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Drop + xDuoo TA-84 OTL Tube Amp/DAC
$299
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Drop + xDuoo TA-84 OTL Tube Amp/DAC
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$299
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keyboard_arrow_downchanwa888
2
May 30, 2025
Just received my TA-84. Waited 3 weeks for it after ordering from DROP. The built and design is excellent. However, "...this compact desktop powerhouse utilizes Output Transformerless (OTL) topology to manage signal without a transformer, greatly reducing distortion.." seems to a bit misleading as the amp does constantly making a low hmm sound on the right side of my headphone (HD660S2). I tried swapping the tubes but the sound is still there and it is very irritating no matter how good the music tone it can produce. Another issue of the amp is that the USB does not always works. I have to switch it on and off many times or tried plug and unplug the cable to get the amp "recongnizing" its source again... The metal casing of the amp seems to be very sensitive to tapping, there was once I tapped the back of the amp due to the frustration of the humming noise on my right earphone, the amp instead produced a kind "electric buzz static" sound on my left side of earphone... very frustrating... I will not recommend this amp if you will get frustrated with all these noise issue and connection issues...
Ultrainferno
35
Apr 27, 2025
DROP + xDuoo TA-84 - Review
In this weekend's review, we're taking the DROP + xDuoo TA-84 DAC/AMP for a whirl.
Priced at $199 USD, the TA-84 is an excellent entry level tube headphone amp to get you into the (tube rolling) hobby.
Find out all you need to know about the DROP + xDuoo TA-84, now on Headfonia!
https://www.headfonia.com/drop-xduoo-ta-84-review/
Westorc61
67
Oct 24, 2024
anyone had issues with a dirty volume knob? It sounds great when I don't touch volume but whenever I adjust the knob I get a gnarly crackling in the right channel. Not annoying enough to affect how I use it or anything but if there's any easy fix...
hubert_cumberdale
87
Feb 27, 2025
Westorc61Same issue. I'm getting occasional crackling (right channel) when adjusting volume, and also some volume notches causing left or right channels to fade out (this seems to be limited to the usb input) There is also bleed through where I can hear audio from the usb source playing weakly while the amp source selector is set to aux input. Also wondering if there is an easy fix rather than having to send it back.
Westorc61
67
Feb 28, 2025
hubert_cumberdaleI have that same input bleed, again its not annoying enough to make me wanna send it back but kind of a shame it exists in the first place
Spearthrower_Owl
33
Apr 13, 2024
I love this device as a DAC/headphone amp. I'm much less happy with the sound quality as a preamp (RCA aux in, aux out). It's got me wondering if I'm doing it wrong. Do I need to turn the volume up all the way? High gain only? Thanks all
Olds1959special
12
Jun 15, 2025
Spearthrower_OwlI am now using mine as a preamp with good results. I have the gain set to high, and I set the volume to 10 o'clock, so I don't overload the input of my amp. I use my amp to control the volume, not the TA-84. Using it that way can result in a lot of hum. In other words, I'm using it with an integrated amp, not a power amp. If the amp is very powerful it will amplify the hum of the TA-84, so it needs a volume control.
(Edited)
rhythmdevils
41
Mar 22, 2024
If anyone is unhappy with their TA-84 please let me buy it from you instead of returning it. I need one to demo my new planar magnetic iems and can’t wait until July. Thank you!
You can contact me here:
https://www.rhythmdevilsaudio.com/contact
daveysprocketbrew
32
Mar 28, 2024
You will need to use an impedance adapter for it. I use an OTL amp with my NiceHCK F1Pro planar iems with a 250 ohm impedance adapter. Sounds great that way. Without an adapter, not so much.
rhythmdevils
41
Jun 25, 2025
My modded Letshuoer S-08 and S-12 and S-15 all sound great without an impedance adapter. I have no idea why. And i'm not the only one, a friend uses his with his CFA Moonrover. sounds fantastic.
maks244
1
Feb 8, 2024
is it really only available in 6 months? is it possible to get delivered earlier? either way I already placed a preorder.
dwane5
293
Keyboard Club Member
Feb 26, 2024
maks244It could always arrive sooner but that's the projected date
daveysprocketbrew
32
Jan 10, 2024
JcriveraUSB cables are data cables and aren't audio cables. Use whatever one you like.
Jcrivera
1
Jan 15, 2024
daveysprocketbrewMy only grip is that it takes absolutely forever for the dac/amp to recognize my ipad pro. I dont use RCA. Ive tried other cables with no change.
a1tered5tate
24
Dec 13, 2023
Long time tube amp hobbyist here, so I was eagerly awaiting mine to arrive!
I've repaired/modified/designed/built amps with all the popular tubes and am quite familiar with the sound of each, and their drive characteristics - from EL84, EL34, 6L6, 2A3, 300B, 6550, KT66 thru KT150, 211, 845 = annoyed spouse lol.
When I saw an OTL design with an EL-84, I was perplexed given its rather high Z output, but also excited to hear how it would be executed, given Drop's reputation for spotting hits.
And I'm floored - all the speed and crystalline highs are there, sweet mids, and surprisingly tight and full bass. I couldn't build this for less and have such a clean retro-modern aesthetic - gotta love mass production :)
Got these for an office setup with cube neighbors, so closed-back cans only. Paired to DT 770 Pro 250ohm.
Prior daily rig is Schiit Modi MultiBit -> Drop Cavalli Tube Hybrid (sometimes swapped with Drop AAA 789) -> MrSpeakers (Dan Clark) Aeon Flow Closed.
The DT770 / TA-84 combo is rather synergistic and very good for the money - together they cost about what I paid for the Aeon Closed alone. Hum and hiss aren't noticeable given an office environment, but the RF noise is - about 3ft away from the laptop or phone seems to do the trick.
The bass is much deeper (~27Hz, then drops off quickly) and fuller than with the planar setup above, and has a similar bass tilt as HD600/DarkVoice 336SE setup at home. Transients aren't off by too much, and are extended enough to hear 192kHz vs 48Khz sampling rate differences. Has all the euphonic EL84 speed, that I previously reserved only for > 99dB sensitivity monkey coffin speakers, and now available on my desktop. Amazing.
There's some JAN Philips 12AU7 that I think would work well here, maybe RCA Clear tops too. NOS EL-84 could be a fun (but expensive) swap, but probably much later on. First test is to run the Mimby, bypassing the internal DAC, but I've been enjoying it as-is and not done any tweaks yet... that says something.
Great job to the whole team for taking this to market - here's wishing you another hit!
T.Fernandez
880
Collabs
Dec 19, 2023
a1tered5tateI plan to swap in a pair of original Telefunken 12AU7 to see how they change things. Wanted to let the stock tubes get a few weeks of use before doing any tube rolling.
a1tered5tate
24
Jan 10, 2024
@datbaguetdoe , I just compared it to a Schiit Modi Multibit running through a stepped attenuator. The frequency extremes are definitely better with the TA-84. Bass is more extended and defined. Treble is also more extended because of the higher sampling rate. The midrange is subtly different between the two, with the Mimby sounding more euphonic and laid-back, and the TA-84 having better transients, sounds 'faster' and also quite liquid sounding. Quite an upgrade! I wouldn't hesitate using the TA-84 as a tube preamp.
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