Luxsin X8 – DAC with Headphone Amplifier and AI-Powered Equalizer

The Luxsin brand has introduced the intelligent Luxsin X8 DAC and headphone amplifier, which became the second model in the manufacturer’s lineup, released just nine months after the launch of the first one – the Luxsin X9. According to the developers, the combination of powerful analogue hardware and an artificial intelligence-driven sound tuning system makes the Luxsin X8 a solution for listeners who value both reference-grade sound quality and modern software-based control.

Luxsin is a relatively new brand founded by experienced specialists behind the Eversolo name. Eversolo and Luxsin are brands of the major company Zidoo Technology. While the previous Luxsin X9 model focused on reference sound quality and stability, the new X8 develops this concept further but places emphasis on software, signal processing, and user-adaptive sound tuning, including what Luxsin calls the world’s first AI-assisted parametric equalization system.

The Luxsin X8 DAC is based on a parallel architecture with eight DACs built around Cirrus Logic CS43198 chips. Each channel employs four DACs in a fully independent “dual-mono” configuration, with separate power supplies, signal paths, and printed circuit boards for the left and right channels. Luxsin claims this approach improves the signal-to-noise ratio, expands dynamic range, and enhances the rendering of the finest details even at low listening levels, while maintaining stereo imaging and spatial accuracy. For wireless connectivity, the Luxsin X8 uses a Bluetooth 5.1 module based on the Qualcomm SXW5125 chipset, as well as Wi-Fi supporting both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.

The digital section of the Luxsin X8 is controlled by Luxsin’s Digital Audio Core processor – a dedicated computing platform built on a dual-core HiFi-5 DSP and ARM architecture running at over 500 MHz. Unlike typical DSP stages in DACs, this system is designed with sufficient performance headroom for complex real-time processing and future firmware expansions, including edge-level AI audio functions.

It is this powerful hardware foundation that enables the defining feature of the Luxsin X8 – an AI-driven parametric equalizer. Through the Luxsin mobile app or web interface, users can adjust the sound using voice or text commands: creating an overall tonal profile or precisely refining specific elements of the frequency response. Luxsin positions this as a way to make professional-grade equalization accessible to listeners who do not want to manually configure filters or rely on pre-set sound modes.

In the analogue section, the Luxsin X8 uses a fully separated linear power supply: the digital and analogue circuits are powered independently to minimize noise and mutual interference. Users can choose between 12 V and 15 V supply voltage, allowing the amplifier stage to be optimized for different headphones and listening conditions.

The headphone amplifier’s output power is rated at 4.8 W per channel. The amplifier is implemented using multiple OPA1612 operational amplifiers and high-current TPA6120A2 drivers. Luxsin claims this provides sufficient current and voltage to drive even the most demanding flagship headphones while maintaining low distortion and high linearity.

An improved impedance detection system measures the impedance of connected headphones across all outputs, including 4-pin XLR, balanced 4.4 mm Pentaconn, and unbalanced 6.35 mm jack, and automatically selects the appropriate gain level. The detection circuits are isolated from the main signal path, so they do not affect sound quality. The Luxsin X8 also stores independent settings for each output, including volume, EQ settings, and effects, allowing users to switch between headphones without having to reconfigure the system each time.

The Luxsin X8 is controlled via a 4-inch color touchscreen, mobile apps for iOS and Android, a web interface for Windows and macOS, and an optional IR remote control. Firmware updates can be performed locally or online, positioning the Luxsin X8 as an evolving platform rather than a DAC with fixed functionality. Connectivity includes USB-B and USB-C ports, optical, coaxial, and IIS digital input, as well as 12-volt trigger ports for integration into larger systems. Via USB and I2S, the device can accept digital streams in PCM up to 32-bit/768 kHz and DSD up to DSD512 (native), while the S/PDIF inputs support linear PCM up to 24-bit/192 kHz.

The Luxsin X8 external DAC with headphone amplifier will go on sale at a suggested retail price of USD 699 / EUR 699.