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What's New With The xDuoo XD-05 Balanced?? Difference Between Different XD-05 Models

What's New With The xDuoo XD-05 Balanced?? Difference Between Different XD-05 Models

Last month xDuoo introduced the much-awaited XD-05 Balanced portable DAC/AMP in the market. This leads the XD-05 range of portable DAC/AMPS at a price point of 429$ which is about three times the base XD-05 Basic and about 140$ more than the XD-05 Plus. But what changes does this 429$ DAC/AMP brings for us audiophiles? What are the main differences between these three portable devices? Well, we are here today to answer these questions for you all.

xDuoo XD-05 Bal Vs xDuoo XD-05 Basic-1

First things first, as the name suggests the XD-05 Bal features a fully balanced 4.4mm headphone output that brings it in front of the two with a fully balanced structure. On top of it, we also get AES input that is also not available with the other two. The XD-06 serves its purpose as a portable balanced DAC/AMP with a high-performance Dual DAC chipset featuring two ES9038Q2M DAC chips. It can be connected to your regular smartphones, windows/MAC systems to upgrade your audio experience with a balanced architecture. Now let’s discuss the main changes among these three portable DAC/AMPs from xDuoo.

XD05 Bal Vs XD05 Basic-2

Specification

XD-05 Balanced

XD-05 Plus

XD-05 Basic

Price

429$

289$

155$

DAC Chip

ES9038Q2M*2

AK4493EQ

AK4490

USB Signal Receiver Chip

8-Core XMOS XU208

8-Core XMOS XU208

8-Core XMOS XU208

PCM Decoding Support

Up to 32-Bit/768kHz

Up to 32-Bit/384kHz

Up to 32-Bit/384kHz

DSD Support

Up to DSD512 Natively

Up to DSD256 Natively

Up to DSD256 Natively

AES Input

Yes

No

No

Aux Input

Yes

Yes

Yes

Coaxial/Optical Input

Yes

Yes

Yes

Balanced Headphone Output

Yes(4.4mm)

No

No

Single-Ended Output

6.35mm

6.35mm

6.35mm

Output Power

1000mW(32Ω)

1000mW(32Ω)

500mW(32Ω)

OLED Display

Yes

Yes

Yes

Bass Boost Switch

Yes

Yes

Yes

Gain Switch

2-Level(+6dB, +15dB)

3-Level

3-Level(+6dB, +9dB, +16dB)

Interchangeable OPAMP

Yes

Yes

Yes

SNR

Up to 117dB

Up to 117dB

Up to 115dB

THD+N

Up to 0.0009%(USB)

Up to 0.0016%(USB)

Up to 0.0025%

Crosstalk

≥100dB

≥75dB

≥75dB

In-Built Bluetooth Support

Yes

No(needs additional device)

No(needs additional device)

Hi-res Bluetooth Codec

Yes

No

No

 

XD05 Bal Vs XD05 Basic-3

>Powerful Dual DAC Chipset:-

Previously xDuoo equipped the XD-05 series of products with a single DAC chip(AK4493EQ for XD-05 Plus and AK4490 for XD-05 Basic) but for a balanced architecture in the latest XD-05 Bal they have opted for a dual DAC chipset. Instead of going the AKM way this time, they have chosen two ES9038Q2M DAC chips from Sabre Technologies. Both are implemented in an independent balanced design(One for each channel). They perform quite well paired delivering amazingly low THD+N distortion and noise ratings providing a super clean output for its users.

>Hi-res Signal Decoding:-

All three of the XD-05 devices are equipped with an 8-core XMOS XU208 USB signal receiver chip. While the previous XD-05 Plus and XD-05 Basic supports PCM decoding up to 32-Bit/384kHz, the latest XD-05 Bal supports decoding for even higher-resolution 32-Bit/768kHz files. For DSD decoding, the latest XD-05 Bal supports decoding up to DSD512 natively instead of the DSD256 on the previous models.

>Bluetooth Input:-

For Bluetooth support on the XD-05 Basic and Plus models, we need a special xDuoo 05BL Bluetooth module. In the latest XD-05 Bal they have implemented the Bluetooth functionality in the device itself. The XD-05 Bal can be connected to smartphones and other Bluetooth enabled devices for audio input with high-resolution wireless codecs such as LDAC, AptX HD, AptX LL, AptX, SBC, and many more. Enjoy hi-res wireless Bluetooth connectivity with the latest XD-05 Bal without the need for any extra module.

>AES Input:-

The XD-05 Bal features a balanced digital AES input port that supports hi-res audio signal decoding. This was not available with the previous models in the XD-05 range of portable DAC/AMPs from the brand and brings an all-new experience for the users.

>Fully Balanced Output:-

As the name suggests, the brand has focused on the XD-05 Bal with a fully balanced architecture. It features a 4.4mm headphone output port along with the regular 6.35mm headphone output. Both the balanced and single-ended output ports provide a humongous output power of up to 1000mW at 32 Ω of impedance load, but the Balanced output has better THD+N and Crosstalk ratings providing a spacious, rich, and clean output when compared to the single-ended ones.

XD05 Bal Vs XD05 Basic-5

The xDuoo XD05 Balanced is an amazing device with  AES input, Fully balanced output, interchangeable OPAMP filters, super-clean audio signal decoding, and many more features. It serves its purpose really well with its amazing output power that can also power high-demanding headphones without any trouble. So, what are you guys waiting for??? Grab the XD-05 Bal from our store today!!! Check out more details here. For xDuoo XD-05 Plus check out more details here and for the XD-05 Basic check out our store page here.

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