In this review, I’m checking out the xDuoo DT-01 Phone DAC/Amp Dock. The DT-01 features an ES9038Q2M DAC chip, coaxial, optical and USB outputs and a headphone amplifier. It’s priced at $159.

Disclaimer: This sample was provided by Apos Audio for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.

xDuoo DT-01

In the Box

• xDuoo DT-01 base and backplate
• USB-C to USB-C cable
• Lightning to USB-C cable

Design & Functions

Crafted from high-grade aluminium, the xDuoo DT-01 is robust. Forget flimsy – this device feels reassuringly substantial in your hands. Weighing in at 0.4kg it sits securely on your desktop and feels premium to the touch.

The felt-covered backplate slots in magnetically and sits firmly in its slot. Moreover, if you have a phone with a metal chassis, it adheres magnetically to the backplate so it never wobbles or feels unstable when you use the touchscreen.

I’m not sure why they didn’t choose a 6.35mm headphone output considering the amount of power available. Speaking of which, the output power from the headphone amp is 350mW @ 32Ω which is enough to drive a wide variety of headphones.

An LED bar sits just below the phone shelf and glows different colours to indicate the current sample rate being played. There are 3 switches on the front of the unit. The first is a charging switch that lets you choose whether or not to charge the phone battery. The second is for power and the third switch selects USB or AUX output.

On the back of the unit a 3.5mm AUX, coaxial, optical and USB outputs, and 2 USB-C ports – one for data and one for power. Lastly, there’s a rotary dial on the right side of the device for volume control.

You can use the DT-01 as a digital USB transport and send the digital signal to an external DAC.

Internally, DT-01 has an ES9038Q2M DAC chip for decoding and an XMOS multi-core processor that supports up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and Native DSD256.

Sound

I tested the DT-01 with a wide range of IEMs and headphones, and overall, the performance was impressive. However, when paired with extremely sensitive IEMs, I noticed a perceptible pop during power on/off and a slight background hiss. The hiss was not present with most IEMs tested, only the most sensitive IEMs in my collection (like the SE6 Nebula).

The DT-01 has a neutral and unbiased sound signature, like most ES9038Q2M DACs that I’ve tested. With the right headphones, like my Sennheiser HD650, it has a wide soundstage that reaches the edges of the headspace. And in case you’re wondering – yes, the 350mW is enough to drive the HD650 albeit with limited headroom.

I found the DT-01 sounded detailed and transparent and it was able to highlight intricate details in recordings. It’s not the smoothest implementation of the ES9038Q2M I’ve heard but it’s as good as anything else under $200 and especially good if you’re looking for a DAC that doesn’t color the sound.

Verdict

Overall, the xDuoo DT-01 is a unique and versatile product, ideal for users who rely on their phone as their primary audio source. Its straightforward connectivity to desktop speakers, external amplifiers, and DACs makes it a highly convenient addition to any audio setup.

What stands out most about the DT-01 is its exceptionally high build quality, and its robust and premium feel. My only minor criticism is the volume dial on the side; a traditional volume knob on the front would be preferable, though this is not a deal-breaker. Given its reasonable price, the xDuoo DT-01 offers excellent value and functionality.

Specifications

• Power In: DC5V/2A
• Sampling Rate Display: Multi-color display
• Compliant OS: Windows/Linux/Mac OS X/IOS/Android
• Frequency Response:
  • USB: 20Hz~20kHz (±0.5dB)
  • AMP: 10Hz~80kHz (±0.5dB)
• Sampling Rate Support:
  • PCM: 16-32BIT/44.1-384KHZ
  • DSD: DOP/NATIVE, DSD64-256
• Output Parameters:
  • Coaxial:
    • Output Sampling Rate: PCM: 16-32BIT/44.1-384KHZ, DSD: DOP/NATIVE, DSD64-256
    • Output Level: 0dBFS
    • THD+N: 0.000008%
  • Optical:
    • Output Sampling Rate: PCM: 16-24BIT/44.1-192KHZ, DSD64 (DOP)
    • Output Level: 0dBFS
    • THD+N: 0.000008%
  • AUX OUT:
    • Output Level: 2.0Vrms
    • THD+N: 0.009% @ 1kHz
    • S/N: 115dB
    • Crosstalk: ≥89dB
  • Headphone Output:
    • Output Power: 350mW (32Ω load)
    • THD+N: 0.015% @ 1kHz
    • S/N: 113dB
    • Crosstalk: ≥65dB
• Size: 4.53×3.54×5.12in (11.5×9.0x13.0cm)
• Weight: 0.88lbs (0.4kg)