Luxsin X9 Smart Stereo DAC & Preamp

[mags65]

We’re continuously adding new functions based on user feedback, i.e, a loudness feature is planned for firmware version .15.

@Luxsin could you please elaborate on the loudness function? Is it variable/adjustable like that of the RME ADI-2 series?

 

[Luxsin]

@Luxsin could you please elaborate on the loudness function? Is it variable/adjustable like that of the RME ADI-2 series?

Check below screenshot for what can be adjusted on X9 for Loudness function.

 

[TynanW]

This is the Eversolo Play. Its screen is taller, and makes it more suitable to place the volume display at the bottom/top. The X9’s screen isn’t as well suited for that layout.

Lol, that's crazy ! That's a UI design issue, not a technical / resolution / aspect ratio issue ! I'm sure your clearly talented designers could make that layout work, it would be less than an hour's work for someone who knows what they're doing.

Remember, at one point this device was advertised and sold as having a 1920 x 1080p screen . . . now we can't fit a level indicator on the screen !?

 

[dimon0869]

Lol, that's crazy ! That's a UI design issue, not a technical / resolution / aspect ratio issue ! I'm sure your clearly talented designers could make that layout work, it would be less than an hour's work for someone who knows what they're doing.

Remember, at one point this device was advertised and sold as having a 1920 x 1080p screen . . . now we can't fit a level indicator on the screen !?

I completely agree with what was written! It seems that instead of constructive solutions to eliminate obvious interface flaws and improve them, we are simply being kicked around and users are being decided what is good and what is bad, and they continue to convince us that this is how it should be. And I can't even wrap my head around how it was possible to spread the channel level indicators on both sides of the screen with spectrum analyzers! Where did you see this, dear developers?! Even the band scales themselves in the spectrum analyzers are made like some kind of children's toy, and not like a serious and fairly expensive product.

 

[TynanW]

This is the Eversolo Play. Its screen is taller, and makes it more suitable to place the volume display at the bottom/top. The X9’s screen isn’t as well suited for that layout.

Here's an example of a rough 960 x 400 layout . . . it took me ~20 minutes, I'm sure your designers could do something that works great on the X9's screen.

 

[TynanW]

could be to the left or right of the spectrum analyzers on their screens - two vertical scales next to each other

Rough layout . . . Ignore the grey design ! It is just an exercise in positioning element to fit neatly into 960 * 400.
The level meters, it would be useful if we had peak indicator at the top (above the level meter where it currently shows 4.2db and 1.8dB).
It would also be great if we could choose between sectional dB-linear or Exponential (or RMS) for the meter response.

I know people are asking for all kinds of things here . . . and personally I think the X9 is amazing as it is, and if it stayed exactly how it is I would still be very happy with it.

But . . .

I can see what the X9 already does, and I can see you can make some very useful improvements by just going another 3% with the coding / UI . . . . like dimon0869 says above "the spectrum analyzers are made like some kind of children's toy, and not like a serious and fairly expensive product." . . . I have to agree, the spectrum analyser looks nice, and has lots of bright colours, but lacks basic things like a dB scale indicator . . . it's pretty, but not very useful, and I understand your main market is audiophiles who might not need to know technical details, but there's a whole world of producers, mastering engineers, mixers (etc) for who the inclusion of simple dB scale turns a pretty display into a professional tool.

 

[hkessler]

Thank you for all the effort in this and other reviews on this site. Been lurking for over a decade but never needed to post, so just registered today.

I have a question specific to the XLR outputs of the X9; if this is my only source, would I still want a preamp to drive my monoblock amps? I'd rather eliminate items in the signal path if possible. I currently have a Pass Labs preamp connected to a pair of their XA series monoblocks and since I no longer use an analog source, I would very much like to just go direct from the X9 to the amps. I read a bunch about impedances, buffering, etc, the role of a preamp but all that went right over my head. Would prefer to keep things simple. Thanks a bunch in advance if anyone could spare a moment and let me know.

 

[dimon0869]

Rough layout . . . Ignore the grey design ! It is just an exercise in positioning element to fit neatly into 960 * 400.
The level meters, it would be useful if we had peak indicator at the top (above the level meter where it currently shows 4.2db and 1.8dB).
It would also be great if we could choose between sectional dB-linear or Exponential (or RMS) for the meter response.

I know people are asking for all kinds of things here . . . and personally I think the X9 is amazing as it is, and if it stayed exactly how it is I would still be very happy with it.

But . . .

I can see what the X9 already does, and I can see you can make some very useful improvements by just going another 3% with the coding / UI . . . . like dimon0869 says above "the spectrum analyzers are made like some kind of children's toy, and not like a serious and fairly expensive product." . . . I have to agree, the spectrum analyser looks nice, and has lots of bright colours, but lacks basic things like a dB scale indicator . . . it's pretty, but not very useful, and I understand your main market is audiophiles who might not need to know technical details, but there's a whole world of producers, mastering engineers, mixers (etc) for who the inclusion of simple dB scale turns a pretty display into a professional tool.

View attachment 472376

Both options are great! Developers, both can be added to the product screen options.

 

[TynanW]

 

[dimon0869]

View attachment 472386

The layout is great, I just wish there was a green-yellow-red color scheme, if not on the entire picture, then at least on the channel level indicator.
Of course, it is easier to read with a horizontal indicator, and if the developers can’t handle two options, then it would be better to make a horizontal option.

 

[TynanW]

The layout is great, I just wish there was a green-yellow-red color scheme, if not on the entire picture, then at least on the channel level indicator.

 

[TynanW]

My Favourite : )

 

[dimon0869]

View attachment 472389
View attachment 472390

Both options are great, but I think the bottom picture is preferable!
Although I've now looked at them again, and I can't decide which is better - both are good in their own way. I'm afraid to even ask the developers to make both options, but that would be great.

 

[respice finem]

Seriously good work. Maybe Luxsin could "open source" this by specifying the file format etc., and maybe with an extra rebate for the winning designer?

 

[Sokel]

If they take a ride at foobar's implementations they'll discover a new world of level meters, there's no limit to them.

 

[TynanW]

I think the bottom picture is preferable!

The segments would need to be coloured correctly, I just put them in quickly and visually, but assuming it would be a dBFS meter with 0dBFS at the top (not where I have it in the visual) green "safe" would be up to about -12dBFS, then yellow "warning" up to -6dBFS, with red "clip/over" taking up the top 6dB

 

[dimon0869]

The segments would need to be coloured correctly, I just put them in quickly and visually, but assuming it would be a dBFS meter with 0dBFS at the top (not where I have it in the visual) green "safe" would be up to about -12dBFS, then yellow "warning" up to -6dBFS, with red "clip/over" taking up the top 6dB

I really want the developers to make another version with a horizontal indicator, maybe just your version, only in the same colors - green-yellow-red, and also a version with a large horizontal level, and above it place the sampling frequencies and some other service information in large letters.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Thank you for all the effort in this and other reviews on this site. Been lurking for over a decade but never needed to post, so just registered today.

I have a question specific to the XLR outputs of the X9; if this is my only source, would I still want a preamp to drive my monoblock amps? I'd rather eliminate items in the signal path if possible. I currently have a Pass Labs preamp connected to a pair of their XA series monoblocks and since I no longer use an analog source, I would very much like to just go direct from the X9 to the amps. I read a bunch about impedances, buffering, etc, the role of a preamp but all that went right over my head. Would prefer to keep things simple. Thanks a bunch in advance if anyone could spare a moment and let me know.

If there is sufficient gain in your chain with just the X9 feeding your amps directly, then you won’t need a preamp between them. If you don’t find you have enough gain, even with your amps set to high gain (if they offer multiple gain options), then you’ll need a preamp between the X9 and your power amps to add gain.

 

[hkessler]

If there is sufficient gain in your chain with just the X9 feeding your amps directly, then you won’t need a preamp between them. If you don’t find you have enough gain, even with your amps set to high gain (if they offer multiple gain options), then you’ll need a preamp between the X9 and your power amps to add gain.

Thanks. So if I find the output loud enough directly from the X9, is that all there is to it?

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Thanks. So if I find the output loud enough directly from the X9, is that all there is to it?

Yeah, mate…generally speaking, it’s almost always best to keep stuff simple and minimal. More stuff just means more chances for problems or signal alteration.