This amp challenged everything I thought I knew! xDuoo TA-66 review

xDuoo TA-66 OTL tube headphone amp and OTL pre-amp review including discussions of the tubes used, point-to-point wiring, comparisons with TA-26 and TA-26S, and my favourite headphone pairings.

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00:00 Introduction
00:40 Design & price
02:34 Tubes & power
03:51 Sound quality
04:18 TA-66 vs TA-26
09:14 Tube options
10:44 Headphone pairings

#audiophile #audioreview #tubeamp

[nunoferraz]

A Quality delivery.... always a pleasure hearing your review. Secondly, you are being faithful to the hobby by reviewing different price points. Well done.

[rbhis]

I know it was only a minor gripe, but there is a great reason for the power switch being on the back. I do that on my builds to keep power away from the audio signal. It’s a little inconvenient, but makes the rest of the build so much easier.

[bgav]

I just got my TA-66 yesterday from Apos. It's my first headphone tube amp. I'm loving it so far paired with HD650s, fed by the DAC in my Shanling EC3. The stock tubes sound great, and they aren't even close to being burned in yet, good soundstage, punchy, tight bass, warm midrange. Male and female vocals both sound excellent. I'm hooked.

[Nephilim-]

Lachlan. I love how you are finding value in HIFI at all price points. Well done. ❤.

[Artemis_Prix]

Hi Lachlan, absolutely thrilled to see you caption Tash Sultana on your channel! She is an incredible artist and her music is mesmerizing. Her Tiny Desk concert is truly amazing because you get to see a master at the top of her craft.

[MatthewDiFazio]

Love this! I’m a huge TA-66 fan myself, and am so happy with the recognition it’s getting. Thanks for the review, Lachlan. Have you tried the TA-22? It’s another fantastic product from xDuoo!

[dragonfire]

Just got my ta-66 yesterday. Using a Voskod 6n2p-EB and a Winged "C" 6H13C power tube. Sound quality is nothing short of amazing.

[CJDilag]

Enjoyed this one as always, Lachlan! Got my TA-66 a couple of days ago and on sale. Eagerly waiting for its arrival.

[ancientalien]

Your mic sounds really good in this video.

[datdudeinred]

Lol the intros are getting better & better. 😂❤
My brother lives in Australia so when i visit him i would love to meet you in person too 👊

[andrewgiovannini]

In an interview Rob Watts mentioned that the licensing cost to use the 4.4 connector was very high and cited it as the reason for not including it in the Mojo 2 to stay within their target for pricing. I wonder if the cost reduction mostly came from not including it on the TA 66. Nice review as always!

[MichaelBrown-ooym]

Nice review. You helped me decide on both TA66 and Burson Voyager deluxe . Right now I have ZMF Atrium, HE1000SE and JM Audio modded closed Hifiman. Looking forward to your follow up review of the Burson Voyager with the new power supply

[mtinhk]

Amazing review. Most tempted to get one to replace my Fosi P3. Got an HE-R9 in the past after listening to your review. Most happy with it. That was a brave one.

[SuperSeltzer]

There are lots of tube choices if you like to use the adapter. Any 5751 and 12AX7 would do nicely w/ adapter.

[russellnedland]

I ended up with that “Russian rocket” tube in the front and a Svetlana winged C in the back. Pretty magical.

[spamcan]

Wow, having point-to-point wiring that also doesn't look like absolute dog sh!t is a nice surprise. I wasn't expecting that at all. And I'm glad they decided to not chase power numbers. I really like the updated look but I still don't get why they kept that power switch on the back after all the attention to detail. Regardless it's a very nice unit.

[schoi]

Thank you Lachlan for another great review!! Cheers from Vancouver Canada

[OzSteve]

Great review. I ordered one of these last week and waiting on it to arrive. I have the 26 and 26s (and a few others from Xduoo) Be interested in the replacement from tube when you get your box.

[russellnedland]

This with a pair of Senn 6XX ROCKS!!! As far as tube rolling, you might gain soundstage, but tonaly it’s pretty good.

[BillyKueekSG]

Great review, again! I still have the original TA-26, just find that having the on/off switch in front for a tube amp makes more sense. The 6N8P replacements are easier. I have the Sylvania 6SN7GT, Ken-Rad 6SN7GTA, GE 6SN7, a Soviet OTK 6SN7 and my favorite being the Tungsol 6SN7GT Mouse Ears. I find it hard to get more options or better replacement for the 6N5P, only managed to get a Soviet Union 6H5C/6080, GE 6AS7 and Thomson-CSF 6080WA and none really delights me yet. I can so resonate with your statement “some nights everything just sounds amazing”, glad I am not alone. Any recommendations for the 6N5P replacement?