XDUOO TA-66 High-Performance Tube Amplifier

I have previously owned a considerably more expensive Cayin 300B amp (20 times the price of this). I’m using this as the headphone stage of my Astell&Kern CA1000T, into ATH R70X Refine open back (470ohm) with Audioquest Golden Gate ICs. Out of the box the tubes are very good, but when I added a 1950’s NOS RCA buffer tube it’s unbelievably good. No hyperbole here. It really is an unbelievable bargain. I’m typically sceptical about cheap ‘bargains’ as I’ve owned a few and they don’t last long, but this is really a steal. Point to point wiring and simple. Just make sure you buy some half decent cables / source / good match headphones. And don’t tell everyone or they’ll charge you $2k for it.

For the money this amplifier/preamp is a steal!Those complaining about output power need to understand what they are purchasing. It's an OTL and high impedance headphones are needed to get optimum preformance from it. There is a trick though if ones favorite headphones are low impedance; use the TA-66 as a preamp or 'tube stage' and run it into anothrr solid state headphone amp. I have a few of these and have even used one as a preamp into a power amp configuration.Also a 12AX7 or 6SN7 tube adapter can be used if there is concern about the stock 6N2 tube. That would give anyone plenty of options for tube rolling.

Please don’t pay attention to the negative comments in the reviews. I just purchased this amplifier January, 2024. First it’s a fantastic machine the sound is the best I have ever heard. You need a pair of headphones of at least 300 ohms or better to get the sound you are looking for. I use a pair of Sennheiser HD600s. The sound is fantastic. I also used a pair of Kali UP-UNF speakers and they pair perfectly. It’s created a level of sound quality that keeps you listening for hours and hours. I can’t recommend this amplifier, Speakers, and Headphones enough. All are available on Amazon at a good price. Headphones.com wants 449.00 currently for the HD600s while Amazon has them for 314.00. Speakers are 299.00, and the amplifier is 229.00. Don’t know how long these prices will last of President Trump has his way with the tariffs so don’t wait before you see the price jump drastically higher. I am just a music lover like you who choose to point out fantastic products hoping to help others obtain a better experience with music.

Great little amp, nothing like the distinguished tube sound. Smooth and a tiny bit mellow. Make sure you use fairly high impedance headphones.To be honest I probably would have gone with a different amp by this company that would work with a larger amount of different headphones. My 38 ohm Denons will not work with this but my 300 ohm Senheiser HD660s cans sound beautiful through this amp. I’ll be using this amp for years to come, with the streamer and DAC I am using to feed it.

I was kind of skeptical as this was my first inexpensive tube product. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of sound it help produce. It improved my Senn. 6xx. In addition, I used it as preamp to my vintage Pioneer amp and the combo was awesome. It definitely improved the sound stage and added warmth. I did upgraded the tubes that came with it. I found a General Electric tube for the larger tube and an Eastern European tube for the smaller one and it was magic and the tubes cost me under $30. Great value. Only thing I don’t know is how long will it last. It is small investment to experiment with the tube world. recommend it.

UPDATE: The seller and manufacturer took a fast response and sent a second unit, which is working perfectly well. Noise floor is acceptably low and the sound impact is amazing, I use this unit as a preamp/buffer for a small JLH1969 2x15W Class-A solid state amp, the combination not only has full bass but also very clear and defined mids and non-fatiguing highs. Overall I am very satisfied.PREVIOUS: When I power on the amp, the transformer immediately start making a loud buzzing/humming sound that can be heard across the room. If I connect it as a preamp, the same noise is audibly amplified by my power amplifier, resulting in a very disturbing bottom noise.Although it colors the sound the way I wished it would, making the soundscape more vivid and with fuller bass, I don't think I can use this item with the constant hum it generates.

No complaints. All the way from China in just 10 days. Much better separation and depth. Softened vocal consonants. Completely enlivened all forms of audio. What a bargain at just $219. I am a big tube fan now.Experiential update: Operating on the theory that more good is even better, I cranked the gain on this baby past 50% to 100% and the audio became unpleasantly distorted. Then I recalled that the theory of tubes is that they make the sweetness by distorting “pleasantly”. More distortion does not equal more pleasantness but merely distortion. So I experimented and concluded that 50% is sweet and more is not. Still love it!

Like the other reviewer, I got a unit with a loud hum on one channel unfortunately. I'll contact the seller for resolution and update the review based on response.Obviously having a loud hum even when no music is playing is unusable.