X9

Reviewer: Srajan Ebaen
Financial interests: click here
Main system: Sources: Retina 5K 27" iMac (i5, 256GB SSD, 40GB RAM, Sonoma 14), 4TB external SSD with Thunderbolt 3, Audirvana Studio, Qobuz Sublime, Singxer SU-6 USB bridge, LHY Audio SW-8 & SW-6 switch, Laiv Audio Harmony and Sonnet Pasithea; Active filter: Lifesaver Audio Gradient Box 2; Power amplifiers: Kinki Studio EX-B7 monos & Gold Note monos on subwoofer; Headamp: Kinki Studio THR-1, Enleum AMP-23R, aune S17Pro Evo; Phones: Raal 1995 Immanis; Loudspeakers: Qualio IQ [on loan] Cables: Kinki Studio Fire, Furutech; Power delivery: Kinki/Vinshine Tai Hang on amps, Furutech GTO 2D NCF on low-level gear; Equipment rack: Artesanía Audio Exoteryc double-wide 3-tier with optional glass shelves, Exoteryc amp stands; Sundry accessories: Acoustic System resonators, LessLoss Firewall for loudspeakers, Furutech NCF Signal Boosters; Room: 6 x 8m with open door behind listening seat; Room treatment: 2 x PSI Audio AVAA C214 active bass traps
2nd system: Source: FiiO R7 into Soundaware D300Ref SD transport to COS Engineering D1 DAC/pre; Filter: Lifesaver Audio Gradient Box 2; Amplifier: Kinki Studio EX-M7; Headamp: Cen.Grand Silver Fox; Loudspeakers: MonAcoustic SuperMon Mini + Dynaudio S18 sub, sound|kaos Vox 3awf, Albedo Aptica; Power delivery: Vibex Granada/Alhambra, Akiko Audio Corelli; Equipment rack: Hifistay Mythology Transform X-Frame [on extended loan]; Sundry accessories: Audioquest Fog Lifters; Furutech NFC Clear Lines; Room: ~3.5 x 8m
Desktop system: Source: HP Z2 work station Win10/64; USB bridge: Singxer SU-2; DAC: iFi Pro iDSD Signature; Speakers: DMAX P61; Headphones: Final D-8000 & aune SR7000 Audeze LCD-XC
Upstairs headfi system: FiiO R7; Headphones: Meze 109 Pro, Fiio FT3, Raal 1995 Magna, HiFiMan Susvara
2-channel video system: Source: Oppo BDP-105; All-in-One: Gold Note IS-1000 Deluxe; Loudspeakers: Zu Soul VI; Subwoofer: Zu Submission; Power delivery: Furutech eTP-8, Room: ~6x4m
Review component retail: €1'099 ex VAT

Luxsin. It's not a new nickname for Sin City's Luxor Hotel. It's shorthand for Luxurious Sinewave. That's a new marque by China's Zidoo Group so Eversolo's sister brand. As its first product, the X9 replaces what the sister model would make a network-streaming module with a max 15Vrms/4w@32Ω headphone amplifier [900mW/300Ω] based on the Texas Instruments TPA6120A2 chip. In fully balanced implementation, that outputs by XLR4, 6.3mm and 4.4mm on the front. For low noise of the linear power supply, there's ripple suppression to 40µV and THD+N of-120dB. There's also remote control for legacy preamp convenience and wireless operation via smartphone or computer.

Volume control is via switched resistor matrix aka R2R, fully balanced 32/768PCM or DSD512 conversion by AKM4499EX + AK41911EX "paired with a 3rd-gen XMOS 316 processor. This configuration delivers faster processing speeds and significantly higher USB bandwidth". I/V conversion is by TI OP1612 opamp which also sets up dynamic negative feedback with the headphone amp IC. Clocking is by dual Accusilicon oscillators. Selectable DSP embeds xfeed and EQ options for Harman and other correction curves of purportedly over 2'500 headphone models accessible by scrolling down a list on the 1'080p 4-inch touch screen whose brightness is adjustable in three steps. See video for details.

Angled at 15° for better visibility and reach, this display can fly more than ten different VU-meter styles as already shown.

For connectivity we get RCA/XLR line-outs so DAC/preamp functionality enhanced with a stereo RCA subwoofer output with bass management adjustments for low-pass frequency and gain plus an analog RCA input. The onboard DAC is tapped via coax, Toslink, HDMI ARC, USB-B/C and Bluetooth 5.0. Dimensions are a svelte 30 x 20 x 6.5cm WxDxH, weight is 3.7kg. The solitary finish is silver but global voltage acceptance of 100-240VAC at 50/60Hz crosses all international borders. Automated load impedance recognition for the 6.3/4.4mm ports sets optimal gain which for the XLR4 output becomes manual in 'Audio Settings ⇒ Headphone Gain'. Firmware updates are done via USB flash drive or WiFi download. Luxsin's debutante ball was the Guangzhou HiFi Show November 24, 2024. The first appearance in the West was at CanJam NYC 2025.

All of this is easily learnt with a quick peruse of their website. What isn't unless we ask directly? With shrinking brick 'n' mortar dealer ops, why did Zidoo spin off another brand when Eversolo seems to do well? It clearly was long before the current US administration's 145% duties on all Chinese imports that this idea first hatched. FaceBook mentions a full two years of R&D preceding launch. That puts us at 2022. To tell that story correctly, I invited marketing director Terry Jiang to grab the virtual microphone and riff right off the cuff. Of course not every culture or company is fond of making a lot of noise by shouting about its accomplishments and goals. They might favour understatement and restraint. My MO when dealing with new brands of as yet untold genesis is an invitation to tell their story to whatever extent they see fit. How much or little that becomes is out of my hands.

To steer answers in my direction, I submitted questions: "Why did the Zidoo Group spin off a second brand? What was the motivation? What are the plans for the Luxsin product mix going forward? Once it overlaps with Eversolo, say with network streamers, what will the distinguishing characteristics and features between both brands be? Different tech? Different appearance? Different sound? Different distribution chains? Other?" To which Terry replied, "with an emphasis on system-level innovation, Eversolo is known for its focus on digital sources, particularly streamers and DACs. Zidoo Group launched Luxsin to explore a different direction in audio design, focusing more on desktop head-fi components. The goal is not to compete with Eversolo but to complement it by serving different user needs and preferences within the audio community." This was rather more—cough—brief and vague than hoped but don't shoot the messenger. Elsewhere they write that "as the Zidoo Group's dedicated brand for the desktop audio sector, Luxsin benefits from shared tech resources, patents and service systems within the Zidoo Group. This synergy empowers Luxsin with robust R&D capabilities, ensuring exceptional product quality and comprehensive support for users." I'll try to be just a bit more informative and specific in my own comments.