Luxsin X9 Smart Stereo DAC & Preamp

[SoySalsaPicante]

As noted above, the MiniDSP Flex balanced and Flex Digital both perform these functions and include Dirac for less money and the ADC clocks in at -107 instead of mid 80’s.

After tariffs, for those of us in the US, they’re almost the same price, just FYI since there is a dealer shipping these in the US but miniDSP is shipping from China, especially once you add the DIRAC upgrade. That being said, it seems to be the only alternative in this price range, and the X9 stillhas other niceties like the luxurious design and the cool VU meters or spectrum analyzer.

 

[kolestonin]

I’ve been looking for a one-box DAC/preamp that ticks four specific boxes:

1. Top-tier DAC performance
2. Top-tier preamp quality(for digital sources)
3. True analog volume control
4. A dedicated subwoofer output

After two weeks of research, Luxsin X9 is the only unit I’ve found that covers all four.

The Eversolo DMP-A10 also does, but it’s about 3× the price.

I also looked into the Eversolo DAC-Z10, which might qualify, but I haven’t found solid confirmation about whether it includes a dedicated sub out or what its final price will be.

I’m cautious about being an early adopter though. Especially since the X9 seems primarily marketed toward headphone users, which might shape firmware development priorities (e.g., faster fixes for head-fi features vs. preamp/sub integration refinements). But I also haven’t found anything else that does what this unit does.

Are there any other devices you’re aware of that match this set of requirements?

Genuinely curious if I’ve missed something.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

I’ve been looking for a one-box DAC/preamp that ticks four specific boxes:

1. Top-tier DAC performance
2. Top-tier preamp quality(for digital sources)
3. True analog volume control
4. A dedicated subwoofer output

After two weeks of research, Luxsin X9 is the only unit I’ve found that covers all four.

The Eversolo DMP-A10 also does, but it’s about 3× the price.

I also looked into the Eversolo DAC-Z10, which might qualify, but I haven’t found solid confirmation about whether it includes a dedicated sub out or what its final price will be.

I’m cautious about being an early adopter though. Especially since the X9 seems primarily marketed toward headphone users, which might shape firmware development priorities (e.g., faster fixes for head-fi features vs. preamp/sub integration refinements). But I also haven’t found anything else that does what this unit does.

Are there any other devices you’re aware of that match this set of requirements?

Genuinely curious if I’ve missed something.

I hear you on the analog volume control, but here at ASR the only concern is transparency so the digital volume control in miniDSP suffices as far as this site is concerned.

 

[Sokel]

so the digital volume control in miniDSP suffices as far as this site is concerned.

That's a very, VERY broad blanket statement.
Not everyone is sufficed by an accident waiting to happen, I surely don't for example.
Others too.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

That's a very, VERY broad blanket statement.
Not everyone is sufficed by an accident waiting to happen, I surely don't for example.
Others too.

I’m happy to see this. You do not know how happy I am to hear that I was wrong. Part of my main reasons for being interested in this unit is the analog volume control, but I was not looking to get the usual spiel about not being able to hear the difference versus digital. There is more to these things than mere transparency, but I frequently see people getting told otherwise around here.

 

[amirm]

I fear software volume controls from past (bad) experiences. Hardware volume controls of any type are fine by me.

 

[Sokel]

I’m happy to see this. You do not know how happy I am to hear that I was wrong. Part of my main reasons for being interested in this unit is the analog volume control, but I was not looking to get the usual spiel about not being able to hear the difference versus digital. There is more to these things than mere transparency, but I frequently see people getting told otherwise around here.

Yep. It's only hours ago someone posted something relevant about a digital VC doing 0dBFS out of the blue (switching to airplay I think), or some days ago about a miniDSP going bananas, following lots of examples.

Nope, analog VC or attenuators (that's a band aid though) on top of the usual caution about user-errors.

 

[Panelhead]

I’ve been looking for a one-box DAC/preamp that ticks four specific boxes:

1. Top-tier DAC performance
2. Top-tier preamp quality(for digital sources)
3. True analog volume control
4. A dedicated subwoofer output

After two weeks of research, Luxsin X9 is the only unit I’ve found that covers all four.

The Eversolo DMP-A10 also does, but it’s about 3× the price.

I also looked into the Eversolo DAC-Z10, which might qualify, but I haven’t found solid confirmation about whether it includes a dedicated sub out or what its final price will be.

I’m cautious about being an early adopter though. Especially since the X9 seems primarily marketed toward headphone users, which might shape firmware development priorities (e.g., faster fixes for head-fi features vs. preamp/sub integration refinements). But I also haven’t found anything else that does what this unit does.

Are there any other devices you’re aware of that match this set of requirements?

Genuinely curious if I’ve missed something.

I have a couple that met the requirements.

Micromega Myamp

ESS dac
Analog preamp
Analog volume control
3 Analog inputs
USB/Coax/Optical
Line Outs
Trigger
BT
Sub Output
Remote
Resonant Mode Power Supply
30/60watt Analog amplifier.

A lot in one box. Still available.

 

[Labjr]

I fear software volume controls from past (bad) experiences. Hardware volume controls of any type are fine by me.

Analog in the sense that it uses resistors switched with relays. I imagine software glitches can still cause unwanted surprises.

 

[PacketofCrisps]

Analog in the sense that it uses resistors switched with relays. I imagine software glitches can still cause unwanted surprises.

I'm personally not a fan of relay volume controls on amps, I don't feel it warrants the extra cost and complication in circuit design, I've had a couple of amps now with relays that had issues/quirks, good old ALPS RK27 Potentiometer is my preference!

 

[amirm]

Analog in the sense that it uses resistors switched with relays. I imagine software glitches can still cause unwanted surprises.

I don't mind firmware controlled volume controls. Never had any issues with them. Sure, one in a million chance of something going bad. But such is the case with an analog stage as well, if it shorts out and outputs DC and such.

When I say software I mean computer player/volume control. These, I have had very bad experiences with where volume was crazy loud and time to reduce it, way too long.

 

[Brian Hall]

I really don't understand why anybody would want HDMI ARC and headphone amplifier. I feel that they are somewhat expensive features, but mutually exclusive.

Who puts a dac under the screen AND runs a 5m cable to a passive headphone?

Desktop setups. I use a 32" Samsung 4k TV for a monitor. I use the HDMI ARC for audio from a Fire TV 4k max when I am watching anything on it. I don't need a 5m cable there when I want to use headphones instead of speakers.

 

[Labjr]

I don't mind firmware controlled volume controls. Never had any issues with them. Sure, one in a million chance of something going bad. But such is the case with an analog stage as well, if it shorts out and outputs DC and such.

When I say software I mean computer player/volume control. These, I have had very bad experiences with where volume was crazy loud and time to reduce it, way too long.

I don't like having to balance the volume between audio player software and DAC/Headphone amp etc. Too many volume controls. IMO, every amp & headphone amp should have a physical emergency switch I can reach for which will mute/attenuate the output. I've blasted my ears with enough with headphones on.

 

[skybird]

I don't like having to balance the volume between audio player software and DAC/Headphone amp etc. Too many volume controls. IMO, every amp & headphone amp should have a physical emergency switch I can reach for which will mute/attenuator the output. I've blasted my ears with enough with headphones on.

The power button of the Luxsin X9:

• A single press mutes the sound.
• A long press puts the device into standby mode.
  You can mute it anytime with a single press, and the sound will resume when you turn the volume knob.

 

[amirm]

I don't like having to balance the volume between audio player software and DAC/Headphone amp etc. Too many volume controls. IMO, every amp & headphone amp should have a physical emergency switch I can reach for which will mute/attenuator the output. I've blasted my ears with enough with headphones on.

I set up my Roon player for fixed volume so there is only one volume control. Agree on emergency stop feature!

 

[rolfrander]

If I m not wrong same as the Eversolo in BT
To be confirmed...

View attachment 457505

So yet another dac with measurements far outperforming human ears, but still not separate buttons for input selection on the remote.

 

[kolestonin]

Can the Luxsin X9 accept a 2.1 (Left, Right, Sub) digital signal from a source (such as a PC running Dirac Live Processor with DLBC), and then output all three channels separately(Left and Right to my main amp, and the Sub channel to my subwoofer via its dedicated sub out?)


Or, is the Luxsin’s sub out only for its own internal bass management/crossover, and not usable as a pass-through for an external subwoofer channel generated by Dirac/DLBC?

 

[Burki]

So yet another dac with measurements far outperforming human ears, but still not separate buttons for input selection on the remote.

For the eversolo you can use their API for selecting all the inputs and outputs directly. This should be also be possible for the X9 and can integrated in many remotes, which are supporting IP control btw. smart home solutions.

 

[Luxsin]

Can the Luxsin X9 accept a 2.1 (Left, Right, Sub) digital signal from a source (such as a PC running Dirac Live Processor with DLBC), and then output all three channels separately(Left and Right to my main amp, and the Sub channel to my subwoofer via its dedicated sub out?)


Or, is the Luxsin’s sub out only for its own internal bass management/crossover, and not usable as a pass-through for an external subwoofer channel generated by Dirac/DLBC?

The X9 does not support multi-channel input beyond stereo

 

[robbiekhan]

The power button of the Luxsin X9:

• A single press mutes the sound.
• A long press puts the device into standby mode.
  You can mute it anytime with a single press, and the sound will resume when you turn the volume knob.

Not only that but the button feels and sounds great to actually use. I use it often just as a fidget spinner when nothing is playing for this reason lol.

The main volume dial is equally nice to use hence why my use case with the X9 is acting as DAC and pre-amp to now the Topping PA7 which is set to bypass mode so all volume is controlled by the X9. All apps and input sources to the X9 have their volume set to max (as should be...). the X9 remembers the volume level for the outputs so not a problem blasting ears off when connecting headphones.

How the setup looks:

I did recently have the Creek 4040 A, but it ended up being crap and I returned it to get the PA7 which is just outright better in every way that is important. PA7 seems to suit being the power amp for a passive speaker setup with the X9 doing the rest of the duties nicely. The Creek introduced a LOT of noise and interference into both its PA mode and internal pre-amped modes, it was so obvious I thought at first the X9 was leaving noise into the output somehow, but plugging back in my Aiyima A80 showed no such issue, and then cone the PA7 arrived in bypass mode and normal, zero noise floor, zero interference... Phew.

I'm going to be comparing the X9 to the new Topping DX5 II later this week which should be interesting, a big price gap between them, but for the right reasons I think.