Short answer: the Chord Hugo 2. It ranks #17 of 43 DAC and headphone amp combos by measured performance, rated 4.5/5, at $2,595. The Luxsin X9 ranks #29, rated 4.0/5, at $1,099, $1,496 cheaper, which does not close the gap in measured performance.
The Chord Hugo 2 is the better-sounding choice. Audio Science Review measured 112 dB SINAD, clean for nearly all listening, and Chord rates it at 740 mW into 32 ohms, enough for most planar magnetic headphones. It supports aptX Bluetooth, which the Luxsin X9 lacks. Watch for: It costs far more than the SMSL DS20, which rates the same and measured higher SINAD.
What the Luxsin X9 does well: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 121 dB, so its noise and distortion are inaudible. Watch for: Luxsin doesn’t publish an output power figure into 32 ohms.
Buy the Chord Hugo 2. It is rated higher, and the $1,496 saving on the Luxsin X9 is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphone Amps and DACs rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Chord Hugo 2 | Luxsin X9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,595.00 | $1,099.00 |
| Ranked | #17 of 43 in DAC and Headphone Amp Combos | #29 of 43 in DAC and Headphone Amp Combos |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp | DAC and headphone amp |
| SINAD | 112 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) | 121 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 740 mW (manufacturer rated) | - |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 94 mW (manufacturer rated) | - |
| Headphone Outputs | 3.5 mm, 6.35 mm | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced |
| Balanced Output | No | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR line out) |
| Inputs | Micro USB, optical, coaxial (3.5 mm), Bluetooth | USB-B, USB-C, optical, coaxial, HDMI ARC, RCA, Bluetooth |
| Outputs | RCA | RCA, XLR, RCA subwoofer |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | SBC, AAC |
| Battery Life | 6 hours | - |
| DAC Chip | Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA (Chord pulse array) | AK4191EQ + AK4499EX |
| Volume Control | Digital (1 dB steps) | Hardware knob |
| Dimensions | 3.9” x 0.8” x 5.1” (100 x 21 x 130 mm) | 11.8” x 2.6” x 8.1” (300 x 65 x 206 mm) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (365 g) | 8.2 lbs (3,720 g) |
Related Amp and DAC Comparisons
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Amps and DACs In Full
Chord Hugo 2: $2,595.00 Headphones.com eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured 112 dB SINAD, clean for nearly all listening, and Chord rates it at 740 mW into 32 ohms, enough for most planar magnetic headphones. It is a battery powered portable unit with about 6 hours of play, Bluetooth with aptX, and optical, coaxial and USB inputs. RCA outputs let it double as a home DAC.
Cons: It costs far more than the SMSL DS20, which rates the same and measured higher SINAD. There is no balanced headphone output, the USB port is the older micro USB type, and battery life is short at about 6 hours.
Full Chord Hugo 2 review and specifications →
| Released | 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Balanced Output | No |
| Battery Life | 6 hours |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| DAC Chip | Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA (Chord pulse array) |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 3.9” x 0.8” x 5.1” (100 x 21 x 130 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 3.5 mm, 6.35 mm |
| Inputs | Micro USB, optical, coaxial (3.5 mm), Bluetooth |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 94 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 740 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Outputs | RCA |
| SINAD | 112 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Digital (1 dB steps) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (365 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Luxsin X9: $1,099.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 121 dB, so its noise and distortion are inaudible. Its input list is unusually broad, covering USB-B, USB-C, optical, coaxial, HDMI ARC, RCA and Bluetooth, with RCA, XLR and a dedicated subwoofer output that suit a TV or desktop speaker system. Headphone outputs include 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced and 4-pin XLR.
Cons: Luxsin doesn’t publish an output power figure into 32 ohms. It costs several times more than the Loxjie D40, which rates the same and measures slightly cleaner. Bluetooth tops out at AAC, and at 3,720 g and 300 mm wide it is large and heavy.
Full Luxsin X9 review and specifications →
| Released | 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR line out) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| DAC Chip | AK4191EQ + AK4499EX |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 11.8” x 2.6” x 8.1” (300 x 65 x 206 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced |
| Inputs | USB-B, USB-C, optical, coaxial, HDMI ARC, RCA, Bluetooth |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR, RCA subwoofer |
| SINAD | 121 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob |
| Weight | 8.2 lbs (3,720 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons