Nihal critiques the Sendy Audio KYLIN, a brand new desktop built-in ES9038Q2M DAC, preamp, and Class A 1W-capable headphone amplifier. It’s at present priced at $1499.00.
Disclaimer: This pattern was despatched to me in alternate for my trustworthy opinion. Headfonics is an unbiased web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or standing. I thank Sendy Audio for his or her assist.
Click on right here to study extra about Sendy Audio merchandise beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This put up follows our present scoring pointers, which you’ll learn in additional element right here.
Sendy Audio KYLIN Assessment
Abstract
The Sendy Audio KYLIN desktop DAC and headphone amplifier delivers the place it issues. Massive energy, spacious sound, straightforward dynamics, and that barely classic Class A attraction. It might lack some trendy extras, however as a headphone-first desktop unit, it has sufficient character and muscle to impress.
Execs
Wealthy, analog tonality.
Spectacular low finish.
Very highly effective, can drive nearly any headphone.
Cons
Restricted options in comparison with competing sources.
The highest finish might sound a bit extra refined.
Most of us know Sendy Audio for its headphones. They’ve constructed a superb title within the planar house with releases just like the Peacock, Aiva 2, and the not too long ago launched Egret.
These sit extra on the mid-to-higher-tier aspect of the market, and Sendy Audio has principally been seen as a headphone-focused model.
This time, although, they’ve moved into a special class. Sendy Audio launched the KYLIN, a desktop DAC and headphone amplifier, in February 2026.
This has been in growth for a very long time. I keep in mind making an attempt a near-production unit at CanJam Singapore in April 2025, and Marcus additionally noticed it at SIAS 2025 in Shenzhen in August.
Even again then, it appeared fairly promising. I used to be excited to see it come out quickly, however Sendy Audio clearly took its time to refine the product.
The pre-release displaying at CanJam New York 2025 additionally felt optimistic. It seemed that KYLIN was not only a aspect challenge however one thing Sendy Audio had put correct effort into.
On this evaluation, I’ll take a better take a look at what the KYLIN brings to the desk. I may even examine it with a number of different notable DAC/Amps to see the place it stands.
Options
The Sendy Audio KYLIN is an all-in-one desktop DAC and headphone amplifier. It follows a Class A purism method, integrating the entire chain from digital enter to amplified headphone output as one unit.
On the digital aspect, KYLIN makes use of an XMOS USB platform together with an ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip. It might decode audio information as much as native DSD512 playback from appropriate sources.
I agree, the ES9038Q2M is an older ESS chip, and on paper, it doesn’t look all that thrilling anymore. We are going to get a greater concept of how KYLIN performs as soon as we transfer into the sound impressions part.
The amplification part is constructed round a devoted Class A output stage. KYLIN makes use of a Japanese Hitachi 2SB649/2SD669 complementary transistor setup in its Class A amplification stage.
For the supporting audio circuit, KYLIN makes use of a twin Burr-Brown OPA604 op-amp configuration. The capacitor choice additionally seems first rate, with WIMA capacitors from Germany and Nichicon capacitors from Japan used within the design.
The KYLIN’s output figures are fairly muscular, rated at as much as 10W into 30Ω, stepping all the way down to 1W into 300Ω and 500 mW into 600Ω.
That implies a powerful voltage swing of roughly 17.3 Vrms, giving it loads of headroom for each low-impedance planars and high-impedance dynamic headphones.
Total, KYLIN retains issues targeted. It’s not making an attempt to be only a small DAC with a fundamental amp stage added later. The design feels extra built-in, with correct consideration given to the DAC part, energy supply elements, and the Class A headphone output.
Design
The Sendy Audio KYLIN has a really old-school attraction to it. Not the flashy form of desktop DAC/amp design we see lots lately.
This seems like one thing you’d pull out of your dad’s stereo cupboard from, like 1989, simply cleaned up and made to really match on a contemporary desk.
The physique is constructed from aluminum. The entire unit seems glossy and compact, nevertheless it weighs over 3 kg, so once you choose it up, you are feeling it. No toy-like feeling right here. KYLIN is available in black for the worldwide market, which provides it straight-up classic vibes.
The entrance panel is the place many of the characters sit. The twin analog VU meters look beautiful and convey a correct retro taste to the unit.
When the unit is operating, they glow with a darkish orangish mild beneath, which seems particularly good in a low-lit room. This offers the KYLIN plenty of character.
The format can be very straight to the purpose. You get three headphone outputs on the entrance: 4-pin XLR balanced, 4.4mm balanced, and 6.35mm single-ended.
The headphone outputs and the VU meters are framed with gold-finished rims. Matches fairly nicely with the black physique and provides a pleasant premium contact with out making the design look too loud.
The supply selector, achieve button, and quantity knob are all positioned cleanly. Nothing feels overcrowded. Nothing feels overdone.
The knobs, ports, and front-panel parts really feel well-machined and properly completed. That’s one factor you discover. KYLIN might look minimal, nevertheless it doesn’t really feel fundamental.
It has this calm, elegant, no-nonsense design language. Nearly like it’s not making an attempt too exhausting to look premium, however nonetheless does.
I/O
KYLIN retains the I/O aspect neat and really straightforward to grasp. Nothing feels overcomplicated right here. No menu diving, no display, no additional drama. Simply press and transfer on.
The entrance panel provides you the three predominant headphone outputs: 4-pin XLR balanced, 4.4mm balanced, and 6.35mm single-ended.
Alongside that, you get the enter selector, a small achieve button, and the quantity knob. The achieve management is straightforward, dealt with by a small button-like selector.
The enter selector is definitely one of many extra helpful elements of the KYLIN. It permits you to change between three analog line inputs and three digital inputs from the identical entrance knob.
The digital aspect contains USB-B, optical, and coaxial. So in a small desktop chain, you possibly can maintain a number of sources linked and simply rotate the selector when wanted.
The rear panel is specified by a really clear method, with all of the analog inputs are grouped collectively and clearly labelled as Line 1, Line 2, and Line 3.
The digital inputs sit in their very own part, once more marked correctly. You additionally get an RCA pre-out on the again, which provides a bit extra flexibility if you wish to use KYLIN as a pre-amp in a speaker setup.
Total, the choices are restricted. A bit old-school vibes, however laid out fairly nicely in a sensible manner.
Quantity Management
Aesthetically, the KYLIN quantity dial has a refined and premium look, helped by the delicate orange LED embedded into the knob.
Engineering-wise, Sendy Audio has opted for a Japanese ALPS potentiometer, designed to ship correct quantity adjustment, excessive reliability, and minimal influence on sound high quality.
In every day use, the potentiometer feels very steady and constant, with no apparent imbalance or looseness throughout adjustment.
The identical consideration to element extends to the bodily controls, with the knobs and buttons feeling stable, exact, and well-built. It provides the KYLIN a powerful sense of mechanical high quality and cautious engineering from Sendy Audio.
Packaging & Equipment
The packaging and accent lineup for the Sendy Audio KYLIN is pretty normal for a desktop HiFi amplifier, although the bundle itself is sort of beneficiant.
The retail field is the same old HiFi-style brown boxing, and whereas all the things was packed securely sufficient for my unit to reach safely and in excellent situation, the interior safety did really feel a bit mild for a premium amplifier.
For one thing as premium because the KYLIN, it absolutely wants a bit extra reinforcement with the foams inside.
Inside, you get the KYLIN amplifier, an influence cable, and a consumer guide. Fundamental stuff lined. What stands out extra is the variety of equipped cables. Sendy Audio contains an optical cable, a USB to Sort-C cable, a USB to Lightning cable, a USB to USB-B cable, and a twin RCA cable.
A number of of the digital cables seem to come back from Zephone, a Chinese language cable model that has a superb repute amongst some audio customers for producing high quality aftermarket cables. So, whereas the packaging itself is pretty no-frills, Sendy Audio has not minimize corners with the included cable choice.
Total, it’s a sensible and helpful accent set, particularly for customers who wish to get the KYLIN linked to a number of digital and analog sources straight out of the field.
Sound Impressions
The next sound impressions of the Sendy Audio KYLIN had been accomplished with a USB supply by my MacBook. Headphones used included the HIFIMAN HE600, Sendy Audio’s Aiva 2, and the SIVGA SV023.
Abstract
KYLIN provides tons of energy. That’s straightforward to note. I might simply sense loads of headroom and dynamic vary with harder-to-drive or high-impedance headphones.
With simpler headphones, it virtually felt overpowered. I hardly needed to transfer the quantity knob earlier than reaching a correct listening stage.
In a nutshell, I might relate the sound to a laid-back and easy presentation. The very first thing that got here to thoughts was that analog taste.
Not the sharp, ultra-crisp, hyper-digital form of sound. It feels a bit relaxed, a bit rounded, and straightforward to sit down with for longer classes. There’s a good sense of physique within the notes, so the presentation doesn’t really feel dry or skinny.
There’s a slight higher treble carry, although. Not the tough or piercing sorts, nevertheless it does make its presence identified. And truthfully, that works in its favor. With out that little bit of carry, KYLIN might have leaned barely darkish due to its smoother nature.
That additional openness provides the sound some air and house and retains it from turning into too sleepy or overly mellow. So, the tuning finds a pleasant center floor. Easy and relaxed, however not closed in. Classic in taste, however not uninteresting.
With IEMs, KYLIN does probably not make plenty of sense to me. There may be simply an excessive amount of energy on faucet, and with most delicate IEMs, it rapidly turns right into a hiss machine.
Not one of the IEMs I personal paired cleanly with it, other than the Alpha Omega Omega and Ra. The remaining had a really noticeable background hiss, even on the lowest usable quantity ranges.
So, for IEMs, I might probably not take a look at KYLIN as a perfect pairing. It feels extra at residence with correct headphones that may make use of all that energy.
Timbre
I might describe KYLIN as a barely heat, analog-sounding unit. Not heat in that thick, gooey, bass-heavy manner. It’s not making an attempt to push additional bass or make all the things sound fats.
The heat right here is extra like a gentle coloration within the physique of notes. A bit bloom across the decrease mids and mid-bass area. That form of relaxed musical coating, which makes the sound really feel much less digital and fewer dry.
The Class A amplification defines how KYLIN presents its notes. It has that straightforward, relaxed movement. The sound doesn’t really feel pressured or tight-fisted. Devices come out with a good physique, and the general presentation has a laid-back character.
I gained’t label it a hyper-clean, ultra-sharp sort of sound. It’s extra on the musical aspect. Easy in angle, however not absolutely easy in execution.
Bass doesn’t get an apparent carry; moderately, it feels supported. You’d discover a bit extra ease and fullness down low. I really like the punches it provides when the headphone asks for it, and since the facility reserve is very large, it doesn’t sound compressed or weak.
The midrange is the place the analog taste is less complicated to catch. Vocals and devices have a barely rounded physique. I don’t discover it overly lush, however sure, there’s a slight sweetness within the tone.
Treble is the extra attention-grabbing half, and in addition the place I really feel KYLIN shouldn’t be excellent. On the balanced outputs, each XLR and 4.4 mm, the higher finish has a little bit of splash. The 6.35mm single-ended output feels a bit smoother to me.
Total, I discover the output fairly expansive and full of life. I really like how the low finish is rendered right here, however a cleaner treble is definitely a nitpick for me.
Staging & Imaging
The soundstage was one of many first issues I observed on KYLIN. It opened up virtually immediately as soon as I plugged in correct headphones.
The stage has good width, however it’s not simply that typical left and proper unfold. There may be sufficient peak and depth, and collectively it provides the entire thing a barely holographic really feel. Not faux huge. Not artificially stretched. Simply spacious sufficient to let the music breathe.
The supply feels easy to me. Nothing sounds cramped or boxed in. Notes have a rounder form, and the decrease finish carries a bit extra influence. It has that softer, greater hit moderately than a pointy slam.
The slight treble vitality additionally helps right here. It provides some air on high and makes the stage really feel extra open. Photos are clear and pretty sharp, however not hard-edged. I don’t hear that overly etched form of placement. There may be nonetheless some ease in how devices sit across the stage.
Dynamics additionally profit from the facility reserve. KYLIN doesn’t really feel strained when the monitor will get busy or when the headphone asks for extra present. It retains a superb sense of swing and scale. That is without doubt one of the issues I preferred about it. It by no means feels just like the amp is making an attempt too exhausting.
Vocals take up more room on the stage. They’ve a fuller and extra intimate presence, which feels fairly absorbing. KYLIN provides you house and openness, however nonetheless retains the music shut sufficient to tug you in.
The achieve change on KYLIN doesn’t dramatically change the presentation. Each settings maintain an analogous loudness habits, and the dynamics don’t abruptly open up on excessive achieve. I really feel this design selection is as a result of KYLIN already has sufficient drive within the decrease settings.
Click on on web page 2 under for my advisable pairings and chosen comparisons.
