UNLOCK New Dimensions In Your MUSIC with the XDUOO XD05 Pro DAC⧸Headphone Amp! 🎧

ByChris

United States of Analog | October 17, 2024

🎙️ Early Video Analysis

What this video is about:

  • [00:00:26-02:30] Host Bob discusses whether he should position himself as a “reviewer” vs “presenter” of audio gear, preferring the latter approach of highlighting products and encouraging viewers to do their own research
  • [00:02:30-04:45] Presents the XDUOO XD05 Pro DAC/headphone amp, describing it as a portable balanced DAC with swappable components that he’s been testing for a couple months

Gear, products, or brands discussed:

  • XDUOO XD05 Pro DAC/Headphone Amp [00:02:45]: $799, 1.7 pounds, 7¼” x 3¾” x 1¼”, 12-hour battery (5,000 mAh), swappable DAC chips and op-amps, balanced output, metal construction in battleship gray
  • Apos Audio [00:03:02]: Online retailer providing the unit for review, offers free shipping and easy returns

Host’s main opinions or takes so far:

  • [00:00:20] The XD05 Pro revealed new details in familiar music, bringing out a faint lead guitar in War’s “Low Rider” that he’d never noticed before
  • [00:01:39-02:03] Prefers being a “presenter” rather than “reviewer” – sharing highlights and letting viewers make their own decisions based on personal needs and budget
  • [00:02:42] Has been “having a blast” with the unit for a couple months
  • [00:04:24-04:45] Clarifies this is “throw-in-your-bag” portable rather than pocket or commute portable due to size and weight

Interesting vinyl records, albums, or music discussed:

  • “Low Rider” by War [00:00:05]: Host discovered a previously unnoticed faint lead guitar signature on the right side of the track when using the XD05 Pro

Funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes:

  • [00:02:02] “I’m kind of a cheap ass”
  • [00:02:32-02:35] “I get it. It’s kind of digital. Unleash the vitriol. Have fun. But hear me out.”
  • [00:03:27-03:33] Compares the device’s appearance to the HAL 9000 computer from “2001: A Space Odyssey”

Summary:

In this opening segment, host Bob from United States of Analog introduces his approach to the XDUOO XD05 Pro DAC/headphone amp while reflecting on his role as a content creator. He opens with an compelling example of how the device revealed new musical details in War’s “Low Rider” that he’d never noticed despite hearing the song countless times. This sets up his enthusiasm for the $799 unit, which he’s been testing for several months courtesy of Apos Audio.

Bob takes time to establish his philosophy as a “presenter” rather than a traditional reviewer, drawing on his 33-year background in radio and marketing. He prefers to highlight key features and encourage viewers to make their own purchasing decisions based on personal factors like budget, living situation, and musical preferences. This approach feels more authentic to him than making definitive recommendations about what people should buy.

The technical overview reveals the XD05 Pro as a substantial piece of equipment – weighing 1.7 pounds with impressive build quality, 12-hour battery life, and the flexibility of swappable DAC chips and op-amps. While marketed as portable, Bob clarifies this is more of a “throw in your bag for travel” device rather than something for daily commuting, setting realistic expectations for potential buyers about its practical portability.

⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis

What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this portion?

  • [00:05:14] XDUOO XD05 Pro DAC/Headphone Amplifier
  • [00:06:33] ES9039S DAC module (supplied)
  • [00:06:42] AKM4499EX DAC module (optional, $150)
  • [00:06:42] ROHM BD34301EKV DAC module (optional, $150)
  • [00:07:19] VIRM1 Planar headphones
  • [00:07:26] Audio-Technica x Apos R70X Refined headphones
  • [00:07:35] Weem Ultra Streamer (source)

What are the host’s key findings, verdicts, or opinions?

  • [00:06:11] Called the XD05 Pro package “a premium presentation” and was “really impressed”
  • [00:08:14] Found the ES9039S to be “a good chip,” “very listenable,” and “a great all-arounder”
  • [00:08:24] Praised the ES9039S as “extremely quiet, low noise chip that I thought was a good sound for me until I met the AKM4499”
  • [00:08:50] Acknowledged that “many of us would be hard-pressed to tell the difference in sound” between DACs due to very low deltas

Were there any listening tests or sound quality observations described?

  • [00:07:14] Used two sets of headphones for evaluations: VIRM1 Planars and Audio-Technica x Apos R70X Refined
  • [00:08:36] Noted that the AKM4499 “has a kind of a velvet sound in musical presentation”
  • [00:07:53] Described War’s music as having “dynamics, with lots of hidden nuances you might not have previously heard on FM radio”

Were there any price/value assessments?

  • [00:06:33] Optional DAC modules cost “about $150 each”

Any vinyl records, albums, or music discussed?

  • [00:07:41] Selected War as the test artist for this evaluation
  • [00:08:05] Recommended “a good copy of War’s greatest hits in any format”

Any audiophile tips, advice, or how-to content?

  • [00:06:25] Explained the modular DAC swapping process: “You just pop the screws below the hatch, remove the two screws on the module and swap it out”
  • [00:08:45] Cautioned about audiophile subjectivity: “Take away all the numbers and the tech specs, and many of us would be hard-pressed to tell the difference in sound”

Any memorable quotes or strong takes?

  • [00:06:25] “let’s do it because here is where you can play Audio God and start swapping out individual DACs”
  • [00:06:56] “Did you feel the power right there? It’s right there in your hands and now you have a completely different model”
  • [00:09:03] “we can be very influenced by the descriptions of other influencers. If Randy says a DAC has a velvet sound, then I’ll probably adopt that opinion since he’s heard a lot more DACs than me”

Summary

This portion of the video focuses on the technical features and modular design of the XDUOO XD05 Pro DAC/headphone amplifier. The host describes the device’s comprehensive connectivity options, including multiple input/output connections, three power modes for different headphone types, and both wired and Bluetooth capabilities. He emphasizes the premium presentation and included accessories that XDUOO provides with the unit.

The standout feature discussed is the device’s modular DAC system, which allows users to swap out different DAC modules by simply removing a few screws. The host explains that while the unit comes with an ES9039S DAC module, users can purchase additional modules like the AKM4499EX or ROHM BD34301EKV for around $150 each, effectively creating different sounding units. He positions this modularity as giving users godlike power over their audio experience.

For his listening evaluation, the host selected War as his test artist, praising their dynamic music with hidden nuances, and used two different headphones: VIRM1 Planars and the new Audio-Technica x Apos R70X Refined collaboration. He provides honest commentary about DAC differences, acknowledging that while the AKM4499 is described as having a “velvet sound,” the actual audible differences between DACs can be minimal, and consumers are often influenced by reviewers’ subjective descriptions rather than their own hearing.

🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict

What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this final portion?

  • XDUOO XD05 Pro DAC/Headphone Amp ($799) [00:12:42]
  • AKM 4499 DAC chip [00:09:21]
  • Roam BD34-301EKV DAC module [00:09:50]
  • RX-70s headphones [00:11:11]
  • Verum headphones (planars) [00:11:15]
  • Hammond organ (as reference for testing) [00:11:07]
  • Audio Technica (mentioned for headphone collaboration) [00:12:42]
  • Apos.audio (retailer mentioned) [00:12:31]

What is the host’s final verdict or conclusion?

The host concludes that while the XD05 Pro at $799 won’t be for every audiophile and has some portability limitations, it’s “a hell of a good time” and “transcends the FunFi category in just about every way.” [00:12:42-00:13:23] He describes it as having “tank-like build in a beautiful package” with tons of accessories.

Were there any final recommendations — buy, skip, or consider?

The host recommends the device for consideration and further research [00:13:02], suggesting viewers can explore more details at apos.audio.com [00:12:31]. He acknowledges it may be “too much audio umami” for some but “a thrilling adventure” for others [00:12:12-00:12:18].

Any final tips, caveats, or advice for viewers?

  • The device isn’t for every audiophile due to price and portability limitations [00:12:42]
  • May not appeal to those preferring dongle DACs [00:12:52]
  • The modular system offers “many different flavors without leaving our listening chair” [00:11:53]
  • He didn’t test op amp swapping due to skill concerns and since it wasn’t his unit [00:11:57-00:12:09]

How did the video wrap up?

The video wrapped up with a standard YouTube outro where the host thanks viewers for their time [00:13:27], mentions YouTube’s algorithm will suggest the next video [00:13:38], and encourages clicking to support the channel and expand audio knowledge [00:13:49]. He closes with “I’ll see you next time in the United States of Analog” [00:13:57].

Memorable closing quotes or strong final opinions

  • “The AKM has my heart, but the Roam has my attention” [00:10:21]
  • “I don’t always want to analyze the music, but I do want to feel it” [00:09:34]
  • “Oh man, where has this thing been all my life?” (about the Roam DAC) [00:10:08]
  • “These are small things, but important things to us few remaining holdouts that seek total musical enjoyment and discovery” [00:11:24]

Summary

In this final portion, the host reveals his preference for the AKM 4499 DAC chip, explaining he values its “vintage rock and roll sound” over pure clarity because he wants to “feel” the music rather than just analyze it. However, he becomes enamored with the Roam BD34-301EKV DAC module, which he describes as delivering incredible detail without losing the dynamics he loves. He shares specific examples of discovering new musical details in familiar tracks like War’s “Low Rider,” where he noticed a faint lead guitar signature he’d never heard before in thousands of listens.

The host emphasizes the modular nature of the XD05 Pro as its key strength, allowing users to experience “many different flavors” of sound signatures through swappable DAC chips and op-amps. He tested the device with different headphones (RX-70s and Verum planars) and found each combination offered unique sonic characteristics. While he didn’t experiment with op-amp rolling due to skill concerns and the borrowed nature of the unit, he was already “pleasantly exhausted” by the sonic possibilities.

He concludes by positioning the $799 XD05 Pro as a consideration rather than a universal recommendation, acknowledging its limitations in portability and appeal compared to dongle DACs, but praising its “tank-like build” and comprehensive accessory package. The host suggests it “transcends the FunFi category” and directs interested viewers to apos.audio for more information, wrapping up with a standard YouTube outro encouraging continued engagement with his channel content.

Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.

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