Review : xDuoo TA-20 – Twin Towers

A good combo with the xDuoo TA-20 ?

Starter : iFi Nano Black Label + xDuoo TA-20 + Hifiman Ananda

Enthusiast : Chord Mojo + xDuoo TA-20 + Sennheiser HD800S

Audiophile : Cayin i-DAC6 + xDuoo TA-20 + Meze Empyrean

If you have another suggestion, feel free to add it in the comments section!

 

Conclusion

The xDuoo TA-20 takes what made the TA-10 a great amp, to the higher ground. It can drive virtually any headphone you like, or want, with a sound stage much wider than its transistor competitors. True, it’s not a full Tube amp, but that’s also what makes the TA-20 affordable (and compact).

Build quality is still astounding, with real attention to details and a comprehensive layout. It’s not the most transparent amp you can get, but that’s the magic. If you’ve never had a tube amp before, maybe this should be your first one, even more, if you own a planar headphone.  

3.9/5 - (101 votes)
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A nerdy guy with a passion for audio and gadgets, he likes to combine his DAC and his swiss knife. Even after more than 10 years of experience, Nanotechnos still collects all gear he gets, even his first MPMAN MP3 player. He likes spreadsheets, technical specs and all this amazing(ly boring) numbers. But most of all, he loves music: electro, classical, dubstep, Debussy : the daily playlist.

5 Comments

  • Reply September 7, 2019

    Thomas

    Thanks for the great review. You mention Focal Clear and I have two follow up questions regarding them. Firstly do you think the amp would be a good match for Focal Clear and why is an adapter needed?

  • Reply September 20, 2019

    Mahir Efe Falay

    Xduoo matured from their ashes. One an unkown and meager chinese producer not built TWO TOWERS 🙂

  • Reply November 20, 2019

    Keith

    I love my TA-10. Do you think it is worth to own both?? I was thinking the TA-20 or the bottlehead crack w/speedball; or a Tor Audio tube amp.

  • Reply January 20, 2020

    Shane D

    Interesting review! I bought a used one and should receive it tomorrow. I will be feeding it with an SMSL SU-8. My ‘phones are Grado GH2’s, Beyer T5p.2’s, Fostex TH-610’s, HD 600’s, HD58X’s and Meze 99 Classic’s. Hopefully there are some nice matches in there.

    I like my Vali 2, but it is not in the least “tube-like”. I get it that they are hybrids, but I am hoping for more.

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