Loxjie D40 Pro DAC & HP Amp Review

[Miiman]

So, you just "upgraded" to a new device and that new device sounds so much better <insert audiophile nonsense mumbo jumbo here>
This is just the definition of purchase confirmation and expectation bias together in a single post.

You are probably right
I get a bit overexcited sometimes hehe.

 

[GGroch]

I get a bit overexcited sometimes hehe.

 

[PortalKeeper]

So whats the consensus of this DAC taking in everything that has been brought to light with the customer support/driver installation issues/questionable remote control functionality?

 

[Longfellow78]

So whats the consensus of this DAC taking in everything that has been brought to light with the customer support/driver installation issues/questionable remote control functionality?

Does this device have a preamp function please. It's meant to be almost identical to the smsl do400 which does have one, but I heard the d40 pro doesnt. Thanks.

 

[staticV3]

Does this device have a preamp function please. It's meant to be almost identical to the smsl do400 which does have one, but I heard the d40 pro doesnt. Thanks.

You should always check the product page with questions like that: http://www.loxjie-audio.com/productshow.asp?id=160
In most cases, it'll have the answers you seek:

 

[Longfellow78]

You should always check the product page with questions like that: http://www.loxjie-audio.com/productshow.asp?id=160
In most cases, it'll have the answers you seek:
View attachment 335132

Hello. Thank you for the reply but I have very little knowledge at the moment which I am trying to improve. I did look at the product page, but I still am not 100% sure on the answer. Does your comment indicate that because the rca outputs are controlled by the loxjie's volume know that it is a preamp? (I.e. To be used with a power amp without a volume knob of its own). I think this is what you mean?

If so I was confused because I saw 5 or 6 comments on the smsl do400 forum saying the do400 can be a preamp but the d40 pro cannot. I still am not 100% sure about the answer. Thank you.

 

[voodooless]

I did look at the product page, but I still am not 100% sure on the answer.

Read again:

As a rule, any DAC with headphone output will have volume control on the line outputs as well. There may be exceptions, but they will be rare.

 

[Longfellow78]

Read again:

View attachment 335135

As a rule, any DAC with headphone output will have volume control on the line outputs as well. There may be exceptions, but they will be rare

Sorry I still dont understand. Can you please just say yes it can act as a preamp, or no it can't. Thank you.

 

[voodooless]

Sorry I still dont understand. Can you please just say yes it can act as a preamp, or no it can't. Thank you.

Yes, it's a pre-amp. Not sure why that is not clear? What do you expect a pre-amp to do? Obviously, it cannot handle other (analog) sources. If you want that you'll need a totally different device. The fact that you can't connect any should give that away.

 

[Longfellow78]

Yes, it's a pre-amp. Not sure why that is not clear? What do you expect a pre-amp to do? Obviously, it cannot handle other (analog) sources. If you want that you'll need a totally different device. The fact that you can't connect any should give that away.

Thank you

 

[voodooless]

Thank you

You're welcome, but please try to answer my questions. Getting those answers is the way to learn something.

 

[Longfellow78]

Yes, it's a pre-amp. Not sure why that is not clear? What do you expect a pre-amp to do? Obviously, it cannot handle other (analog) sources. If you want that you'll need a totally different device. The fact that you can't connect any should give that away.

I wanted to know for future proofing as I have some active speakers that I future I will maybe replace and add a proper power amp to pair with the loxjie. I was asking about the pre amp as I heard that some amp/dacs are not powerful enough to act as a proper preamp with a real power amplifier. It seems the loxjie has a meaty power output but I wanted to be sure. You have confirmed this so thank you.

 

[Longfellow78]

Can someone please tell me, if I were to connect this device to a dap via Bluetooth, and play a lossless flac file from the sd card or streamed from a media server, would the playback of the file on the dac be identical to being connected via coaxial cable? I.e. Is the Bluetooth transmission of the file compressed or lossless? Thank you.

 

[staticV3]

Is the Bluetooth transmission of the file compressed or lossless?

It is compressed.

Lossless Bluetooth codecs exist, but the D40 Pro does not support any of them.

 

[TheHighContemplator]

Just placed my order for one of these bad boys. Looking forward to running it with my Dan Clark Audio Aeon Closed X. I'm sure this will be fine with Linux. If not, could someone let me know?

 

[Human Bass]

Can someone please tell me, if I were to connect this device to a dap via Bluetooth, and play a lossless flac file from the sd card or streamed from a media server, would the playback of the file on the dac be identical to being connected via coaxial cable? I.e. Is the Bluetooth transmission of the file compressed or lossless? Thank you.

It will be slightly lossy with Ldac. But still pretty good.

 

[TheHighContemplator]

Got mine today. I was impressed with the packaging job for shipping. Very little chance of damaging the unit outside of intentionally trying to do so.

Sounds great, as in the signal is clean and there is plenty of power for my Aeon Closed X via 4.4mm (for now).

No issues with Linux compatibility. I just plugged it in and it was ready to go.

This is something I should know, but what is the optimal way to control volume to get the ideal performance:

A) Max out the Loxjie and use the volume control on the program I'm running?

B) Max out the Loxjie and use the master volume control on my laptop?

C) Max out laptop and programs, using the Loxjie volume control?

Any help would be appreciated. My idea is to use option C, but maybe I'm not correct. I figured you want to send the most signal to the DAC.

 

[staticV3]

@TheHighContemplator
I'd use option C.
While all three volume controls use the same sort of digital volume attenuation, the one that's built into the D40 is the best possible implementation of it.

 

[TheHighContemplator]

@staticV3 , Cheers for the quick response. This community is great.

 

[PortalKeeper]

@TheHighContemplator
I'd use option C.
While all three volume controls use the same sort of digital volume attenuation, the one that's built into the D40 is the best possible implementation of it.

Wait but based on the graphs Amir posts, don’t most DACS get the best SINAD at around their full volume output usually?