Hi marc! I was thinking to do the same, what powerstage have you connected the TA-26 to? What is the powerstage input impedance? I Have a Primare class D amp (A35.2) that needs warmth. best regards Mikael
@@MaksKCS Warm and tube-y as advertised. I didn't have any issues with the USB-C connection. This is the warmest tube amp I have yet heard, though I have only heard about 4 or 5.
I use a Darkvoice as a pre for my 2 channel It widens the soundstage Gives a huge headroom And accentuates dynamics Over all 20% improvements with some GE NOS double black plate pre tube Love it!!!
Not all tubes add warmth. Some can be bright and analytical. Just because it has a tube does not mean much...listen before buying. The tubes that do add warmth usually cost more when rolling.
How is this amp not being hyped all over the community. It’s a true mirror for the whatever tubes you put in it, it changes sound depending on the tubes even more so than the little dot mk2 or the darkvoice in my opinion - you can literally tube role and change the sound signature without buyer remorse lol you will justify spending on tubes
I dont use a desktop, my playback device is an ipad pro, so anything I use for music has to have usb-c/usb-a capability. Great video Z. Been following you since the shit on schord moho days.
Just got my ta-84 yesterday love it there’s some noise when going above halfway volume on high gain but heard that’s pretty norm for tubes can’t hear it when actually listening 💯 % worth plus it looks cool
Absolutely only use usb cable on my headphone amp as it comes directly from laptop into Focal Arche dac/amp perhaps if I had separate dac and not dac amp then it would be phono cables. I’m trying to find a good tube headphone amp as they give a different presentation of the sound however the Arche is a very capable amp as it is so will need to be something that at least can compete with it or it won’t get used
Hey z did you get rid of your thx 789 amps? Was the first amp I bought along with a modi and I thought It was WAYY to professional sounding. Not really a fan. I could see it being an amazing mix & mastering tool. But I thought it was a bit harsh
Your ongoing complaints about USB is a "Z" issue. Your constant swapping of dac's is the underlying weakness of your USB experience. Not all USB cables or USB ports are the same. For those who have a stable selection of dac's (see my current list below), the initial troubleshooting resolves any issues. The ports on phones and older pc hardware have an even larger variability of purpose (data, charging and audio is third order of priority). Phone USB audio software also has many weaknesses. Topping DX7 Pro (Pre-Amp with Burson Vivid v.6) Topping DX7 Pro (Pre-Amp with Sparkos OPamps) Topping DM7 Topping A90 Topping A90D Topping Ext90 Topping EHA5 Schiit Gungnir Fostex HPBA4 LG V20 LG V60
I've modded my Bottlehead Crack to embed DAC just for the sake of having one box on the table. It still has separate RCA input if I want some other DAC. This amp is basically doing the same, it makes a lot of sense to me. Also, about PSVane. The big tubes from them are popular. But small tubes are a known garbage, cheapest imaginable afaik
@freemaleon No bypass built in, but I don't need that. I needed something to fill out/warm up the sound a bit & the MT-603 does that. It's active at all times if it's turned on & it's fed with 12V DC. It does get hot. I've got it in between my J2 & A70 Pro now. I can also tell you, it doesn't add any audible noise to the signal. It's dead quiet. No hissing no humming.
I believe Psvane is pronounced as PA - VAR - NAY ? I asked them directly and I'm not sure even they know. I had USB cable mysteries with my TA-22. It wont use QED reference or Furutech USB cables but only works with it's supplied cable...
Exactly! Same boat I am in. Either by my phone (impossible to find lightning adapter dongles) or my ipad (USB-C). What USB-C cable are you using? Are you using the TA-84 as DAC/AMP. Was eyeing the schiit valhala 2 with the bitfrost but its hard to beat 350 bucks for the xduoo.
You are actually bringing "the soul" of the tubes in the next amp with the TA-26 as well. You just need to plug it into a power amp and not just daisy chain it into an integrated.
If only he actually compared and takled about the sound of the amp itself instead of just talking about the pre outs... I love Zeos but this TA-84 whatever it was, was not very good.
@@OfficialLeoEdits Yea probably. PSVane tubes are good but the ones in the 84 are cheap PSVane tubes and the power output is lower than the TA-30 and the TA-26. I don't think the 84 will actually outshine the 26 for what it does but it's really hard to get good OTL amps at a low price when you end up having to tube roll into more expensive tubes. The market is such that just buy a more expensive used tube amp that has better component and better stock tubes to offset the increase in price. At least, that is what I have experienced.
![Speaker Amps FOR CHEAP.. [Links Fixed]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Bfd_LRrAhA8/mqdefault.jpg)
![Speaker Amps FOR CHEAP.. [Links Fixed]](/img/tr.png)
The stock Xduoo-branded tubes in the TA-22 are also made by PS-Vane - compare the two and you'll see that they're constructed identically.
XDuoo makes some nice stuff. I have the TA-26 as a stereo preamp. Great sound.
Hi marc! I was thinking to do the same, what powerstage have you connected the TA-26 to? What is the powerstage input impedance? I Have a Primare class D amp (A35.2) that needs warmth. best regards Mikael
I use the integrated DAC and have had no issues on the TA-84!
Estimated shipping date is December 22nd for the Drop TA-84, I can’t wait, Zeos!
My TA-84 arrives on Sunday. Gonna be my first tube amp that actually sounds tube-y. Can't wait.
Please let us know your thoughts
How is it?
@@MaksKCS Warm and tube-y as advertised. I didn't have any issues with the USB-C connection. This is the warmest tube amp I have yet heard, though I have only heard about 4 or 5.
@@TonkyTronicus I'm probably getting this one as well for the tungstens
I use a Darkvoice as a pre for my 2 channel
It widens the soundstage
Gives a huge headroom
And accentuates dynamics
Over all 20% improvements with some
GE NOS double black plate pre tube
Love it!!!
You just made me want the drop.
Not all tubes add warmth. Some can be bright and analytical. Just because it has a tube does not mean much...listen before buying. The tubes that do add warmth usually cost more when rolling.
How is this amp not being hyped all over the community. It’s a true mirror for the whatever tubes you put in it, it changes sound depending on the tubes even more so than the little dot mk2 or the darkvoice in my opinion - you can literally tube role and change the sound signature without buyer remorse lol you will justify spending on tubes
I dont use a desktop, my playback device is an ipad pro, so anything I use for music has to have usb-c/usb-a capability. Great video Z. Been following you since the shit on schord moho days.
Good afternoon ☕️
I’m still running the craziness that is the Xduoo 604 …and I’m ok …but this set up looks very interesting 🧐
Just got my ta-84 yesterday love it there’s some noise when going above halfway volume on high gain but heard that’s pretty norm for tubes can’t hear it when actually listening 💯 % worth plus it looks cool
29:45 was there a follow up on preamping tungsten with the Ta-84?
I know he did it with the the Black Ice Ares.
Absolutely only use usb cable on my headphone amp as it comes directly from laptop into Focal Arche dac/amp perhaps if I had separate dac and not dac amp then it would be phono cables. I’m trying to find a good tube headphone amp as they give a different presentation of the sound however the Arche is a very capable amp as it is so will need to be something that at least can compete with it or it won’t get used
Hey z did you get rid of your thx 789 amps? Was the first amp I bought along with a modi and I thought It was WAYY to professional sounding. Not really a fan. I could see it being an amazing mix & mastering tool. But I thought it was a bit harsh
Your ongoing complaints about USB is a "Z" issue. Your constant swapping of dac's is the underlying weakness of your USB experience. Not all USB cables or USB ports are the same. For those who have a stable selection of dac's (see my current list below), the initial troubleshooting resolves any issues. The ports on phones and older pc hardware have an even larger variability of purpose (data, charging and audio is third order of priority). Phone USB audio software also has many weaknesses.
Topping DX7 Pro (Pre-Amp with Burson Vivid v.6)
Topping DX7 Pro (Pre-Amp with Sparkos OPamps)
Topping DM7
Topping A90
Topping A90D
Topping Ext90
Topping EHA5
Schiit Gungnir
Fostex HPBA4
LG V20
LG V60
What USB-C cable do you recommend? I use ipad pro for my playback device.
Correction the Questyle Fifteen does have analog in. The Twelve does not.
Correct
I've modded my Bottlehead Crack to embed DAC just for the sake of having one box on the table. It still has separate RCA input if I want some other DAC. This amp is basically doing the same, it makes a lot of sense to me.
Also, about PSVane. The big tubes from them are popular. But small tubes are a known garbage, cheapest imaginable afaik
dt880 600ohm work with the drop/xduoo otl would be amazing to hear thats my dream setup is 600 ohm goodness
How does the P3 sound with the hd560s? Does it help it like normal tube amps?
Psvane is the Walmart/Target of tubes, really. Linlai is currently the upscale manufacturer in China.
So who are the Menards/Walgreen?
@@ZReviews Golden Voice
I am waiting on the Xduoo MT603 tube buffer passive preamp. I want to run it in front of my TA26 & see if it adds any extra tube soundstage mojo.
Does MT603 have true bypass. If you turn it off on the switch, does it bypass tubes?
@freemaleon No bypass built in, but I don't need that. I needed something to fill out/warm up the sound a bit & the MT-603 does that. It's active at all times if it's turned on & it's fed with 12V DC. It does get hot. I've got it in between my J2 & A70 Pro now. I can also tell you, it doesn't add any audible noise to the signal. It's dead quiet. No hissing no humming.
Z, I need a USB adapter. "ddhifi" and "ifi" to the rescue. Best, D.
Compare the P3 to the Aiyima T7. The T7 can use better tubes.
I believe Psvane is pronounced as PA - VAR - NAY ? I asked them directly and I'm not sure even they know. I had USB cable mysteries with my TA-22. It wont use QED reference or Furutech USB cables but only works with it's supplied cable...
Don't you even start with that Pavarneh..
z how long have you had those 600's for? Do you think you'll have to get a new pair anytime soon?
The only reason I would buy this would be to use USB cable
Exactly! Same boat I am in. Either by my phone (impossible to find lightning adapter dongles) or my ipad (USB-C). What USB-C cable are you using? Are you using the TA-84 as DAC/AMP. Was eyeing the schiit valhala 2 with the bitfrost but its hard to beat 350 bucks for the xduoo.
Anybody familiar with the name WOLFSON regarding DAC (QUAD DACS)? Any good, or cheaper better ones out there??
Meier Corda Daccord is really solid
Is there any real tube headphone dac/amp up to 300$ ? Not a buffered one…
I mean this one.. The DAC option puts you at a severe disadvantage. Just get a raw tube amp and dac it separate.
"YES" "TYGR's".
Peepee.
You are actually bringing "the soul" of the tubes in the next amp with the TA-26 as well. You just need to plug it into a power amp and not just daisy chain it into an integrated.
This or TA26S as HP AMP ?
If only he actually compared and takled about the sound of the amp itself instead of just talking about the pre outs... I love Zeos but this TA-84 whatever it was, was not very good.
@@Prism_JTNIf he doesn’t mention sound, it means he doesn’t think it’s worth talking about aka it’s meh
@@OfficialLeoEdits Yea probably. PSVane tubes are good but the ones in the 84 are cheap PSVane tubes and the power output is lower than the TA-30 and the TA-26. I don't think the 84 will actually outshine the 26 for what it does but it's really hard to get good OTL amps at a low price when you end up having to tube roll into more expensive tubes. The market is such that just buy a more expensive used tube amp that has better component and better stock tubes to offset the increase in price. At least, that is what I have experienced.
I will pull the TA26 out and do a direct compare in the future. I also want to play a bit more with different tubes.
The chaos of this video is very off-putting. All over the place... :(
So what we're saying is get a crack instead.
I do not now or never have condoned the uses of drugs for the improvement of music. Oh wait you're talking about the tube amp.. MAYBE, do crack.