Upgraded LOXJIE D30 Audio DAC&Headphone AMP, ES9068AS Chip, XMOS, DSD512, Bluetooth 5.0, APT-X HD, Multiple PCM Formats Digital Filters, JAS Hi-Res Certification, w Remote Control

Product Information

For dynamic driver headphones, the best pairing that I found is with the classic Sennheiser HD600. This pairing allows the HD600’s more euphonic midrange presentation to complement the D30’s more relaxed and fluid overall presentation. The D30 is a compact device measuring just 151x170x38mm and as such it occupies little desktop space. While still on the lower end of the spectrum when it comes to output power, for Loxjie, the 700mW@32Ω rating of the D40 is its highest yet in its full lineup. Upping their amp game, the expectation for me is to hear more of the DAC when used as a combo.

Loxjie D30 vs Topping SMSL Sanskrit 10 II vs Topping E30 vs Loxjie D30 vs Topping

Incorporating a second-generation XMOS USB controller and ESS ES9068AS, the D30 is capable of supporting up to 32BIT/768kHz PCM and DSD512 signal similar to the DX3 Pro+.With planar magnetic driver-based headphones like the Hifiman Ananda, the headphone amplifier section on the D30 delivers enough power to drive them sufficiently.

Headfonics DAC Reviews — Headfonics

The amplifier of the D40 has a THD+N of 0.00008% working with Four OPA1612A dual op-amps for up to 700mW of power on 32Ω loads and is designed to operate separately which could help isolate it from the interference of its other components. It may seem like the number of features available on D30 are there to fill up a specs sheet. However, upon closer examination, each feature equipped in the D30 is well thought out to make it a truly versatile unit. This new release of Domenico Scarlatti's Stabat Mater is worth listening to and a nice addition to the catalogue. One of the biggest advantages of the EX5 over the D30 though is the ability to create an overall more layered soundstage. Although the directionality of the images formed within the soundstage are generally similar, the layering is more pronounced and the depth is more noticeable.Its Bluetooth antenna that works as a wireless signal booster, I’ve seen already on quite a lot of devices and in here it works absolutely the same. In a bigger apartment, I was not losing BT signal and D30 would stay exactly in the middle, in the living room. With a Tidal Hi-Fi App installed on my phone, I was able to stream my music directly to it, playing all that via speakers. I walked through our bedroom and the signal remained always steady without losing a beat. In our home it offered a flawless Bluetooth experience and in an open space it should pretty much the same. Going outside to the balcony with few concrete walls between us, the signal started losing strength and music stuttered, skipping few beats here and there. I was expecting that, because all other device did absolutely the same, I wasn’t surprised at all. Both are also capable of decoding 32bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512. However, the SU-8s features a pair of 3-pin balanced XLR outputs with a superior THD+N rating at 0.00009%. Leaving competition aside, the LOXJIE D30 (2021) is an excellent sounding standalone DAC with MQA decoding without any serious shortcomings except the headphone amplifier that should be considered as a welcomed bonus rather than a serious performer. Sound (headphone-out)​Talking about the tonality, everything mentioned in the previous section still stands. It’s a lush-sounding device with a warmer bassline and lively treble. The notes about wide and modestly deep soundstage are also true with headphones. The only difference worth mentioning is that the integrated headphone amplifier can’t fully repeat the dynamic presentation of the DAC section. Now, don’t get me wrong here, the head-amp in D30 is no slouch and it is driving my Hifiman HE4XX without any troubles. It’s just that a high-powered external amplification such as Topping L30 will produce even more slam and bass authority with power-hungry headphones. This is to be fully expected off-course and it’s not something that should bother you in any way. The in-built headphone amp is very good and more than suitable for most headphones out there.

Loxjie D30 DAC and Headphone Amplifier Review

This makes the remote a bit harder to use comparatively since you’ll have to keep pressing “C” before using it to control the SU-8s. Also, the remote on the SH-8s is comparatively less sensitive. Performance With planar magnetic driver-based headphones, on the other hand, I was surprised to hear that the Hifiman Ananda made a great pairing with the D30. Whilst both DAC/Amps have a similarly smooth treble presentation, cymbal hits on the EX5 have more bite but still retain a similar level of shimmer and texture. This results in the EX5 veering towards some sibilance, but based on my experience, both the D30 and EX5 typically won’t get too fatiguing anyway.Furthermore, the 2 DACs are also similar in that they have a very similar set of inputs, where both of them have USB, Coaxial, Toslink, and of course Bluetooth. However, SMSL doesn’t throw in a headphone amplifier circuit, keeping the SU-8s as a pure DAC without an option to directly output to headphones. Design Although both DACs have an aluminum chassis, the grey finished D30 has a softer aesthetic compared to the SU-8s. When lifting both DACs the SH-8s is the heavier of the 2, maybe because it’s wider to accommodate the pair of balanced XLR outputs. The DAC is well extended to both ends of the frequency spectrum with deep bass response and a sparkling treble with plenty of low level detail retrieval and an excellent clarity. The device features carefully tuned performance and sound, with THD+N as low as 0.0001%(-120dB). The device also features Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, making it easy to connect your devices wirelessly. Generally speaking, that AK4493 as its technology suggests, is velvety sounding in most DAC designs, with spotlights moved to its midrange section, followed by a robust and deep bass and then by a slow roll-off in the treble. AKM chipsets aren’t known to be champions when it comes to ultimate resolution and transparency, nor in the speed and slam department. They are still among the nicest Delta-Sigma chipsets when it comes to things like scale, depth, and soundstage. Honestly, I’m yet to hear an AKM-based DAC that sounds tiny and claustrophobic. Of course, their voicing can be altered, their faults can be taken care of, their tonality can be shifted as you can make them much better in the treble and that is exactly what Gustard made with their A22 and A18 DACs. You can improve their low-end delivery and that is exactly what SMSL did with their SU-9 and what Topping did with their D90 / D90 MQA units. You can also balance them out, without shifting them to the bright or to the warm side and to some degree this is what I’m feeling with Loxjie D30.