Two straight defective units. Replacement means shipping to China and waiting for a return. I'm really tired of re-explaining this bc people won't read.

I am using the stock op amps.

I tried two headphones with two completely different cables. A third chance requires getting a replacement shipped from China again. Quite the pain

Oops yeah I meant the Fiio not the iFi. And I'm running DCA Aeon 2 Noire, they need the power. I'll check out the TRI TK2, but Bluetooth is really nice to have. XD-05 BAL trips into PROTECT mode when connected to a balanced cable. 1/4" works fine, just the 4.4mm pentaconn that has this issue...

IIRC the iFi lacks power and the Gryphon is pricier

Anyone know any alternatives to the XD05 BAL? Bluetooth, 1wpc balanced, etc.? I've had two units die on me "protect" mode and all the support they tried to give did not help. Either a flawed design or terrible qc.

Fingers crossed I may make this one. Slim chance I'll have a new high output balanced portable DAC/Amp to show off. Tried the XDUoo XD-05 BAL but two units failed almost immediately. Trying to find another option that is $500, preferably less. The usual gear too, LCD-2F (2015), DCA Aeon 2...

I've tried two XDuoo XD-05 Balanced DAC/amps in the past couple of weeks, and both of them failed and went into PROTECT mode requiring an RMA. So I need a portable DAC/Amp that isn't so prone to failure. My use case is not that demanding to be killing hardware. DCA Aeon 2 Noire and occasional...

Looking to buy an XD-05 Balanced from XDuoo. Shipping to the midwest US (can provide zip in DM's). Please DM me with offers.

The Chord 2Go and 2Yu are a pretty interesting pair. The 2Go is a streamer that seems to me to be designed to be used exclusively with the Hugo 2 DAC, a task for which it is excellently designed. The 2Yu, however, is an audio interface for the 2Go, turning the streamer attachment into a...

The filters were all a downgrade for me. The base Aeon 2 closed had tuning that made the filters a benefit to curb the treble peaks, but for the Noire's, they just reduce detail.

I'd say impact/slam is definitely a weak point of the Aeon 2's, I'd look at some other planars for sure.

My biggest request would be an ergonomic solution for portable setups that are a smart phone + DAC/AMP. Cable connections that don't stress the connectors and cable, and a better way to attach the devices together that doesn't make the phone bulky when the DAC isn't attached, and doesn't...

Had a late start to my day, expect me around 5 central

Unfortunately it's looking like the Jot 2 won't arrive in time, but I will be there!