James evaluations the Luxsin X9, a compact desktop DAC and 6.4W-capable headphone amplifier with an modern DSP-based strategy to sound high quality. It’s at present priced at $1099.
Disclaimer: I acquired this pattern in alternate for my trustworthy opinion. Headfonics is an unbiased web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or providers. I wish to thank Luxsin Audio for his or her assist.
You may click on right here to study extra concerning the solid-state amplifier merchandise beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This publish follows our present scoring pointers, which you’ll learn in additional element right here.
Luxsin X9 Assessment
Abstract
The Luxsin X9 a strong trendy desktop DAC/amplifier with a pioneering, but sensible implementation of DSP, making the expertise satisfying and enjoyable. I might readily advocate it to those that regularly swap between a various assortment of headphones with various energy necessities, in addition to those that at all times become bored with the inventory tuning on conventional decoders and amplifiers.
Professionals
Sturdy DSP options.
Intuitive UI.
Help Stereo/Twin Sub-out.
Cons
No wi-fi LDAC assist
HP-EQ won’t cowl some legacy fashions
Sounds flat when DSP is off.
On this overview, I’ll cowl the brand new Luxsin X9 desktop built-in DAC and headphone amplifier from a model that could be unfamiliar to some.
Luxsin is a subsidiary of Zidoo, alongside the well-regarded Eversolo model identified for its mature and strong streaming options, such because the DMP-A6 Gen 2 and the just lately reviewed Play.
Since Eversolo doesn’t function headphone outputs, Luxsin carves out a definite area of interest with the X9, mixing Zidoo’s robust software program experience with {hardware} improvements.
Past its AK4499EX decoding chip, the X9 has superior options equivalent to discrete R2R resistor arrays for exact quantity management, impedance sensing, and loads of DSP tweaks for headphone customers.
The product web page on Luxsin’s web site doesn’t totally seize the combination and practicality of those options, which is what I intention to do on this overview.
On this overview, I will even put the X9 by its paces, testing it in opposition to a few of my benchmark gear such because the FiiO K17 and the RME ADI-2 Professional. Learn on to learn the way the X9 performs and compares.
Options
The Luxsin X9 is constructed on a 6.4W into 16Ω succesful totally balanced structure, leveraging an AKM 4191+4499EX DAC to decode audio recordsdata as much as DSD512 and 32-bit/768kHz PCM.
To optimize decoding and amplification, a linear energy provide is used with separate digital and analog sign paths, using what Luxsin calls a “star-shaped” energy distribution system.
This design achieves an ultra-low 40nV ripple within the energy provide, enhancing noise management and increasing the dynamic vary.
For additional refinement, Luxsin makes use of OPA1612 opamps as a buffer to offer a steady reference voltage to the DAC, minimizing noise and distortion whereas maximizing dynamic vary.
The X9 delivers distinctive efficiency metrics with its headphone outputs, together with a dynamic vary and SNR exceeding 128dB, which is past the human ear’s threshold. The THD+N measurement, which is lower than 0.00016% can be first rate.
Design
The Luxsin X9 includes a modern, tilted entrance panel with faceted corners, giving it a contemporary but distinctive aesthetic.
Its 4-inch laminated TFT touchscreen gives adequate pixel density and permits easy gesture navigation for duties like adjusting I/O settings or switching between cool VU visualizers.
The design stands out with daring, contrasting colours, and the angled display screen proves sensible, permitting straightforward setting changes even when standing.
The emblem on prime carries a retro vibe, echoing 80s and 90s design, whereas the UI is nicely programmed to be intuitive and permits customers to succeed in the specified perform by minimal steps, and has many various visualizing results that you may swipe between.
Weighing practically 4kg, the X9 feels very sturdy and free from resonance. The bodily structure is thoughtfully organized on each the back and front, and the precise gadget appears higher than the rendering on the web site, feeling extra premium and inflexible.
I/O
The Luxsin X9 gives versatile connectivity. On the rear panel, you’ll discover XLR pre-amp outputs, RCA outputs, and twin subwoofer RCA output ports for two.2 setups, a much less frequent function on desktop amplifiers/pre-amps.
This permits customers to regulate the subwoofer cutoff frequency whereas concurrently making use of a low-cut filter for the audio system, enhancing setup flexibility.
For inputs, the X9 helps USB-B, USB-C, Bluetooth, RCA, coaxial, optical, and HDMI ARC/eARC, with seamless on-screen switching between these sources.
One other standout function is the twin set off ports on the again, enabling automated on/off management for linked gadgets within the setup chain.
Impedance Detection
The Luxsin X9 contains a sophisticated impedance monitoring function that detects the impedance of linked headphones and recommends the optimum achieve stage.
This enhances effectivity, reduces distortion, and improves suggestions management within the amplification part, leading to superior noise discount.
For example, when connecting my Sennheiser HD 800s, the X9’s display screen shows an animation that measures the impedance earlier than mechanically switching to excessive achieve. Be aware that this function is unique to six.3mm and 4.4mm connections.
Controls
When turning the amount dial on the Luxsin X9, it shows “R2R” on display screen, signifying its exact, discrete resistor pairs for every quantity step in 0.5dB increments.
A satisfying clicking sound accompanies every step, seemingly from inside relay elements, including a tactile attraction to the expertise.
The totally balanced design additional reduces distortion and noise in comparison with conventional potentiometers, attaining a powerful 0.1dB left/proper channel steadiness accuracy.
This premium function makes the X9 supreme for listeners in quiet environments or these utilizing extremely delicate gear, guaranteeing constant efficiency even at decrease volumes.
HP-EQ Customized Profiles
The Luxsin X9, powered by the AKM 7739 DSP chipset, comes with 2,500 preloaded headphone profiles with hardware-based EQ changes.
You may enter your headphone mannequin to go looking and to save lots of a shortlist of regularly used headphones, enabling prompt profile switching for tailor-made audio experiences.
What the official introduction supplies don’t spotlight is the flexibility to pick from a number of goal curves, alongside configurable choices like crossfeed, filters, and different DSP settings that may be configured on display screen and on different gadgets. It’s also possible to choose combos of those or toggle them on and off to check their affect.
This intuitive but highly effective configuration panel stands out as some of the spectacular for headphone amplifiers, providing each flexibility and ease of use.
Connectivity
Bluetooth
The Luxsin X9 incorporates a QCC5125 Bluetooth 5.0 shipset, supporting AAC and SBC decoding. Whereas wired connections stays the go-to for optimum audio high quality, Bluetooth is a handy bonus for streaming straight from a cellphone.
I’m not certain why LDAC and aptX are lacking, as QCC5125 does assist aptX upwards, which may assist profit the output high quality. One issue could be licensing prices for aptX.
In comparison with USB playback of the identical file, the Bluetooth output has a barely softer prime finish with much less definition however maintains an general partaking and well-rounded efficiency.
WiFi
For configuring the DSP options, you’ll be able to join your cellphone, PC, or pill to the X9 over the identical WiFi community.
Along with a devoted management app, the X9 gives a web-based management panel, accessible by way of a hyperlink discovered on the gadget’s “About” web page.
The interface visualizes tuning curves, permitting you to customise PMEQ settings with ease, and may be very easy and user-friendly, with a minimal studying curve.
USB-DAC
The Luxsin X9 options three USB ports, with the USB-A port devoted solely to firmware updates.
Each the USB-B and USB Kind-C ports assist connections to USB audio sources, suitable with Home windows 10, Home windows 11, Android, and iOS gadgets.
These ports allow high-resolution audio playback, supporting as much as Stereo DSD512 and PCM 768kHz/32-bit decoding with out requiring driver set up.
Packaging & Equipment
The X9 is available in a well-padded packaging, which is crucial for this moderately heavy gadget. Inside, you’ll find manuals, an influence wire, a Bluetooth distant, in addition to a USB-B and Kind-C OTG cable.
Sound Impressions
The next sound impressions of the Luxsin S9 had been accomplished after per week of burn-in, with testing carried out utilizing the Sennheiser HD 800s and varied planar headphones, together with the MOONDROP COSMO, VENUS, FiiO FT7, and the SIVGA P2 Professional.
Abstract
The Luxsin X9 combines a handful of sensible DSP options with excessive precision audio elements, delivering first rate distortion management and a fascinating listening expertise.
Straight out of the field, it gives a moderately neutral-flat response, characterised by a noise-free, pitch-black background, a powerful sense of management all through the entire frequency spectrum, and impactful bass with clear decay.
However clearly, this unit has much more to do with DSP, which does sound extra partaking, together with the crossfeed function.
The decoding high quality is first rate on USB enter, with micro-details well-captured, and the bass kicks stable and deep, notably with planar magnetic headphones.
With delicate IEMs, it additionally sounds fairly dynamic and pure, sustaining a clear, agile, and managed signature throughout totally different gears examined.
To me, the X9 efficiently demonstrates how superior digital processing virtually helps obtain higher perceived sound qualities, on the identical time not sounding fatiguing or too altered in tone.
The headphone EQ profiles permit impedance skews and varied points to be compensated nicely, and that is essentially the most user-friendly strategy for a DSP-reinforced gadget I’ve tried so far.
Timbre
On USB connection, the X9 sounds fairly impartial and gently rolled off in its 4.4mm output underneath bypass mode.
Testing with the SIVGA P2 Professional, it demonstrates nice management, definitive energy, and agility in bass, with out being overly aggressive in displaying its energy. The bass impacts are tight, agency, with a clear decay.
The treble gives passable energy, sounding fairly clear with out being overly lifted for transparency, permitting room for varied equalization profiles, and avoiding sounding medical.
The subs are clearly audible however not overly boosted, preserving your complete spectrum swift and layered, and sounds easy but textured with excessive BPM EDMs and guitar riffs that closely use digital bass devices.
As soon as DSP is utilized, the tuning adjustments dramatically, enhancing the output’s dynamics and giving the vocal line extra authority whereas suppressing resonance spikes.
The digital filters are additionally useful for fine-tuning brightness, and usually, they easy out the spikes and dips for higher linearity alongside the spectrum.
Utilizing the HD 800s to take heed to the Firebird Suite and Mars with intense, huge drums, the X9 maintains velocity and management even with stronger present attracts. The combo presents massive orchestral works with good pressure and energy.
As soon as DSP is engaged, the 2 ends are boosted for extra vividness and stronger dynamics, and the mids are imaged fuller, which boosts separation.
With delicate, cleaner-sounding gear, there is usually a slight digital sheen when listening to songs with a cool tone. However, the DSP choices are fast fixes that assist enhance layering, dynamics, and articulation.
The X9 goals for a reference-style, harsh-free tuning. It seems to work finest with masses which have average to larger impedance, and at decrease achieve ranges, it could sound considerably well mannered in assault, whereas larger achieve strengthens the perceived energy.
Staging & Dynamics
The Luxsin X9 gives an expansive stage with its easy, barely laid-back tuning. There’s a mild roll-off within the inventory tuning, which helps to seize passable air however with out harshness, and each ends sound sufficiently prolonged.
The stereo picture isn’t very distinct on inventory settings. With DSP utilized to some goal curves, it helps define the vocal line higher.
A bit of bit extra on vocal positioning, you’ll be able to examine the cross-feed perform to enhance the notion of a centered, out-of-head picture. Usually, I don’t discover cross-feed very pure, but it surely’s well-implemented right here, with a number of profiles you’ll be able to swap between that don’t sound hole.
Basically, the X9 gives the ambiance of an opera home the place the listener is correctly distanced from the stage, and weaker voices are positioned a bit laid again, whereas highly effective virtuosos reduce by extra distinctively.
Devices are well-separated, and with crossfeed on, you would possibly really feel them spreading wider throughout the perceived stage.
With planars, the bass feels deeper, extra textured, and extra correct, like in a damped room, whereas dynamic headphones sound bolder for bass devices.
Click on on web page 2 under for my really useful pairings and chosen comparisons.
