Luxsin X9 Smart Stereo DAC & Preamp

[Burki]

but they didn't write anything about the output impedance of the unit when it comes to headphones.

shouldn't it be here more or less dynamical, because the X9 detects the headphone impedance?

 

[robbiekhan]

My multimeter is broken and I don't have spare resistors to apply the load sadly else I would!

 

[mash]

A really nice box with some great features. Its interesting with these "Smart" DACs. There are about 10 features that could be implemented for a full digital pre-amp use case. Some examples....

1. DAC
2. All digital audio inputs...Coax, Optical, USB
3. ARC input
4. Analog inputs with high quality ADC
5. Phono input MM/MC
6. Trigger support
7. Sub support (1 good, 2 best) with high pass support on the analog outs (why is it that smart DAC producers can't wrap their heads around the fact that a large percentage of people want to use these boxes with 2.1 or 2.2 system?)
8. LAN/Wireless Network connectivity (for streamer support)
9. Parametric Equal with configs for all individual outputs
10. Any number of other DSP functions from streaming and/or protocol support to zone/grouping configs

In the old days, you bought a pre-amp that supported about 20 functions and you only used 50% of them. Now, all of these new Smart DACs implement a limited number of capabilities/inputs/outputs and you are left figuring out if the box you're looking at implements the ones that you need/want. For me, this has everything that I need except a USB digital out....so close.

 

[robbiekhan]

everything that I need except a USB digital out....so close.

Perhaps this could be possible with a firmware update that gives the option to set one of the other USB ports as USB-out, some DACs already have this option in the menu.

One for @Luxsin

 

[mash]

Perhaps this could be possible with a firmware update that gives the option to set one of the other USB ports as USB-out, some DACs already have this option in the menu.

One for @Luxsin

That would do the trick!

 

[Jimster480]

shouldn't it be here more or less dynamical, because the X9 detects the headphone impedance?

Never seen dynamic output impedance. The HP Amp chip supposedly has a high output impedance.

My multimeter is broken and I don't have spare resistors to apply the load sadly else I would!

Hopefully someone else has one

 

[Robbo99999]

EQing is energy though, I went through several days of trying to get Peace/APO at a level that sounded good to my ears when I had the Ananda Nano, there just wasn't a balance regardless of how many things I adjusted that sounded nice to my ears that balanced the bright Nano signature to something that worked well with all music as opposed to just some music.

Throwing all that into the bin and getting the Arya Stealth by comparison was much simpler and removed the need to use any EQ out of the box unless I specifically wanted a new sound signature for whatever reason. The profiles in the X9's HP-EQ do a good job and refine areas of the sound for sure, but bypass sounds the most well balanced to my ears and through my headphones, so bypass is my favoured method on the kit that I have.

(Best bet is to start with an EQ to Harman and then tweak from there if you need to increase or decrease bass, and maybe some low Q changes elsewhere, this seems to work for most people, so basically it's an Oratory EQ. If you're tweaking random stuff on a stock headphone based on just listening to it (not using measurements) then you'll end up wrong & it'll take too much time & effort. Anyway, last post from me on this topic as don't want to derail the thread, hence why all this is in brackets. I can probably see you're not a typical ASR member that goes off the measurements.)

 

[Ajax]

Thanks Amir for another informative review. It is hard to fault this device and IMO it ticks a lot of boxes.

I find the ASR crowd is getting more and more demanding, which is not a critism because that's how better and better products get developed. However, when compared to the gear we see in the HiFi magazines, $1,100 for this level of performance and functuality is realtively inexpensive.

 

[bmwr75]

This community is pretty clear about not liking the use of the term Chi-fi. Probably a good thing for you to consider not using around here.

Sorry, had not heard or seen that. Commonly used term (not in a derogatory way) by many YT audio reviewers. I only asked because seems a new brand name pops up every month.

 

[Luxsin]

Right, that's seems to be the case, I guess @amirm possibly got confused by the naming convention of the gain modes, you guys really need to update them to low/medium/high the same as other headphone amps as this is a little confusing.

We will update the gain mode naming in next firmware.

 

[Jimster480]

We will update the gain mode naming in next firmware.

What is the actual output impedance of the HPA?

 

[A Surfer]

Sorry, had not heard or seen that. Commonly used term (not in a derogatory way) by many YT audio reviewers. I only asked because seems a new brand name pops up every month.

I know that some people genuinely do not mean to imply anything derogatory with that term. However, I've been around in these online audio communities prior to the use of the term and I can assure you that it was not intended as anything but an insult.

I have no doubt that you weren't intending to use it as a slur. Enjoy the community here, it is a great place for sure.

 

[Luxsin]

What is the actual output impedance of the HPA?

Output impedance of HPA is 1.3Ω

 

[Scrivs]

Yawn, yet another well-measuring DAC for a bit over $1000. "Unusual" enclosure being the differentiator.

 

[Scrivs]

Thanks for the review, @amirm !

Great performer, for sure. But both product's name and industrial desig

Thanks for the review, @amirm !

Great performer, for sure. But both product's name and industrial design are a miss in my book.

We are well in accord my friend

 

[Scrivs]

Thanks for the great review Amir.
Interesting device but I am still keeping the RME despite its interface that I hate with passion ..

You and I both

 

[da Choge]

Yawn, yet another well-measuring DAC for a bit over $1000.

I see this as a component whose best function (for me) would be to serve as a great Headphone Amp (which includes a very good DAC & DSP in the same single unit) with an excellent form factor to sit on the desktop of a home office PC where you have Roon or other music listening software installed. Of course, it could drive powered external speakers as well. In fact, I think it might be my next upgrade just for that purpose. It measures better, is more versatile, and competes well with many units multiple times its cost.

 

[EJ3]

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.
View attachment 457396
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:
View attachment 457397

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.
------------
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/

I'm thinking that I could run one of my preamp main outs into the audio in & that would cover all my analog inputs?
Or to a BT or WiFi converter/transmitter?
Would like to know more about the sub out FR adjustment possibilities.
If those thing would work and are up to par, then:
the WISHFUL thinking part:

For me:

No need for a headphone amplifier (already have several pieces of gear that have them, including my preamplifiers [and almost never use them]).


1. A full 16 bits.

2. And somehow move things around on the front panel to have 2 VU meters (even if they needed to be a bit smaller).

For 1. & 2., I would be willing to pay $100-$200 more.

EJ3

 

[Hipster Doofus]

Hmmm... i have no need for a headphone amp but its sure pretty. It's All the Dac one would ever need. Not sure if the Equalizer works on the fly like Roon but if you set it and forget it no problem. If you can also set any Speaker and not just headphones to the Harman Curve that would be very cool but i do not have much experience with headphone amps to know if that is true. Sub out is great and so is ARC but i use a laptop and hdmi it to a big screen.

 

[V.b.]

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?