[KaiFi]

Op-apms don’t change the sound? I would argue that different op-amps change the sound more than different DACs.

And I’m glad XDuoo didn’t plaster MQA marketing all over the spec sheet or include any nonsense like “what the artist intended”.

 

[nioh]

No, I'm not sure if XDUOO used XMOS specifically.
I'm sure that IFI uses it for example for the purpose.

And, yes, I imagine the decoding software 'runs' on some dedicated processor.

Regarding the specifications, MQA is mentioned, in a small way (maybe they are ashamed ):

https://xduoo.net/product/xd05-pro/

Ah I missed that tiny detail, thanks !

 

[nioh]

Thanks and I forgot to mention that I want to purchase the upcoming R2R DAC. My SP3000 already uses the AKM chipset so I will skip this for the XD.

So I will try the Sparkos as they seem to fit into the housing.



Do you guys know where (and what exactly, quantities etc.) I need to buy to try the Sparkos out? I read good things about this one so I will try it first. Preferably Germany / EU. Thanks!

In the EU you have 2 options afaik.

audiophonics.fr
aune-store.com

You need 2 x SS3602 (these are dual op-amps and the XD05Pro needs 2 x dual op-amps). Total comes to around €170

 

[helloh3adfi]

Questioning about Pentaconn input of XD05 Pro. I got a cable where R- of 2-Pin IEM connector is not only connected to R-, but also connected to Pentaconn ground. That isn't normal. However I heard the ground doesn't matter anyway when using Pentaconn balanced, does it? So is it safe to use my IEM with this new cable?

 

[gmalik]

The floor noise is caused by the amp module. The hissing noise is louder on the 4.4mm balanced output than on the SE output when using iem. There is no noise on the aux output. It is also strange that the noise does not increase when changing the gain.

 

[LoneFurrow]

Thanks and I forgot to mention that I want to purchase the upcoming R2R DAC. My SP3000 already uses the AKM chipset so I will skip this for the XD.

So I will try the Sparkos as they seem to fit into the housing.



Do you guys know where (and what exactly, quantities etc.) I need to buy to try the Sparkos out? I read good things about this one so I will try it first. Preferably Germany / EU. Thanks!

You need a pair of Sparkos SS3602 dual opamps. You could also add a pair of DIP8 socket holders, which will help provide clearance for a couple of the capacitors. Strictly speaking you can get away with one DIP8 socket holder, or just trim some of the pins on the underside of the opamps. There's been plenty of discussion in this thread on the subject of installing SS3602s.

In terms of stockists, I would personally recommend Elise Audio in the UK but realise you'd rather source from the EU. In that case, Audiophonics in France is probably your best option.

Have you tried the LME49720 opamps that were supplied with your XD05 PRO? It might be worth trying those before spending more on the SS3602s, just to see if you can hear a difference.

 

[helloh3adfi]

There was a black friday coupon for https://sparkoslabs.com but it isn't valid anymore. I guess there's no available coupon at the moment?

 

[LoneFurrow]

The floor noise is caused by the amp module. The hissing noise is louder on the 4.4mm balanced output than on the SE output when using iem. There is no noise on the aux output. It is also strange that the noise does not increase when changing the gain.

Which input are you using? Have you tried connecting via various different inputs? Different cables and Bluetooth inputs? If the aux / balanced out are silent but both headphone outputs are noisy, that seems to suggest there's an issue well beyond my basic troubleshooting.

 

[CharlyBrown]

In the EU you have 2 options afaik.

audiophonics.fr
aune-store.com

You need 2 x SS3602 (these are dual op-amps and the XD05Pro needs 2 x dual op-amps). Total comes to around €170

Thank you. Appreciated!!

You need a pair of Sparkos SS3602 dual opamps. You could also add a pair of DIP8 socket holders, which will help provide clearance for a couple of the capacitors. Strictly speaking you can get away with one DIP8 socket holder, or just trim some of the pins on the underside of the opamps. There's been plenty of discussion in this thread on the subject of installing SS3602s.

In terms of stockists, I would personally recommend Elise Audio in the UK but realise you'd rather source from the EU. In that case, Audiophonics in France is probably your best option.

Have you tried the LME49720 opamps that were supplied with your XD05 PRO? It might be worth trying those before spending more on the SS3602s, just to see if you can hear a difference.

I bought the XD from Elise. I can find the SS3602 on their website but not the socket holders you mentioned?

 

[LoneFurrow]

Thank you. Appreciated!!



I bought the XD from Elise. I can find the SS3602 on their website but not the socket holders you mentioned?

Ah, I didn't realise you bought your XD05 PRO from Elise. So did I. The DIP8 holders are pennies (nearly) so best sourced from a parts specialist. You can get away without them but having one to hand makes installation a little easier. Below is the example from Audiophonics:

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/soic...holder-for-printed-circuit-boards-p-8535.html

 

[CharlyBrown]

Ah, I didn't realise you bought your XD05 PRO from Elise. So did I. The DIP8 holders are pennies (nearly) so best sourced from a parts specialist. You can get away without them but having one to hand makes installation a little easier. Below is the example from Audiophonics:

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/soic...holder-for-printed-circuit-boards-p-8535.html

Thank you very much!!

 

[nioh]

Thank you very much!!

Before you place your order for op-amps, just know that audiophonics.fr has a minimum order amount and won’t ship you just the DIP-8 socket holders alone. You’ll have to add something else to your order if you end up ordering the op-amps from Elise or elsewhere

BTW, I’m also from Munich. Isn’t it easier to buy from France or Aune ? They ship from within the EU. If you buy from UK, it has to go through the Zollamt and also takes longer. I bought mine from Aune-Store and got it pretty fast via DHL.

 

[helloh3adfi]

Reading this thread I found some debates about linear power supplies. There are so many products, but I think 25 VA output should be enough for this Xduoo?

Here are some LPS:
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/hifi...rfi-filter-220v-to-12v-125a-25va-p-11375.html (green transformer looks like Bingzi, this 220V should be viable for EU)
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802901421967.html
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255800733549859.html
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802566942223.html
+ adapter cable to USB-C needed.

The first AE link got a selection for the more expensive Talema transformer. Not sure if it's better. What are your experiences about LPS?

 

[LoneFurrow]

Before you place your order for op-amps, just know that audiophonics.fr has a minimum order amount and won’t ship you just the DIP-8 socket holders alone. You’ll have to add something else to your order if you end up ordering the op-amps from Elise or elsewhere

BTW, I’m also from Munich. Isn’t it easier to buy from France or Aune ? They ship from within the EU. If you buy from UK, it has to go through the Zollamt and also takes longer. I bought mine from Aune-Store and got it pretty fast via DHL.

Thanks - I didn't realise about the minimum order value. It sounds like Aune-Store is another good option.

 

[Nikita507]

M

It's good news that you found it. Do you think there is no solution to the floor noise?

As I mentioned earlier, ifi iematch+ 3.5mm got rid of this problem, only now I set the volume on low gain to 40-50 instead of 10 without it.
With 3.5mm BAL adapters this allows me to use the 4.4 output as well. 4.4 version of ifi iematch is not suitable, it has too high output impedance.

p.s. Maybe I'm just imagining this, but try partially inserting the included adapter. Slight improvement in hiss