ASIO and DSD512 should be no problem for the Windows driver from their website.

Actually, simple DIP-8 extenders work without the need to modify the op-amp board. Here I installed the SA200 op-amps with the extenders. The SA-200s are just too large to fit within the compartment.

Never used it that way. But it should be the case, at least the transformers and capacitors are bypassed, which are pretty much the main stuff inside.

Actually, I did it once. One is a Lieewho SA200 and another BurrBrown. The SA200 is too large to fit both in without significant modifications. I could tell the left and right were different mostly because there was always a slight pop on the SA200 when the unit was turned on or off. The sound...

Maybe software plus a protection circuit. I think it's on the amp side than dac, as it only happens when the headphones are connected. I actually once installed the op-amps in the wrong orientation by mistake. There was no sound output but it didn't go to the protection mode either. Even this...

For me, it goes into protection mode only when the headphones and a digital source are connected. To avoid the protection mode, I set up everything first without plugging the headphones. Then, I plug in the headphones just before clicking the play button. You can also try if it happens when...

It seems to be dependent on if you're a resident of China. If not, here is pretty much all you have.

I have blown both fuses that came with the Fiio PL50. Initially I thought it was the problem with the DC cable, as I purchased a custom made cable terminated in USB C. When the fuse blew again, I realized it must be the fuse. I changed the fuse from 1A to 6A. I don't think that will blow any...

Honestly, the real fun is constantly rotating the components (DACs and op-amps) with different songs and trying to hear something new. Even some "bad" combinations can be good too.

I actually sent an email to Xduoo and asked if they sell the op-amp board as a spare part. Like people tried this earlier, I believe the message was completely ignored. I think 24mohm is a pretty low resistance value to start with. The reduction of height is really alluring. Maybe the filtering...

I replaced the capacitors on the op amp board to a shorter model. Specifically, I replaced the original Panasonic 16SEPC100MW with 16SEPC100M. They have the same capacitance and voltage specs but different ESRs. I thought maybe it's no big deal. The obvious advantage is excellent clearance for...

Looking at the capacitor size, it's not a module that fits the current DAC profile. Maybe just a test board installed externally. It could be a long way to go judging by the time from the announcement of the XD05 Pro to its actual release.

Now I can "reliably" drive the XD05 Pro into the "Protect" state. It seems to be happening when the headphones are connected. When in the protect state, the display shows an exclamation mark and flashes "PROTECT" text. The unit is frozen and unresponsive to any operations. Then, it needs to be...

I found a potential issue. When I connected the Shanling EC Mini CD player using a USB cable, XD05 Pro went into "protected" mode occasionally. I tried different opamps and the result was the same. I tried with battery or external power supply to no avail. It usually happened when I pressed the...

The Rohm chip has 2 filters for PCM and 3 filters for DSD.

No obvious distortion to my ears. Comparing to other amps that i used for electrostatic headphones, 90 at Turbo produces a sound level similar to a Hifiman ES amp at 11 o'clock or an AHB2 at low gain. Any difference among them is subtle to me. The mat is just a silicone kitchen mat from Amazon...

XD05 pro drives electrostatic headphones via ifi iESL. External power supply by ifi iPower. XD05 pro set to Turbo at 90 volume level. ifi iESL set to 96 Ohms.

I'm interested in the meaning of "hard nucelus" on Apos webpage. It seems to be a catch word they made for the product. I just don't know what it means.

Linear power supply for desktop use is not included.

No price information from the manufacturer. Just using similar products from Shanling and Fiio as references, I think it could only be more expensive. The manufacturer has stated that the design of interchangeable DAC modules was not easy, which may also indicate a price tag well over $1000.

Online preorder starts on July 31, 2023, limited to 50 units for the first batch. The information is from the manufacturer.

I bought the iESL first and chose an amp accordingly (Benchmark AHB2). I think the specification comes from the fact that it's essentially a transformer. Driving power exceeding the specs of a transformer will cause it to clip. However, it usually won't need the max power to play music...

Finally I was able to try this combination. The AHB2 has been proposed to drive the iESL before but I never saw anyone did so. For a speaker amp, the AHB2 is usually not considered the most powerful. Its specs (100W to 8ohm) seem to match the requirements of the iESL perfectly. My first...

I'd like to see some recommendations too. Power amps of any price range.

Sines are great. Pity they are not making them anymore.