Review and Measurements of XDuoo TA-01 and Schiit Fulla V2 DAC and Headphone Amp

[amirm]

I think the real issue is that the different headphones sounded different on both.

Agree with that.

 

[Veri]

I think the real issue is that the different headphones sounded different on both. That's a big negative. This means that the amp is a limiting factor and can't be trusted to be transparent depending on what headphones I'm putting on.

While you're right in a sense, isn't the whole idea of a tube amp that it should sound just a little different from solid state, otherwise why bother with tubes in the first place if they sound just about the same? A slight sort of coloration (due to distortion/harmonics?) is to be expected no?

I wouldn't want the distortion to be single digit THD+N though... but I've no clue how much my Bottlehead crack (speedball upgraded) actually distorts, all I know is that I love how it sounds in combination with the HD650

 

[garbulky]

While you're right in a sense, isn't the whole idea of a tube amp that it should sound just a little different from solid state, otherwise why bother with tubes in the first place if they sound just about the same? A slight sort of coloration (due to distortion/harmonics?) is to be expected no?

I wouldn't want the distortion to be single digit THD+N though... but I've no clue how much my Bottlehead crack (speedball upgraded) actually distorts, all I know is that I love how it sounds in combination with the HD650

Well some people don't want their tube amp to be tubey sounding - surprisingly! But <ahem> I do. No what I meant in my post was that different headphones sounded different on the same amp and the review implied that it was the amps fault - not just normal headphone variance. And for me that's showing that the amp is a limiting factor since the sound appears to vary.

 

[Veri]

Well some people don't want their tube amp to be tubey sounding - surprisingly! But <ahem> I do. No what I meant in my post was that different headphones sounded different on the same amp and the review implied that it was the amps fault - not just normal headphone variance. And for me that's showing that the amp is a limiting factor since the sound appears to vary.

Oh I see. I see your point, now.

 

[Jimster480]

Very nice, long anticipated review!

I wonder if those weird distortion figures are what I hear when I listen to the Fulla2.... it really doesn't sound very full especially with the planars. It might be these distortion figures having some sort of issue with power output or current levels?

 

[Veri]

Very nice, long anticipated review!

I wonder if those weird distortion figures are what I hear when I listen to the Fulla2.... it really doesn't sound very full especially with the planars. It might be these distortion figures having some sort of issue with power output or current levels?

With planars you are probably pushing them right into their absolute worst performance, you just need something more powerful.

 

[garbulky]

Agree with that.

After looking at the thd more closely, that looks pretty bad for the Schiit. Its in audible territory. BTW how much power is the usb port capable of doing on the ap machine? Im assuming its connected to your ap via usb.

 

[Jimster480]

With planars you are probably pushing them right into their absolute worst performance, you just need something more powerful.

Yea I mean, it sounds great even with my FiiO K1 though....

 

[FireLion]

I have tried about 5-6 tubes with the xduoo and it's flexibility is great, every tube changes the sound and the tubes are not just for show.

It's also more powerful than my DAC-X6. Honestly I love it, I have it in work and I got a TA-10 at home which is better.

 

[έχω δίκιο]

...every tube changes the sound and the tubes are not just for show.

Doesn't that concern you? How do you know which one is most accurate, has the least distortion, least noise, etc.?

 

[FireLion]

Doesn't that concern you? How do you know which one is most accurate, has the least distortion, least noise, etc.?

Not really different tubes have different sonic characteristics. For instance the Sylvania blackplate is a little grainy but it's warm and very deep bass in comparison to one of the Mullards which has a cleaner/lighter low end with a silky smooth mid range. It's well known the NOS tubes are generally better than any of the new production tubes.

 

[έχω δίκιο]

For instance the Sylvania blackplate is a little grainy but it's warm and very deep bass in comparison to one of the Mullards which has a cleaner/lighter low end with a silky smooth mid range

I can understand the idea of rolling tubes in guitar amps in order to achieve the kind of signal distortion that sounds best, but for audio, I want accuracy, not euphonic distortion. And that's not something that I (or anyone) can determine by ear, without measurements.

 

[amirm]

I don't think tubes provide high accuracy so I think it is fine to see them as a means to tailor the sound people want. Without it, it can become just a higher distortion solid state amp.

 

[FireLion]

I can understand the idea of rolling tubes in guitar amps in order to achieve the kind of signal distortion that sounds best, but for audio, I want accuracy, not euphonic distortion. And that's not something that I (or anyone) can determine by ear, without measurements.

It's not just distortion that is the factor, It's about unique sound characteristics . On paper and to listen to the Mullard I have is clearer than Sylvania which cost me less than a third of the price but sometimes it's nice to have good bass and a warmer texture instead of just emphasized sharp details which can be fatiguing. Not that the Mullard is fatiguing it just is has a sweet mid range with better separation I am just trying to say clearer/shaprer is not always better depending on what is needed at the time.

 

[Frank Dernie]

It's not just distortion that is the factor, It's about unique sound characteristics .

The unique sound characteristics are created by the distortion though.

 

[FireLion]

The unique sound characteristics are created by the distortion though.

I do not know that much on the technicalities to comment in depth. Yes accuracy and detail are important but it can also at times be at the cost of musicality. This is dependent on the users hearing, music and tonal preference are you wanting reference, enjoyment or a bit of both?

So are tubes better than solid state, depends on the end user really. Is my old HD700 more detailed than my daily driver Argon? Yes but man it got tiring after extended use whereas I can listen to the dark bass, warm and very musical Argon all day long with no fatigue.

 

[rebbiputzmaker]

I don't think tubes provide high accuracy so I think it is fine to see them as a means to tailor the sound people want. Without it, it can become just a higher distortion solid state amp.

Many beloved recording people listen to are produced using tubes. Many of the classic microphones also use tubes. Tubes are not just distortion producers. The distortion is below the threshold of hearing. The spectrum of distortion and overload characteristics are different.

 

[FireLion]

Many beloved recording people listen to are produced using tubes. Many of the classic microphones also use tubes. Tubes are not just distortion producers. The distortion is below the threshold of hearing. The spectrum of distortion and overload characteristics are different.

I still need a good solid state. This guy loves tubes and has boatloads of them https://www.youtube.com/user/upscaleaudio/search?query=tube

 

[RayDunzl]

With a single tube in the path, I wonder where's the crosstalk measurement?

 

[FireLion]

With a single tube in the path, I wonder where's the crosstalk measurement?

Good question do ye guys measure headphones too? I bought one of these so I can change the tube without opening the chassis.

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