🔷 xDuoo MT-604

[gadgetgod]

Yeah man, they called me up at the custom centre showed me a huge file on my shipment and then they literally grilled me for the next 15-20 mins. Literally saying me you had the funds to buy a music player worth 2000$(they checked online price) but no 1700$ for getting it cleared? pay up or gtfo That day gave me a fever for the next few days. And i stopped importing Music Players directly

[Ohmboy]

@gadgetgod

1700$ for getting it cleared

Would be cheaper getting on a go pick it up yourself lol.

[gadgetgod]

Yeah can do 2-3 day trip package with family to hongkong hehe

[midimid]

@WaveTheory

However, you can adapt a 4.4mm pentaconn balanced headphone output to a single ended headphone connection. Here’s an example . The key is the 5th conductor on the pentaconn

How is the 4.4 → 1/4" adapter you’ve linked to any different from the 4-pin XLR → 1/4" TRS headphone output scenario I had originally suggested with the MT-604 (ignoring my dumber idea of single-ended source → balanced inputs)? Does it not have the 5th conductor?

i.e. something like this male 4-pin XLR → female 1/4"?

In the end, for less than $100 new, it sounds like the adapting is not worth pursuing and either the Loxjie P20 (cheapest balanced + unbalanced I’m seeing) or something unbalanced like the xDuoo 602 might be a best way to introduce myself to tubes based on what I have? Is there something better for $100-ish or less?

@WaveTheory

if the rated power output from the single ended output is less than the balanced output, that’s a balanced amp with a single ended output added for convenience but that single ended output will be significantly behind the balanced output sonically.

zeos’ review of the Loxjie does mention that the unbalanced is quieter than the balanced on the Loxjie.