1. omegaorgun

    omegaorgun Acquaintance

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    My xDuoo TA-10 holds up very well and is probably more liquid with a Mullard tube. I have Burson v6 vivid on the way for the Matrix M-Stage 2C and then I have to sell one as I only need two. I might have someone willing to trade an R2R.11 for the NFB.11.

    [​IMG]
     
  2. omegaorgun

    omegaorgun Acquaintance

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    [​IMG]
    • Classic tube 12AU7
    • Top level XMOS 8-core chip (XSA-U8A-64)
    • AKM flagship DAC AK4490
    • USB/coaxial digital interface
    • A class Transistor expansion
    • USB OTG
    • Dual clock system
    • Combination of tube and transistor
    • Japanese ELNA SILMC capacitors
    • Shell made from aluminum
    • Magnetic tube guardrail
    • Power supply: AC 100–240V
    • Supported OS: Windows (requires drivers), Mac
    • Sample rate: SB input
    • PCM: 16–32 bit/44.1–384 kHz
    • DSD: DSD64–DSD256 (1bit/2.8M–11.2M)
    • DXD: 24–32 bit/352.8–384 kHz
    • Output power: Phone: 2,000 mW (at 32 ohms); XLR: 2,000 mW (at 32 ohms)
    • Frequency response: 10 Hz–100 kHz(+/- 1 dB)
    • Gain: +18 dB
    • Distortion: ≤ 0.01% (1 kHz, 32-ohm load)
    • Suitable headphone impedance: 8–600 ohms
    • Size: 9.1 x 4.7 x 4.1 in (23 x 12 x 10.5 cm)
    • Weight: 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg)
    • USB input
    • Two sets of AUX inputs
    • SPDIF output
    • AUX output
    xDuoo official page
    Massdrop
     
  3. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    What about it?
     
  4. omegaorgun

    omegaorgun Acquaintance

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    I thought this relatively unknown DAC needed some attention. Plenty of power and well built, t's as probably as good as my NFB.11 with tube sound. With a Mullard NOS tube it's pretty smooth in it's delivery and a very enjoyable and the tubes do indeed change the flavor of the sound.

    It's kinda like a DAC unicorn.
     
  5. Jerry

    Jerry Friend

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    So much power and functions out of such a little thing.

    Any distortion with that much gain?
     
  6. omegaorgun

    omegaorgun Acquaintance

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    It depends on the tube some have more distortion but the NOS Mullard I have in is pretty clear and velvet like. I actually have a solid state Fetron tube replacement from the 70's which is very clear but I always find myself throwing a tube back into the mix.

    To answer your question, actually no not much if any distortion at all it remains pretty clear. You really have to be within 10-15% of maxing out to get say a T60RP itself to physically shake. Generally it's a very smooth and controlled unit. With the Mullard it's smoother to listen to than my NFB.11.

    Other tubes like Mazda and Sylvania are very good too.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2018
  7. omegaorgun

    omegaorgun Acquaintance

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    I am a shill for xDuoo.
     
  8. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    I dunno if @omegaorgun is a MOT or not. But I personally welcome these announcements.

    From the specs it seems this is 0.01% distortion (imagine its THD only) into 32 ohms, which is fairly respectable for a tube amp (though they are claiming a fixed gain of +18dB, at 0dB-volume-down-things that would translate to 0.08%). It is an integrated XMOS + AK4490 solution for about $300 as well.

    Included are pre-outs and there are two line-in inputs for amp only functionality.

    More interesting is the fact that this thing seems to have coaxial output. This means that one could use it as an XMOS usb bridge and feed another DAC+Amp through. Proly most won't use that, but it's possible. The thing also supports DSD/DXD which some think is overrated, but I think it's great.

    The only concerns I would have are:

    1. The gain appears to be fixed at +18 dB. Maybe a bit high, but perhaps not much of a problem.
    2. Dunno what the output impedance is.
    3. Does this solution plays well with high sensitivity cans?
    Anyhow. More than bitching and moaning, or the opposite where everything is awesome, hopefully impressions will flow in on how this xDuoo thingy works out with different cans.
     
  9. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    @omegaorgun, what cans have you tried with this thingy besides the T60RP? For those output impedance proly is not of an issue cuz those are likely resistive.

    Any dynamic cans?
     
  10. omegaorgun

    omegaorgun Acquaintance

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    Hi, sorry for the late reply.

    It appears to scale with whatever is used, I have my TH-610's and it's a beautiful pairing even more so thna the T50/60. It softens up the bass a little and reduces harshness but still has great detail and imaging. I think the SQ is ahead of my NFB.11, The NFB might have more grunt but it's a bit more robotic, this has a more velvet like sound signature.

    Everything is effortless and nothing is overdone, If that makes sense. Generally any decent tube sounds good in it and each one adds a little flavor.

    Note: I also have the cheaper TA-01 and whist good the difference in sq is very apparent after a few minutes of listening.
     
  11. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

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    Price competitive, capable gear is always welcome imo. When, and if you the possibility try with the usual 600 series, since it seems most have, or had, them.
     

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