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xDuoo XD-05 DAC/Amp

xDuoo XD-05 DAC/Amp

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Product Description
Equipped with a number of connections for pairing with all your favorite devices, the xDuoo XD-05 portable DAC and headphone amp is incredibly versatile for its size. Use the auxiliary input to plug in your digital audio player, the auxiliary output to send the signal out to speakers, the USB input to connect your computer, and the micro-USB port to charge up when you need to Read More

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Surgical
121
Oct 22, 2017
BUYER BEWARE: While this is a great sounding DAC/Amp, the USB male connector on the back will lose connection at the slightest bump, so do yourself a huge favor and not buy this for portable use if you plan on using USB, I currently have my USB cord secured with Sugru (plug for Sugru moldable rubber) and it now works perfectly for DESKTOP USE ONLY. (Even just bumping my desk would cause the connection to fail, this occurred with 3 different USB cords, the connector isn't broken on the DAC either it's just a horrendous design choice to use a USB male connector directly on the device ).
It's really sad because USB is toted as the cleanest signal transfer because it's not as vulnerable to outside interference, while you can use a Aux cable to connect inputs to the DAC it's irritating to know that you are not getting the cleanest and best possible experience that the device is capable of giving all because of a poor design choice.
If you plan on using USB at all you should just skip this device all together and maybe grab something like the 02+SDAC or for portable maybe an OPPP HA-2SE.
Atomicminded
22
Jun 18, 2018
Just got mine a few days ago. My soldering job is even worse! Wow, I'm gonna have to get this fixed.
Barbarian_Pig
0
Jul 20, 2019
I've had zero issues with mine and I use it for portable.
Techland
27
Dec 24, 2016
I missed this drop so just got this unit via Amazon. And I am not happy. The digital filters can be switched, shown on the display as PCM 1 to 4. But nothing changes in audio. I have the tools to measure frequency response as well as impulse response. Both change significantly and easy to measure when doing this with a Teac UD-503 (it also uses the AK4490 and such offers the same filter selection). But nothing changes with the XD-05, it always works with filter 'Short Delay Sharp'.
I fear that this is a bug in the hardware that can not be fixed, an example of typical chinese development and testing skills (read none).
Of course I have sent two messages to service@xduoo.com and one through the official Amazon channel, on 20 Dec and 22. So far no one replied.
Techland
27
Jan 2, 2017
The display does not revert back. It shows what one expects.
Greatsouls
34
Jan 3, 2017
TechlandThat explains why I can't hear any difference... Thank you.
TechCity
14
Jun 11, 2016
How would this compare to say the O2 + ODAC as a desktop dac/amp ? I do like the connections on this little unit and it seems to overall tick all the boxes for what Im looking in a dac/amp.
DonV
67
Jul 14, 2016
In fairness - the OP was asking if this unit could perform as a desktop unit, "just like those named".
RockStar2005
3
Aug 21, 2016
Hey bx157,
If you're looking for AKG still, I recommend the one I got. Really CAN'T beat the price: http://www.ebay.com/itm/AKG-Black-K550-Mark-II-Overhead-Closed-Back-Over-Ear-Premium-Headphones/262578776566 (I also purchased that 3-year Square Trade warranty......good deal)
I had the M50x and honestly out of the 7-8 premium headphones ($140-$400) I've tried, the K550 MK II beats them all one way or another, and the M50x to me is the worst of the bunch. Too bassy, a really closed-in/lousy soundstage.........were the 2 main issues I had with it. Comfort-wise it was great though, but I still think the K550 MK IIs are better there too.
I've written various reviews on Head-Fi. Please see link below if you'd like more info. I prefer neutral sounding headphones, though I sometimes do use the Bass Boost feature on my Oppo HA-2, but only when I feel like it's not overshadowing the other frequencies. This XD-05 does look really interesting though too, and it's cheaper, though I don't know if it's BETTER than my HA-2. Mixed opinions on here apparently.
http://www.head-fi.org/newsearch/?search=&advanced=1&sort=lastupdate&order=descending&type=35&createdbyuserid[]=407991
TetraEngine
32
Feb 5, 2017
I've heard people upgrading the Op Amp to something like the V5i. Sorry for asking a stupid question bcs I'm new to this audio thing, but what does an op amp do and what will I gain by upgrading it?
Vincent2
2
Mar 2, 2020
Hey K.T.N. thanks for sharing your wisdom with us saved me alot of trial and error understanding opamps! I'm thinking about modding the legs of the sparkos labs ss3602 to fit into the case.. wondering if you know how well this might work with the built-in BUF634 buffers on the xd 05 plus. Everyone says it beats the burson..
NightFoxXIII
20
Feb 9, 2021
Vincent2I tried cutting the legs of the SS3602 bit had limited success. I actually even ficked it up and now it's unusable. About half length was good before I shortened it even more. However, I'd relocate/re-sauter that nearby capacitor since that's the biggest thing from putting it in. If they made the case slightly bigger and moved that capacitor,this would be an instant recommendation. That Ss3602 is so much better than the V5i
(Edited)
vamli
2
Jun 28, 2017
Anyone know how does this compare to the Schiit Fulla 2 and the E17K?
Epsilahn
21
Jul 2, 2017
vamli The Schiit Fulla 2 has no internal battery, and is more ungainly even though it's still small. You won't be rubberbanding the Fulla 2 and a powered USB hub/battery to a cell phone. For desktop uses, the Fulla has its advantages. You connect it to a Windows PC and it just works. The Xduoo requires a separate driver that cannot be cleanly installed on Windows 10, requires disabling driver signing, and it doesn't look like Xduoo is in any hurry to change that. The E17K can be used with and without drivers, it looks like. The drivers and third party Jriver Media software, along with native DSF files are required for the E17K to playback DSD files.
The Fulla 2 does not support DSD input -- however native DSD files are very rare, and the Xduoo only supports native DSD on Windows PCs. You won't be getting the DSD on through your Android or Mac. Most music isn't mastered in DSD, and outside of very high end environments where loss between the source and the DAC is a concern, it's kind of a gimmick. But if you have a DSF library, just know the Fulla 2 will demand you convert to PCM first.
The Fulla 2 bitdepth and sampling rate ends at 24/96 khz, the Fiio goes to 32/96, and the Xduoo extends to 32 bit/384 khz. Which is absurd, honestly. You risk ultrasonic artifacts running 99% of music over 32/384. Those artifacts may have zero effect on the music as you hear it, but then you weren't hearing all that extra frequency anyway. :) 24 bits puts the noise floor so low that you won't get anywhere close to it at any healthy listening volume.
That said, you CAN and should run the Xduoo in a less silly 24/44-96 if you do get one. There is no demonstrable benefit to going higher and any audiophile who says otherwise may as well be pimping silver core HDMI cables. It's amazing how many bells and whistles get taped on these days. >_>
The amps in the E17K will drive headphones up to 150 ohm, and the Schiit and Xduoo will drive out to 300. The Xduoo may have slightly more power to spare at 300.
The E17K has beautiful on-board bass and treble control, 1db increments to +-10. You can control the mids by shaping the bass and treble around them. The Schiit has no on board bass or treble EQ, it must be done in software, but this is less of a problem because it's anchored to your computer, anyway. The Xduoo has a 6db bass boost off/on toggle.
If you need to drive 150 ohm or lower headphones, and want portability and refined bass and treble control, get the Fiio. If you want to drive 300 ohm cans from your Windows 10 PC, get the Schiit. If you want to drive 300 ohm cans in the wild, or absolutely need DSD and absurd sampling get the Xduoo for 70 bucks more.
MarkSA
49
Jul 17, 2017
EpsilahnWhile you obviously can't hear those frequencies, there is evidence that the human ear can detect differences in waveform rise times and these are detected as "crispness"/speed/delecacy of the audio track being listened to. Electrostatic headphones, with diaphrams the thickness of air atoms can be heard to have this quality. due to the very low mass and therefore inertia of their diaphrams. On the electrical side, the rise-times of waveforms is directly influenced by the top frequency that can be reproduced - a truly squarewave would require an infinite bandwidth. This is why being able to produce these top end frequencies is important
earlgrey77
26
Nov 14, 2017
Hi everyone,
having owned two of these units for a year more or less, I'd like to share my experience with the XDuoo XD-05:
Initially, as a new owner, I reported yet another "very happy best ever heard price performance" story. However, I am now less enthusiastic about this product. Over time, and in comparison with other headphone amps, I found that this amp's sound has a significant flaw in voice reproduction at all volume levels. Female voices in particular do sound quite grainy, unnatural, and for some time I was wondering whether these flaws are in the recordings. Later, I stumbled across some blog posts, suggesting to use the DAC section only, paired with an external amp. And, wow, what an improvement! Not only the female voices issue, but bass reproduction, reduced overall stress level at high volumes, so much improvement.
So I suggest to all XDuoo XD-05 owners, if you use this product on your desk (and not for portable use), do yourself a favor, and try routing that line-out at the back into an external, more capable amp. The XDuoo XD-05's DAC sounds great.
Other than that, there are several functional flaws. People already mentioned the USB male connector design issue. I personally don't face that issue, since I picked the right cable, and mostly non-portable use. One other problem bothers me quite frequently: The amp's output protection relay (?) cuts off the signal when the device starts charging (I usually have the charger permanently connected). The signal does not return, and one needs to turn off and on again. This defect is reproducible on both units I own. Not an issue when using an external amp, since the line-out is not affected.
And while I love the physical volume knob, the volume pot actually exposes quite a channel imbalance at low levels. One unit more than the other.
I suggest to the manufacturer to do some homework for the next product release: Get rid of that clunky USB connector, fix the amp-mute upon charging issue. Improve the amp section. Better quality control / selection for the volume pot.
And don't get me wrong, I still like this little gadget. The XMOS+DAC sections alone are worth the price I paid (USD 140...150). I love the display, the overall design, the volume knob. Very enjoyable product, but not without flaws, and not audiophile "best ever heard" as some people keep saying.
Cheers, and happy listening!
Anent
167
Mar 6, 2018
Thanks. I had looked at this, but it wasn’t clear what IC etc they are using in the enclosure. Curious....
luk1111
0
Mar 20, 2019
Wow my photo :)
slugman
69
Jan 15, 2018
So in light of the USB interconnect warnings, I think I'll opt for the Topping NX4DSD http://www.tpdz.net/en/products/nx4dsd/index.htm (which is available at Ali express for the same price as the xd-05). These are comparible units for sure. Although the xd-05 has a more powerful amp, the nx4dsd actually has less distortion than the xd-05 THD+N < .0009% @ 1khz output = 140mw(32ohm! The nx4dsd even supports up to pcm768 and dsd512! The xd-05 however has a much prettier display, and the ability to roll op amps. Uggh I was seriously about to buy the xd-05. You guys sure no one has had a positive portable experience with these guys that don't require using putty?
RyeGuy
8
Feb 9, 2018
slugmanWith portable use, you'll most likely buy whatever a cable that works with your phone, or find a 3rd party USB extension. So the poor stock cable is a fixable annoyance.
Hanslau
2
Oct 31, 2018
So, have you made your comparison?
Limbo
41
Jun 28, 2017
Just so everyone is aware. As of right now this will NOT play on Windows 10 Creators Edition 1703. The drivers are not signed and new features in Windows 10 version 1703 will not allow it to load the drivers. It will allow you to install them but Windows will immediately block them from loading once it is installed. I've reached out to XDuoo support a couple times now over the past week and they are not getting back to me. Right now the only work around is to disable driver signature enforcement which I do not recommend.
Limbo
41
Jul 22, 2017
The main problem is xDuoo. They are the only ones who can get and distribute the new driver. Thesycon will only sell to software and hardware vendors.
bsoplinger
79
Jul 22, 2017
After all, in this case, Massdrop is delivering exactly what you'd get if you purchased the Xduoo anywhere else including directly from the Chinese website.
Its as Limbo says. Xduoo is completely responsible whether the driver gets updated for Windows 10 or not. I'll argue that Windows 10 has been out long enough now that any product that wants to claim its "Windows" compatible must be compatible with Windows 10 and saying in either small or large print only up to Windows 8 just doesn't work.
PeteKowalsky
33
Nov 27, 2016
Just got mine (couldn't wait for the drop to finish, sorry MD!), and I gotta say that at this price, HOLY CRAP what a value. This thing sounds pretty incredible with high-res audio with my DT880 250Ohm's, and drives them at deafening volumes with incredible clarity and head-rattling bass (if that's what you want). Star Wars Force Awakens 24/96 is blowing my mind, and Blade Runner SACD already did... :)
Using this on my MacBook with JRiver Media Center 22 @ 352/384KHz / 24-bit sounds pretty insane. Haven't started auditioning with my IEMs yet, but you guys are in for a surprise. I'll try it with my TFZ Series 5's (from Massdrop) and my Westone UM3X-R's and post back here when I can.
The unit is built like a tank, and is surprisingly hefty for it's size (feels very solid). The packaging is sturdy and high quality too. I got the silver version, and it looks really classy. I'm really impressed, and at this price here, it's an unbelievable buy.
Krisna
0
Jan 21, 2017
Are you using an adaptor to hook up the XLR connections? If so, what kind?
PeteKowalsky
33
Jan 23, 2017
Thanks - Neutron player used to be pretty darn good, but lately I've been stuck on Poweramp. Maybe I'll check out Neutron again...I think I still have a license for it. I have been a V4A user since like 2012 on my Galaxy Nexus... ;) I use ARISE Deuteronomy 2.3.4 beta 10 on Pure Nexus on my Nexus 6 64GB. Yeah, I have used USB Audio Player Pro for LAN-based hi-res FLAC playback. Haven't tried it over OpenVPN over 4G yet though. I guess that'd be pushing things and battery life would be total crap... :D Sounds like a good experiment for my business trip during off-hours.
I've been listening mostly with jRiver Media Center 22 on my Mac. I do my critical listening in my office / studio so don't need to be totally portable most of the time.
lucky.life
55
Feb 5, 2017
is there any safety certificate of its battery?
The Chinese did invent fireworks...
Sojuu
41
Mar 20, 2017
SaltedSmokedIcecreamAnd gunpowders...
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