Audiophile Week sale at Massdrop (18 options)

If you are a fan of Massdrop or the specific headphones they sell, you are in luck, they are currently running an Audiophile week sale with 18 options. We break them down by product type:

Over Ears
+ 1More Triple Driver open-back for $140
+ Massdrop X Beyerdynamic DT 177X GO for $349
+ Drop + Dan Clark Aeon Closed X for $379
+ Drop + Dan Clark Aeon Open X for $399
+ Massdrop x FOCAL Elex for $549

In-Ears
+ Moondrop KXXX for $152
+ Mangird Tea for $260 (PRO TIP: you can’t make tea with these!)
+ Westone W80-V3 for $750
+ IKKO OH7 for $799

Truly Wireless
+ Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 PRO for $85

DAC/amps
+ Drop + THX AAA One linear amp for $159
+ DarkVoice 336SE OTL amp for $260
+ Drop + THX AAA 789 linear amp for $219
+ XDuoo TA-10R tube DAC/amp in red for $285

Accessories
+ Dekoni Bulletz tips for $13
+ ADV dual suspension stand for $25
+ ADV dual stand (hanger style) for $35

XDuoo XD-05 DAC/Amp for $160 [MD]

Massdrop is back here again with another live offer, running for the next five days and change, it is the return of the new condition XDuoo XD-05 DAC/Amp offered for $160 with free US shipping. International shipping is under $15, varying a little by location. It is available in your choice of silver or black color scheme.

It has three inputs (USB, 3.5mm, SPDIF) and 3.5mm audio output, in addition to (of course) the headphone output on the front. It supports up to DXD and DSD ~ in addition to PCM of course. Its discussion at MD has over 1000 posts, and it has 21 customer reviews over there with an average of over 4 out of 5…

Orders will ship from Massdrop in late May 2019. There’s no mention of warranty in the listing ~ other than to say that a warranty card is included in the box.

Curiosity item: XDuoo EP1 In-Ears for $20

This is a curiosity item as this is the first time I’ve seen this while searching for xDuoo DAP-n-DAC-n-amps. There’s an xDuoo IEM! It’s the new condition EP1 in-ears going for $20, sold by a marketplace seller with the order fulfilled by Amazon, so Prime members get free 2-day shipping on it. There are only two units available as of the time of writing.

Per the listing these come with a 1.2 meter cable, they have 16 ohm impedance, 10mm dynamic driver, L-type 3.5mm connector and such. There’s no mic/remote. The eartip options are shown in picture #4 in the gallery over there, and the cardboard packaging in picture #6.

xDuoo TA-10 Balanced Headphone DAC/Amp for $240 [MD]

Another offer has “blossomed” (okay, unlocked) at the members-only Massdrop, it is the new condition xDuoo TA-10 Balanced Headphone DAC/Amp going for $240 with free US shipping. The offer runs for the next four days and change from blog posting time. It will ship in early May from Massdrop with all sales final as usual. There is no mention of warranty in the listing.

xDuoo TA-01 DAC/Amp for $120 [MD]

Another new offer has unlocked at the members-only but free-to-join Massdrop, it is the new condition xDuoo TA-01 DAC/Amp offered for $120 with free US shipping. Orders will ship in mid-April from Massdrop with all sales final. The offer runs for the next four days and change (from blog-posting date)…

xDuoo TA-01 DAC/Amp for $120 w/free S&H [MD]

Running for the next four days and change (as of posting time here), you can get the new condition xDuoo TA-01 DAC/Amp for $120 with free US shipping at the members-only but free-to-join Massdrop. These will ship in late February 2018 from Massdrop, with all sales final. There is no mention of warranty in the listing.

They take RCA and USB audio inputs, and output audio via RCA or a 1/4″ headphone jack. There is only one pair of RCA, its use depends on the audio situation (they are an input for the headphone-amp, and an output for the DAC).

Xduoo X3 DAP for $76 w/free S&H [from China]

If you don’t mind waiting, or paying extra for faster shipping, GearBest is having a sale on the new condition XDuoo X3 digital audio players. The silver color schemes goes for $76, while the black color scheme goes for $80. With free slow shipping from China. The gold color scheme is not on sale.

Their button placement may be a unusual if you are used to the more symmetric digital audio players, so you may want to do some “usage visualations” to make sure you are okay with their positioning ๐Ÿ™‚

xDuoo Nano D3 DAP for $75 w/free S&H [MD]

More action on the Massdrop front, the xDuoo Nano D3 digital audio player is unlocked for $75 with free shipping for the next four days and change. This will ship in early February 2018, with all sales final. There is no mention of warranty in the listing.

This can play up to DSD 256, has a microSD slot (up to 256GB), a 2-inch IPS screen, 8GB on-board storage, and around 20 hours battery life.

XDuoo X3 Digital Audio Player for $85 [MD]

Another offer is now unlocked at members-only but free-to-join Massdrop. It is the new condition XDuoo X3 Digital Audio Player going for $85 with free USA shipping. The offer runs for the next four days and change from blog-posting time.

Three color choices are available at checkout. It will ship in late January 2018 from Massdrop and all sales are final.

If you don’t want to wait for that long, $100 will get it you faster, there is a fulfilled by Amazon seller, so Prime members get it in around two days.

xDuoo Nano D3 Digital Audio Player for $75 to $80 w/FS

Another new offer has gone live (and fully unlocked) at Massdrop, it is the new condition xDuoo Nano D3 Digital Audio Player offered for $75 with free shipping in early January 2018. They will ship from Massdrop, and all sales are final.

Separately this is offered for $80 with free shipping by Penon Audio on eBAY, shipping from Hong Kong. Depending on where you are geographically, this may get to you a lot faster than Massdrop.

XDUOO XD 05 DAC/amp for $150 (ships from China)

Patience is a portable virtue! If you don’t mind waiting for it to arrive from China (or paying extra for faster delivery), the new condition XDUOO XD 05 portable DAC/amp is now on sale for $150 with free slow shipping from China at GearBest. There’s also an optional combined purchase discount, and this purchase amount allows to buy “Add On” items (yes, Amazon is not the only one with “Add On” things).

It has full size USB audio input (separate microSD for charging), optical/coax, and 3.5mm IN/OUT on the back. It has gain and bass boost buttons on the front, along with a volume dial, and a little OLED display showing data source details (not song playing, but basic technical of the signal).

XDuuo DAP 11.11 sales (ship from China)

Xduoo too is participating in the Gearbest sales. Four of their DAPs are currently on sale with free shipping from China, including their X2 DAP for $34, their X3 DAP for $76, the X10 HD for $120, and the X10T for $204. They also have their XD-05 DAC/amp going for $150.

XDuoo X3 DAP for $83 to $90

If you are comfortable buying from non-famous eBay sellers, the XDuoo X3 digital audio player (DAP) is offered in new condition for $83~ with free shipping by eBay seller OverSeaOutlet (99.1%, New Jersey). Two units are available as of the time of writing.

If you prefer a more better known seller, Massdrop has it running for $90 with free shipping, available in three different color options. The sale runs for the next five days, it will ship end of June 2017, and as usual, “all sales final”.

XDuoo XD-05 DAC/Amp for $170 [MD]

With two days to go in the offer, the XDuoo XD-05 DAC/Amp is fully unlocked for $170 with free shipping (what a luxury) at members-only Massdrop. It ships mid-June 2017. The price is almost similar to buying from random eBay sellers when you factor in shipping, and like those, “all sales final”, so keep that in mind if you like to return things you don’t like instead of selling/trading/keeping/gifting them.

NuForce Primo8 In-Ears for $200 + S&H

It’s Nuforce time at Massdrop (MD), the Primo8 In-Ears go for $200 plus shipping and handling, with the offer running for the next three days, and shipping late May 2017. All sales are final on this offer too, which will ship from MD, and carries a one-year warranty per the listing.

Also unlocked there, but with two days to go, is the XDuuuuooo X10 digital audio player going for $140 with free shipping on this critter. It takes two microSD cards, has a dedicated LineOUT (optical). The volume buttons are on the side on their own, the power button is not near by, so you don’t have the accidental power-button presses when trying to change the volume like you get with many smartphones and some other DAPs (eg Fiio X1 on the left hand side).

PS: a new installment of This Week In Headphoolia should be posted by late Sunday night.

XDuoo X2 DAP for $43 [MD] or $50 [Now]

The XDuoo X2 digital audio player (DAP) is offered for $40 with $3~ flat shipping at members-only but free-to-join Massdrop for the next seven days. It is estimated to ship in late March from Massdrop… If you can’t wait until then, you can get it in two days if you are a Prime member for $50 by a marketplace seller, with the order fulfilled by Amazon

XDuoo XD-05 DAC/Amp for $178 [MD]

Another DAP is live at the members-only Massdrop shopping service, the XDuoo XD-05 DAC/Amp is unlocked at $170 plus $8~ flat shipping. This runs for the next seven days and it is expected to ship end of February 2017. Detailed specs are in the listings over there.

xDuoo TA-01 DAC/Amp for $139 [MD]

Massdrop action again, the xDuoo TA-01 DAC/Amp is fully unlocked for $130 plus $9~ shipping with six days to go in the offer (ends around 1/6/17), with a direct shipment from MD at the very end of January 2017. This has a little tube on top (12AU7).

XDuoo XD-05 DAC/Amp for $168 [MD]

Unlocked at Massdrop, the XDuoo XD-05 DAC/Amp is going for $160 plus $8~ flat shipping in the next six days or so. This is available in black or silver. It has a display and even includes …wrist bands. They will ship late October 2016.

If you prefer a lower price and are willing to buy directly from China, it goes for under $160 with free shipping from GearBest and Everbuying.

Speaking of Massdrop, with just one day left, the Colorfly C3 Digital Audio Player is going for $45 plus $3~ flat shipping. You can optionally upgrade to the 8GB version for +$10. It does have a memory card slot too, so the on-board storage is not such a big deal (think Sandisk Clip+).

Massdrop Unlocked Trio: XDuoo X3 DAP for $98 and more

A trio of new offers are currently fully unlocked at members-only Massdrop, with all three offers having about seven days to go from today. They are:

  • XDuoo X3 DAP for $94 plus $4 shipping
  • FX Audio DAC-X6 DAC/amp for $62 + $8 S&H
  • SMSL Ivy Micro-USB DAC/Amp for Android for $20 + $3 S&H (this is tiny)

Shipping estimate is early-to-mid October 2016, a slightly different date for each one of the above items.

NOTE: The SMSL Android model requires a micro-USB port (we have to say that now that USB-C is becoming more common) and the phone must have the necessary support for audio to flow through the micro USB port).

XDuoo X2 Digital Audio Player for $47 [MD] or $50 Now

There is a choice in this offer! If you like to pay a lower price and don’t mind waiting until late August 2016, you can get the XDuoo X2 Digital Audio Player for $44 plus $3~ flat shipping from Massdrop. It is currently fully unlocked with six days left (from blog-posting date, not the date you are reading this ~ MD does not post a specific end time, so I don’t know exactly when it expires).

If you can’t wait that long, or you don’t want to deal with a members-only shopping website, fear not, for $3 more, you can have it in your pocket in as little as two days, depending on how close you are to an Amazon facility and whether you are a Prime member. To cut a long story short, it is offered for $50 by Andoer, with the order fulfilled by Amazon, so it is Prime-eligible.

PS: the first picture at Amazon makes it look like it is pancake-flat. It is not! Check the other pictures, it is DAP-chunky like a Fiio ๐Ÿ™‚

XDuoo XQ-10 Portable Amp for $27 shipped [MD]

A new offer is now fully unlocked at members-only Massdrop, the XDuoo XQ-10 Portable Amp (a Fiio E6 type of a competitor) is on sale for $23 plus $4 flat shipping. It is available in silver or black. Close-ups of the ports and buttons are shown there. Shipment estimate is reasonable, late June 2016.

XDuoo X3 Digital Audio Player for $104 [MD]

This is one of the cases where buying from Massdrop can be a big plus, because I haven’t been able to find this selling from a USA retailer and not shipping from China. So if you are interested in the XDuoo X3 Digital Audio Player, you can get it for $100 plus $4~ flat shipping from Massdrop. Three color options are available for this DAP that has two microSD slots (up to 128GB each). Offer ends in eight days from today and ships June 30 (2016) which is pretty reasonable.

This critter can also support Rockbox (see giant thread on the topic; the usual caveats apply when trying 3rd-party software). This has a different button/design philosophy than the Fiio DAPs, so if you don’t like their approach, this might be an alternative.

With storage prices dropping, you can easily get name-brand 128GB microSD cards for $30 without even waiting for a sale, or you can get 64GB cards for $15 or less.

Massdrop Unlocked: B-Stock AKG K267 Tiesto for $130 [and other offers]

Another day, another burst of offers at members-only (but free to join) Massdrop. Fully unlocked already (= lowest price under this offer) are the AKG K267 Tiesto DJ headphones in B-Stock condition for $130 with free shipping. A Massdrop representative in their forums [only logged-in Massdrop members can read it] describes these as:

“So basically, these were sitting in a warehouse, waiting to be sold, then someone within AKG decided they needed to update the packaging for this headphone. These units have never been opened, returned, scratched, dented, or anything else. Thier packaging is out of date, thatโ€™s it.”

Also added, not fully unlocked as of the time of writing, but they have 6-7 days (from blog-posting time) to get there are:

* xDuoo TA-03 DAC/Amp as low as $260 shipped
* DarkVoice 336SE OTL Headphone Amp as low as $235 shipped
* Firestone Audio Headphone Stand as low as $40 shipped

Massdrop Unlocked: ZY Cable for Sennheiser HD-5xx for $25 shipped [also: xDuoo, Sony DAP]

Fully unlocked with seven days to go (as of blog-posting date) on members-only Massdrop are the ZY Cables for the Sennheiser HD598 and 595 and 558 and 518 headphones, going for roughly $25 shipped.

Also added there, but not fully unlocked as of writing time are the xDuoo TA-01 DAC/Amp (RCA, USB inputs) that could go as low as $135 shipped, and the Sony NWZ-A17 Walkman digital audio player that could go as low as $260 shipped.

Massdrop: Fostex, SoundMagic, xDuoo

Fostex the people! (I can’t resist making that music pun). Added at Massdrop, but not fully unlocked yet are the Fostex TE-05 in-ears that could go as low as $125 shipped. Also added, also not fully unlocked as of the time of writing, but have seven days to go (as of blog-posting date) are the SoundMAGIC PL21 IEMs that could go as low as $17~ shipped, and the xDuoo TA-03 DAC/Amp that could go as low as $260 shipped.

Fully unlocked at Massdrop: xDuoo TA-01, Calyx PaT, Havi B3 Pro

Never a dull moment at members-only but free-to-join Massdrop. The latest offers added there three items that are fully unlocked (translation: the lowest price possible during this offer). They expire in about 4-5 days from blog-posting date (not the day you are reading this). They are (with prices below including shipping but not taxes since I can’t calculate those for every State):

  • Havi B3 Pro IEMs for $50 with free shipping
  • xDuoo TA-01 DAC/Amp (RCA red/white) for $135 shipped
  • the lady in red, the Calyx Audio PaT DAC/Headphone Amp (USB) for $90 shipped
  • Keep in mind, Massdrop products take a while to ship, so if you need them for a vacation or special occasion, do the math and play it safe

Massdrop: xDuoo TA-02 Tube Amp as low $90

Added to Massdrop recently, and with about five days to go from blog-posting date is the xDuoo TA-02 Tube Amp that could go as low as $80 plus $10 flat shipping. It already has 6 out of the 15 needed to fully unlocked this price.

Massdrop: lots of items added, Gustard and PS Audio fully unlocked

Members-only but free to join site Massdrop has a number of new offers added the last few days. The offers mentioned in this post expire in 6-7 days from blog-posting date. Of those added, the PS Audio Sprout DAC/amp is fully unlocked for $510 shipped, and the GUSTARD H10 amp for $312~ shipped. On the budget front, the Brainwavz S1 Earphones go for $28~ shipped. Not headphone related, but the U-Turn Audio Orbit Basic + Cue is also unlocked, for $195 shipped. The rest of the items are not unlocked as of the time of writing, but they have plenty of time left to go.

[Read more…]

Massdrop: STAX, Moe, xDuoo

More action at Massdrop, three more items got added, with their offers expiring in about seven days from blog-posting date. As of the time of writing, none of them are fully unlocked. They are:

* STAX SRS-3170 Electrostatic Earspeaker System as low as $1010 shipped
* Moe Audio MOE-SS01 IEMs as low as $42~ shipped
* xDuoo TA-01 DAC/Amp as low as $135 shipped

Massdrop: JayBird BlueBuds X Sport (BT) for $115

A number of new offers have been posted at members-only Massdrop today. All the items mentioned below end in about seven days from today (with today being the blog-posting date, not the date you reading this). Of them, the JayBird BlueBuds X Sport are fully unlocked (the lowest price possible) going for $110 plus $5 shipping. The lowest price at amazon is $122 at the moment.

The rest are not unlocked (= reaching their lowest price possible during this offer) as of the time of writing (shipping is included in the price mentioned below):

+ SYUN MIX-1 budget IEMs as low as $24 (go for $33 at amazon by Lend Me UR ears)
+ Spracht Konf-X ANC Buds as low as $52.50
+ xDuoo TA-02 Tube Amp as low as $90
+ Gustard U12 USB Interface as low as $140

Massdrop: BeyerD DT990 Premium (600 ohm) fully unlocked for $248

Warm up your DACs and AMPs, the 600 ohm are coming! Fully unlocked at the moment at members-only Massdrop is the new condition Beyerdynamic DT990 Premium (600 ohm) going for $240 plus $8 flat shipping. The sale ends in about seven days from today (today being the blog-posting date, not the date you may be reading this).

A lot of other items went up at Massdrop, but as of the time of writing, none of them are fully unlocked. Fully unlocked is when they reach the lowest price possible during a particular offer. These offers expire in seven days from today:

+ Takstar PRO 80 Headphones as low as $67 shipped
+ Astrotec AX-35 Hybrid IEM as low as $55 shipped
+ xDuoo UA-05 DAC/Amp as low as $188 shipped
+ QLS QA360 Music Player as low as $470 shipped (hooray for the DAP rival, not so hooray for the $prices$)

Massdrop: Shure SE215 for $86 (and more)

Fully unlocked at the moment at Massdrop are the good old Shure SE-215 in-ears for $80 plus $6 flat shipping. This offer is good for about six days from today (today being blog-posting date, not the day you are reading this).

Also up at Massdrop, but not fully unlocked as of the time of writing are the Astrotec AX-35 Hybrid IEMs that could go as low as $55 shipped, while the desktop xDuoo TA-03 DAC/Amp that could go as low as $260 shipped.

Unlocked at Massdrop: Bravo V2 and Shure SE535

A new wave of offers went up at members-only shopping site Massdrop, and two of those have already reached their lowest price possible. The Bravo V2 amp goes for $60 shipped, while the Shure SE535 IEMs go for $380 shipped. Both expire in about five days from today (today = blog-posting date).

Also launched at Massdrop but not fully unlocked as of the time of writing are the following:

  • Edifier H850 Headphones as low as $48~
  • IEMs: Fidue A63 as low as $42~, TTpod T1S as low as $33~
  • xDuoo TA-01 DAC/Amp as low as $135

Massdrop: unlocked xDuoo TA-01 (also STAX, Fidue, Mousai)

More action at the members-only but free-to-join Massdrop website. Of the latest offers, one is fully unlocked (lowest price possible), the xDuoo TA-01 DAC/Amp goes for $135 shipped (expires in five days from today). The items below are not fully unlocked as of the time of writing of this blog-post:

+ STAX SRS-3170 Electrostatic Earspeaker System (SR-307 Headphones plus SRM-323S Amplifier) as low $1010
+ Fidue A83 Hybrid IEM as low as $260
+ Mousai MSD192 DAC as low as $300