operated using either the front buttons, the included remote, or through the Technics app. I’ve noticed that CD’s don’t list album, artist, or track names, but simply track numbers. This is both in the app and on the device itself. I haven’t delved deep enough into the app yet to see if I can link it with a music database service but if not, it isn’t a huge deal. I typically have the CD jewel case handy nearby anyway, especially with a single-disc player. I actually miss playing vinyl even more than discs, but several unfortunate incidents over the years robbed me of my previously extensive vinyl 33 and 45 collection. I’ve begun slowly rebuilding my collection and will likely add a turntable once I’ve accumulated a decent new vinyl collection. My comments regarding physical media does not mean that streaming isn’t enjoyable with this receiver. Quite the opposite, that’s actually where this shines brightest. Streaming is still my first choice overall, thanks to massive libraries and ease of access. This Technics is compatible with several popular streaming services, including Amazon, Spotify, and Tidal. I can also stream through Chromecast, Airplay, or over Bluetooth and can fully control and see all my music through multiple apps. The receiver is also Hi-Res capable and sounds phenomenal when playing Hi-Res content. I saved the FM radio for last because it was the only thing I couldn’t quite get right. This is not the fault of the receiver but rather my location. It’s tough for anything to get a good signal in that particular spot of the house. I can hear the radio but with mild underlying static. I tried adjusting the antenna several times but couldn’t get rid of the static. There are some additional features to help with interference but I usually listen to internet radio anyhow, so it wasn’t worth fighting to try and achieve a perfect static-free OTA signal. Every local station that I listen to has an internet radio streaming option.
Posted by JMan