Firstly I would like to thank xDuoo for sending this sample for review.
*disclaimer: This sample was provided for the purpose of writing a review, no incentive was given to write a favourable review. All opinions expressed are my own subjective findings
Gear Used:
JDS Labs Element II (DAC mode) > TA-26 (stock) > Mainly German Maestro GMP400 (alongside Audeze LCD-X and others)
Tech Specs:
Tubes – Preamplifier: 6N8P / Buffer: 6N5P
Input: 1x Stereo RCA
Outputs: 1x Jack 6.35mm headphone output + 1x Stereo RCA
Output power: 500mw @ 600/300Ω
Frequency response: 10Hz-30kHz (±0.5dB)
Gain: +16dB
SNR: 110dB
THD+N: ≤ 0.1% (1kHz)
Recommended headphone impedanc: 60-600Ω
https://xduoo.net/product/ta-26/
Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:
The TA-26 comes in a brown cardboard box, no fancy packaging but it is strong and sturdy helping keep the amp safe and secure during shipping. The amp is held neatly in place with foam inserts and all the accessories are tightly packaged to prevent damage – I really like how well packaged the amp was during shipping, even if it means there are no fancy graphics on the xDuoo box.
Build quality of the TA-26 is excellent, the metal chassis is solid and well finished, it’s narrow footprint is welcome for desktop setups and the small metal rails help protect the tubes whilst still leaving them easy to swap out for those tube rollers out there. It’s a modern yet industrial looking amp which I really like, the metal volume knob looks great and is smooth in its operation, the front on/off toggle switch has a nice positive click to it and the 6.3mm headphone output feels solid too. On the back you have RCA inputs and outputs so you can use the TA-26 as a pre-amp, along with the power cable input socket.
Accessory wise you get a power cable, that’s it, but again whenever I’m reviewing a headphone amp that really is pretty much the only accessory needed, occasionally brands will throw in an RCA cable but that’s something most of use have laying around anyway. No issues here, it’s a desktop amp and doesn’t need any fancy accessories.
Features:
The TA-26 is an OTL tube amp, this means it will pair best with higher impedance dynamic headphones and easier to drive planar headphones, they are not really suited to sensitive IEM’s due to their output impedance and potential noise issues. The rated output of 500mW(300/600 Ohms) is quite impressive and should easily drive most high-impedance dynamic headphones.
The TA-26 uses a 6N8P tube for the pre-amp and 6N5P for the power tube – both of these are easy to find replacements for. The 6N5P can easily be substituted for a 6AS7G or 6080 tube of which there are plenty out there, whereas the 6N8P can be swapped out to a 6SN7 tube of which there are also plenty of options. This is good news for tube rollers out there, you can easily tune the sound to your personal preference by changing out the tubes on the TA-26.
Whilst I haven’t opened my unit, you can see some of the PCB inside and it looks to be populated with good quality parts and uses high-temperature capacitors which is essential for an amp like this. There are pictures on the xDuoo product page too which show some of the internals.
Sound:
The TA-26 is a powerful little OTL amp, using my German Maestro GMP400’s I only need to have the volume at around 9 O’Clock to get normal listening levels out of it, and at these levels there is absolutely no background noise from the amp. I have to have music paused and turn it up over 12 O’Clock before any noise is noticed, which is great. The TA-26 isn’t an overly warm tube amp, whilst it does impart a little bit of colour it doesn’t take away from the headphones original signature too much which to me is the best trait of a good OTL amp.
The TA-26 has very low reaching bass, it adds a slight sense of warmth and body to the whole sound without sounding bloated, there is a little bloom in the low end but again it isn’t over done and the sound is full yet tight and doesn’t take away any of the finer detail.
The midrange comes across with great clarity and control, it is slightly forward in its presentation but still has good layering and power without sounding edgy or harsh. There is a sense of openness in the midrange making the TA-26 sound deeper than some flatter amps, but again without any too obvious colouring.
The treble is clear and well extended, this isn’t an amp that is going to suddenly make harsh headphones listenable, but it does have a slight smoothing effect up top that, coupled with the slightly warmer bass, makes brighter leaning headphones a lot easier to listen to. But it also seems to work well with darker headphones like the HD650 – which just shine when use with tubes – for some reason they stop sounding dull and come alive with better dynamics and a much more open soundstage.
Even though the TA-26 is an OTL amp, it still has impressive layering – this does of course somewhat depend on what headphones you are using too but having an amp that is controlled yet with a hint of that tube warmth is great. If you are looking at this review, you should know a little about what you are looking for and if an OTL amp would be suitable for your system. The TA-26 doesn’t have the most expansive soundstage out of the box, playing around with different tubes will likely help here, but it is an amp that has a slightly more direct delivery, it does so without sounding closed in though and there is still a good amount of width to the sound.
Conclusion
If you have a set of high impedance dynamic headphones and want to dip your foot in to the OTL world without spending a fortune, the TA-26 is somewhat of a steal at its price. It offers up a lot of what you would expect of an OTL amp, without costing much, you can tube-roll with ease and find some pairing that you enjoy and it is a brilliant piece of kit. Don’t forget it also doubles up as a pre-amp, so should you want to impart some tube-goodness upon another system the TA-26 will allow you to do so. It’s well built, has solid sound quality that is clean yet has a hint of that smoothness and fullness that many want from tubes, and is a joy to use – go grab one if you’ve been on the fence about tubes, you won’t regret it with the right headphones.
Sound Perfection Rating: 8/10 (well built, and sounds excellent for the price, the stock tubes let it down but are easily replaceable)