xDuoo XD-05 Plus Portable DAC / Headamp Review and Measurements

Always

 

@iFi audio Nice One. I hope you guys incorporate these features into a revised update. My iPod’s battery is getting really tired pulling the Nano along.

I was also thinking that there’s really no need for your hip dac to be so short because smartphones are so long. You could release a hip dac “ plus” that’s just as thin but as long as the iPhone X/11 with better sound and battery life.

Anyways off topic.

 

I swapped in 2x 627. It sounds so much better than the 2134. If I was blind tested I would think it was a different amp. 2134 is maybe punchier but way flatter. 627 lays everything out on the table to be dissected. Bigger soundstage, and gobs more detail and subtleties.

I feel like it was worth the price.

 

I really like the 2134. Just an easy, pleasant listen. Definitely not the most anything, kind of middle of the road but in a way that’s ultimately very pleasing. But given your description of the 627s, I’ll need to try those at some point.

 

Most our products get their boosted versions at some point, so hip-dac+ or hip-dac BL might happen.

 

Hey iFi. Will you please consider adding back Bitperfect on your devices that feature newer MQA firmware? Or is that software-wise difficult/impossible

 

So my XD05 plus reads 88.2 kHz when playing Tidal masters from my iPod touch. (And 44.1 kHz otherwise)

Does this mean the XD05 plus is MQA compatible?

and I thought iOS devices were capped at 44.1 kHz, or so I read somewhere here.

 

I'm not sure about IPod but iOS is not capped at 44.1khz. I have been able to fetch 192khz music from qobuz running on my iphone using CCK to the DAC. I guess it's the airplay that gets capped at 48khz.

 

Airplay is capped and the native DAC is capped, but digital out is not capped on iOS.

 

I contacted Apos about the hum while connected to my macbook and they said it should work with a Mac so it could be defective and offered a replacement. I decided to return it instead as I’ve switched directions to a desktop rig and will see how that works out. Also I bought an iFI Micro BL which sounds much better than the XD05 plus even with 627 opamps. More detailed and resolving, better controlled bass. The XD05 plus maybe was more dynamic. I think the amp sections may have been close but the Micro has a much better dac. I was going to post a conclusion review but seeing as mine might be defective it’s probably not that useful.

I thought everyone should know that it shouldn’t hum with a Mac computer. At least according to Apos.

 

I forgot I had these pictures.

the XDO5 plus is almost the exact same size as the iPhone X. Probably not a coincidence. Velcroed together this might actually be pocketable if you have big pockets, don’t wear your sister’s jeans and don’t mind a big lump.

 

The Plus is available again on Drop, after some time away (the base model has been there, but that's now 'sold through'). $210:

https://drop.com/buy/xduoo-xd-05-plus

 

Apologies for necroing this thread, but would anyone happen to know if there is any stepped attenuator small enough to fit inside the XD-05 Plus? I am planning to change the stock pot, as mine seem to have frequent imbalanced spots dipped in between the whole volume range.

Thanks and best regards.

 

Looks like xDuoo upgraded the XD-05 into a Balanced model:

https://apos.audio/collections/brand-spotlight-xduoo/products/xd-05-bal-balanced-dac-amp

• ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chips x2
• AES Digital Input
• 3.5mm and 4.4mm Balanced
• USB-C connectors only.
• Power switch for External Power Source or Internal Battery
• Bluetooth 5.0 (but can't control Bluetooth from device)
• Can still swap Op-Amps like butter.
• Filter switch.

Catch is a much higher price, $429.

 

Higher price but IIRC no higher power output.