Xduoo TA03S Dac Tube amp review

The xduo ta03s is a tube amp that is simple to use and produces a pleasing rich smooth sound at an entry level price of around $250.

Sleek, black, smooth lines make for a smexy device.

More information here:
https://www.xtenik.com/product/xduoo-ta03s/

Specifications and details:

Unboxing and

a visual adventure on how to use

1/4 plug for general headphones. An adapter to 3.5mm will help with most other headphones and earphones

Two main types of inputs. RCA and modern usb-c.

Places for the tubes which go in fairly easy.

Detailed specs

XDUOO TA-03S Amplifier

XMOS U8 32Bit/192kHz

Type	DAC Tube Preamplifier
Sampling supported	PCM: 16-32Bit / 44.1-192kHz DSD: DSD64-128 (2.8M-5.6M)
Output Level	300mW (600/300 Ω) 200mW (150 Ω)
Frequency response	10Hz-40kHz (+/- 1dB)
Gain	+ 16dB
THD + N	<0.1% (1kHz)
S / N	110dB
Impedance headphones recommended	60-600 Ω
Dimensions	220 x 140 x 95cm
Weight	2.60 Kg

Ah the beautiful tubes

Here are the goods. Power cable, usb a to usb c cable and a handy adapter.

Thankfully there is a user manual to help out the uninitiated

The tubes. Now i am getting excited.

A quick beauty glamor shot and then its time to settle in and listen to that tubey goodness

Price: $250

Well onto the sound.

I have had a few tube moments here and there with portable amps and larger units at shows and have always enjoyed that certain magic that comes with tubes.

Coming from ‘gasp’ a cassette and vinyl age it did take some time to accept the digital age of music. Admittedly it also took the digital age a while to mature and the gear to play it also some time to catch up.

Thankfully now we can have the best of both worlds with a ncie pure digital source filled with oodles of music and an amplifier that delivers a sound that is true to the original but doesnt shave off all the edges to a bland nothingness.

Of course the xduoo TA03S is an entry level tube amp and one can go further up the chain if one wants for a more involved and resolving sound experience.

I am getting sent some tube upgrades from a friend and also ordered some online to see what else i can squeeze out of this unit. The stock tubes are good enough, but you know, that last percentage and the joy of tinkering.

The S various differs from the first edition TA03 with a change from

Wolfson dacs to cirrus, also the xmos is upgraded.

The user manual is useful as the TA-03S has various uses not readily visible.

- RCA in from a dap etc

- USB-C in and RCA out

- You can also use the usb-c to bypass the tube system into an external amp utilizing the TA-03S dac.

Still with me? Good.

The Xduoo TA-03S is well balanced between the usual revealing cirrus dac chip and the smoothness and coloration of the tubes themselves.

It delivers a delightful listening experience, fairly laidback and inviting.

Resolution can depend on source also. I would recommend experimenting a bit with whatever different sources you find at home to find the right synergy.

One does not too warm as it will be less resolving and even possibly veer to muddiness nor too bright a source as some of that tubey goodness could be lost.

Its a bit of a balancing act.

Also experiment with the different inputs and see which works best with what you have to feed it.

Its a beginner set up for sure. A taster of possible things to come and improve on. But it is pleasing for a starter tube set up.

Whilst it might not be an all rounder and relish one in detail as well as tubey deliciousness and gives a one a bigger overall experience of the music.

One can be forgiven for just letting themselves go and enjoying the experience.

There is a time and a place for everything. One must find their own audio nirvana and for some it might be a sharp digital detail and transparency whilst for others it might be a more smooth, forgiving and rich sound.

Whatever your flavor there is something out there for everyone.

I found the xduoo as stock is a fun device to play with and have an enjoyable listen when just kicking back and wanting to chill to some tunes.

Also it motivates me to get out some headphones and give myself a break from iems for a change.

Changed to the upgrade tubes my friend sent me.

More smooth with better extension and detailing.

I think i prefer these.

The DX200 is a good source, reference. Lets there be a nice sense of space, transparency with coloration.

Definitely tube rolling is a fun pastime. I look forward to mixing and matching all the combinations i have so far.

Tubes: ‘Telefunken ribbed plate and a pair of matched Svetlana 1968 6s19Pi power tubes that are as good as they get for the Ta-03s. The Svetlana's are 10,000 hour rated if driven at full plate current and the Ta-03s is not driven that hard so they realistically should last the life of the amp if not mistreated’ - friend quote