This DAC is unreasonably good for the price! xDuoo XA-02 review

[@CinemaDemocratica]

With every review that I watch on this channel I become more and more impressed with the level of craft, and with the agility of any number of stylistic choices. I've always preferred scripted and professionally produced content and it bothers me a little -- still -- that some very popular reviewers have gotten away with phoning that part of the job in, some of them literally. But at the same time, I find this channel much more personable and yet at the same time also much more informative than other more carefully produced offerings elsewhere. At the beginning of this review I thought to myself, "Uh-oh, now I've gotta buy this thing too," and by the end of it I knew that wasn't really the case, and that's a huge compliment because the review manages to be extremely positive but also informative in a tight and breezy way about the use-cases where it will and will not best the competition. That's a heck of a thing to pull off, and this channel has made it look easy over and over again.

[@PassionforSound]

Thank you so much for your kind words and for confirming that I'm balancing the line(s) that I intend to. I think every product will be good for someone so I like to take a positive approach to reviews, but I also don't think every product is right for everyone and it's important to help people decide what's not for them. I've adjusted my approach a lot over the last 6 months or so to balance the length of the videos, the quality of the videos and the amount of time I can put into the production of the videos to try and balance everything as best I can. It sounds like I'm finding a good balance so thank you for letting me know! As always, I'll continue to seek improvements where I can find them, but I love knowing that people are having fun with and being informed by my videos. 🙏🙏♥️♥️

[@noturnleftunstoned72]

I love connecting my old FIIO X5 2G DAP transport with a 3.5 to coax cable into the FIIO K11 R2R with my Arya's. It bypasses the DAP's DAC and output stage therefore it lasts forever on a full charge. Incredible audio experience, not too expensive and takes up a small amount of space. I would do the same with this the XA-02 or add a headamp I like,.This XA-02 looks like a great little DacAmp. Great vid. Peace.

[@Steve43211]

Xduoo are on a run. The TA-66 is great. I’d love for a ‘TA-66s’ to come out with a 6SN7 front tube.

[@rap-soldier2185]

💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯 🚀🚥👍🚨🧨🎯🦀🎶✌️😁‼️

[@Inferno_Assassin]

You can always get an adapter like I did. 6n2 to 12ax7. Still a small pre-tube, but much more flexibility for tube rolling.

[@trekkis]

I'm very, very disappointed by ta-66. There is only one pros - they have a good look.

[@Inferno_Assassin]

@@trekkis In what respect does it disappoint?

[@trekkis]

Described in other dedicated post under this video. In short - no tube effect in hearing, and zero effect in null test or ftt harmonics image. Which mean output is equal input when used as preamp. Result is different in other otl preamps like little dot. Which is much cheaper. So I'm using little dot for real music (and real difference is in fact huge, i consider myself as a addicted to little dot type tube sound, adding huge value in case of transistor amp) , xduoo only as a visual decoration of the living room. Despite much higher price. Ta26 the same, but this one is ugly.

[@KostooR]

Thanks for the review! XDuoo manufactures many great devices. I wish they had a solid state AMP only device around $200 with 4.4mm HP output though. Happy New Year! :)

[@PassionforSound]

Yes. That would be very cool because they make great amps, but almost always paired with DACs.

[@waffle911]

9:32 Hol up. What am I getting for $159 that I'm not getting from just plugging the phone directly into the DAC with a USB cable, or some other similar solution? It's just acting as a stand with a digital pass-through at this point, no?

[@trekkis]

Mainly remote as i understand. But as a remote simply mi band can be used or other wearable. Besides, any such solution do not have any sense comparing to wiim mini. Or better.

[@PassionforSound]

No, it's not providing remote control, but it IS providing the ability to charge the phone at the same time as taking the digital outputs. If you connect a phone direct to a DAC, you have to regularly disconnect it for charging.

[@trekkis]

Your video was suggesting that there is app providing remote control. If there is not, this device is not providing too much sense. There is no problem to buy cheap splitter for charging, or to use wireless charging option, even bulit in to stand. There is no need for disconnection. I was using such solution for years, but years ago, before streamers age.

[@seanb3303]

What gives R2R its soundstage depth? Phase shifting?

[@PassionforSound]

More likely it's the fact that there's not the same degree of conversion and filtering as is required in delta sigma DACs. As a result the timing accuracy of the transients is left intact by the R2R decoding process. (That's my theory, anyway)

[@tubefreeeasy]

I love my TA-22 and TA-30. Wondering if they’re gonna build a new flagship model?

[@PassionforSound]

There's the TA-32 now - I have one coming soon. Not sure if it's a flagship or not as I haven't looked into it.

[@flynow5614]

Great video. Happy New year. No time this year for hate, be kind.

[@PassionforSound]

Well said! Happy new year! 🎊

[@MeTuLHeD]

You really should check out the S.M.S.L SU-1. Stupidly good DAC performance for the price.

[@PassionforSound]

I've heard others say the same, but haven't yet tried it.

[@MeTuLHeD]

@@PassionforSound Also, if you get the chance check out the FX-Audio FX-03. I use it as a soundcard replacement for my desktop. Crazy good sounding and at 50 bucks it's ridiculously cheap.

[@rap-soldier2185]

@ What about a XDUOO + FIIO / R2R = ??? Happy new year 🎉 by The way ‼️

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, you could definitely do that too. 😁 Happy new year!

[@abdulkarim6913]

I have been on a mojo 2 and earman angel. Could you suggest a dac amp combo would you suggest when it comes to desktop on a budget

[@PassionforSound]

I'm not sure I understand exactly, but both this xDuoo XA-02 and the K11 R2R are excellent options for desktop combo devices below $200 USD.

[@abdulkarim6913]

@ like what I meant was I have the mojo 2 and angel. But for a desktop setup I was looking for something that can be on the same level as those 2 when it comes to soundstage and imaging etc. And also what would be starting budget range which would be sufficient to stand with the mojo 2.

[@PassionforSound]

Realistically, to matched the Mojo 2, you need to be starting with an upgraded Geshelli J3 Pro (or J2S AK4499) and a solid headphone amp. There's no all-in-one device that can completely match it thanks to the Mojo 2's DAC quality.

[@aj8ky]

I’ve heard just adding a desktop amplifier can improve mojo2s performance. You could also use that amp to add some colouration if desired (tubes etc). So just adding a decent amplifier for mojo/angel could be a decent stop gap while you save for a more expensive DAC to add in the future. If you do buy an all in one etc, it may be a good idea to get one with analogue inputs so you could still use your existing DACs with the all in ones amplifier. Giving you more options in the future.

[@blast2662]

Hello! Which one would you prefer: Topping DX3 Pro Plus or xDuoo XA-02? I'm deciding between these models. Thank you!

[@PassionforSound]

I don't know if I've tried the DX3PP (I don't think I have), but I'd bet on the XA-02 being more fun. I hope that's of some help...

[@blast2662]

@ Thank you

[@RocketLauncherwithInfiniteAmmo]

The design looks very much like the Burson stuff.

[@SniperPFL]

Hey there, how would you compare the setup you're suggesting to the Wiim Pro Plus connected via RCA to my Kanto Ora plus Sub 8? I use this currently for the DAC in the Wiim Pro Plus and it's app. I do not currently use headphones but is that the main use case? Desk will get clutterd if I add this in lol tempted though

[@PassionforSound]

If you're not using headphones, this type of setup makes no sense and the WiiM would be better. If you want headphones and speakers, this MIGHT be better, but I haven't compared. Also, keep in mind that the XA-02 would be sending signal to your speakers all the time so be certain you can easily switch the speakers off when not in use.

[@SniperPFL]

@PassionforSound I suppose as I leave them on at all times that I could switch the inputs on the speakers to where they are usually, which is to computer audio (USB C). Thank you for the reply and if I feel like going down the headphone rabbit hole I'll come back to this 😁

[@LDFades]

About to buy my first DAC/headphone setup. If I gave you the following UK buy prices: FiiO K11 R2R £149.00 XA-02 £199.00 RAW MDA1 £240.00 …would you say the MDA1 was worth the additional £90 outlay for a simple Windows Laptop > DAC > Headphones setup?

[@LDFades]

I like the aesthetics of the XA-02, but prefer the price of the R2R…

[@wardprocter2371]

I don’t think you’ll go wrong with any of those choices. What headphones are you going with?

[@LDFades]

@@wardprocter2371 thinking Sennheiser HD560S…

[@LDFades]

@@wardprocter2371 was thinking Sennheiser HD560S…

[@PassionforSound]

That's a tough one! As has already been said, any of those will be great. I think the R2R might be the best match for the sound of the 560S, but that's also personal taste. The MDA1 is clearly the best of the lot so I'd probably go for that or the R2R - MDA1 as the best possible option or R2R as maybe a slightly better match for your planned headphones.

[@JTB--]

The "XDUOO TA32" DAC and Hybrid Tube Amp All in One combo has caught my attention. The XDUOO stuff is very impressive

[@PassionforSound]

I've got that one coming for review soon (it hasn't arrived yet)

[@JTB--]

@PassionforSound 👍

[@ethanoux10]

my MU-604/MT-604 stack works great from them

[@PassionforSound]

Nice!

[@zoltantoth1566]

it is "XA-02", not "XA-O2; 0 and o are very different entities; and neither of them is a kind of the other; i know, many other people too knowingly replace 0 with o; it is not okay; it is incorrect

[@Hare_deLune]

Happy New Year, Lachlan! 🎉 Tragically, once subscribed to your channel, I can never subscribe again. 🥺 Now please excuse me, as I have to go and watch your Fiio R2R review again. 😄

[@PassionforSound]

Haha. Thanks HDL and happy new year!

[@7in1]

That red knob resembles a circus clown red nose thing 🤡

[@PassionforSound]

The grey and red colour scheme is xDuoo's thing

[@trekkis]

Internal PS. Huge xduoo mistake in case of lot of their devices, specially dacs. For me unacceptable mistake. Btw, i did null test lately on xduoo Ta-66 (Subtracting the rca output signal from the input signal). Result was near perfect zero. There was no any possible to hear difference between input and output. Also, in ftt image there were no any harmonics. Also zero. Very disappointing, as exactly the same test in case of Little dots models (the same type otl headphone amp and rca preamp) presented huge difference. (also, null test performed on two dacs output, especially r2r vs ds also indicates huge difference) Little dots are changing signal on output. Xduoo, as a tube preamp - is doing nothing. Output waveform is exactly the same. I had the same feelings before in Listening comparison (huge difference in plus in case of little dot, noting in case of xduoo), null test confirmed that such products are waste of money (preamps). No tube magic on xduoo case.