Overview xDuoo XD-05 - DAC-amplifier for lovers of quality sound
Devices / / December 19, 2019
In the life of every music lover, sooner or later a crisis. Old tunes already heard, and new genres did not touch the soul. Out of this situation - to change the mode of perception that even long-familiar songs were heard in a new way.
The most effective and inexpensive way to improve the sound - the inclusion of digital-to-analog converter in the playback system (DAC).
We will tell you about one of the best devices of this kind, called xDuoo XD-05. First, however, for you to understand what a cool thing, you need to make a small digression into the theory.
Why do I need a DAC
Look at this simple scheme of "Wikipedia", which illustrates a recording and reproducing process.
Sounds made by the performer or musical instrument are of an analog nature. They give a digital form that is converted to the toe and edinichki to make it convenient to store, process and transmit. This involved trained sound engineers who are using expensive studio apparatus provide maximum quality analog to digital conversion. We on this process in any way can not affect.
Further canned music in digital form is fed to the consumer unit. It is important to remember that digital music - it really is a kind of canned food, the quality of which completely degrades during storage and transport. If you have acquired a high-quality music recording in uncompressed format, then this is the set of ones and zeros, which recorded a sound engineer in the studio.
Everything seems to be fine, you can enjoy unsurpassed sound quality. But the problem is that to listen is necessary to perform the inverse transformation: restore of noughts and of ones sound vibrations, which can be perceived by our ear. And here there are difficulties.
Each computer, a laptop, a smartphone installed DAC which performs digital-to-analog conversion. But this tiny chip is unable to do its job properly. Moreover, it even distorts, so that in the end we get something quite different from what was recorded in the studio.
Millions of people spend decades listening to some terrible mess, not even knowing how to actually should sound their favorite songs.
But there is a solution.
Virtually all modern electronic gadgets are able to give a sound in pristine digital form to a third party connected to a DAC him. These devices are created by experts in the field of sound from specially selected electronic components that provide crystal clear and accurate decoding of the digital signal. As a result, we hear almost the same sound, who played singer or musician in the recording time.
Why xDuoo XD-05
An ideal device for beginners audiophile, but it is for them meant this article must meet several important criteria.
The first DAC to be versatile, simple and reliable. After all, not all users want to deal with numerous features and supported formats, few pleasure long tinkering with settings and wires. At the same ease of use does not affect the sound quality. Price - this is also an important factor.
It meets all these criteria xDuoo XD-05. He has a complete set of interfaces for connecting audio sources have optics, coaxial connector, USB-enabled mobile devices and line input.
Inside it contains the most current date e-filling, which allows you to handle almost any type of digital file formats. We will not confuse you, listing all acronyms and standards. Detailed specifications can be found in the table.
DAC | AKM AK4490 |
audio processor | CirrusLogic CS8422, XMOS XS1-U8A-64 |
output power | Up to 500 mW at 32 Ohm |
Recommended load impedance | 8-300 ohm |
S / N ratio | 112 dB |
distortions | 0.0025% to 1 kHz |
The frequency range in amplifier mode | 10 Hz-100 kHz (± 0,5 dB) |
Frequency range, DAC mode, | 20 Hz-20 kHz (± 0,5 dB) |
Supported formats | PCM 384 kHz / 32-bit, DXD to 384 kHz / 32 bits, DSD to DSD256 in native mode and DoP |
Gain | +3 dB, +6 dB, +15 dB |
bass Boost | 0 / + 6dB |
Battery | LiPol, 4000 mAh, 3.7 V |
charging time | Up to 5 hours using 2 A charging current |
Working time on one charge | To 23 hours, depending on the signal source |
Screen | 0.9 inches, OLED, monochrome |
dimensions | 139.5 × 75 × 23 mm |
Weight | 270 g |
In xDuoo XD-05 in addition to the digital-to-analog converter (AK4490) has a high-quality op-amp, built on Texas Instruments BUF634 chip. This means that you do not need to spend money on another expensive device and puzzle over, it worked or not. By xDuoo XD-05 can be directly connected headphones or active sound system and enjoy high quality sound.
xDuoo XD-05 has a built-in battery, so the device can be used both in stationary and portable embodiment. This feature is useful for those users who are on the go want to enjoy high-quality sound. In this case, the DAC can be attached to the smartphone via special rubber rings which are included. There you will find all cables necessary to connect to a laptop or mobile device.
How to connect the DAC xDuoo XD-05
Let's start with your computer. Developers xDuoo XD-05 should consider all possible ways of connecting an external source, but we will focus on the connection via USB-interface.
On the rear panel of the gadget has no ordinary the USB-port, which is located in the recess. We reach a complete cable and connect one end to the PC or laptop, and the second - to xDuoo XD-05. Turning DAC rotary handle, which is located on the front panel.
Then you hear a beep, signaling the detection of a new device. I have not tested the old version, but Windows 10 recognizes the fine DAC and can immediately work with him. You only need to open the dispatcher audio devices and select xDuoo XD-05 as the default playback device. Linux operating system family is also supported by the DAC.
I am confident that you will immediately feel the difference between the standard sound of your laptop and the sound that gives xDuoo XD-05. But that's not all. The potential of this device is revealed only after the installation of special drivers. They can be downloaded at website the manufacturer of this link.
Installed driver as usual: unzip the file, run the file, accept the license agreement and click "Next" a few times. After installation do not forget to go to sound properties and verify that as the default appears XMOS XS1-U8 MFA (it will look like the name of the device after installing the drivers).
More will need to customize your music player. Almost all serious programs for playing music are able to work with an external DAC, they only need to point to it. For example, in the AIMP, open the player options in the "Play" to select from the drop down list "Device" item "WASAPI: Speakers (XMOS XS1-U8 MFA)».
Connecting xDuoo XD-05 to the smartphone does not require any additional gestures. You just need to connect the DAC to the mobile device using any OTG-Adapter. Modern smartphones and tablets is perfectly recognize xDuoo XD-05 and start streaming to clean a digital signal that, after decoding and gain goes on to headphones or speaker system.
I am sure that the result of all these manipulations will not disappoint you. I sound xDuoo XD-05 are so pleased that I decided to talk about it separately.
What is the sound quality xDuoo XD-05
Experienced observers audiophile gadgets are able to compose a poem about incomparable depth scene detail vocal supply, drive high frequencies and low refinement. However, this verbal fog are often hidden.
I say simply: the sound quality xDuoo XD-05 is beyond praise. I did not know that digital audio can be so detailed and clean. My little old Sennheiser headphones sounded as though they are much more expensive, and desktop speakers They cheered and found in its depths a powerful bass that table surface became slightly vibrate to the beat music.
Well-known compositions are disclosed in a new way because they could hear the smallest details that were previously hidden due to incorrect decoding. The clatter of sticks drummer, guitarist tweaks strings breath vocalist - many new details in the heard before compositions holes.
xDuoo XD-05 almost does not make its own color to the sound, so it clears equally well as a rock classic '70s and contemporary electronic beats. If you suddenly want more emotional delivery, you can choose one of the four built-in filters. Switching between them is performed by the side panel.
Sound quality assessment always obviously is subjective and depends heavily on music, headphones, and personal preferences. So I decided to reconcile their feelings with expert opinion. Having re-read several hundred pages on the dedicated audiophile forums, I found almost unanimous approval of sound xDuoo XD-05. Moreover, some experts call this gadget almost perfect as regards value for money.
At the time of writing the price xDuoo XD-05 is 11 757 rubles. It may seem that the amount is large, especially for a device without which you are well treated before. But if you really love music, this may be one of the most successful on your investment. Not only a gadget can give many pleasant sensations to a music fan, tired of the plastic sound of conventional laptops and smartphones.
The author expresses his gratitude to the company xDuoo for providing the test device.