Why we like tubes, with xDuoo TA-26s

Choose your poison:

00:00 Intro
00:23 xDuoo TA-26s
05:30 Sound
13:54 vs Topping L70
21:42 Final thoughts

Test system:
Spirit Wind Speakers
Head-Fi:

#hifi #audiophile #dac #stereo

[mqljwiy]

You certainly have a gift at articulating the differences in the way things sound! I have never heard the sound of tubes articulated so well with such a perfect analogy…..Well done!

[lukasjanecka]

I did not see the figure skating analogy coming but I like it!
20 points to iiWindor for originality 😀

[shs]

To be honest changing the Tubes changes the sound quite a lot for me with the original TA-26. Best tube combo for me sofar is 6n8c military barrel anode for front tube and Zaerix 6080 for the power tube.
Using this with Ares II with latest update and it's great.
As a preamp you need to be aware that when connecting to power amps you will need some resistors (I use in-line), otherwise you won't be able to push the volume past 9 o'clock.
Don't connect it to an integrated unless you can bypass the internal preamp or you lose the tubiness.

[edverbeek]

Great comparison with the continuous flow of ice skating pairs!! Effortless gliding over perfectly smooth ice. Glossy tones.
I immediately understand what you mean.
So don’t stop talking about ice! 😊

[apparentlyretrograde]

This amp is fantastic. It plays nicely with Beyerdynamic 770 Pro 250 Ohms, Sennheiser x Drop 6XX (300 Ohms), and also in preamp mode gives its tube sound to any other amp. I have it patched through a Geshelli Labs Archel 3 Pro. It makes Focal Elegias, HIFIMAN Edition XS, as well as IEMS such as Moondrop Kato, RAPTGO HookX and Truthears ZERO RED sound great, imparting some of the tube spaciousness. It may not be able to increase the soundstage width of whatever headphones/IEMs you're listening with (obviously), but it takes full advantage of what's available.

[MaxKnoxwille]

Very nice and full review. Thank you so much!

[downnoutdubin]

Srboljub, my theory on why the distortion slowly settled in.. Heat increases electrical resistance. The resistance probably slowly got higher as the tubes warmed up while you were listening. Thanks for another great review!

[TheodoreBreaux]

Your review was both articulate and accurate. I find the TA-26 to be an excellent match with the popular Sennheiser HD-6XX, particularly for acoustical, jazz, and more "organic" styles of music in general. The TA-26 responds favorably to better quality tubes and performs nicely when used as a preamp. I am quite pleased with it.

[jamesschneider]

I just ordered a TA66 witch will be my first time experiencing a tube amplifier. Thank you for your description of the sound difference between solid state and tube sound. You are very informative and I appreciate that. I will see in a few days as my TA66 should arrive. I will be able to test the difference between it and my Ifi Zen signature 6XX. This will be fun. Thank you

[stasiastes]

I just listened to the three songs mentioned by you in this review. I compared how they sound on TA-26 (with an old Soviet 6sn7 tube) and how on a solid state Topping DX5 amp. I used Sivga SV023 headphones, with 300 ohms impedance. The Josh Ritter's and Gillian Welch's songs are beyond comparison. They sound so much more pleasant, deep and natural with the tube amp. And even The Prodigy by Luca Stricagnoli is quite pleasant, softened and more musical. However, with DX5 it is more realistic, harsh, but more natural and three-dimensional, and I prefer that version. In any case, they sound completely different, and it was a very interesting experiment. Thank you.

[CLaudiusClemensJimmy]

wow i'm newbie to tubes amps, i even don't remember ever try one 😢 but intrigue by many said about them, thank you for your explanation about it ohm & characteristics. God Bless 🙏

[dasninjastix]

I have two ZMFs and some 600 Sennys and I'd love to pair them with a tube amp whose pricing won't land me in divorce proceedings. "Smooth" or "continuous" I usually call "coherent" where the opposite end of that spectrum (for me) would be calling something over-separated or saying it lacked coherency. Too much coherency and I think you get what people call the three-blob effect. Too little coherency and the mix can sound chaotic. I tend to favor a track sounding like a sum of its parts vs. wanting to hear individual parts or stems. Both can be enjoyable imo but for longer listening I want a given song or track to come together. I think I want to get a bit more space and a little bit of echo-y reverb as well. Not sure if the TA-26s can get me there, maybe with certain swaps but tube hunting seem more art than science. Appreciate the review ✌

[jcisme]

Great to know about this and the K702's.. I have been looking at the TA-66 and have K702's..

[QuangNguyen-mdky]

Having the TA-26 as first OTL tube amp, paring with Senn HD650, Denon AH-D5200 and ATH-W5000, I can say those sound different but all is very good to my ears to the point that I don't need to look for other amps.
However, the only problem is its potentionmeter, it's crackling sound when turning the volumn and this problem seems to happen to other units as well. Aside from this, you have great asthetic and sounding amp for a reasonable budget.

[EvgeniyRC]

Hello. New review with a tube amplifier. It's good that manufacturers are trying to make such devices cheaper. More people will be able to appreciate the sound with vacuum tubes. It is still expensive to combine the best characteristics of solid state and tube amplifiers in one device. But I know that there are very worthy options. I ask you again to tell a large number of music lovers about Trafomatic Audio. Their amplifier head 2 is something unique. Good luck to you and more time and effort for interesting reviews of new products.

[matusjurcik]

Based on your description of the sound of the ta26s, in this sound character (liquidy smooth and connected). Among all solid state amps I have eve heard the ovidius B1 dongle dac and chord mojo could come closest, but ovidius and mojo is also capable in the transcience cleanliness and speed.

[siamxiii]

Changed bunch of amps before settling on original TA-26. Using it with Sivga SV023 and it gives me my ideal sound.

[wooddragon]

wow great review of this amp, and you nailed figure skating too.

[markhershberger]

You really are one of the best audio reviewers on the web. Thank you for sharing your enthusiasms and insights and wishing you the best.

[vaneast]

there is an openness and relaxed, spacious, tonally colourful, sound... 
with the correct pairing between high impedance headphones along with OTL amps.  
They are... as you say.... seductive - not analytical - but really hard to beat from the perspective of listening enjoyment