xDuoo XA-10 Review (DAC and Headphone Amp)

[renaudrenaud]

Errors in technical design but also in the user interface. At the moment I understood you have to use the ring around the screen, I thought noooo, you have your hand hiding the screen. It's not an industrial design at all, it's just a fake industrial design.

 

[noel_fs]

saw it coming

 

[sarakyel]

I think the $400-$700 all in one DAC/Amp is not quite solved yet, because I can't think of a unit that can get recommended without a second thought.

And what about the Sabaj D5?

 

[Racheski]

And what about the Sabaj D5?

No BT, weird warm up period, headphone impedance too high, a little bit underpowered, and ESS hump. Good value, just not quite perfect.

 

[wwenze]

If you know anyone who owns this device, ask him how do these different filters sound like, and just watch him dance.

"bUt MeAsUrEmEnTs DoNt ShOw EvErYtHiNg"

 

[Veri]

No BT, weird warm up period, headphone impedance too high, a little bit underpowered, and ESS hump. Good value, just not quite perfect.

It's really quite good though, nothing disastrous good balanced out too.
This XA-10 OTOH, reminds of the old Modi 2U. not a compliment!

 

[sarakyel]

It's really quite good though, nothing disastrous good balanced out too.

Yeah, and the ESS hump was solved through a software update a while ago...

And I would also see the SMSL M500 and Topping DX7 Pro as totally viable options.

 

[Racheski]

Yeah, and the ESS hump was solved through a software update a while ago...

And I would also see the SMSL M500 and Topping DX7 Pro as totally viable options.

Ah OK, good to hear they fixed via software. Yes all of these are really solid options, just not quite perfect...

 

[Tks]

If you know anyone who owns this device, ask him how do these different filters sound like, and just watch him dance.

Forget the owner, this should be THE reference device when testing audiophiles who say they can discern filters easily.

In all seriousness, I don't know how it didn't get the axed panther.

 

[jbfilho]

Yeah, and the ESS hump was solved through a software update a while ago...

And I would also see the SMSL M500 and Topping DX7 Pro as totally viable options.

The Singxer SDA-2C would be a good pick at this price range as well...

 

[Ismapics]

Again and Again I reference the Apple Dongle. Sure its volume limited, but the SINAD is 99 vs 89.7 for this one and SNR for the dongle is 113 vs 74 here. All for $9.99. Can anyone suggest better performance per dollar you are welcome. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...pple-vs-google-usb-c-headphone-adapters.5541/

 

[GWolfman]

Why can't such a device reach the performance of a 9$ dongle?

Don't be completely shortsighted (SINAD only), there's no way the $9 dongle can output this much power. Not saying it's worth it, but "performance" isn't a one-spec show.

 

[GD Fan]

Hopefully this isn't the narrow end of the wedge of form over function sneaking in...

 

[fieldcar]

Sure its volume limited

It doesn't appear to be limited on a windows PC. EDIT: Never mind. I thought you were talking about the low volume on most android devices.

I use it at work and I'm completely pleased using it on my IEM's and efficient headphones. I did throw a few heat-shrink pieces over the stupidly weak cable though.

 

[Ismapics]

Don't be completely shortsighted (SINAD only), there's no way the $9 dongle can output this much power. Not saying it's worth it, but "performance" isn't a one-spec show.

The Apple Dongle has better SINAD and SNR than this device. It a dongle so its volume limited, but in $/Performance ratio, I still can't find anything better. Again $ to performance received.

 

[Ismapics]

Why can't such a device reach the performance of a 9$ dongle?

I totally agree. The Apple dongle has better SINAD and SNR. Sure its power limited but its a dongle that performs better. There is an argument that the most valuable company in the world should have enough brain power to deliver such performance for $10 bucks

 

[Ismapics]

It doesn't appear to be limited on a windows PC. EDIT: Never mind. I thought you were talking about the low volume on most android devices.

I use it at work and I'm completely pleased using it on my IEM's and efficient headphones. I did throw a few heat-shrink pieces over the stupidly weak cable though.

I did the same. I keep a spare in my drawer just in case. Apple has as much brain power as NASA. No wonder they deliver like this.

 

[GWolfman]

The Apple Dongle has better SINAD and SNR than this device. It a dongle so its volume limited, but in $/Performance ratio, I still can't find anything better. Again $ to performance received.

I think I see what you're getting at, but depending on the headphones you got and/or the (noise) environment you're in, if you can't drive 'em with a performant $9 dongle then what's the point? (I understand these have different intended uses.)

 

[kiyu]

And what about the Sabaj D5?

nice one,
checking more details for that Sabaj D5, I guess I will aim to that one.
looks really good,
only problem is only on ali express I couln't find it on hifigo or shenzhenaudio.com
i did find it on " https://hifi-express.com/ but I never heard of it

 

[Ismapics]

I think I see what you're getting at, but depending on the headphones you got and/or the (noise) environment you're in, if you can't drive 'em with a performant $9 dongle then what's the point? (I understand these have different intended uses.)

Hello GW: Sure its not made to drive or even substitute a dedicated system. I am saying that they are enjoyable and that this little product has raised the bar. Raises it because of what can do for $9.99. So any other product should in theory be better than a $10 buck product. What we see is (Dragonfly and others) that it's better. Cheers