[hbmorrison]

My xDuoo TA-26 came in the post from Shenzhen Audio today.

It was very well packaged and there were no customs issues with DHL (to the UK). Pretty great service.

I have my DT770s plugged in right now so that I can have a sneaky listen at the sound while I let the tubes settle a bit. There is a hum coming from the unit but I am not going to pass judgement until the whole thing has had a bit of a run.

All in all I am really pleased and I am looking forward to giving it a spin with my other headphones. It is also going to be pre-amping my living room speakers, which should be fun.

 

[Silver Wolf]

Damn it, now I'm awaiting delivery of a TA-26 also.... Finger slipped on buy now button by accident, you know how it goes lol.

Y'all been teasing so much I couldn't resist the dark side call of OTL giggle... I've been very happy with all the hybrid xDuoo gear so far I've had so why not? I did have a set of DT880 600ohm turn up last week I have yet to play with (by that I mean fix lol, there a broken pre-loved set I got cheap) but they would be perfect for use with the TA-26. I got a few 250/300 ohm cans but it'd be cool to use the DT 880 with OTL.... Happy Days...Oh now I'm gonna need more tubes hehehehe

 

[hbmorrison]

So its early days but the first thing I have noticed with the TA-26 is the really deep bass extension. It really gets down there on my HD6xx's and my 250Ohm DT770s are really fun. I've gone as far as saving the songs that have noticeably deep bass so that I can compare them on my other amps.

I have also tried the TA-26 pre-amping my Arcam Diva A75 that I have wired up to a pair of ancient Wharfedale Linton speakers. It sounds promising but I need to do a lot more listening to see if it is a worthwhile longer term option. My partner is on night shift so I'll have to stick to the headphones for now

 

[hbmorrison]

Damn it, now I'm awaiting delivery of a TA-26 also.... Finger slipped on buy now button by accident, you know how it goes lol.

That happens quite a lot in this household Going by how my DT770s sound the DT880s should sound amazing! I sold my DT880s ages ago but now I'm tempted again....

 

[Silver Wolf]

That happens quite a lot in this household Going by how my DT770s sound the DT880s should sound amazing! I sold my DT880s ages ago but now I'm tempted again....

I've got the DT1770 (modded/rolled 250ohm) and HD6XX 'n I'm wondering about sending the pre-out to my monitors 'n wireless gear if I like the sound... all good fun, I'm thinking of using Topping D30 pro dac to feed the TA-26. I use i currently to feed a xDuoo TA-20 via BAL as I really enjoy it.

I only paid postage for the DT 880 as they were non functioning and minus pads so I've got nothing to lose on them really.... I've got lots of pads 'n can fix most other things etc and if not Beyer is good about selling parts so it should be good fun 'n work out to be all good

 

[hbmorrison]

I'm thinking of using Topping D30 pro dac to feed the TA-26. I use i currently to feed a xDuoo TA-20 via BAL as I really enjoy it.

I'm currently using my old Schiit Modi 2 Multibit with the TA-26 but I'm thinking of getting one of the AK4493 based DACs for a cleaner input. Either the Topping E30 or SMSL Sanskrit.

 

[jonathan c]

@hbmorrison , if your source is CD, you should be aware of this:

 

[Ufanco]

I'm currently using my old Schiit Modi 2 Multibit with the TA-26 but I'm thinking of getting one of the AK4493 based DACs for a cleaner input. Either the Topping E30 or SMSL Sanskrit.

I recently picked up a Ares ii dac to go with the Xduoo TA20. The synergy of the ares ii and ta20 produces excellent sound imho. Depending on mood using either the hydro 12bh7 or Sylvania 12BH7a tubes.
Really amazing how well this amp has scaled up as system improves.

 

[Silver Wolf]

I'm currently using my old Schiit Modi 2 Multibit with the TA-26 but I'm thinking of getting one of the AK4493 based DACs for a cleaner input. Either the Topping E30 or SMSL Sanskrit.

Out of those two I'd look towards the SMSL or something else maybe....As below

@hbmorrison , if your source is CD, you should be aware of this:

Not the only Topping DAC with issues like this, the D30 pro is also known to have issues when connected to CD players, Tv's etc via toslink/coax... Makes me unhappy as an D30 pro owner that loves everything else about the DAC, has put me off the brand if I'm honest.

 

[jonathan c]

Damn it, now I'm awaiting delivery of a TA-26 also.... Finger slipped on buy now button by accident, you know how it goes lol.

Simple physics! ‘finger’ = N pole, magnet 1; ‘buy now button’ = S pole, magnet 2…..

 

[Ufanco]

Man hate when the finger slips and for some reason mine does it well browsing tubes. I have wayyyy more than I need and one of these days need to pick the best 7 pairs and sell the rest.

 

[hbmorrison]

@hbmorrison , if your source is CD, you should be aware of this:

Thanks for that. My source is mostly a streamer and sometimes USB to my phone so hopefully it shouldn't be an issue. I am leaning towards the SMSL anyway, or possibly the JDL Labs Atom DAC+. Either that or I might rearrange everything.

 

[hbmorrison]

Either that or I might rearrange everything.

So I rearranged everything.

Ok I know I should have a hifi cabinet but it sort of works? And both amps behave with the R1 balanced outs connected to the MJ2 and the SE outs connected to the TA-26.

I didn't think the R1 / TA-26 combo would work but boy does it work. I'm listening to "The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place" by Explosions In The Sky on my HD6XXs and it is so sonorous and velvety with a deep bass rumble. Reminds me of when I heard them playing it live.

I'm sure this is by no means "transparent" but wow I don't care.

 

[jonathan c]

So I rearranged everything.

Ok I know I should have a hifi cabinet but it sort of works? And both amps behave with the R1 balanced outs connected to the MJ2 and the SE outs connected to the TA-26.

I didn't think the R1 / TA-26 combo would work but boy does it work. I'm listening to "The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place" by Explosions In The Sky on my HD6XXs and it is so sonorous and velvety with a deep bass rumble. Reminds me of when I heard them playing it live.

I'm sure this is by no means "transparent" but wow I don't care.

• That is an effective and visually appealing setup.
• If your system reminds you of live sound (since it cannot be live sound), what else matters?

 

[hbmorrison]

By the way I am really surprised and impressed by how good my old DT770 250ohms sound on the TA-26. I'm kind of tempted to get a pair of DT990s now, which I didn't think I'd ever say.