[Ben86]

Again spamming without any additional info on Facebook...

 

[Efgp]

Again spamming without any additional info on Facebook...

From how it's worded and from the latest news I think it's safe to assume we'll see it in not too long, finally... hopefully...
But yeah, as others have said they started the hype train waaaay too early and by now everyone just forgot abouy it. I was even considering one for myself as a desktop replacement of sorts, but I've moved on months ago now...

 

[Ben86]

Soon?

https://twitter.com/f_mp3tidalwave/status/1667018817384632320?s=20

 

[gto88]

Almost no much news on it.

 

[gto88]

http://www.erji.net/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=2305330&page=1&extra=#pid35237943
there are tours for trying out if any one has chance to go, just help to share impression.

 

[LakeOfTheWyles]

 

[Mouseman]

It would be nice to not only see the actual unit, but also the specs and features to compare to the new Bal2. I'm sure this is "bigger and better," but it would be great to see exactly how. The easy card swaps are an interesting feature, but I'll have to see how much they're worth to me.

 

[LoneFurrow]

It would be nice to not only see the actual unit, but also the specs and features to compare to the new Bal2. I'm sure this is "bigger and better," but it would be great to see exactly how. The easy card swaps are an interesting feature, but I'll have to see how much they're worth to me.

From what I've seen so far (not heard a beta unit, I admit), there are so many differences when compared to the XD-05 BAL2, they're in different leagues. The PRO is likely to be $900-$1,000, vs $429 for the BAL2. Higher grade DACs, more flexibility in terms of op amp rolling (looks like there's space for at least a pair of Sparkos SS3602s), more powerful (2,000mW, I believe), bigger battery, e.t.c. Significantly less portable! I agree it will be great to see the full specs though.

 

[Mouseman]

From what I've seen so far (not heard a beta unit, I admit), there are so many differences when compared to the XD-05 BAL2, they're in different leagues. The PRO is likely to be $900-$1,000, vs $429 for the BAL2. Higher grade DACs, more flexibility in terms of op amp rolling (looks like there's space for at least a pair of Sparkos SS3602s), more powerful (2,000mW, I believe), bigger battery, e.t.c. Significantly less portable! I agree it will be great to see the full specs though.

Thanks for the insight. That's pretty rare air if the price ends up that high. While it's not quite Burson top-of-the-line amounts, there's not much else in the mass market that high. I wish they'd release it already so I can figure out if it's in my range. I'm getting an ever-increasing impression it's going to be too much for me, but we'll see.

 

[LoneFurrow]

Thanks for the insight. That's pretty rare air if the price ends up that high. While it's not quite Burson top-of-the-line amounts, there's not much else in the mass market that high. I wish they'd release it already so I can figure out if it's in my range. I'm getting an ever-increasing impression it's going to be too much for me, but we'll see.

Latest I've heard is it will be released in early July. There are a few comments on FB suggesting the price will be around $900, with the ES9039 as the default DAC. The AKM and ROHM DACs will be available at additional cost. If xDuoo offers a bundle with all three, that could be interesting. Personally, I'm less interested in the ES9039 than the other two.

There aren't many DAC/amp competitors at that price point - the Shanling H7 and Fiio Q7 are the obvious options around the $750-$900 mark. Given the features we know of to date, I really can't see the price being less than something like the H7. That, btw, is also a very, very good device. I haven't tried the Q7 so can't comment on that.

 

[gto88]

That is too bad, I am not interested in ess dac either.
if ess is default dac, I will have to buy akm and rohm, ess will be a waste to me.
if dac is optional at time of purchase, it will be perfect.

 

[Ben86]

Latest I've heard is it will be released in early July. There are a few comments on FB suggesting the price will be around $900, with the ES9039 as the default DAC. The AKM and ROHM DACs will be available at additional cost. If xDuoo offers a bundle with all three, that could be interesting. Personally, I'm less interested in the ES9039 than the other two.

There aren't many DAC/amp competitors at that price point - the Shanling H7 and Fiio Q7 are the obvious options around the $750-$900 mark. Given the features we know of to date, I really can't see the price being less than something like the H7. That, btw, is also a very, very good device. I haven't tried the Q7 so can't comment on that.

Bundle with all 3 DACs included would be the perfect option

 

[ApaucalyptiK]

Bundle with all 3 DACs included would be the perfect option

No, as much choice as possible is always better for the customers.

 

[LoneFurrow]

No, as much choice as possible is always better for the customers.

I think the suggestion was to have a bundle offer as well as individual options. If xDuoo offers the PRO with any one of the three DACs, as well as a bundle offer where you can buy all three DACs at a discounted overall price, that would be fab. Agreed that as much choice as possible is great for the customers.

 

[MiBog]

I understand prejudice against ESS DACs, but the new ES9039 is completely revised in design, and sonically not comparable to previous Ess DACs, I made several comparisons with different DACs, the ES9039 is much better than AK4499 or Rohm DAC.