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The headphone amplifier section on the EX5 is rated for significantly more power with a 3W output rating into a 32Ω load. However, both DAC/Amps can easily drive most of my headphones to sufficiently loud levels. Design
LOXJIE D30 AK4493EQ DAC Headphone Amplifier - Audiophonics LOXJIE D30 AK4493EQ DAC Headphone Amplifier - Audiophonics
Imaging is fairly accurate, particularly in terms of the directionality of the images, however, the depth is not particularly delineated unless it’s emphasized in the recording itself. The colored LCD screen will display all the necessary information and navigation through the menus is easy to do. As I’ve said before, it slowly pressed the brakes with all my headphones, it is not exactly visceral and impactful sounding. It is slower paced and even a bit muddier in here. When I’ve added a SMSL SH-9 to the chain, things improved considerably and all those limitations were never found again. Bluetooth duties are handled by a mid-range Qualcomm QCC3008 chipset. The good part is that it uses version 5.0, so the signal should be stable and strong even in a crowded house. The bad part is that its codec support is limited to only AAC, SBC and AptX. No AptX-HD, LDAC or HWA for you with this one. AptX is good with lossy files up to 320 Kb/sec but it will lose bits of information with lossless PCM files, so expect a softer, less detailed sound via Bluetooth.Unlike most DACs we have reviewed thus far, the MQA decoding capabilities on the D30 are not just limited to USB. It can also extend to both the coaxial and optical connections which means that the D30 can even decode MQA-CD formats. The Loxjie D30 arrives in a standard cardboard box with foam inserts to protect the contents from damage during storage and transport. The D30 is a relatively small and compact DAC, measuring just 151mm x 170mm and taking up very little desk space. Whilst it is not the biggest component there is substantial heft in the chassis, since it’s made of a high-quality aluminum construction that will not only look good but is also designed to mitigate vibrations that may creep in as noise. Timbre is quite natural, smooth and not artificial and although some digital artifacts are creeping here and there coloring the sound a little metallic, nevertheless it never sounds bright or shrill. While the bass is generally extended, there is an evident midbass hump that adds more weight to each bass note. This also allows drum hits to have more body and texture, while still generally maintaining control over the bass common to most class D amplifiers.
Loxjie A30 (ES9023) vs Loxjie D30 (AK4493) DAC | Audio Loxjie A30 (ES9023) vs Loxjie D30 (AK4493) DAC | Audio
The best part of its user interface, is that it can be controlled with the volume knob or with the remote control, the choice is yours. There aren’t hidden menus and options (I’m looking at you Topping and Matrix Audio) and everything appears easy to understand and quite straightforward.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. Sound-wise, the D40 is an impressive wireless unit with a performance that is very close to the USB connection. When my phone is kept near, the sonic capabilities of the unit’s DAC and amplifier are put to good use, and only when I was moving around some obstacles does some soft rustling sound creeps in. MQA When it comes to sound via Bluetooth, it sounded even smoother this way, it was softer around the edges, lusher and even calmer than via USB or Optical. It was losing a bit of details, but not a lot of them. It can work pretty well via Bluetooth while casually listening around your house with some powered speakers attached to it, but if we are talking about real Hi-Fi, then you should probably use it only via its USB input, which sounded the best to me. I was slightly let down that it is not supporting AptX-HD and LDAC codect, which are sounding much closer to its wired performance, but again, it’s an entry level device and should be treated as such.
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