Xduoo XD05T "Portable" Dac + Tube Amp

Nov 27, 2024 at 5:45 PM Post #93 of 151
This is kinda cool. It looks like the tubes are on some sub-board(s) that could be taken out and then serviced if you are handy w a soldering iron. Or maybe a factory replacement could be possible if they can source the tubes ...
I've already identified the tubes and a source, it's in my recently submitted review which should be published soon hopefully.
 
Nov 29, 2024 at 9:30 PM Post #94 of 151
Anyone have any experience in pairing IEMs with the XD05T?
I am seriously considering both this and the Muse M5 Ultra...
My current primary portable source and amp is the DC-Elite, so this would be more of a "change of pace" scenario and probably not used as my main portable device.
 
Nov 30, 2024 at 11:01 AM Post #95 of 151
Anyone have any experience in pairing IEMs with the XD05T?
I am seriously considering both this and the Muse M5 Ultra...
My current primary portable source and amp is the DC-Elite, so this would be more of a "change of pace" scenario and probably not used as my main portable device.
I'm waiting to receive my XD05T, I also ordered the 05FS1 linear power supply with fan so I can have a functional desktop set, which I don't intend to move frequently. In fact my need in this case was not portability, because I'm already well served by other devices. I wanted something that sounded warm and organic with the tubes, because compared to the energetic brilliance of the ESS Saber DACs I can hear a clear difference with the Fosi T20 and the KAEI TAP-2 I have, unlike for example R2R devices like the RU6 or RU7 which ultimately I sold.
If your main need is portability and only secondarily the organic warmth and less detailed musicality of tubes, then my recommendation is the M5 Ultra, with which you will feel a little warmth, not as much as the XD05T, but also many analytical details.
If, however, you are looking for a more significant sound change and lots of power to also drive high impedance headphones, at the expense of portability, then the XD05T.
My further suggestion (so far only theoretical) regarding the use of IEMs with the XD05T, is to preferably pair planar IEMs that are difficult to drive. XD05T is very powerful and with some easy to drive IEMs, I guess there might be some background noise.
As soon as I receive my unit I will try to provide more practical information.
 
Dec 2, 2024 at 9:06 PM Post #96 of 151
I'm waiting to receive my XD05T, I also ordered the 05FS1 linear power supply with fan so I can have a functional desktop set, which I don't intend to move frequently. In fact my need in this case was not portability, because I'm already well served by other devices. I wanted something that sounded warm and organic with the tubes, because compared to the energetic brilliance of the ESS Saber DACs I can hear a clear difference with the Fosi T20 and the KAEI TAP-2 I have, unlike for example R2R devices like the RU6 or RU7 which ultimately I sold.
If your main need is portability and only secondarily the organic warmth and less detailed musicality of tubes, then my recommendation is the M5 Ultra, with which you will feel a little warmth, not as much as the XD05T, but also many analytical details.
If, however, you are looking for a more significant sound change and lots of power to also drive high impedance headphones, at the expense of portability, then the XD05T.
My further suggestion (so far only theoretical) regarding the use of IEMs with the XD05T, is to preferably pair planar IEMs that are difficult to drive. XD05T is very powerful and with some easy to drive IEMs, I guess there might be some background noise.
As soon as I receive my unit I will try to provide more practical information.
I got one coming from Shenzhenaudio, didn’t get the lowest pricing, but still excited. Looks as if you can pick it up for under $400 currently! I did get the 12v too… (-;
Look 4forward to hearing others impression. I was sold after my purchase of the Xduoo TA-66 OTL and using it as a single source preamp for my turntable. Stock, it’s very
good, as long as a single input is ok. Build quality is outstanding. With rolled tubes, direct into a Yamaha ss amp, it’s as transparent and quickly detailed as any setup
I’ve owned. Kinda system you can sit and listen to for hours. Hoping the XD50T will deliver the goods. Regards…
 
Dec 2, 2024 at 9:23 PM Post #97 of 151
I have one otw. Got it for $387.29.
 
Dec 2, 2024 at 10:50 PM Post #99 of 151
While researching compatible power supplies for the XD05T, my search engine's AI summary had the following info:
"Undocumented Feature (Rumor)

There is a rumor about an undocumented feature: using a 12V/3A USB-C power supply, TURBO mode allegedly delivers pure class A amplification (different from other gain modes or battery power). However, this has not been officially confirmed by xDuoo."

Anyone have any insight into this?
I have an iFi iPower X in 12V but it's only 2.5A. I think it would power the XD05T but not at the specs listed above.

However, I have a GaN USB-C power supply that CAN output 12v/3A but am unsure how quiet it would be compared with the iFi, or a linear PSY or the official power supply/fan made by xDuoo themselves.

Would be cool if the GaN PSU and a usb c cable was all I needed.
 
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Dec 3, 2024 at 3:46 AM Post #102 of 151
I don’t think IEMs are suitable for this unit as you’re definitely going to hear the noise floor of this amp unless you have a really high impedance IEM.

With my Variations, Blessing2 and ZeroRed, the noise floor is definitely apparent to my ears.
With ZeroRed I hear the least noise floor while I hear the most noise floor with my Blessing2.

I can always use a 75Ω impedance adapter when using the Blessing2 coz the Blessing2’s frequency does not change no matter how much impedance I added to it. With the 75Ω impedance adapter on my Blessing2, the noise floor is totally gone.

Can’t use the impedance adapter method on the Variations and ZeroRed as they will elevate the bass region and change the frequency of the IEMs.

But then I’m not using much of my IEMs nowadays as I’ve got a nasty ear infection a month back and haven’t 100% recover from it yet.
Listening through my HD6xx on this little tube amp most of the time now. They sound so good that I ended up focusing too much on my music and procrastinate on all my other tasks. LOL
 
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Dec 3, 2024 at 4:24 AM Post #103 of 151
I don’t think IEMs are suitable for this unit as you’re definitely going to hear the noise floor of this amp unless you have a really high impedance IEM.

With my Variations, Blessing2 and ZeroRed, the noise floor is definitely apparent to my ears.
With ZeroRed I hear the least noise floor while I hear the most noise floor with my Blessing2.

I can always use a 75Ω impedance adapter when using the Blessing2 coz the Blessing2’s frequency does not change no matter how much impedance I added to it. With the 75Ω impedance adapter on my Blessing2, the noise floor is totally gone.

Can’t use the impedance adapter method on the Variations and ZeroRed as they will elevate the bass region and change the frequency of the IEMs.

But then I’m not using much of my IEMs nowadays as I’ve got a nasty ear infection a month back and haven’t 100% recover from it yet.
Listening through my HD6xx on this little tube amp most of the time now. They sound so good that I ended up focusing too much on my music and procrastinate on all my other tasks. LOL
If Zero Red only has 10Ω and Blessing 2 has 22Ω, why do you hear more noise on the latter?
I would later also like to connect the Shozy P20s, which are 30Ω planar... but at this point will I hear even more noise and consequently should I buy a 75Ω impedance adapter?
 
Dec 3, 2024 at 4:45 AM Post #104 of 151
If Zero Red only has 10Ω and Blessing 2 has 22Ω, why do you hear more noise on the latter?
I would later also like to connect the Shozy P20s, which are 30Ω planar... but at this point will I hear even more noise and consequently should I buy a 75Ω impedance adapter?
No idea why is that so.
With the ZeroRed I also need to go till 30 on Low Gain to get to a good and comfortable listening level on SE output.
While the Blessing2 without the 75Ω adapter only need to go till 23 to get to the same listening level.
However did not measure this as I go by ear only at this.

Regarding the impedance adapter, only works if your IEM has linear impedance curve.
Or else adding a 75Ω impedance adapter is going to heavily change the sound of your IEM.
 
Dec 3, 2024 at 2:01 PM Post #105 of 151
I don’t think IEMs are suitable for this unit as you’re definitely going to hear the noise floor of this amp unless you have a really high impedance IEM.

With my Variations, Blessing2 and ZeroRed, the noise floor is definitely apparent to my ears.
With ZeroRed I hear the least noise floor while I hear the most noise floor with my Blessing2.

I can always use a 75Ω impedance adapter when using the Blessing2 coz the Blessing2’s frequency does not change no matter how much impedance I added to it. With the 75Ω impedance adapter on my Blessing2, the noise floor is totally gone.

Can’t use the impedance adapter method on the Variations and ZeroRed as they will elevate the bass region and change the frequency of the IEMs.

But then I’m not using much of my IEMs nowadays as I’ve got a nasty ear infection a month back and haven’t 100% recover from it yet.
Listening through my HD6xx on this little tube amp most of the time now. They sound so good that I ended up focusing too much on my music and procrastinate on all my other tasks. LOL

That probably dismissed my hope for the XD05T lol. I really like the looks of the unit. And the word 'tube'. Guess I will need to continue my search. The Cayin C9ii is good looking too but the price doesn't justify my use, as I'm mostly a speaker person.
 

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