Category: Reviews

Introduction

xDuoo is an audio brand operated by the Shenzhen xDuoo Technology Co., Ltd. (Yidu) company, that started out as an ODM (original design manufacturer) for various companies before launching its own brand nearly a decade ago. The brand has become synonymous with desktop headphone and speaker amplifiers in particular, such as the TA-22 we saw before, although lately there have been multiple xDuoo portable DAC/amps that have caught my eye. Take the XD05 PRO, for example, offering modular DACs and amplifiers to allow for a highly customizable portable source. I’ve been using it on and off with IEMs and headphones alike, with its bulkier size being the only thing keeping me from using it everywhere. There are smaller entries in the XD lineup too, yet I saw something at the Shenzhen International Audio Show which got me impatient for its release so I could test it properly at home.

I am referring to the subject of today’s review, the xDuoo XD05T where the T stands for Tube. When you think of tube amplifiers, chances are high that you are picturing something huge with hot and glowy tubes, almost something vintage in an age where solid state sources are the norm. However, with IEMs becoming increasingly popular and with it also a plethora of portable sources to enjoy, we have also seen many portable sources use smaller tubes. In fact, there are even DAPs (digital audio players) that have managed to fit tiny vacuum tubes along with the rest of the audio circuitry as well as the screen and the hardware needed to drive the operating system. Many of these go with Korg Nutubes, and we’ve also seen others adopt slightly larger—but still decidedly on the micro size—tubes you can see glowing through vents. The goal here is to deliberately add some distortion, which might seem weird in the quest for the cleanest sound, to allow for a subjective improvement in the listening experience for some people. This can be via an added sense of space, some would perceive tubes as warmer sounding, and many others simply prefer a less analytical presentation. No matter which side of this debate you fall into, there’s no doubt that tube amplifiers are only increasing in popularity again and portable sources are leading the way. Many thanks to SHENZHENAUDIO for providing a review sample of the xDuoo XD05T, as we examine xDuoo’s take on this idea with a look at the product specifications below, so be sure to click the image twice to fully open it and go through all the details.

Specifications

10

on Dec 3rd, 2024,

Packaging & Contents »

Introduction

I would like to thank Geometric Future for supplying the review sample.

Geometric Future has been around since 2020 with a focus on creating unique cases with interesting material mixes or color highlights. The brand offers cases, power supplies, fans and coolers. True to their name, especially their enclosures look quite futuristic with a simple, clear range of SKUs from the Model 2 up to the Model 8. Today, we get to review the Geometric Future Model 5, which is available in four distinct color options. Alternatively, you can also pick up the Model 5 Vent, which ships in three color options. As bright orange is part of the brand color scheme, the Model 5 is available with that hue as well, which is the one we are reviewing here.

Specifications

Geometric Future Model 5
Case Type:	Mid-Tower
Material:	0.8/1.2 mm steel, and 4 mm tempered glass
Weight:	N/A
Slots:	7
Drive Bays:	2x Internal 2.5/3.5″
Motherboard Form Factors:	Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, and E-ATX
Dimensions:	440 x 242 x 480 mm
Front Door/Cover:	N/A
Front Fans:	N/A
Rear Fans:	1x 120/140 mm (1x 140 mm PWM ARGB fans pre-installed)
Top Fans:	3x 120 / 140 mm (optional)
Bottom Fans:	3x 120 / 140 mm (3x 140 mm PWM ARGB reverse blade fans pre-installed)
Side Fans:	1x 120 / 140 / 160 mm (1x 140 mm PWM ARGB reverse blade fan pre-installed)
Motherboard Back Fans:	2x 120 mm (optional)
Front Radiator:	N/A
Rear Radiator:	120 mm / 140 mm
Top Radiator:	360 mm / 420 mm
Bottom Radiator:	360 mm
Side Radiator:	N/A
I/O:	1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C 2x USB 3.0 1x Headphone 1x Microphone
Fan/LED Controller:	N/A
Compatibility:	CPU Cooler: 180 mm GPU: 460 mm PSU: 160 mm

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• Dec 3rd, 2024 Intel Arc B580 Battlemage Unboxing & Preview
• Dec 3rd, 2024 Geometric Future Model 5 Review
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• Nov 7th, 2024 Upcoming Hardware Launches 2024 (Updated Nov 2024)
• Nov 28th, 2024 Thermaltake The Tower 600 Review
• Nov 29th, 2024 FSP M580 Plus Review

Introduction

We recently visited FiiO to tour its large industrial park and got to know more about how the audio brand is able to release so many products each year, most of which seem to do well critically and commercially. These include old stalwarts such as IEMs and portable DAC/amps, but also now we see desktop audio equipment including speakers, network streamers, R2R DACs, keyboards, and headphones too, including the open-back dynamic driver FT3 and planar magnetic FT5. Soon after both of these headphones were released, FiiO added a closed-back set of headphones to its portfolio, this time under its sister brand Jade Audio, with the JT1 costing under $70. I have the JT1 here and thought it had potential, albeit was clearly going for a more mainstream V-shaped tuning and detail retrieval clearly wasn’t high priority. I was even considering doing a quick look article of it, but then FiiO released something recently that deserved far more attention.

The FiiO FT1 is a closed-back set of dynamic driver headphones that was announced in mid-August, although it has been in such demand that FiiO can’t seem to keep up months later too. It’s not hard to see why this has been so popular, given FiiO has effectively designed it to look and feel far more expensive than it is. The launch edition came with American black walnut ear cups, although now there is also a natural beech wood version with a lighter colored headband too. If this reminds you of some Sivga headphones, then you are thinking correctly. But what if I told you the FT1 was priced appreciably lower than the likes of the Sivga Robin and Oriole? Those looking at Meze wooden headphones will be even further away price wise, so already there’s a price advantage for FiiO even before we get to other aspects such as the 60 mm custom-designed drivers, and nice accessories including two stock cables and a carry case. Ultimately, it’s the sound signature that matters most though. So let’s thank FiiO for providing a review sample to TechPowerUp and put the FT1 to the test today, as we begin with a look at the product specifications in the table below.

Specifications

Introduction

So far 2024, and no doubt 2025 too, is looking to herald in the age of Hall effect magnetic switch keyboards. We’ve seen entries from a lot of brands already, with everyone using these switches to showcase the customizable actuation point and near-instantaneous actuation, in addition to a few other features that have even led to bans in games owing to how powerful they can be. This has become a new playing ground for most brands, since almost everyone is starting from scratch and there are very few magnetic switch manufacturers. This allows for new brands to come out and compete directly with the big boys, and we’ve already seen some upsets from Asian brands in particular. Today we take on another newcomer and see if LUMINKEY has something to interest our readers with the Magger68 HE keyboard.

Createkeebs is a China-based keyboard brand that started in 2020 and has focused on custom high-end keyboards, including group buys and the sale of individual parts you can mix and match to assemble your own dream keyboard. LUMINKEY is a sister brand which started later, possibly even this year itself, and goes for pre-assembled keyboards in various colors and combinations that feel premium and have some carefully implemented tweaks to help differentiate them from the norm, but manage to do so at more affordable prices. LUMINKEY has a few mechanical keyboards in its product line already, with the Magger68 being its first Hall effect keyboard. For what it’s worth, I’ve seen it being referred to as Magger68 and Magger 68 by both LUMINKEY and its retailer network, with the former seemingly correct based on my research. The keyboard comes in “Performance” or “Professional” versions which differ on the switch used as well as the case design itself, although either version is available in your choice of three colors/finishes to the aluminium alloy chassis. I have the Magger68 Pro in the anodized black finish, and the photo above shows the champagne gold for reference. The feature set and user experience should be identical across the colors, and very similar for either version too beyond the switches themselves. Thanks to Mechkeys for providing a review sample to TechPowerUp, and we begin with a look at the product specifications in the table below.

Specifications

3

on Nov 28th, 2024,

Packaging & Contents »

Introduction

I would like to thank Thermaltake for supplying the review sample.

Thermaltake has a wide range of case products and is not afraid to push the boundaries with The Tower 600 being no different. Having reviewed the first Tower product back in 2021, the whole case family has come a long way since – including adding “The” to named SKUs. With The Tower 600, you get their biggest variant and can pick from four different colors. Besides the classic black and white versions, The Tower 600 is also available in hydrangea blue to celebrate 25 years of Thermaltake as well as a matcha green variant with that special branding. We are lucky to have received that green version for review. On top of that Thermaltake has provided color matched fans and an AIO which we will use for the review build as well.

Specifications

Thermaltake The Tower 600
Case Type:	Tower Chassis
Material:	Steel, plastic, and tempered glass
Weight:	9.70 kg / 21.39 lbs.
Slots:	7
Drive Bays:	2x Internal 2.5 or 1x 3.5″ 1x Internal 2.5″
Motherboard Form Factors:	Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX
Dimensions:	550 x 420 x 286.4 mm
Front Door/Cover:	N/A
Front Fans:	N/A
Rear Fans:	2x 120/140 mm (optional)
Top Fans:	3x 120 or 2x 140 mm (2x 140 x 140 x 25 mm CT140 fan (1500rpm, 30.5 dBA) pre-installed)
Left Side Fans:	3x 120 mm (optional)
Right Side Fans:	3x 120 or 140 mm (optional)
Power Cover Fans:	1x 120/140 mm (optional)
Bottom Fans:	1x 120/140 mm (optional)
Front Radiator:	N/A
Rear Radiator:	N/A
Top Radiator:	N/A
Bottom Radiator:	N/A
Left Side Radiator:	360 mm
Right Side Radiator:	420 mm
I/O:	1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C 4x USB 3.0 1x Headphone 1x Microphone
Fan/LED Controller:	N/A
Compatibility:	CPU Cooler: 210 mm GPU: 400 mm (280 mm with power cover) PSU: 220 mm

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• Nov 21st, 2024 STALKER 2 Performance Benchmark Review – 35 GPUs Tested
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Introduction

The Sparkle Arc A770 ROC is the company’s newest Intel Arc graphics card. Intel’s discrete GPU design has been on the market for two years now, with the next generation expected soon. With the “ROC,” Sparkle wants to establish a special name for custom-design graphics cards with a factory overclock, similar to ASUS “ROG.” we’ve known Sparkle for many years, back in the day it was an NVIDIA GeForce add-in-card partner going back as far as the 2000s. Nowadays, as a brand, Sparkle is owned by the TUL Corporation, a Taiwan-based OEM giant that also runs the popular AMD Radeon brand PowerColor.

The Arc A770 is Intel’s top SKU for this generation, the other models are Arc A750 and A580. Both the Arc A770 and A750 are priced well under the $300 mark, and target the 1080p gaming space that sees the likes of the GeForce RTX 3060, Radeon RX 6600 series, and the RX 7600 battle it out. It’s possible to game at 1440p if you know your way around your game’s settings, or can take advantage of the XeSS upscaling feature, if your game supports it. The Arc “Alchemist” family of graphics cards are every bit as contemporary as the latest GPUs from NVIDIA and AMD. These meet the full DirectX 12 Ultimate feature-set, including real time ray tracing.

Over the past two years Intel’s software team has been releasing countless driver optimization patches, have upped their Game Ready driver support, and are now on par with the other two GPU vendors in terms of release cadence.

The Sparkle Arc A770 is built on the same advanced 6 nm ACM-G10 silicon as its lower-tier counterpart, the A750. However, the A770 maximizes performance by enabling all 8 rendering slices present on the chip, resulting in a total of 32 Xe cores. This configuration translates to 512 execution units and an impressive 4,096 unified shaders. The graphics card is equipped with a robust memory subsystem, boasting 16 GB of GDDR6 memory across a 256-bit memory bus, operating at 16 Gbps and delivering a substantial memory bandwidth of 512 GB/s. Communication with the system is facilitated through a contemporary PCI-Express 4.0 x16 interface, making full use of PCI Resizable BAR for enhanced performance.

Sparkle’s A770 ROC features a relatively compact triple-slot cooling solution incorporating an aluminium fin-stack heatsink with two fans, and a sleek cooler shroud in black plastic. The PCB on the other hand showcases a vibrant blue color scheme. Under the hood, the card uses the Intel reference PCB design, which means no corners have been cut. The GPU VRM has been strengthened and is now eight-phase, up from six phases on the original Intel card. Interestingly, despite the “OC” naming, the card ticks at reference card clock speeds of 210 MHz base and 2400 MHz boost. Memory is clocked at reference too, with 2187 MHz. Sparkle’s card is currently listed online for $300, a small premium over the current baseline price of $270 for Arc A770.