xDuoo
xDuoo XD-05 BAL Balanced DAC/Amp
The XD-05 line strikes a balance
A few years ago, xDuoo released the XD-05, a portable DAC/amp with HiFi clout for an entry-level price. Since then, they’ve introduced “Plus” and “Basic” models with varied capabilities. Now they’re back with the BAL model, the most feature-packed of the lineup yet.
The BAL model includes premium features like dual ESS SABRE DAC chips, balanced output, digital filters, and Bluetooth 5.0. It’s a great option for traveling, especially to conferences or hotel rooms where desk space is available but traveling with a full-sized DAC/amp would be inconvenient or impossible.
Two ESS ES9038Q2M SABRE DAC chips
The ESS9038Q2M uses the 32-bit HyperStream DAC architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, delivering a DNR of up to 128dB and THD+N of up to 0.0009%.
Gain and boost settings
Gain and boost settings accommodate the impedances of different headphones. The boost
switch increases the supply voltage of the op amp from ±8V to ±13V, while the gain switch adds ±6 to ±15dB of output volume.
8 Digital filters
A common complaint among analog lovers is that digital sounds cold, overly-analytical, or even inhuman. They couldn’t be further from the truth, especially with the advent of digital filters. Digital filters affect parameters such as phase, latency, and transition band roll-off, tailoring the listening experience in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. A slow roll-off filter eliminates sounds above a certain frequency, resulting in a mellower, velvety sound.
Bluetooth 5.0
Qualcomm’s flagship CSR8675 Bluetooth 5.0 chip decodes all of the major Bluetooth formats, including AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX LL, aptX HD, and LDAC. By streaming from your phone, you can keep the XD-05 BAL in your pocket while using your phone to wirelessly change tracks and adjust volume.
Up to 24 hours of battery
The XD-05 BAL’s battery lasts between 9 and 24 hours, depending on the input in use. USB decoding lasts 9 hours, SPDIF lasts 15, and Aux lasts a whopping 24 hours. And because the power cord and USB decoding use separate inputs, you can charge while listening--no matter the input.
Ultra portable
At 5.1 inches on its longest side and less than an inch thick, the XD-05 BAL can be slipped into most pockets, purses, and bags. You’ll hardly notice it either, because at 0.6 pounds it weighs about as much as a vinyl record.
Product highlights
ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chips x2
1000mW output power
Single-ended and balanced outputs
Gain and boost settings
8 digital filters
XMOS XU208 chip
Bluetooth 5.0
Battery: 3.8V/ 5000mAh
Screen: 0.91” OLED
Applicable OS: Win 7/8/10, Linux, Mas OS X, iOS, Androids
Frequency response
USB/SPDIF: 20~20,000Hz (+/- 0.5dB)
AMP: 10~60,000Hz (+/- 0.5dB)
Sampling rate support
USB
PCM: 16-32bit/44.1-768kHz
DSD: DOP/NATIVE mode, DSD64-512
AES/Optical/Coaxial:
PCM: 16-24bit/44.1-192kHz
DSD: DSD64 (DOP)
Bluetooth formats: AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX LL, aptX HD, LDAC
Qualcomm CSR8675 Bluetooth chip
Gain: +6/15dB
Inputs: Aux, USB, Optical/coaxial, AES
Outputs: 6.35 single-ended, 4.4 balanced, Aux
6.5 single-ended headphone output parameters
Output power: 1000mW (32Ω load)
THD+N: 0.0015%@1kHz
S/N: 115dB
Crosstalk: ≥72dBN
4.4 balanced headphone output parameters:
Output power: 1000mW (32Ω load)
THD+N: 0.0009%@1kHz
S/N: 117dB
Crosstalk: ≥100dB
Aux out parameters
Output lever: 2.0Vrms
THD+N: 0.0008%@1kHz
S/N: 120dB
Crosstalk: ≥100dB
Battery life:
USB IN ≥ 9H
SPDIF IN ≥ 15H
AUX IN ≥ 24H
Charging time:
≤ 5 hours (fast charging 1.2A)
≤ 11 hours (slow charging 500MA)
Digital filters
DSD filter: 47k cut-off filter
PCM filters
Linear phase fast roll-off
Linear phase slow roll-off
Minimum phase fast roll-off
Minimum phase slow roll-off
Apodizing fast roll-off
Corrected minimum phase fast roll-off
Brick wall filter
Size: 5.1 x 2.9 x 0.86” (13 x 7.5 x 2.2cm)
Weight: 0.6lbs (0.29kg)
What’s included
XDO5 Bal
6.5 to 3.5 converter
Type-C USB cable
USB A to Type-C converter
Type-C to Type-C USB cable
Rubber feet
Magic stickers
User manual
Warranty card
The XD-05 line strikes a balance
A few years ago, xDuoo released the XD-05, a portable DAC/amp with HiFi clout for an entry-level price. Since then, they’ve introduced “Plus” and “Basic” models with varied capabilities. Now they’re back with the BAL model, the most feature-packed of the lineup yet.
The BAL model includes premium features like dual ESS SABRE DAC chips, balanced output, digital filters, and Bluetooth 5.0. It’s a great option for traveling, especially to conferences or hotel rooms where desk space is available but traveling with a full-sized DAC/amp would be inconvenient or impossible.
Two ESS ES9038Q2M SABRE DAC chips
The ESS9038Q2M uses the 32-bit HyperStream DAC architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, delivering a DNR of up to 128dB and THD+N of up to 0.0009%.
Gain and boost settings
Gain and boost settings accommodate the impedances of different headphones. The boost
switch increases the supply voltage of the op amp from ±8V to ±13V, while the gain switch adds ±6 to ±15dB of output volume.
8 Digital filters
A common complaint among analog lovers is that digital sounds cold, overly-analytical, or even inhuman. They couldn’t be further from the truth, especially with the advent of digital filters. Digital filters affect parameters such as phase, latency, and transition band roll-off, tailoring the listening experience in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. A slow roll-off filter eliminates sounds above a certain frequency, resulting in a mellower, velvety sound.
Bluetooth 5.0
Qualcomm’s flagship CSR8675 Bluetooth 5.0 chip decodes all of the major Bluetooth formats, including AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX LL, aptX HD, and LDAC. By streaming from your phone, you can keep the XD-05 BAL in your pocket while using your phone to wirelessly change tracks and adjust volume.
Up to 24 hours of battery
The XD-05 BAL’s battery lasts between 9 and 24 hours, depending on the input in use. USB decoding lasts 9 hours, SPDIF lasts 15, and Aux lasts a whopping 24 hours. And because the power cord and USB decoding use separate inputs, you can charge while listening--no matter the input.
Ultra portable
At 5.1 inches on its longest side and less than an inch thick, the XD-05 BAL can be slipped into most pockets, purses, and bags. You’ll hardly notice it either, because at 0.6 pounds it weighs about as much as a vinyl record.
Product highlights
ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chips x2
1000mW output power
Single-ended and balanced outputs
Gain and boost settings
8 digital filters
XMOS XU208 chip
Bluetooth 5.0
Battery: 3.8V/ 5000mAh
Screen: 0.91” OLED
Applicable OS: Win 7/8/10, Linux, Mas OS X, iOS, Androids
Frequency response
USB/SPDIF: 20~20,000Hz (+/- 0.5dB)
AMP: 10~60,000Hz (+/- 0.5dB)
Sampling rate support
USB
PCM: 16-32bit/44.1-768kHz
DSD: DOP/NATIVE mode, DSD64-512
AES/Optical/Coaxial:
PCM: 16-24bit/44.1-192kHz
DSD: DSD64 (DOP)
Bluetooth formats: AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX LL, aptX HD, LDAC
Qualcomm CSR8675 Bluetooth chip
Gain: +6/15dB
Inputs: Aux, USB, Optical/coaxial, AES
Outputs: 6.35 single-ended, 4.4 balanced, Aux
6.5 single-ended headphone output parameters
Output power: 1000mW (32Ω load)
THD+N: 0.0015%@1kHz
S/N: 115dB
Crosstalk: ≥72dBN
4.4 balanced headphone output parameters:
Output power: 1000mW (32Ω load)
THD+N: 0.0009%@1kHz
S/N: 117dB
Crosstalk: ≥100dB
Aux out parameters
Output lever: 2.0Vrms
THD+N: 0.0008%@1kHz
S/N: 120dB
Crosstalk: ≥100dB
Battery life:
USB IN ≥ 9H
SPDIF IN ≥ 15H
AUX IN ≥ 24H
Charging time:
≤ 5 hours (fast charging 1.2A)
≤ 11 hours (slow charging 500MA)
Digital filters
DSD filter: 47k cut-off filter
PCM filters
Linear phase fast roll-off
Linear phase slow roll-off
Minimum phase fast roll-off
Minimum phase slow roll-off
Apodizing fast roll-off
Corrected minimum phase fast roll-off
Brick wall filter
Size: 5.1 x 2.9 x 0.86” (13 x 7.5 x 2.2cm)
Weight: 0.6lbs (0.29kg)
What’s included
XDO5 Bal
6.5 to 3.5 converter
Type-C USB cable
USB A to Type-C converter
Type-C to Type-C USB cable
Rubber feet
Magic stickers
User manual
Warranty card