Loxjie D30 is your typical DAC and headphone amplifier combination, but it has few aces up its sleeve, and that makes it a very interesting device. If this is your first time hearing about Loxjie brand, don’t worry, it’s because they’re fairly new on the market. What I can tell you from my previous experience with it, they make some of the best bang for the buck offerings you’re ever going to find. At least, that was true last time I tested their more affordable model D10, but let’s see if it still holds true with D30.
Build, Connectivity, and Features
Loxjie D30 is an all-metal, neat-looking device. It’s definitely not one of those small DACs that can fit in your palm, but it isn’t a particularly chunky one either. With its 269 x 233 mm footprint, I’d simply call it decently sized, yet still desktop friendly.
On the back of D30, we find three different digital inputs: USB, coaxial, and optical one. But that’s not all since there’s a Bluetooth antenna too for those of you putting the comfort before the absolute fidelity. Next, there’s a set of analog RCA outputs that can be used in both fixed or variable level modes. Lastly, we see a big AC power connector, meaning that D30 is powered directly from the wall socket and not through some sort of AC/DC adapter. This also means that the whole power-supply section is located inside the unit and upgrading this one with a linear power supply is not an option.
On the front, we find a 6.35 mm headphone jack, a volume knob that also serves as a navigation wheel and a button, and a display. The display is of an LCD variety, it’s big and easily readable, and Loxjie will even let you choose between several UI colors. It’s a small trick that really made me happy since I’ll choose orange digits over the default blue ones any day. Aside from that, you can thinker with several digital filters and everything is easily accessible via small remote control.
Sound (line-out)
Hooked into my room system, Loxjie D30 really surprised me with its big and punchy sound. The bassline is voluminous, slightly on the warm side but packing some very decent energy and punch. The midrange is clean and informative, backed with just enough of that mid-bass warmth to make it sound rich and palpable. Because of that, both male and female vocals sound lush and present. Moving to the highest register, D30 shows it has very good extension, and it’s able to dig a very respectable amount of details and air from the recording.
The soundstage is wide and spacious, with a somewhat modest depth. Instruments are well separated, and while D30 is not the absolute champion of pinpointing every single thing in the soundstage, you’re only going to notice it in comparison with slightly more expensive gear.
When we start talking about dynamics, that’s where D30 really shines. It sounds lively, driven, and engaging. It can swing and slam like no DAC I ever heard at this price point can. Any type of music will reap benefits from this, but I feel that Pop and Rock fans would be especially happy with this kind of energetic presentation.
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.
Comparisons
iFi Zen DAC is smoother sounding and even warmer when it comes to the bassline. However, its midrange is more recessed, and the overall presentation is laid back. Loxjie D30 offers more details, more energetic sound, a much richer selection of inputs, and finally more powerful head-amp. If the slight price increase is not the problem, it’s a clear choice really.
Fiio K5 pro is another smooth and warm-sounding device with a laid-back presentation. To cut it short, except for the more powerful amp, there’s not much that K5 Pro can offer in this comparison. Loxjie D30’s DAC section is leaps and bounds over the K5 Pro’s, it is both more revealing and much more dynamically expressive. This still holds true with a headphone amp section, just to a somewhat lesser degree.
Topping E30 and L30 combo is a tough one to beat. As a DAC only, Loxjie D30 easily trumps E30 with a fuller and livelier presentation. Not even the addition of a really good linear power supply can help E30 to close this gap. On the other hand, L30 is clearly more potent and it will show that with most headphones. It lends more kick to the bass-line while providing tighter control at the same time. Loxjie D30 sounds a bit softer and less sure-footed in comparison. So it’s a DAC section win for Loxjie and an amplification potency win for Topping stack.
Khadas Tone 2 Pro out of the box sounds a little bit neater in the bass-line but not as open up top. D30 sounds more energetic and weightier too, but not as controlled with bass notes. It’s a tough call really, coming down to your own preference between neat and focused Tone 2 Pro vs warm and punchy D30. Things change if a linear power supply is added to Khadas. Now it livens up a bit and serves a darker background. With it, we get an increased soundstage depth and better instrument pin-pointing. In this arrangement, Tone 2 Pro really pulls ahead of D30 and becomes a DAC I’d rather use in my own system. But remember, adding a decent power supply further increases its price, so it’s more of a how far can you stretch your budget affair, cause both devices are great and possess their own set of strengths.
Conclusion
Some time ago, Loxjie D10 surprised me by sounding better than basically anything at that price point and at the time of its release. I recommended it repeatedly but many were put off by its quirky styling. Today, we have a slightly more expensive, but much more mature-looking D30. It offers better connectivity, remote control, and a big LCD display. But that’s not all as it sounds considerably better too, easily justifying its higher price. In fact, I’ll go as far as saying that I never heard a better-sounding DAC below two hundred dollars. Add to that a very good headphone stage and you’ll struggle to find as well-rounded package as Loxjie D30 is.
LOXJIE D30 – CHARACTERISTICS |
DAC chip: AK4493 |
Very nice review. Thank you very much.
So after seeing the big power socket we have here, I guess this DAC cannot be powered via USB only ? Is that correct ? About the dimmer thing, do you know if this is only the UI part which would dimout or the whole DAC when not used ?
That’s correct, it can’t be powered via USB, you have to use the power cord at all times. The dimming function dims the display only. You send the whole unit into a stand-by mode via the power button on the remote (or long-press the volume knob). Full power-off is on the back panel.
Beware you put the characteristics table of the KHADAS TONE 2 PRO instead of the Loxjie D30 😉
Wow, you’re right. 😱 Thanks for pointing it out!
I really can’t believe it, in these few days I read about 20 review for loxjie d30, most comment on the interior, confirming the similarity with smsl power supply from sp200 and only few electrolitic Caps , as far as I understand it’s not linear, but absolutely no one posted a picture of it, TOP SICRET . So I decide and ordered one ,when he arrives I send pictures ….
Hi, love your channel.
Wanted to know if it’s decent upgrade over schiit modi 3 ( 99 bucks) as a DAC only. Don’t care about headphone amp.
Wanna use it with my phone as USB input via otg.
Hi, it should be a decent upgrade over Modi 3,especially when it comes to sheer energy and slam.
Great review. I immediately saved your channel in my favorites.
Now I use a Khadas Tone Board Dac connected to a Rasperry PI 4 with moOde audio player (great system) and a classic integrated amplifier and I intend to buy this Dac.
Does it make sense to replace the Dac Khadas Tone Board with Loxjie D30 considering that I would never use the bluetooth and headphone amplifier?
Would I get an improvement in the sound quality of the system or you suggest to buy a Topping D50 or other Dac ?
Thank you very much for helping !
Thanks! Loxjie D30 should be a decent upgrade over Khadas Tone Board. It’s also better sounding than Topping D50s in my opinion and cheaper too.
On amazon it has an A30 and A10 listed for what appears to be the D30 and D10. Are they the same models?
No, they are not, A series is a series of integrated amplifiers that can drive speakers. D series products are only DACs with headphone amps. So think about it this way: A series is 3 in 1 product of a slightly lower quality, while D series is 2 in 1 product of higher quality. So if you don’t need speaker amplification functionality then go for the D30 that’s higher quality DAC and Head-Amp.
Hi, great review, just wondering if the Loxjie D30 can power HD6XX headphones?
Great reviews! What would you recommend as a replacement DAC / Heaphone AMP Combo as the D30 does not seem to be available any more? Would be willing to spend more, currently testing out Toppings E30 / Aiyima A07 with KEF Q150 and SB-1000 Sub. Would be willing to spend a bit more if it is worthwhile, I am a newbie. Would like heaphone support but does not need to be top tier as speaker listening is my primary mode. Thanks!
Great reviews, as usual, I really love how you described everything in detail. Do you think this DAC sound quality is comparable to pre box s2 digital? If you have to choose between the two, which one would you choose?
Great reviews.
If you compare LOXJIE D10 vs D30, is it worth to give more money (almost double) for D30?
When you compare them is D30 class above?
Only for listening on stereo HK 970 with speakers JBL L880..
Cool thing is remote and BT receiver.
I forgot to mention, SNR for D10 is 119 dB and SNR for D30 is 121 dB.
Line ofc.