xDuoo TA-20 Balanced Headphone Amp Discussions | Drop

Free Standard Shipping in the US on orders over $99

Showing 1 of 64 conversations about:

xDuoo TA-20 Balanced Headphone Amp

Audiophile

FULL DISCUSSION

Will2416

Dec 24, 2019

Re-posting. I got JJ Electronic tubes made in Slovakia. HUGE difference compared to the stock Chinese tubes. You so have to roll tubes with this amp. Love it now. Zeos says that Fostex TH900 and 909 are hard to pair with an amp. So true. My TH900 sounds great on this amp with the new tubes. Finally. I don't even use my Fostex on the THX AAA amp, only on the TA-20. Order the TA-20 and order a new pair of tubes while you're at it and swap out those cheap stock tubes immediately. /Will I own the TA-20. Purchased on Amazon in Europe and was my bridge between my old-n-busted DAC/amp to my new THX AAA 789 amp. The THX AAA 789 blows this amp out of the water with one caveat - I haven't tube rolled yet. So "blows out" means only with the stock tubes. I judge this amp as not being suitable for planars based on my own experience with Audeze LCD-X and MrSpeakers Ether CX. As you will note, one easy to drive and one hard to drive. For dynamic headphones, with the right tubes, I might change my initial judgement. I do not regret my purchase as I really wanted to try a balanced tube amp (reason for not getting the popular Darkvoice) and again I have to say I need to get some new tubes and try again. My dynamic headphones: Moded Fostex TH900, Sony MDR-Z1R, Sennheiser HD650/800/800S, Philips Fidelio X2HR. DAC: Topping D70. Source: Streaming via USB.

(Edited)

Dec 24, 2019

Muscle_Cow

928

Dec 24, 2019

Will2416If you are using Planars, wouldn't that be a better reason not to get the Darkvoice over it not being balanced? Planars apparently do not like pure Tube power so its better to run a planar on a hybrid tube amp so you still get some solid state love in the mix for the planars. (Xduoo is hybrid tube and Darkvoice is pure tube, no solid state amplification). Darkvoice would be better for a real tube sound on Dynamics at the lowest price possible. I am still debating on what route to go for my next hybrid tube upgrade so I appreciate the feedback... first person I have seen bad feedback from.

Dec 24, 2019

MRphotographycom

Dec 24, 2019

Muscle_CowI have read the same thing about planars not loving pure tube as well as say the Elex or Elear low impedance in general Is not great with pure tubes. Best to use hybrid or avoid tubes with planars or low impedance headphones.

Dec 24, 2019

Will2416

Dec 25, 2019

Muscle_CowHi, not looking to use a tube amp for planars. It was just an observation with the TA-20. I will use the THX AAA 789 for planars and tube roll the TA-20 for my dynamic headphones.

Dec 25, 2019

Deepspace57

Dec 29, 2019

Will2416Hi, have you so far performed any tube rolling? So curious about your words and review.

Dec 29, 2019

Vote

Will2416

Dec 29, 2019

Deepspace57Funny you should ask. I was just looking at tubes online. There's a lot to choose from on the market, more than I expected, so I'm still browsing. I'll post an update when I have rolled my first pair. It will take a little while though.

Dec 29, 2019

Deepspace57

Dec 29, 2019

Will2416The same as yours; just simply wanna punchy, wide sound stage and warmer signature. My set-up is Ether c flow, 789 and ta-20. Leaning towards RCA black plate.

(Edited)

Dec 29, 2019

Will2416

Dec 30, 2019

Deepspace57I'll look into the RCA black plate too. Good tip. What DAC are you running?

Dec 30, 2019

Deepspace57

Dec 30, 2019

Will2416Sabaj D5, which has a single ESS 9038 pro. I believe this dac requires a thing which makes the sound warmer in the set-up chain. I plan D5 > T20 (as a preamp getting some benefits of tubes) > 789 . Looking for Just simply punchy bass and wider sound stage at the final sound signature which is not available on the sound of 789

(Edited)

Dec 30, 2019

Vote

Will2416

Jan 27, 2020

Will2416I promised to get back to you after my first tube roll on the TA-20. Through amazon.de I picked up ECC82 JJ Electronic 12AU7 tubes made in the Slovak Republic. The stock tubes I'm replacing are 12AU7 CHINA. That's all it says on the stock tubes so it's Chinese quality tubes, take it for what it's worth. I had a listen a few days ago with the stock tubes and A-B'd with the THX AAA 789. Couldn't listen to the TA-20 with those tubes, no matter the headphone. So with the new tubes installed I'm A-B'ing with a modded Fostex TH900. These are my bass monsters with a slightly recessed mid-range even after the modifications so I figured that these would be a good headphone for the test. Everything that I hoped a new pair of tubes would do came true. The bass is back! The mid-range and female vocals have been given a push forward compared to the THX. Trying to keep both amps at a comparable volume to discern a difference is pushing me towards more distortion in the THX. I even dropped the gain switch on the THX and upped the volume to a comparable level. Yea I think a little more distortion with the THX. Treble is a little sharper too with the THX with the current track I'm listening to. The THX is such a power beast that it's a bit unbridled making the music seem calmer with the TA-20. The TA-20 is now giving more dimension to my chosen tracks compared to the THX. Now I'm testing with Sennheiser HD800S cans. Basically, same as above. The TA-20 is definitely airier and more open than the THX. Vocals more forward and layered. Not to put down the THX, I love the thing. Big bang for the buck and great for my planars. But new tubes in the TA-20 have made such a huge difference. It makes me wonder why xDuoo makes a good balanced amp and delivers it with shit tubes. The TA-20 absolutely cannot shine without new tubes. Perhaps their idea is that people will role tubes so why spend any money on them; just sell the amp in working condition. I will purchase some other tubes going forward to play around with tube rolling to see what it does do the musical presentation. Final word: Yes, get the TA-20 if you want a balanced tube amp with the caveat that you will absolutely have to get other tubes. Do your research and try some.

Jan 27, 2020

Deepspace57

Mar 31, 2020

Will2416Thank you for your amazing and constructive review for potential buyers and users. I can say that RCA black plates does not offer the same enjoy like yours. I suspect RCAs i ve got have already been dead as you know lamps often have a lifespan of around 5000 hours. Better clarity on sound ; that`s all. I have also seen such comment for Mullards; https://www.thetubestore.com/mullard-cv4003-m8136-12au7 Just a reminder Mullard costs 350 USD as pair, which is absolutely crazy as nobody knows how the pair will actually sound. Just now wanna at least as wide soundstage and strong bass/drum kicks as Loxjie P20 can. I wonder if you have used AUX-out to provide signal to THX-789. This option might reveal what i want to see `tubey signature`.

Mar 31, 2020

Vote

ValiantEnterprise

May 15, 2020

Will2416Just got my ECC82 JJ Electronic 12AU7 and you were dead on. Changed the sound for the better by miles.

May 15, 2020

Will2416

Jan 10, 2021

Deepspace57I finally got around to doing just this and I must say that this combination is now my preferred listening mode for all my headphones, dynamic and planar magnetic. I'm still only using a pair of JJ Electronics tubes which, I would surmise, are probably not the quietest but this is of course only something one notices there's no music playing. I will eventually get some better tubes but as it stands this turned out to be a really great combo.

Jan 10, 2021

Vote

View Full Discussion