Overview xDuoo XD-10 Poke - a new portable DAC with great sound
Devices / / December 19, 2019
destiny
All music lovers know about digital lossless-format, ensuring lossless quality and distortion. But even they do not guarantee a good sound if you use an ordinary smart phone, a laptop or a cheap player. The fact that the electronic components of these devices are far from ideal, so the output at them turns out flat and featureless sound. Gadgets with built dedicated digital to analog converter (DAC), are the exception, but, unfortunately, expensive and not very common.
What to do if you have a simple smart phone or laptop, but you want to enjoy high quality sound? Yield one - purchase a separate device that is specifically designed to handle digital audio and amplification. So-called external DAC. He features a cut above the usual audio path smartphone or laptop and its power supply allows you to connect even the great high-impedance headphones. xDuoo XD-10In addition, it has a small size and excellent autonomy, so it may well be used at home as a stationary device, and a walk in a pair with a smartphone.
Specifications
DAC | AKM AK4490 |
Amplifier | OPA1662 |
output power | 2 × 250 mW at 32 ohms |
Recommended load impedance | 8-300 ohm |
The ratio "signal - noise" | 112 dB |
distortions | 0.0015% at 1 kHz (USB) |
frequency band | 20 Hz - 20 KHz (± 0,5 dB) |
Supported formats | PCM 384 kHz / 32-bit, DXD to 384 kHz / 32 bits, DSD to DSD256 |
Gain | 0 / + 6dB |
bass Boost | 0 / + 6dB |
Battery | LiPol, 2 200 mAh 3.7 |
charging time | Up to 3 hours |
Working time on one charge | To 16 hours, depending on the source of the signal |
Screen | 0.91 inch, OLED, monochrome |
dimensions | 101 × 55 × 16 mm |
Weight | 130 g |
Specifications xDuoo XD-10 are very similar xDuoo XD-05. This DAC has become popular among lovers of quality sound, so the new model, the manufacturer has decided to simply improve some of its parameters. In the first place changes affected the size and weight: xDuoo XD-10 looks much more compact.
To reduce the size had to sacrifice battery. Its capacity is 2200 mAh vs. 4000 mAh at xDuoo XD-05. In all other Poke is not inferior predecessor. It uses high-quality digital to analog converter AK4490, powerful operational amplifier OPA1662, two master oscillator and reliable PGA2311 volume control.
Packaging equipment
xDuoo XD-10 comes in a colorful box decorated in cartoon style. A bit of a strange decision for a serious gadget, but to condemn him, we will not: get the original and cute. Box with Poke stands out against a background of strict competition packages and well remembered.
The interior design is not inferior appearance. The top cover opens like a book cover, under which the detailed instructions with illustrations. Designer xDuoo need to express gratitude for the work: it looks at the level of the world's best brands.
Rich equipment has always been a strong point xDuoo. This time, the manufacturer did not change his principles and provided the XD-10 complete set of necessary cables and adapters. These include microUSB-charging cable, cable for connection to a computer, three short an adapter for use in a couple of different sources, audio cable with two 3.5-mm connectors. Do not forget to put a special and Velcro, which can be attached XD-10 to your phone or player.
Appearance
XD-10 looks like a metal box the size of a cigarette pack. Shells come in different colors, we got black. The top cover - the motto and the name of the device.
The basic controls are located on the right side, including a power switch, mode selection and amplification factor. On one of the end sides have a monochrome screen is. There appears all the necessary information: battery charge, the operating mode, the volume level of the current digital filter and the resolution of the input signal. To his left is a jack for headphones or an external speaker system.
On the left side there was a place to change the volume buttons and the selection of the digital filter. By the way, push-button adjustment of work is much smoother and more reliable than the XD-05, where the analog krutilki used.
At the lower end of the device connectors are located. In the center - recessed into the USB-connector housing, which serves for connecting an external digital source. On either side of it - linear input / output and a socket for recharging. The gadget can play music and charge at the same time, which is useful in the case of stationary use.
In general appearance XD-10 can be described in three words: stylish, modern, youth. It's great that the manufacturer has paid attention not only of sound and stuffing (this xDuoo have never been a big problem), but also design. This approach is more typical for large companies who are not afraid to invest in the development of a unique design, but not for the small, but very proud of the Chinese manufacturers.
connection
XD-10 to connect the DAC to the smartphone is very simple. It is enough to choose the right cable in the kit and connect the device with it. After this will only insert a headphone plug, and you can listen to music. No additional configuration is required.
Pairing with a laptop computer or a bit more complicated. After connecting the device is determined by the system (in our case - Windows 10), and even running. But its capacity is recommended to install a special driver for full disclosure. You can download it at website manufacturer.
After driver installation, you need to open System Preferences and choose the speakers XMOS XS1-U8 MFA (ST) as a device to output audio by default. This will redirect the digital signal to an external DAC to bypass the built-in sound card. Now you can connect to the XD-10 headphones or powered speaker system.
Sound
The perception of sound XD-10 is largely dependent on the previous experience of the listener. If you previously used only the standard path of your laptop, tablet or smartphone, the difference will seem very sensible. xDuoo Poke produces much more deep, rich sound with full spectrum of frequencies and the detailed scene.
Default Bass can not boast of exorbitant depth, but if you include an additional bass boost (BassBoost), it will not find it. Average have good preparedness and positioning. Top for its price range sound great, but there is a lack of study in some compositions. Therefore xDuoo Poke should appeal to people who do not like too much accented upper range.
Already had time to buy xDuoo XD-05, this gadget is a step forward. In fact, xDuoo XD-10 gives almost the same sound. But if you listen to music on the go, the compact size of the new model can play a decisive role.
results
In xDuoo again I get a decent DAC, which has all chances to win popularity among fans of high-quality sound. XD-10 is a direct descendant of the model XD-05, which, we recall, was one of the company's best-sellers.
The manufacturer did a good job of stacking and compact, while maintaining excellent sound. It is necessary to emphasize the bright eye-catching design that distinguishes this device against a background of similar competitors. If you want to make a cool gift to a music fan, xDuoo XD-10 Poke - what you need.
At the time of writing the price xDuoo XD-10 is 13 559 rubles in-store and GearBest 17 038 rubles on AliExpress.
The author expresses his gratitude to the company xDuoo for providing the test device.