Specifications
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For the nit-pickers and nerdy ones here, I’m giving the specs and technical sheets. For all the others, you can just go to the next page to see how the DAC performs.
Internal circuit architecture
The xDuoo TA-30 ditches the AK4490 for a more high-end chip: the Sabre ES9038Q2M.
A chip that we’ve encountered a lot already, for good reasons. It supports PCM stream up to 32bit/768kHz, offers an S/N ratio of 129dB, and a THD as low as -120dB. 7 different filters are available and, the DAC is issued from the famous Sabre32 Reference Series.
To feed the DAC, two different chips are used :
– an AKM AK4118 for optical/coaxial. This chip supports PCM files up to 24bit/192kHz and DSD64 in DOP Mode
– an Xmos XU208 for USB. A multi-core chip, fully compliant with USB 2.0 specification, and advertised as a “major upscale” from the previous U8.
Moreover, the xDuoo TA-30 now gets an FPGA chip, provided by Altera, to reduce the jitter and a dual active low phase noise crystal oscillator. That, and no less than 7 PCM filter + 1 DSD filters to adapt the DAC, to your taste.
Tube Amplification
If the TA-10 and TA-20 didn’t get a full tube-amp section, the xDuoo TA-30 goes all the way. Two ECC82 for process the audio and “make the sound sweet and refined”, plus one 5Z3P tube for high-voltage rectification that offers “thick tube flavor”.
To feed the amp, xDuoo uses metal polyester film capacitor, ELNA SILMIC(II) ones, all tested to match the capacitance of duct output. The brand advertises “transparent and sweet sound”, coupled with “smooth and warm sound” thanks to the main filter capacitance, provided by NICHICON this time.
As usual, you will be able to upgrade the tubes. There are a lot of options on eBay, for NOS and new tubes, so check it out.
Full specs
- Type: DAC / Headphone amplifier
- DAC: SABRE ES9038Q2M
- Tube Rectification: 1x 5Z3P
- Tube Amp: 2x ECC82
- Screen: 1.3 inch Oled screen
- Outputs: 6.35mm headphone out / AUX out
- Input: USB/COAXIAL/OPTICAL/AUX
- Volume Knob: ALPS Analog
- Drive Ability: 16-600 ohms
- Frequency response : USB/OPT/COAX/BT : 20Hz – 20kHz / AUX : 10Hz – 100kHz
- USB: PCM up to 32bit-768kHz, DSD64-512
- Coaxial/Optical: up to 24bit-192kHz, DSD64
- Crosstalk : > 65dB
- SNR : > 110dB
- THD : < 0.05%
- Line level : 2.1Vrms
- Output Power 6.35mm : 3000mW 32ohm
- Size : 290mm x 110mm x 170mm
- Weight : 3000g
The review continues on Page five, after the click HERE or by using the jump below.
Sergio Convers
I am looking for a tube amp it dosnt hat to be a DAC but has to work as a preamp, I have as options Quad PA +. Cayin H1-A1 mk 2, this XDuoo just came to the list, can you recomend any of the three or any other to consider. I will use it to drive my Senn HD800s, Beyer T1 mk2, Quad era 1 and AKG q701.
Thanks
BattousaiX26
I have heard from other reviews that it generates too much heat and cause issue like fuse dying early, do you think it is an issue on all model?
Also what do you think about its pairing with lets say lcd 2 fazor and he1000 v1?
Peter
I have Focal Clear and Shure SRH 1540
Using Woo Audio WA3 + Chord Mojo.
Wanted warm and sweet sound for mainly quiet female vocal.
20 % improvement for Shure using the DAC and amplify
5 to 10 % improvement on Focal
Please advise will xDuoo TA-30 be a good upgrade.
If not, please recommend another tube headphone amp or Dec
Budget around US $1000-1500
I am 76, list some hearing for high notes music.
Thank very much for your excellent reviews
Peter Chu
Bill S
I just bought this amp, I plugged my Sen 6xx in and they sound amazing. I need an adapter for my HiFiMan Sundaras, but I was wondering if this amp would be better served by a set of Focals, open backed?
Mingo One
“If the TA-10 and TA-20 didn’t get a full tube-amp section, the xDuoo TA-30 goes all the way.”
You’re wrong: the driver stage is tube but the actual output stage is Class A solid state .