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As you’ve probably guessed, the perfect companion to the DROP + xDuoo TA-84 is the DROP + Sennheiser HD6XX. Its 300-ohm impedance and decent efficiency mean that it has what the tubes crave. The OTL drive makes it a bit bassier with an elevated 50Hz region, which is just what the doctor ordered.
Stepping up to the higher-end ZMF Auteur Classic showed a marked overall improvement, which means that the TA-84 can boogie with top-shelf offerings as well. I didn’t have a Sennheiser HD800 or HD800S on hand, but I’d reckon those would work fine as well. Of course, getting everything out of these headphones requires a better electronics chain.
In the context of a bigger picture, I’d put the TA-84 on the more neutral spectrum of OTL tube amps. For example, I’ve heard Bottlehead Crack versions that I’d call more specialized towards lushness and warmth that’s usually associated with these kinds of amplifiers. In that sense, the TA-84 is the perfect entry drug into tubes for people who have only tried solid-state amps before.
Like many other tube amplifiers, the TA-84 is great at macro dynamics. It’s likely that increasing harmonic content at higher power and the bass boost is the main culprit for that, but even then, it makes for a seriously fun listen with all of my high-impedance dynamic headphones.
In other words, the basic musical performance of the TA-84 makes it very easy to like; there are no gross missteps, and the fundamentals are pretty much nailed.
Comparisons
VS DROP + SMSL HO150
The SMSL HO150 is an entry-level solid-state amp with some serious features. Sure, some lament that it’s not truly balanced from nose to tail, but it has a true discrete output stage that runs in Class-A. It’s very likely that the output stage is to blame for me liking it more than many pricier, chi-fi, op-amp-based offerings. It’s also quiet enough for IEMs and powerful enough for everything else.
Comparing it to the amp-stage of the TA-84 yields some interesting findings. First, they’re not that far apart in terms of overall tonality. The TA-84 sounds sweeter and, with most headphones, has less controlled bass, but it nails the ambiance and timbre better. With the HO150, one must also take care when matching it to a DAC; the TA-84 is pre-matched to a great pairing.
VS Feliks Audio Euforia EVO
Yes, the Polish behemoth OTL. Why? Because I want you to know what you’re missing out on and what stays the same. The Euforia EVO is a favourite here in Headfonia, and generally, it is one of the finer offerings in the OTL space. I’m still using it with the stock Psvane CV181 MK2 Gold and 6N13S power tubes, despite Lieven telling me numerous times to upgrade.
Like the Euforia EVO, the TA-84 is on the more neutral side of OTL tube amps. Both are great side grades for solid-state enjoyers to dip their toes (or more in the case of Euforia EVO) in tube amplification. The TA-84 is a lot easier to overload with low-impedance headphones, while with the Euforia EVO, you can usually bend the rules a bit.
The Feliks also absolutely clowns on the TA-84 when it comes to technicalities. With the TA-84, I feel like I’m not missing much, but the Euforia EVO reminds me of what I’ve missed with all my other amps.
Conclusion
Bored of solid-state perfection, or just want some bottled fire on your desk? The DROP + xDuoo TA-84 is a superb option if you consider the OTL drive’s limitations. Looking at the DROP headphone lineup, it’s obvious that the Sennheiser HD6XX is the intended companion headphone here, with the HD58X Jubilee coming in a close second.
The TA-84 can also serve as a competent DAC and preamp to speakers with the input stage, imparting some of the tubey sweetness there as well.
At the same time, living with the TA-84 isn’t without some hurdles along the way. Reaching around to flick on the power switch is fine when the unit is nice and cool. Doing the same maneuver with the tubes on feels like xDuoo doesn’t want me ever to stop listening. Input and gain selection is even harder, as you need to memorize what switch does what.
The input tubes on my amp were microphonic, so no tapping the desk in the rhythm of the music. I’m also not sold on the choice of volume control. I’d also unplug my headphones when turning the amp off because a nasty shutdown transient makes a lot of noise.
If you can live with the intrinsic limitations of the TA-84, it will serve you well. It’s a decent starter that can be upgraded with tube rolling and pairing it with a better DAC. To expand its functionality, a solid-state amp can be connected to line outputs, and you can listen to just about any headphone or IEM with some added tube warmth.
All in all, the DROP + xDuoo is the perfect entry drug into tubes.
Summary
Pros:
- Highly musical, yet not overly colored sound
- Great detail retrieval
- Superb macro dynamics
- Works great as a DAC and preamp
- Affordable and abundant alternative tubes
- Excellent build quality
- Great synergy between the built-in DAC and the amplifier
Cons:
- Stock input tubes can be microphonic
- The backside controls are clunky
- Could use more digital inputs
- A more traditional volume control would work better
- Output impedance and power delivery limit the choice of headphones
- Noisy shutdown sequence
