Overview xDuoo X20 - Hi-Fi-player on all occasions

Company xDuoo chose a clear and simple strategy for success, offering music lovers a musical device heaped on humane prices. The recipe worked: today about these guys from China know all audiophiles. Thanks to the excellent quality-price ratio, xDuoo players are very popular among those people who can not or do not want to spend fortunes on their own sound experiments.

Xduoo X20 - is a relatively new player, which was released about six months ago. He evaluated at $ 250 and is the flagship device of the company. Layfhaker figured out where it came from such an impressive price and how it is justified.

Specifications

Filling in xDuoo X20 serious. As the DAC used professional ESS ES9018K2M chip by ESS Technology, which is able to issue a studio-quality sound. At the exit there are two chip production OPA1612 Texas Instruments. This dual operational amplifier SoundPlus technology which provides a small signal distortion and low noise.

This hardware allows the device to play almost all known audio formats, including DSD256. In addition, the player is equipped with a module bluetooth version 4.1 with AptX and proprietary technology HiBy Link. Through this xDuoo X20 you can even be used as a wireless DAC, which we'll talk about more below.

Packaging and appearance

xDuoo X20 comes in a nice package of white cardboard. On the front side of the device is photography, and behind - its main technical characteristics.

Inside the outer packaging is very strong black box, in which the player provides. It is situated on the black porous substrate, which are hidden under the additional accessories: two protective film for the screen, the silicone adhesive feet for use in a stationary mode, USB-cable, coaxial cable, two 3.5-mm plug and instruction manual with texts in Chinese and English languages.

In addition, the kit includes a wonderful leatherette cover in red, which, in our opinion, very in harmony with the external view of the gadget.

During the design xDuoo X20 designers companies were apparently on holiday. Therefore, the player is given a simple brick black. It turned out not too spectacular, but practical and convenient.

XDuoo X20 housing is made of metal. We have not had occasion to test his strength, but the player looks quite thoroughly and reliably. All parts fit tightly, no backlash and rattling keys.

The front panel is only the screen. Customers are spoiled IPS-displays in smartphones may be horrified to its quality, because of which the album appear sometimes oddly. However, this is the player for listening to music, not for viewing pictures, so that the shortcomings it we will not record.

All control buttons are placed on the side faces. On the right to put the play button and switch tracks, open the options and return to the previous menu level. Left - the red button of the player on and the volume control keys. Just below on the same side is a slot for external memory cards.

The lower bound is reserved for connectors. This is a headphone output, as well as linear and coaxial output. On the opposite side of the device is USB-C connector, which can be used for charging or connect an external signal source.

The back side is completely empty. In its upper part stands out a little plastic insert, which serves to accommodate Bluetooth-antennas.

Overall appearance and layout of the controls deserve a positive mark. Strict minimalistic design underlines the seriousness of the device and the quality of its filling: This is not a some kind of a cheap Chinese squeaker, trying to attract the attention of colored lights and catchy coloring body.

To work with the player comfortable enough even blindly, you only need a little getting used to the button layout. Information on the screen is easy to read, the angle is not distorted, the maximum brightness is sufficient for use even in direct sunlight.

functions

The main function of the portable music player - is playing music, what could be easier? But do not hurry. Developers gave xDuoo X20 several interesting features, which need to tell us more.

Besides the standard music via wired earphone, it is possible to use xDuoo X20 as an external DAC. This means that you can connect the player to your PC or laptop to get him clean a digital signal which after amplification and decoding will be sent to the speaker or headphone system.

If you take care to search for an adapter that is exactly the same operation can be performed with a smartphone. However, no drivers or special software is not required to install: you just connect to a device xDuoo X20, and the sound goes through it.

For the wireless capabilities of the player meets a built-in Bluetooth module. His appearance in the device claims to sound quality, can cause confusion, because we all know that this transmission method uses compression. However, in some cases, we have to make compromises. For example, during training at the gym, jogging - and indeed in all situations where a misplaced wire.

But most interesting is that the Bluetooth-module xDuoo X20 can work in both directions. Not only can you connect the player to the wireless headphones, but also to use the player itself as such. In this case, the music source is a smart phone, a xDuoo X20 decodes and amplifies a signal that is used as a wireless DAC. This makes it possible (if they have someone to have such a desire) to listen to music on strimingovyh services and even the FM-radio.

No less useful xDuoo X20 in the car. To do this, simply connect it to the power supply system and the OEM speaker system, and then activate the special mode in the menu "Vehicle." In this mode, the player automatically turns on when you receive power via USB and turned off when disconnected.

Software

For development of software for xDuoo X20 meet other Chinese magicians - the company Hiby. These guys specialize in the creation of firmware for players Cayin, Questyle, Shanling, FiiO, and now xDuoo.

The main screen player has six rings, each of which is used to access the corresponding firmware section. Move between them produced tracks switch buttons to enter required single press the play button.

Built-in file manager allows you to browse the folders SD-card or the connected drive for OTG. From here you can start playback of any track, add it to your favorites or delete unwanted files and folders.

The music library allows you to view your music collection organized in accordance with the information from the tags. As usual, there is a separation of genres, albums, artists and so on. During the test no problems with reading and displaying tag has not been noticed. xDuoo X20 confidently cope with all types of data, including the CUE. Even the names of the songs in Russian understands effortlessly.

Settings xDuoo X20 presented in three sections. System options allow you to set the language (there are Russian), adjust the screen brightness and time automatic shutdown, enable storage of the last track position and change many other parameters. Musical settings control audio quality. In the Bluetooth section focuses all that relates to the wireless interface, including aptX can activate the mode, which provides high-quality playback.

In general, cooperation with Hiby player went to the benefit. During testing we found the software are no significant problems, except for the crooked translation into Russian.

Sound

Bundle ESS ES9018K2M DAC and amplifier OPA1612 is not new and has already been used in many musical devices. It provides decent sound itself, but engineers xDuoo could jump over your head and squeeze it all possible.

X20 different natural, detailed and rich sound that is almost devoid of any distinctive coloring. Feeding is very musical, with a wide stereo sound and an elaborated frequencies. Fans of the bass player like this due to the accented bass, which in this case sounds rather elastically and gently. Because of this, the sound xDuoo X20 looks a little "dusky", but without too much drama.

Mids are seen together and slightly pushed forward. Best of all this supply is suitable for modern heavy and electronic music, which is not so important to perfect separation of each party, as the drive and the general mood. High frequency sound distinctly, but slightly softened. The lack of it is not, it is rather a plus: even many hours of listening to music does not cause fatigue and a characteristic of tinnitus.

results

Buy Pocket Player almost $ 250 dare not everyone.

But if it can simultaneously serve as a digital-to-analog converter, amplifier, stationary music center, wireless player and radio, it is quite another matter!

The developers have relied on the versatility and, in our opinion, it has paid off. Doubly pleased that the abundance of opportunities did not go at the expense of sound quality. Player plays certainly not worse than their "classmates" and maybe even better.

The author expresses his gratitude to the company xDuoo for providing the test device.