Luxsin X9 Smart Stereo DAC & Preamp

[jbc]

Long time listener, first time caller, Larry.

Thanks to ASR, last summer I bought an Apollon Amp and the Luxsin X9 Pre. Plugged them into a pair of all Canadian Tetras and have been bopping non-stop since. I would highly recommend them all. Thank you ASR.

But smarter people have more informed opinions on these matters.

I am writing to share that out of pure desire to control my various bits and pieces (X9, streaming stuff etc) under a single phone app I learned you can make very nice custom interfaces pretty easily. Here are some docs and a little sample.
https://github.com/j6c-001/Luxsin-X9-API

Have fun, if you're into this kind of thing.

 

[VilmFilm]

Long time listener, first time caller, Larry.

Thanks to ASR, last summer I bought an Apollon Amp and the Luxsin X9 Pre. Plugged them in to to a pair all Canadian Tetras and have been bopping non-stop since. I would highly recommend them all. Thank you ASR.

But smarter people have more informed opinions on these matters.

I am writing to share that out of pure desire to control my various bits and pieces (X9, streaming stuff etc) under a single phone app I learned you can make very nice custom interfaces pretty easily. Here are some docs and a little sample.
https://github.com/j6c-001/Luxsin-X9-API

Have fun, if you're into this kind of thing.

I saw your post on Luxsin forum like an hour ago lol. I'm just excited to see the back inputs and outputs of the new model. PLEASE PLEASE SUBWOOFER OUT AND SMALLER FORM FACTOR. small form factor by the teaser seems to be semi promising

 

[jbc]

I saw your post on Luxsin forum like an hour ago lol. I'm just excited to see the back inputs and outputs of the new model. PLEASE PLEASE SUBWOOFER OUT AND SMALLER FORM FACTOR. small form factor by the teaser seems to be semi promising

Assuming every thing else stays the same, narrow width (and colour) to match my amp would be enough for me. Honestly though, I am more than happy with the current set-up. I don't feel I need to change anything. That preview photo did get me thinking though!

 

[jbc]

Looking forward to it. PS when to expect local playback of files from usb stick?

Supported in latest beta firmware. v2.0.0.1

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Where can we buy this in the US?

Forté Distribution sells direct despite their name.

 

[Pow1]

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.

Did you end up getting the Luxsin X9?

I’m currently debating between this and the miniDSP flex HTX for a living room setup. I’m currently in the midst of putting together a 2.1 setup and I really like the miniDSP for the expandability for its IO.

But the Luxsin has analog volume control which I would consider a big deal. If I were to get the miniDSP, I would likely have to add a preamp before the power amp too. As long as I stick to a 2.1 setup, the Luxsin seems to be the way to go but that might also limit expandability in the future.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Did you end up getting the Luxsin X9?

I’m currently debating between this and the miniDSP flex HTX for a living room setup. I’m currently in the midst of putting together a 2.1 setup and I really like the miniDSP for the expandability for its IO.

But the Luxsin has analog volume control which I would consider a big deal. If I were to get the miniDSP, I would likely have to add a preamp before the power amp too. As long as I stick to a 2.1 setup, the Luxsin seems to be the way to go but that might also limit expandability in the future.

Not sure how much it matters to you but there’s finer adjustability of crossover slopes and delays on the miniDSP; also, the speaker output has analog volume control, but the sub output is still digital volume control on the X9.

 

[Eulipian]

Not sure how much it matters to you but there’s finer adjustability of crossover slopes and delays on the miniDSP; also, the speaker output has analog volume control, but the sub output is still digital volume control on the X9.

Looking at the X9 or the HTX as preamp/DAC solution for use with turntable and CD player (*I know*) in system, I'm having trouble determining which is the stronger option for a 2.1 system. I don't understand the digital vs analog volume control issue. Can you please explain? Thanks.

 

[Luxsin]

Where can we buy this in the US?

Luxsin X9 - Forté Distribution

The Luxsin X9 is a fully balanced flagship DAC, headphone amp, and preamp in one. Featuring advanced HP-EQ tuning, AK4499EX DAC, a real-time impedance check system, and stunning dynamic performance, it delivers reference-grade sound with intelligent control, elegant design, and immersive clarity.

forte-distribution.com

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Looking at the X9 or the HTX as preamp/DAC solution for use with turntable and CD player (*I know*) in system, I'm having trouble determining which is the stronger option for a 2.1 system. I don't understand the digital vs analog volume control issue. Can you please explain? Thanks.

Digital volume controls have two primary (potential) disadvantages.

Firstly, devices with analog volume controls do not tend to, “forget,” their previous volume setting, so analog volume controls minimize or fully eliminate the possibility of the device inadvertently playing full blast unexpectedly. In X9’s case, since the relay is digitally controlled, one could potentially see this potential failure still occurring.

Secondly, analog volume controls have a benefit in that they lower the total signal including noise floor when attenuating. With digital volume controls, this is not the case. In very high-gain analog chains, digital volume control may result in audible hiss during quiet passages and/or low playback volume levels.

There is also the tertiary issue of reduced dynamic range if the digital volume is set extremely low; however, at ultra-low volume levels, digital volume control retains absolutely perfect channel balance, whereas some analog volume controls exhibit channel imbalance at super low volume levels. However, the relay-controlled resistor ladder volume control in the X9 avoids that problem even at super low volume.

 

[VilmFilm]

Luxsin X9 - Forté Distribution

The Luxsin X9 is a fully balanced flagship DAC, headphone amp, and preamp in one. Featuring advanced HP-EQ tuning, AK4499EX DAC, a real-time impedance check system, and stunning dynamic performance, it delivers reference-grade sound with intelligent control, elegant design, and immersive clarity.

forte-distribution.com

I'm still waiting eagerly for the new model. I need to see it WITH MY EYES

 

[kolestonin]

Did you end up getting the Luxsin X9?

I’m currently debating between this and the miniDSP flex HTX for a living room setup. I’m currently in the midst of putting together a 2.1 setup and I really like the miniDSP for the expandability for its IO.

But the Luxsin has analog volume control which I would consider a big deal. If I were to get the miniDSP, I would likely have to add a preamp before the power amp too. As long as I stick to a 2.1 setup, the Luxsin seems to be the way to go but that might also limit expandability in the future.

No I didn't get the Luxsin as the project was never materialized.
The deal beaker with Luxsin in my case was it's sub out though.
As I was planning to add a subwoofer and use DLBC so to send a 2.1 digital corrected signal to my speakers and sub.
With X9 dedicated sub out you can't output all three channels separately(Left and Right to the amp, and the Sub channel to the sub)

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

No I didn't get the Luxsin as the project was never materialized.
The deal beaker with Luxsin in my case was it's sub out though.
As I was planning to add a subwoofer and use DLBC so to send a 2.1 digital corrected signal to my speakers and sub.
With X9 dedicated sub out you can't output all three channels separately(Left and Right to the amp, and the Sub channel to the sub)

Correct; X9 always shows up as a 2.0 destination to upstream devices, even over USB. It cannot process 2.1 input, only 2.0.

 

[Eulipian]

No I didn't get the Luxsin as the project was never materialized.
The deal beaker with Luxsin in my case was it's sub out though.
As I was planning to add a subwoofer and use DLBC so to send a 2.1 digital corrected signal to my speakers and sub.
With X9 dedicated sub out you can't output all three channels separately(Left and Right to the amp, and the Sub channel to the sub)

So what did you go with in lieu of the X9?

 

[Pow1]

Just saw the new product page for the Luxsin X8! Excited!

 

[VilmFilm]

Just saw the new product page for the Luxsin X8! Excited!

Bruh you had me excited. I thought they put the product page out but I still see the x9 only. If you mean the teasers on insta and their forum then yeah they just teasing

EDIT: my apologiesssss i just saw it on my computer and refreshed and i see it now lmao. i check literally every day 5 times a day for the past month but ofc now it does'nt update for me until now

 

[VilmFilm]

$699 seems a lot more reasonable and fair. as long as it has subwoofer out this might be the on for my desk setup!!!!!

 

[mermayer]

Luxsin X8?

 

[kolestonin]

So what did you go with in lieu of the X9?

Nothing as I ended up not adding a subwoofer after all.
The plan was to replace my dac(Topping E30) and my Preamp(Topping Pre 90), and add a subwoofer.
So Luxsin looked ideal as I could replace both devices with it.

My two main options for software DLBC subwoofer integration at the end of my research and before abandoning the project had been the RME HDSPe AIO Pro with the AO4S-192 expansion board, or the Okto Research dac8 PRO.
Of course, miniDSP devices are also perfectly capable in this role, but they’re simply not to my taste.
That said, I’m afraid we’re drifting a bit off-topic.

 

[VilmFilm]

Man no sub out on the new Luxsin x8... What a disappointment