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Luxsin X9 Smart Stereo DAC & Preamp

Rate this smart DAC, HP Amp and Preamp:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 3 1.2%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 17 7.0%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 92 37.7%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 132 54.1%

  • Total voters
    244

amirm

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This is a review and detailed measurements of the Luxsin X9 stereo "smart" balanced DAC, preamplifier and headphone amp. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $1099.
Lunxsin X9 Stereo high-end DAC and headphone amplifier preamplifier HDMI ARC review.jpg

Luxsin is a new brand for the Zidoo/Eversolo company and focused on higher-end audio products. In this instance, we have a gorgeous 1080p touchscreen display that lets us navigate through rich set of features and visualizations including that nice VU meter. Further, due to inclusion of Wifi, you can control the unit using an app or with web interface.

Balanced headphone output is provided including the ability to automatically enable filters to adapt your headphone to that of Harman curve. Failing that, you can program your PEQ. Alas, I started with an older version of the firmware where these features didn't seem functional.

I am starting to call DACs with such value added features, "smart."

Back panel shows other cool features such as HDMI and analog inputs:
Lunxsin X9 Stereo high-end DAC and headphone amplifier preamplifier HDMI ARC back panel review.jpg


For those of us who only have one analog source, this is ideal and eliminates the need for a premplifier.

Nice to see trigger input and output to automate power sequencing of downstream amplifiers. Subwoofer output is provided including ability to set its gain/filtering. If you combine this with PEQ for the main channels, you have your ideal integration of sub (although you still have to know what you are doing).

Luxsin X9 DAC Measurements
The pedigree of Eversolo is apparent the moment you see superb dashboard results:




Lunxsin X9 Stereo high-end DAC and headphone amplifier XLR Measurement.png


This lands the X9 near top of our ratings:
Best Balanced DAC Headphone Amplifier Review 2025.png

Sorry, forgot to capture a zoomed result.

RCA results are not that far off:
Lunxsin X9 Stereo high-end DAC and headphone amplifier RCA Measurement.png


HDMI results are essentially the same as USB:
Lunxsin X9 Stereo high-end DAC and headphone amplifier XLR HDMI ARC In Measurement.png


Dynamic results indicate a completely quiet system even if you rob some from it for EQ headroom:
Lunxsin X9 Stereo high-end DAC and headphone amplifier balanced dynamic range noise Measurement.png


Linearity is perfect:
Lunxsin X9 Stereo high-end DAC and headphone amplifier XLR Linearity Measurement.png


IMD distortion is kept very low:
Lunxsin X9 Stereo high-end DAC and headphone amplifier XLR IMD Measurement.png

Lunxsin X9 Stereo high-end DAC and headphone amplifier XLR Multitone Measurement.png


As is loaded output at 600 ohm:
Lunxsin X9 Stereo high-end DAC and headphone amplifier XLR 50 Hz Measurement.png


I only tested the default filter which performed as it should:
Lunxsin X9 Stereo high-end DAC and headphone amplifier XLR frequency response Measurement.png

Lunxsin X9 Stereo high-end DAC and headphone amplifier XLR filter Measurement.png


Wideband response is excellent as well:
Lunxsin X9 Stereo high-end DAC and headphone amplifier XLR THD vs Frequency distortion Measure...png


The only tiny failing was in Jitter test when DSP is active:
Lunxsin X9 Stereo high-end DAC and headphone amplifier XLR Jitter Measurement.png


Luxsin X9 Headphone Amplifier Measurements
Lots of power is available into low and high impedances:
Lunxsin X9 Stereo high-end DAC and headphone amplifier balanced Headphone Out 32 ohm Measurement.png

Lunxsin X9 Stereo high-end DAC and headphone amplifier balanced Headphone Out 300 ohm Measurem...png


After testing, I noticed a menu item related to automatic gain. Apparently the unit measures the impedance of the headphone and adjusts the gain appropriately. I did not try to test this.

Without explicit negative gain, we don't get the lowest noise at 50 mv output:

Lunxsin X9 Stereo high-end DAC and headphone amplifier balanced Headphone Out 300 ohm 50 mv Me...png

most quiet headphone amplifier noise review 2025.png


most quiet headphone amplifier noise review zoomed 2025.png


Luxsin X9 Preamplifier Measurements
Dashboard results are the type of performance we typically see: good enough for our analog sources but not reference quality:
Lunxsin X9 Stereo high-end DAC and headphone preamplifier RCA Measurement.png


Lunxsin X9 Stereo high-end DAC and headphone preamplifier RCA SNR Measurement.png

Lunxsin X9 Stereo high-end DAC and headphone preamplifier RCA Frequency Response Measurement.png


Conclusions
The X9 sports a beautiful and functional display and menu system. Inclusion of Wifi means you can program and interact with the unit easier using the App or the web interface. Programmable EQ system lets you adjust the headphone response (or speaker) at hardware level, making it functional with any source system/app. Analog input and inclusion of HDMI means you can fully integrate all modern and vintage devices into it.

The price is up there and initial software bugs I found, unexpected. Compared to typical high-end DACs though, the X9 is much cheaper and far more functional.

I am going to recommend the Luxsin X9.
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As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.

Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
 
Placeholder for specs


Luxsin X9
Display4-inch TFT Fully Laminated Touchscreen (960X400)
DAC solutionAK4191EQ + AK4499EX
DSPAKM 7739
OpAmpOPA1612
HP Amp chipTPA6120A2
Processing & USB solutionXMOS (XU)316
Bluetooth solutionQCC5125 (BT5.0 with aptX / aptX-HD / SBC / AAC / LDAC support)
Wireless solutionWiFi 2.4GHz
Trigger support12V trigger in/out
USB-A inputUsed for firmware updating only
USB-B/USB-C inputWindows (10, 11), Android, IOS, support DSD512, PCM 768KHz 32-bit
Optical/Coax inputPCM 192KHz 24-bit, DoP64
HDMI ARC inputPCM 192KHz 24-bit
Analogue inputRCA (unbalanced), max gain +10dB
Analogue outputsXLR3 (balanced), RCA (unbalanced), Subwoofer
Rear XLR output4.2Vrms @ 0dBFS, 20Hz~20KHz
Dynamic range & SNR: >128dB
THD+N: Under 0.000096% (-120.3dB)
RCA output2.1Vrms @ 0dBFS, 20Hz~20KHz
Dynamic range & SNR: >125dB
THD+N: Under 0.00010% (-119dB)
Headphones output4-15Vrms @ 0dBFS, 20Hz~20KHz
Dynamic range & SNR: >128dB
THD+N: Under 0.00016% (-116dB)

Single ended (6.35mm):
16Ω: ≥ 2100mW (THD+N: Under 1%) @ 5.7Vrms
32Ω: ≥ 1700mW (THD+N: Under 1%) @ 7.37Vrms
300Ω: ≥ 230mW (THD+N: Under 1%) @ 8.3Vrms
Noise floor: 4.4uV
Balanced (4.4mm/XLR4):
16Ω: ≥ 2650mW + 2650mW (THD+N: Under 1%) @ 9.2Vrms
32Ω: ≥ 3000mW + 3000mW (THD+N: Under 1%) @ 9.7Vrms
300Ω: ≥ 920mW + 920mW (THD+N: Under 1%) @ 16.7Vrms
Noise floor: 5.1uV
Headphone featuresProprietary HP-EQ (Headphone Equalisation) technology,database
Automatic headphone impedance detection for the 6.35mm and 4.4mm ports
Power supplyInternal Ultra-Low Noise Linear Power Supply
Weight3.72kg
DimensionsWidth: 300mm / Length: 206mm / Height: 65mm
 
Last edited:
Not just another higher performing DAC.
Thats the best HDMI input measurement I've seen for any product. Ever.
Was it a regular HDMI input with video, or was it HDMI ARC?
Thats a fascinating test of a fascinating product, thanks Amir.
 
thanks for the review,
wow, it seems to have everything we have been crying for, EQ, analog in, selectable sub out cut frequency, HDMI ARC and eARC...
what is not clear to me, even after reading the manual, is if the EQ is for headphones only or if it applies to line outputs (they provide a link to further EQ instructions that my browsers don't want to open)
 
what is not clear to me, even after reading the manual, is if the EQ is for headphones only or if it applies to line outputs (they provide a link to further EQ instructions that my browsers don't want to open)
It *might* be limited to HP out but if so, and you don't need headphone out, you can use it as line out.

BTW, I forgot to mention that volume is controlled using R2R relays.
 
Not just another higher performing DAC.
Thats the best HDMI input measurement I've seen for any product. Ever.
Was it a regular HDMI input with video, or was it HDMI ARC?
Thats a fascinating test of a fascinating product, thanks Amir.

The HDMI connection on the X9 supports HDMI ARC/EARC, but does not transmit video.
 
It was HDMI but it also supports ARC I believe.
In that case it's the only product ever, where the HDMI and SPDIF performance was the same.

All your AVR & AVP tests have compromised HDMI performance . There are only three exceptions:
The MiniDSP Flex measured 114dB, but that doesn't have an HDMI input.
The MiniDSP SHD measured 113dB, but that was tested with USB input.
The NAD M33 does have an HDMI / ARC input, it measured 108dB, but with coax input.

The Fosi ZD3, Bluesound Node, SMSL DO200 Pro, Eversolo DMP-A8, NAD M66 have an HDMI ARC input (plus all modern receivers).

To the best of my knowledge, your test of the Fosi ZD3 was until now the only HDMI ARC test, and that measured the same as the USB input - 116dB. A landmark, I thought.
Now we have the Luxsin measuring about the same with HDMI as USB. I thought I would never see the day.
 
thanks for the review,
wow, it seems to have everything we have been crying for, EQ, analog in, selectable sub out cut frequency, HDMI ARC and eARC...
what is not clear to me, even after reading the manual, is if the EQ is for headphones only or if it applies to line outputs (they provide a link to further EQ instructions that my browsers don't want to open)

The EQ function can be applied to all output ports on the X9 (XLR/RCA/Headset), in addition, the new beta firmware of X9 (1.0.0.9) also supports automatic DSP setting saving for each output channel.
 
The HDMI connection on the X9 supports HDMI ARC/EARC, but does not transmit video.
Thanks.

Does it measure the same with HDMI ARC input as it does with conventional HDMI input, where the audio is carried on video?

EDIT: Did I misunderstand that? Does the X9 have an HDMI eARC input (like from a TV), but NOT a regular HDMI input (like from a Blu-ray player)?
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the great review Amir.
Interesting device but I am still keeping the RME despite its inte"
I love the RME interface, especially since I can control it from my Mac. If the Luxsin X9 had a similar one, it would be unbeatable: it's priced right, performs excellently, has a very sleek design, and has two additional sub outputs.
 
I voted "Fine" because IMO as good as it is -- and it's very good -- the price is too steep, especially if you don't need all its functionality. At $600 or $700, I'd rate it "Great" in a heartbeat even though it's not something for which have any use whatsoever. :cool:
 
I voted "Fine" because IMO as good as it is -- and it's very good -- the price is too steep, especially if you don't need all its functionality. At $600 or $700, I'd rate it "Great" in a heartbeat even though it's not something for which have any use whatsoever. :cool:
But why would you buy this if you don't need the functionality? Plenty very good DAC/Headphone amplifiers on the market..
 
This looks great. We just need a bit of competition between manufacturers to up the features/quality and bring the price down. Then, at some point I may even upgrade my Topping E50.
 
If the Luxsin X9 had a similar one, it would be unbeatable: it's priced right, performs excellently, has a very sleek design, and has two additional sub outputs.
The web interface it presents is universal so works on any platform.
 
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