Sound Summary
Disclaimer: this review has been conducted exclusively on ‘high’ gain mode and 4.4mm balanced.
The XA-02 is a warm-tilting amplifier with a natural and fluid-like edge to its attack and decay – the naturally resolving nature of the ESS ES9039Q2M DAC creates a highly natural and lifelike timbre to the music being played back, with a discernable leap in resolution and positioning.
Pairing 1: Campfire Audio Fathom
The Fathom is a north-of-neutral IEM, harnessting the pastiches of the analog age: emotive, enveloping with a portlier low-end and a highly-dynamic sound. The Fathom itself exhibits holographic layering, especially on the Z-axis, with a penchant for holographic imaging on a fairly wide lateral stage.
The xDuoo XA-2’s power output is, admittedly, overkill from a gain perspective — only 12 steps of volume is necessary for listenable volumes. Sonically, the Fathom’s technically impressive mid-bass punch and lower treble sparkle appear cleaner, with more definition as trailing notes are given extra emphasis. There’s also a noticeable but minor modulation to the lower midrange floor, giving the Fathom an even more romantic presentation.
Pairing 2: Drop X Campfire Audio Dark Stars
Borne out of a collaboration with Drop and Campfire Audio, the Darkstars is a densely bass-centric sound, not by sheer volume and heft, but by a disciplined and highly-textured low-end bolstered by a 10mm bio-cellulose diaphragm. At its core, it is more similar than dissimilar to the Fathom, boasting a warmish-neutral frequency response, albeit with a softer veil to its lower treble and a slower PRAT across its bass. Technicalities are similar, with the Dark Stars exhibiting similar positioning capabilities but in a more intimate setting.
The xDuoo XA-2’s power output is, again, overkill — only 13 steps of volume is necessary for listenable volumes. The Darkstars robust mid-bass slam and textural microdetail is enhanced with a leaner definition to subtle tones – instruments in the bariton region are more precise and distinct. The Dark Star’s mellow upper treble exhibits the same sweet sparkle but with a cleaner flourish with less ‘spray’ or splashiness that is commonplace with excessively tapered treble regions. Again, there’s an added touch of warmth and technical prowess with this pairing.
Pairing 3: Dita Mecha
The Dita Mecha is a serious powerhouse when it comes to macordynamics and resolving power for a single DD iem. The sheer physicality of its mid-bass exhibits a potent, outright slam and punch that is chesty and guttural. Buttressed by a crystalline and exuberant treble, the upper treble offers exceptional contrast and excitement to its already-impressive signature. Stereoscopic separation is flagship level, with distinct pans and sweeps presented cleanly across the Z-axis like a well-positioned pair of cabinet speakers.
Only 13 steps of volume are necessary for listenable volumes with the XA-02. Because the Dita Mecha utilises a single dynamic driver, the Mecha is highly responsive to power. Here, the XA-02 makes a marked improvement to the Mecha. How the bass compresses within its chamber displays a more plucky and bouncy character that scratches the bass itch more. The meatiness and body of the sub-bass feel more atmospheric, with a larger-than-life presentation, whilst enhancing its textural properties subtly. The Mecha’s metallic but sonorous upper-treble is tastefully supported by a clean elevation in the lower-midrage, acting as a natural shield that masks the harsher overtones populating the upper-treble.
Conclusive Remarks
The xDuoo XA-02 is both an affordable gateway drug to desktop amplification and DACs and a possible endgame setup for users who don’t want to fuss over higher-end or costlier options. The XA-02 is a versatile ‘all-in-one-solution’ with an agreeable and flexible sound that focuses on a natural timbre, note weight, and enhanced layering between audible cues. More importantly, it outputs copious amounts of power, even for the most stubbornly hungry of cans.
