🟥Xduoo TA-26 _(Z Reviews)_ --Start of Tube Week--

[@ZReviews]

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[@robmacey2901]

Have a look at the Leaf Audio PA-03 on Ali it has tubes and splendid VU's. Sounds amazing too.

[@braisedtoast9002]

How might this amp work with an lcd-x?

[@ejmentze]

10 seconds in and I can tell I'll like this video - vintage z with a shout-out over multiple episodes. The budget amp shout-out a couple years ago pushed me to start buying and comparing things

[@eeyorebill04]

Shoot out?

[@josephramos7979]

Down the rabbit hole I go...first it was headphones, than IEM's and now tube amps. If not for the spiders in our basement if my wife ever went down there she would find out where some of our grocery money has been going..... Thanks Zeo.......

[@Cons2911]

Lmao

[@larryeckerdt9750]

I got into toobz with the Darkvoice, but whetn it was $200 from Drop. Now it’s $275, so the Xduoo is worth choosing, if I were buying today, which I’m not, because I already have the Darkvoice. 😀

[@ZReviews]

Sorry tube weeks started late. I overslept.

[@edwilliams3321]

Aghh you do this deliberately, I'm still mulling over the Q Acoustic 3050 speakers after ur last video(check them out) and now you're onto midfi tube amps. I know where this has come from and I know you want to get THAT turntable going in a fully analog system. Its filthy stuff but just feels right when you have hot glowing glass sprayinging Roentgen rays all over the basement. Might I suggest some Bach or possibly Slade (much the same thing)... and a lead cup ;)

[@jakewills4713]

Bought it after watching this review. There was a very noticeable humming when first used. After around several times of 'burning", around 6 hours each time, the humming is gone. Was going to return it....thank you internet~~~

[@miagi1337]

How does the DT 880 600 Ohm sound like on these? The description says "Output power: 500mW (600/300Ω load)" ... that sounds like a lot of POWER.

[@Shozimus]

This one is a very good question - considering One just for Hd600 and Dt880 600Ohm :)

[@Shozimus]

@Florida Peace Family getting a DarkVoice in Poland is quite a pain in the ass. Xduoo is just easier - do wonder if the DT sound good on IT l.

[@onortosu]

I wonder how they're getting that 500mW at 600R. Wouldn't that mean the voltage would have to be over 17V?? This is unbalanced too...

[@PastafarianLemur]

It is plenty of power. I have the DT 990 600 Ohm and an amp that can do nearly 300 mW at 600 Ohm on high gain. Low gain is plenty, and even then I never go past 11 o'clock on the dial.

[@oopsalldrip1376]

Congrats on the worlds best cable (sort of) sponsorship.

[@IAmTheHomeDepot]

Cant wait to see you test the Mcintosh headphone amp, been curious about getting one myself for awhile!

[@quikspecv4d]

I still love my TA-20. I didn’t end up changing tubes because I’m happy with the sound. They sound great with my Dan Clark Aeon X and Monolith m560’s.

[@collinalbert6276]

How do you like the aeon x’s? Did u get the open version? I just bought a pair today and am hoping they’re what I’m looking for

[@quikspecv4d]

@@collinalbert6276 I did get the open back. I like them a lot. They are very comfortable and easy to listen to for hours. They have good detail but slightly rolled off at the top so they are not fatiguing at all. Perfect for my working from home situation.

[@collinalbert6276]

@@quikspecv4d That's pretty much exactly what I'm looking for. I don't like a super bright high end but enjoy detail. I also plan on wearing them for hours so that's perfect. Thanks for the reply!

[@samson5erb312]

Your timing is impeccable as always, I was just thinking of getting a tube amp.

[@beezlebub3955]

Hahaha on the Apos page for the TA-26, it says 500mw for a 600/300 ohm load! Makes more sense now actually

[@dragons_advocate]

As someone who had to pinpoint machine problems, I would immediately ask: Did you switch the tubes between the amps, and did the sound move as well? Otherwise one could not tell if the amp is even any different,

[@The_Hipster_Cow]

Given that the dark voice and the TA-26 use the same tube types, you should swap the xduoo tubes with the Dark voice tubes to see if the difference is because of the tubes or the amplifiers themselves.

[@barbasour]

wowyouresmart

[@FlamencoOz]

The TA-26 is better, deal with it man.

[@mynameisvisutinnadda]

Yup yup imma get me some fancy tubes to run my KSC75

[@theodorezurla496]

Xduoo 604 is dope as well.. nice cheaper option 👍

[@quoostonator]

My DV just buzzes and hums and is shit with any preamp tube other than the stock. I’m really disappointed. It sound effing great though, but it sucks that I can’t roll. I think I’ll buy the XD.. thing now as well based on this. Thanks bro 🚬👍🏻

[@rudyvirupakshaiah5818]

how does the TA-26 compare to the MT-604's Z ?? you had rated the 604's really high as well ?

[@bigblueocean]

Tube week! Excellent. Almost as good as shart week on epic meal time.

[@injurera]

How does DT880 600ohm sounds om the Xduoo?

[@connorbaker1716]

Just out of curiosity, how do you send the signal to multiple amps? Is it just a splitter, or are they daisy chained together?

[@jonathanluttrell1380]

Can you get Apos to send you the Xduoo XA-10 to review?

[@34332]

How about LED dimming sheets?

[@VchaosTheoryV]

And here i'm still waiting for my Schiit Modi stack. The chip shortage has caused my order to be suspended in limbo

[@pappsa8]

I just ordered now,i will leave comment when it arrived and i tried it.Iam excited

[@hwn12907]

It's time to spend money! What about ta26 compared to mt604? Can you describe?

[@mrk131324]

But the Darkvoice is not a very good amp to begin with. Who does it compare to a WA6?

[@kevinyee9550]

Awesome, I'll put it on the list for when I'm looking for a tube

[@mrx6666663]

Hello Sir. Can i use it as a preamp? I have a nad c375 solid state amp i want to warm up...thank you

[@no-man_baugh]

Alright, Let's do this! I've been sitting pretty with my Schiit Magni for the past couple months as my first and only dedicated amp. and if i'm going to get another one, it may as well be different, and it may as well be gud!

[@jonharvey6295]

Been waiting for this review for a minute now

[@eemgee9185]

fuck, you're telling me. I've been checking every 2 or 3 days out of habit and for 2 months it's been nothing nothing nothing!

[@jonharvey6295]

@@eemgee9185 same here bro, maybe even daily

[@spector175]

How would DCA Aeon 2 Noir pair up with topping D30 pro/Topping E30 and Xduoo ta-26/Topping A30 pro/Topping L50 ? Which would be a better combo?

[@yogiwp_]

Z! Looking to add tube flavor to my existing speaker and headphone set up. Would be great if you can review some good tube buffer/preamp!

[@AGTech]

How does it compare to the hybrid TA-30 tho?

[@ClintAvila]

Same question cuz I love my Ta-30. I want to believe it's still superior being their flagship amp

[@xburgos1]

Based on your tech explanation Can you plug to a class “d” amp or would it feed back horrible using speakers?

[@quincyfreeman2901]

Personally, I’m most interested in the comparison between these and the MT-604… aside from input/output options and hybrid vs. true tube, what the difference in sound? Trying to decide if it’s worth almost twice the price and more limited headphone compatibility.

[@ZReviews]

I didn't add that to the pile. It would be so big.

[@stuka78]

How come there are no little bear’s for comparison? How does this sound against LB mark III ???

[@robmacey2901]

Have a look at the Leaf Audio PA-03 on Ali it has tubes and splendid VU's. Sounds amazing too.

[@clabbem74]

Z nice review.... what economic dac do you recomend for Ta-26 ? thxks ! 🙏

[@jamescook6890]

Love Xduoo and totally love my 4w class A Xduoo XA-10 amp/dac unit when are you going to review it Zeos??? Your followers need to know how awsome this tiny unit is

[@jonathanluttrell1380]

Seriously! He needs to. Only thing I've seen is people bash it because of the Audio Science review, because it doesn't measure well. Class A usually doesn't usually measure well.

[@matthewhilty4209]

I am confused after watching this. How can he be so wrong about explaining impedance and linearity but explain the sound perfectly. It's like watching a idiot savant.

[@mmmadog]

But they will have you believe they know everything.

[@curljam4373]

It should be, "an idiot savant."

[@no-man_baugh]

I legit skipped the tube explination bit of this video since those are in most any tube review, but reading your comment made me go back for it and I did not regret it thanks mate

[@ZReviews]

I never claimed to know everything. But I can explain how everything feeeeels

[@mariodrv]

@@ZReviews Thats why we love you.

[@stuka78]

How are HD58X on tubes?!? As good ad HD6xx or not worthy it?

[@FabioRigokimbaorso]

Now I have an alternative I can buy reliably from Amazon to the DarkVoice... 309 euros today... not cheap but an upgrade I can work up to from my little bear Mk I..

[@stuka78]

Why country?

[@heLLicop]

Would like to see a comparison with Little Dot MK III SE ..Thanks

[@vince2197]

Did you try 38 ohm on the xduoo ta26, spec is greater then 60 ohm?

[@vladiking]

Which headphone amp should I buy: Xduoo TA-26 or xduoo mt 604?

[@BillyC500]

I am a fan of the red and the gunmetal make a great color pairing

[@xxgamerxxchrischris2325]

HEY MAN WHATS UPP Z I REALLY REALLY WOULD LOVE TO KNOW AND LIKE TO KNOW WHAT ARE THE BEST DACS THAT YOU HAVE SEEN TRIED AND HEARD OF

[@yukio32]

i tested this in a shop with my HD650 and found the Left channel to be slightly louder than the right channel. i wonder has anyone experienced this

[@SpressoMan]

11:49 so wait the Neumanns broke your head? Ok, I'm in! (goes to buy a pair)

[@snow15243]

Tubes are literally 117 year old technology, and the ONLY REASON we still use it is because they sound good LMAO.

[@Voidhawk001]

Shouldnt we not leave the amp running without a load when you are switching headphones?

[@robertpross7515]

These are OTL designs, No load running on tube amps is more a problem with Output Transformers

[@JUDE_WK]

and the wallpaper? :(

[@ZReviews]

No sad face.

[@swiftshinobi8337]

Should I grab the sivga phoenix for casual gaming? I was wondering how good the imaging and soundstage are and it looks good too!

[@Sporting1210]

nah...not a good gaming headphone! The imaging is very much left-right only and the stage ( If you want to call it that way) is VERY narrow :/ Also looks can deceive on the internet. In person they look pretty tacky and i was absolutely convinced that it wasnt wood but plastic until i saw a guy on reddit sawing an earcup in half ^^ It feels so plasticy, though. So they look like plastic, that wants to look like wood bur are actually wood-its a bit weird, which is probably the best description for the entire headphone-weird. Sound performance is weird as in sounds wide but actually isnt and is very inconsistant over all. some tracks sound great-others like utter dogshit and a 30$ koss will sound WAY better. my advise: Get a HD58x or any of the 5er sennheiser line really. You will get more headphone for less money, even if you have to pay import taxes because of bloody DROP not seeling anywhere else then the states ( the phoenix are also overprized in my opinion-for 150 it would be a fairly priced and good value headphone-still not good for gaming though)

[@ZReviews]

They aren't as accurate really. but tons of fun. Casual gaming will be fine.

[@radiodemon5774]

Anyone know what rca spitters he’s using?

[@KingZii1338]

would planar IEMs work on hybrid tube amp with good experience? (e.g. P1, P2 GL20, 7hz. . . .?)

[@fabiolopes5700]

I plugged tri i3 into xduoo ta-10 and other hybrid tube amps and the result was a mess.

[@jmcc2736]

How is the tubiness compared to the MT-602. Cause I bought those and wasn’t impressed. I’m running off HD660s. Do I need higher impedance headphones first or are these proper tubes compared to the hybrid MT602s

[@AP-nc5ek]

I had the Mt 602 and yeah I sounded alot like SS, the ta 26 will be a real tube amp and should pair well with your hd660

[@pappsa8]

660s not on the tube side as i my experienced

[@donvittoriosierra]

Please link the hd600 dekoni pads you are using

[@ZReviews]

amzn.to/2WXqo4W Boom

[@donvittoriosierra]

Is this finally a pad that doesn't destroy the stock tuning yet feels like it would last longer? :-)

[@Zysperro]

How it compares to the mt-604?

[@devontoner]

oh no, the wall paper is a bunny girl, it's going to be good

[@blobfish7159]

Pretty sure it outputs 500mW at 600 ohms

[@gaptooth-d5u]

hello i was watching your review on the gsx1000 amps along with two others, i bought the Sennheiser 58x jubilee after i saw your review. i was wondering if the gsx1000 amp is powerful enough to push the headset or what would you reccomend? thank you for time. love the videos super informative

[@stuka78]

Even a phone can drive the HD58x in a decent way

[@gaptooth-d5u]

@@stuka78 ah okay, thank you very much. First time using an amp and stuff. I appreciate you 🙏

[@devontoner]

@@gaptooth-d5u are you looking for a gaming application? I'd seriously go with a schiit stack and get a blue snowball ice over getting the gsx unless you really really need the gsx. Though there's some chance you've bought already

[@gaptooth-d5u]

@@devontoner yes it would be manly for gaming and some music. I haven't bought anything yet, have been trying to find the right one for the buck. I will check out the one you recommended. I appreciate it

[@devontoner]

@@gaptooth-d5u I use my fiio q5 and snowball ice for console gaming even since there's an optical in on the q5 and the ice is compatible with ps4. Schiit is sort of the go to recommendation for a ~200 desk set up. If you have any other particular need feel free to ask.

[@xxgamerxxchrischris2325]

WHAT ARE THE BEST DAC AMPS

[@seans5159]

These sound incredible. Does anyone get a constant buzzing noise when they plug in their headphones?

[@filipiino96793]

Take out the power(larger) tube and leave the pre amp tube in, then leave the amp on for a few days, possibly even longer. Only Took my stock pre amp tube a few hours of listening for the buzzing to completely dissipate. I rolled in a jj 6sn7 and the buzz was much more prominent. It took around 50 hours of just letting the amp run with that tube inserted to get the buzz to stop.

[@deadsoulgaming7115]

YOU SAW MY VIDEO REQUEST!?!? nffff nutted

[@dilbyjones]

Yes! Gunmetal + Red!!

[@jeffmaclusky]

Compare the two amps with the same tubes

[@chefsteve8381]

To do that properly requires 2 of the same amp to AB test, as humans we have a low auditory memory.

[@beslemeto]

Z how is the preamp performance of that TA-26?Did you try it?

[@butchmartin2367]

I'll 2nd this as I'm not a headphone guy. I'd be much more interested in using the preamp section to a ss amp or powered speakers

[@beslemeto]

@@butchmartin2367 The good thing is you can use it for both.But i doubt this will be as good as Schiit Freya for preamplification.

[@ZReviews]

I will be giving it more testing in the future.

[@beslemeto]

@@ZReviews Thank you!

[@kevinsdb1]

@26:36 LOL! That was a good one Z XD

[@TouzeenHussain]

Please review the Cayin HA-1a

[@deepusaketh819]

Could you please review xduoo xa 10

[@elliotparnell7805]

I'd love to know how these amplifiers sound with something really high impedance like dt880 600ohm

[@tetrisgoat]

I realise you wrote this 9 months ago. I happen to have this amp and the dt 880. If you still want an opinion. I have no other valve amp to compare with, though.

[@elliotparnell7805]

@@tetrisgoat I bought the amp but still haven't had the courage to spring for the DT880s, how do you find them?

[@tetrisgoat]

@@elliotparnell7805 what headphones do you currently have with it, and what do you generally go for in terms of sound? I had (still have) the HD 650 and used it with this amp. Was great, but. Didn't blow me away. I got the DT 880 (600) rather recently to run on this, and they are absolutely my favourite headphone now. At first I was struggling to adapt to them, but I had been running them too loud. The sweetspot for these was lower in the "good sounding span" so to speak (sorry, neither a professional nor a native English speaker), rather than the "higher is always better" I adjust these downward rather than up. These are all about clarity and dynamics. Mids are sublime and highs are great - if you lower the volume a bit, otherwise it is Mount Beyer and sibilance. Turn it down, find the sweetspot and those issues disappear. The bass is accurate, tight and precise - but not loud at all. It is definitely quality over quantity. Not a lot of rumble or kick, but if it is properly mixed, it's absolutely there. If it is a bass dominant song, the bass dominates. But they are bass light in a vacuum. To my ears, with glasses. I am a bass player, so I like that I can follow along to any bass line. I absolutely would like more volume on the bass, but accuracy is more important to me. If you are someone who likes EQ, they react well enough to it without distortion. I do not like to use EQ even so. :) not entirely logical, I am sure. And I cannot stress enough how much I like the dynamic presentation on them. Much better than anything I have come from. I have kept the Fidelio X2HR, X3, Sennheiser HD650, Pc360 and Amperior. I tried the HD800 around 2010 and they were not for me so I sent them back, but it was pre-tube and pre-800S. I have tried some higher end dynamics and some lower-mid planars at meets (before I got these), but these are definitely more an end-game experience for me and my ears. And for 150€ no less. That's for sound. The comfort is meh (I prefer more clamp, HD650 is perfect for me), the headband doesn't impress, the cable is long - which suits me - and non-removable (which doesn't). You might come from different headphones, might like different things in music and you might have different ears than I. But to me.. Yeah, I am home. If you ask more specific things, or ask me to listen to specific songs and compare to any of my other phones, I can probably give less vague answers. And I tend to express myself haphazardly and confused in English. Sorry about that. :)

[@tetrisgoat]

@@elliotparnell7805 (and also, because I had to. How I find them? I look inside the dopey carrying case it came with, of course!)

[@elliotparnell7805]

@@tetrisgoat I love my HD660s with them but I want something warm and wide, my Sivga SV021 sound too muddy on it so looking for a midpoint between the 2, and I want a BIG sounstage

[@pappsa8]

The ndh20 and the tridents my favs headphone for comfort too ,not just the sound.So i am the luckiest men in the world i guess 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@pappsa8]

Tuuuuuuuuuube ♥️

[@1980JPA]

At that price they need to be compared to the Schiit Valhalla.

[@yugioh887]

Hd560s missing in this video

[@The4thaggie]

You put the 909 on an OTL? Are you mad?

[@pappsa8]

you must be new here

[@aceofspades6667]

Midfi i see midfi errywhere ... That is not a bad thing.. I think the $/performance is at it's greatest in the midfi range when you get the best units.

[@nocuh]

Yeah MidFi has become negative jargon, even a pejorative among high end audio enthusiasts. When I think of MidFi, it’s on the production side of music and refers to the recording itself, not equipment used in its reproduction. If the frequency response of a circuit is 20hz-20khz or more, it’s HiFi gear, even when inexpensive

[@jparker818]

Hell yeah who's gonna pay thousands on a Woo Audio amplifier? Not me

[@aceofspades6667]

@@nocuh it shouldn’t be that way

[@DerekRNeumann]

I wanna hear the tubiest tube sound ever, please and thank you

[@jamesbittle469]

Bottlehead Crack maybe. Schiit Valhalla is also a nice chocie.

[@MrEvhel83]

will Hifiman Sundara work with Xduoo TA-26 ?

[@archsreecbe]

Really enjoy watching your reviews Z. I currently own beyerdynamic DT990 Pro (250 ohms) and ready to buy my first tube amp. Between xDuoo MT-602 and TA-26, which one would you recommend as the first amp? Thanks in advance!

[@braisedtoast9002]

Joshua Valour doesn't recommend tubes for that brand of headphones.

[@paulvanbit]

I have ta26 and beyerdynamic dt 1990 pro with elite pads it’s power man ;)

[@stuka78]

Would it better to be used between DAC and magni3+ or after magni3+ ???

[@AliArghavan]

Instead?

[@stuka78]

@@AliArghavan does it make sense to use TA26 as pre-amp, feeding magni 3+? this way, i could use argon mk3 from the magni 3+ (planar and power issue) and get the tube-y advantage?

[@AliArghavan]

@@stuka78 Try them both ways. The problem with TA26 in the middle is that it has too much gain that can result in distortion.

[@ChristopheDeBoeck]

Volume for the afterlife 🤣

[@scoobasteve290]

Do a moondrop quarks review just because of the funny name

[@evildrmainstream...6767]

whats up old man?!

[@ZReviews]

My dic son.. Ma dik

[@ЯсавНикпуп]

Hi there ! Is this external noice are normal for ta 26 amp - kzbin.info/www/bejne/opjakqeHq9eXnsk ???

[@NanoDex]

tube tube glowy glow time

[@trevor7849]

An on indicator light on a tube amp is just nonsense.

[@ZReviews]

Ehhhhh.. I forget to turn off the Tor amps. Because no indicator. It just shouldn't be a flashlight.

[@heavyharmonies]

But I thought "Audio Bullshit" was the name of this channel... HEYOO!

[@onortosu]

Z, you shouldn't use NDH20 to test these, they are 150 ohm, which means don't require a lot of current, and they are 105dB/mW so very efficient and therefore don't require much voltage either. The HD 600 aren't greatest for testing either since they have over 100 dB/mW sensitivity so don't require much voltage or current to drive loud. You want to test with low impedance headphones to test how much current the amplifier can provide, and with low sensitivity/high impedance to test how much voltage they can provide.

[@ZReviews]

Have you heard them on a tube tho? Or just stating from specs?

[@onortosu]

@@ZReviews I'm saying they might sound good because they're not stressing this amp. If you want to test the amp, you want to try it with headphones that will stress it. Use high impedance and low efficiency ones, and try driving them loud. Or at least one such headphone should be used during testing.

[@palefaced1]

Darkvoice is weak as hell in terms of detail. Even with upgraded tubes

[@martyn_g]

Ha. On the other hand, don’t buy expensive headphones. Ignorance is bliss😂

[@thefuller]

You said toobs

[@root9065]

Dude the reviews are great as ever but ever since you moved into that basement you sound muffled... I don't know what it is. Just go to your apartment videos and compare how you sound there :) Not the end of the world but maybe look into getting a better mic or something.

[@ZReviews]

Its the sound dampening on the ceiling. Its why the basement sounds so good with speakers.

[@davdidit6]

Haahawwaaaaahhhhaawwww(?)

[@blanky9959]

रसिलो

[@christianfinazzi8226]

Well fuk

[@TuneHead]

I would love to watch your video, but after 30 seconds I feel nauseous. You REALLY need to figure out a way of smoothing out your shaky format. Your missing a whole bunch of watchers due to this I feel. You really could have a killer/better/watchable format and, and, you know your stuff.

[@vladiking]

Which headphone amp should I buy: Xduoo TA-26 or xduoo mt 604?