this guy from youtube Z reviews one of many has ta-22 too on first place of all amps :
Xduoo Amplifiers
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ClicketEKlack
100+ Head-Fier
He ranks it dead last, actually.
jhsbdn
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Few days with TA-26s, still with stock tubes. I have to say I'm blown away with this amp, either driving my senns hd600 and hd660 or as a preamplifier feeding a simple Fender Monterey the quality (and quantity) you get out of this is unbelievable. Rich bass,with slam,lots of detail, great and forward mids, all of this with great authority. Can't wait for some tube rolling, but straight out of the box is already fantastic.
xduoo TA series sounds way waayyy better with correct rolled tubes vs double or even triple priced third party or famous brands transistor amps
xduoo -best price/sound ratio
Pretardo
100+ Head-Fier
So, it’s been two weeks and I’ve really enjoyed the TA-22. It’s been a very enjoyable addition to my very short audio chain. The tubes bring a smoothed relaxed signature to what I’ve been listening to. They also contribute to a more spacious soundstage that has extra width and depth. The tubes also push the mid range a bit forward for clear and present vocals. The amp brings great dynamics to the bottom end, which ups it’s engagement factor by a significant margin at the sacrifice of detailed highs.
The internal DAC is well suited to the preamp and amp as the “front door matches the house” and is good enough at this price point.
The TA-22 responds well to more refined and polished DACs.
As it’s an all in one desktop device, it does a spectacular job with the variety of connectivity and output options. It’s tube preamp and class A amp give it the flexibility to enjoy a tube sound from efficient IEMs all the way to demanding biocellulose dynamic drivers. It even works well with current demanding planars. It does all of that and it does it well!
Hell, at this point it does so much and so we’ll that I’m pretty sure the tube protectors double as a coffee cup warmer.
It’s a solidly built device that feels well to use and while the menu is a bit quirky, I don’t really switch it much now that I’ve got it dialed in the way that I like. Red volume knob looks good and feels smooth and sturdy.
I think the color clash in the front is something for future iterations to handle, but it is by no means an ugly device. Maybe one day, there will be a mid to change the color of the TA-22 logo to bring it in line with the display text color or match it with the striking volume knob.
All in all, as a device to dip my toe in the deep ocean that is tube based audio, this is a great first step that makes it easy and enjoyable!
I think for many that are looking for a device that does everything that this does at this price point will not be disappointed.
Since purchasing this DAC/Amp, I’ve even purchased a few current production tubes to start tube rolling, but haven’t really had the time to experiment with the JJ and Mullard reissues that I picked up. That just gives me more to play with when I eventually start looking for something different.
If you’re looking for a first step into tubes and you have a collection like mine, I think this is a pretty great place to start.
Hope this helps people make that jump into tubes.
The internal DAC is well suited to the preamp and amp as the “front door matches the house” and is good enough at this price point.
The TA-22 responds well to more refined and polished DACs.
As it’s an all in one desktop device, it does a spectacular job with the variety of connectivity and output options. It’s tube preamp and class A amp give it the flexibility to enjoy a tube sound from efficient IEMs all the way to demanding biocellulose dynamic drivers. It even works well with current demanding planars. It does all of that and it does it well!
Hell, at this point it does so much and so we’ll that I’m pretty sure the tube protectors double as a coffee cup warmer.
It’s a solidly built device that feels well to use and while the menu is a bit quirky, I don’t really switch it much now that I’ve got it dialed in the way that I like. Red volume knob looks good and feels smooth and sturdy.
I think the color clash in the front is something for future iterations to handle, but it is by no means an ugly device. Maybe one day, there will be a mid to change the color of the TA-22 logo to bring it in line with the display text color or match it with the striking volume knob.
All in all, as a device to dip my toe in the deep ocean that is tube based audio, this is a great first step that makes it easy and enjoyable!
I think for many that are looking for a device that does everything that this does at this price point will not be disappointed.
Since purchasing this DAC/Amp, I’ve even purchased a few current production tubes to start tube rolling, but haven’t really had the time to experiment with the JJ and Mullard reissues that I picked up. That just gives me more to play with when I eventually start looking for something different.
If you’re looking for a first step into tubes and you have a collection like mine, I think this is a pretty great place to start.
Hope this helps people make that jump into tubes.
Last edited:
ExTubeGamer
1000+ Head-Fier
My desk is too full to fit a TA-26 on it! I guess I simply save my money for the moment I upgrade to a bigger desk.
Halimj7
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why TA-03s only works with xduoo provides usb c to lightening cables? What is different from the cable xduoo and other cables I tried Anker and several others and nothing works except the one I got when I purchased the Poke II DAC. but the xduoo one is too short how do I get a longer one? Thanks.
my old samsung nexus 10 tablet only works with samsung usb cables,but sometimes works and other cables. no problem must search and you find lucky one.
Pretardo
100+ Head-Fier
I’ve been using adapters with pretty good success. I have USB-C to USB-A adapters that allow me to connect to many of the wires that I have. Right now I switch between the USB cable that connects to my TA-22 via USB 2.0 Printer and ends in a USB-A. I just stick an adapter on it and I can use my LGv40 as a source.
I wonder if an Apple DCA adapter would work?
what means bad for tube if im toching with finger and it starts then more ground noise due sound in one side headphone? it is fault? there is no noise if not touching tube glass
tungsol vintage or new modern edition is bright too? how tungsol compares to telefunken ribbed plates? same sound?
what tubes use/ stock? what impressed vs solid amp?
Riversalt
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What are your impressions Ananda + TA22?
my ananda is wireless and has only usb-c imput. so, im only focal bathys and stellia use with ta-22 . tried transistor amp/dac and way ta-22 more relaxed sound. use rft,telefunken tubes and waiting ordered new pair of RCA clear too. all my tubes more neutral linear sound. dont like too much “warm tube” sound-a bit better tubey vs solid amp and thats good for hours of listening tidal master or flac files 100-150mb from laptop.
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Stock tubes have to give way to better tubes to really unleash the potential of that TA-26. But that does not mean you go over board and start buying those GEC 6AS7G or the TS BGRP. However if you do have these, that TA-26 is going to perform at a different level.
A more saner choice would be a Sylvania VT231 and a Tungsol 6080 that I am using on my TA26 and this has already made it much better amp than with stock tubes.
the ADX5000 with most SS amps that I have tried becomes fatuguing with a higher preference for upper mids and treble. On a good OTL all this changes and it becomes much more ear friendly in the upper registers and has a beautiful mid range and pretty good bass. Its the best HP I have heard for female vocals, jazz and classical music.
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