Luxsin X8 DAC & HP Amp Review

[phoenixdogfan]

Really nice review, Amir. Thank you.

Unfortunately, even though this unit delivers the goods in so many areas and blazes a new and interesting trail with the A.I. Eq feature, I still want to give it a happy rather than a golfing panther. That's because it lacks a feature I think should now be mandatory on all these units today, that being HDMI eARC. Given the proliferation of smart TVs, there's no excuse for not having that feature IMHO. It's lack eliminates the most important use case for a DAC/Headphone amp today.

OTOH the AI EQ is a great potential feature which I think is probably not being fully tapped today. I think if the EQ feature were augmented with binaural measurement microphones plugging directly into the unit, the task of optimizing the sound of a given set of headphones would be far more fully accomplished. There are simply too many unit to unit variations even on the most expensive phones to effectively accomplish the kind of eq they propose by simply listing a make and model. A measurement with binaural in ear mics from a test signal generated by this unit and rendered by the listener's own headphones on his own head would seem to be within the capability of this device, and that would be a big time accomplishment. And it would offer the potential of customizing the headphones to the customer's own HRTF as well. Like I said, big time.

Hey Luxin, got your ears on?

 

[Chagall]

You wont be disappointed, amp wise it blows the Topping DX5 II out of the water plus its heavy

My Topping L70 has started acting weird and throwing R5 errors, so I started looking for something more reliable to replace it. But amps from reputable EU brands are just insanely expensive for what they are - Ferrum, Violectric, even the new RME.

I'm hoping Luxsin ends up being more reliable than L70, and all those extra features made the decision a lot easier.

 

[ReakingWillow]

I have had the X8 since launch and was waiting for this to be reviewed, hands down the best amp I own. And the AI equaliser is awesome!

 

[Roland68]

My Topping L70 has started acting weird and throwing R5 errors, so I started looking for something more reliable to replace it. But amps from reputable EU brands are just insanely expensive for what they are - Ferrum, Violectric, even the new RME.

I'm hoping Luxsin ends up being more reliable than L70, and all those extra features made the decision a lot easier.

But that is precisely the difference with certain well-known manufacturers, like the ones you listed:
- Much better and more thorough development, including endurance and stress testing, before production begins.
- Greater experience and careful attention to components prone to failure (we are often talking about a cost difference of just a few cents per unit).
- Far fewer failures.
- Simpler and cheaper repairs, even outside the warranty period, often also as a goodwill gesture for known or unusual faults.
- With manufacturers like these, you aren't left to deal with problems on your own.

It would be great to know how Luxsin handles this.

 

[dmac6419]

I have had the X8 since launch and was waiting for this to be reviewed, hands down the best amp I own. And the AI equaliser is awesome!

I concur this thing is a beast, you can catch it for $619 at audio46 only 1 left.

 

[Mocie]

I'm hoping Luxsin ends up being more reliable than L70, and all those extra features made the decision a lot easier.

Luxsin, Cayin and Matrix are the upper-end brands from Chinese makers and are pretty well received across both objective and subjective spaces for durability and quality, you're gonna be more than fine with this one or the X9.

 

[amirm]

But that is precisely the difference with certain well-known manufacturers, like the ones you listed:
- Much better and more thorough development, including endurance and stress testing, before production begins.
- Greater experience and careful attention to components prone to failure (we are often talking about a cost difference of just a few cents per unit).
- Far fewer failures.
- Simpler and cheaper repairs, even outside the warranty period, often also as a goodwill gesture for known or unusual faults.
- With manufacturers like these, you aren't left to deal with problems on your own.

It would be great to know how Luxsin handles this.

Would be good to know that about any company! Alas, we are mostly in the dark.

 

[Sokel]

Would be good to know that about any company! Alas, we are mostly in the dark.

The only good differentiator about peace of mind is local dealers and physical shops which one has a long time relation with.

As long as one get them from there there's no hustle involved.
At higher price gear they even pick them themselves sometimes.

 

[Sir Sanders Zingmore]

Their website says it has a loudness feature. This is a big deal!
I may be wrong but the only other DAC that I know of which has this is RME (in fact I bought the ADI-2 DAC FS mainly because of its loudness feature)

 

[daniboun]

But that is precisely the difference with certain well-known manufacturers, like the ones you listed:
- Much better and more thorough development, including endurance and stress testing, before production begins.
- Greater experience and careful attention to components prone to failure (we are often talking about a cost difference of just a few cents per unit).
- Far fewer failures.
- Simpler and cheaper repairs, even outside the warranty period, often also as a goodwill gesture for known or unusual faults.
- With manufacturers like these, you aren't left to deal with problems on your own.

It would be great to know how Luxsin handles this.

The brand belongs to ©Shenzhen ZIDOO Technology Co., Ltd. They own Eversolo and some other brands.
It's still a Chinese brand; I've read on several forums that their customer service isn't always reliable....You fall a bit into confirmation bias if you don't contrast...

 

[Endibol]

Nice unit, coloring could be better.

Color is a cultural thing..

 

[Sokel]

Color is a cultural thing..

You're absolutely right about it, that's why some neutral black or silver is a safe bet for different cultures. That's one.
Add to them any cosmetics, indicators, etc and you have two.

That's about the limit.

 

[Bland_username42069]

Very impressive.

I’d be very happy to have this as part of my system and from what I see Luxsin seem very responsive with firmware updates.

 

[RogerSmith]

Very nice. If I only had difficult to drive headphones that would justify that purchase.

 

[Roland68]

The only good differentiator about peace of mind is local dealers and physical shops which one has a long time relation with.

As long as one get them from there there's no hustle involved.
At higher price gear they even pick them themselves sometimes.

Unfortunately, this doesn't help with defects or repairs after the warranty period has expired, especially if the manufacturer or repair service doesn't (or can't) offer a solution.
An increasing number of well-known manufacturers are unable to repair defective devices just three to five years after purchase.

A major retailer I know—who has been in the business for over 40 years—recently shared his frustrations with me. Despite having good contacts with service workshops across Europe, he has had to buy used units on several occasions just to obtain replacement circuit boards that were no longer available as spare parts. Naturally, this turns the repair into a loss-making venture for him, but the alternative is an angry customer.
Ultimately, in cases like this, customers get mad at the retailer because he was the one who sold them the device.

 

[Gremlins]

Definitely a Brand to follow.

Is Luxin an eversolo sister?

They look similar products


At the same price point i'd go for eversolo dmp A6 that has streamer function, i dont sée the davantage of that x8? .. pergaps more headphone power, but few will really need it

 

[daniboun]

Is Luxin an eversolo sister?

They look similar products


At the same price point i'd go for eversolo dmp A6 that has streamer function, i dont sée the davantage of that x8? .. pergaps more headphone power, but few will really need it

Checkout :

Post in thread 'Luxsin X8 DAC & HP Amp Review' https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...uxsin-x8-dac-hp-amp-review.71920/post-2619385

 

[Gremlins]

Thanks, i was coming on reading 3rd page After my coment
So these units come out same factory R&D and production lines ... Just creating ''brands'' but turn over goes to the same account

 

[JSmith]

Is Luxin an eversolo sister?

Yes... Eversolo is Zidoo’s brand for digital audio streamers and Luxsin is Zidoo’s desktop audio and headphone sub-brand.


JSmith

 

[Gremlins]

Yes... Eversolo is Zidoo’s brand for digital audio streamers and Luxsin is Zidoo’s desktop audio and headphone sub-brand.


JSmith

Ok , good to know, thanks