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. 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. 0009%.

Gain and boost settings Gain and boost settings accommodate the impedances of different headphones. 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. 1 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.

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. 6 pounds it weighs about as much as a vinyl record.

" -SoundNews