Firstly I would like to thank xDuoo for sending me this sample, it has been a while since I last reviewed one of their products.
*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 finding
Gear Used:
PC > XD05 Plus > HiFiMAN HE-500 / various IEM’s
Pixel 3a > XD05 > HiFiMAN HE-500 / various IEM’s
Tech Specs:
Compliant operating systems: Windows XP/7/8/10, Mas OS X, IOS, Android
DAC chip: AK4493EQ
USB chipset: XMOS XU208
Output power: 1000mW at 32 ohms
Frequency response (amp): 10Hz~100kHz (±0.5 dB)
Frequency response (USB/SPDIF): 20Hz~20kHz (±0.5 dB)
THD+ N (USB/SPDIF in): 0.0016% at 1kHz
THD + N (aux in): 0.0009% at 1kHz
S/N: 117dB
Crosstalk: ≥75dB
Battery: 3.8V / 5000mAh
Battery life: ≥13 hours (USB in), ≥21 hours (SPDIF in), ≥40 hours (aux in)
Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:
The XD05 Plus comes in a simple white box with outlines of the product on the outside and information on the back. It’s quite a simple but good looking box, inside you have the XD05 Plus sat tightly in foam inserts to keep it safe during shipping, with accessories underneath.
The build quality is excellent, the casing is well finished and feels solid, the connections are all tight and the small switches on the front are low profile and are not at risk of breaking. The volume knob is smooth to operate, the unit can be easily opened if you need to change the battery at a later date and also allows op-amp rolling due to the socketed design. Overall it is a very well built little DAC/Amp.
Accessory wise you get a 6.3 to 3.5mm adaptor, a normal long USB-C cable, a short Type C to Type C otg cable, a short micro-USB to Type C and also some rubber feet. There are also little socket savers to prevent dust getting in the rear sockets when not in use, overall you get plenty of extras and everything you need to get up and running.
Features:
The XD05 Plus is a transportable DAC/Amp, it has a built in battery which depending on use can last up to 40hrs (Aux in – headamp only mode), and roughly 13 hrs via USB input. On the back you have the USB inputs (USB-in and Charge use separate ports) as well as an Aux in and S/PDIF input. The Aux in can also be used as an output to an external amplifier so it is used as a DAC only.
On the front you have a boost switch that allows for more power out of the headphone socket, you have 3 stages of gain and also a bass boost switch. This means the XD05 can power a wide range of headphones easily, and the bass boost is quite effective but can be a little overpowering on most headphones.
This little unit packs quite a lot of features in for the price, and makes it a very versatile addition to any collection.
Sound:
Firstly I will start with the bad, sadly this isn’t suited to sensitive IEM’s, there is a level of background noise/hiss that is quite distracting when in use. However, this is more geared to powering harder to drive full size headphones anyway so it’s not much of an issue in my opinion. Most DAP’s will power most IEM’s with ease, so this kind of device is more reserved for those harder to driver over ears, and this it does so with ease.
For a battery powered unit the sound I managed to get out of it with the HiFiMAN HE-500 was very enjoyable, with a powerful and engaging sound that is perhaps a little warm and full. The 6.3mm output almost hints at the fact that it is designed for full-size headphone use, it will power your typical Sennheiser HD600 series very well and the sound is nuanced, clean yet ever so slightly smooth which allows for hours of fatigue free listening. You get 1000mw at 32Ohms, that should drive most headphones without any kind of problem, and in practice the XD05 Plus handled all but the hardest to drive with ease.
There is a sense of control and drive behind the XD05 Plus, it wants you to listen but without throwing anything out of balance. It is highly enjoyable and pleasant to listen to and punches above its price when it comes to refinement and detail levels. Perhaps where it is lacking is the soundstaging, being fairly average, but the headphone choice is always going to be more important here anyway.
Conclusion:
If you are looking for a versatile and transportable DAC/Amp for a low price the XD05 Plus is a no-brainer. I feel you have to go to something like the iFi Micro iDSD Black Label to get any real improvement over this, and that is twice the price. The XD05 Plus can power the majority of headphones with ease and sounds really fun yet balanced when doing so.
Sound Perfection Rating: 8/10 (hiss prevents use with sensitive IEM’s)