Review by Audio Science Review

Usually balanced output comes at a cost of higher price as it is considered a premium feature. Not the case here. You get XLR output and importantly, with superbly low noise and distortion for a really budget price.

Very complete balanced digital / analog / DAC interface integrating dual SABRE ES9038Q2M chips and USB XMOS interface.

Its resolutely high-end circuit, its simple and compact construction as well as its very accessible interface make it an ideal solution for audiophiles looking for an easy-to-configure DAC for any high-fidelity installation.

ES9038Q2M DAC chip

The LA-QXD is a well designed DAC built on two chips ES9038Q2M Sabre 32-bit integrated in balanced mode.

This component belongs to ESS flagship series and is among the best current hardware solutions for high-fidelity audio decoding. It uses HyperStream 32 BIT 768kHz architecture with native DSD support. Each one of this chips is also equipped with advanced reconstruction filters and uses some of the finest dithering techniques available on the audio market.

ESS ES9038Q2M SABRE DACs are also very popular thanks to their ability to operate volume with almost no consequences on the audio bitrate.

USB interface & S/PDIF interface

The LA QXD1 has a USB input on a USB-B connector controlled by a XMOS U208 interface. The latter allows it to work directly from audio streams on your computer or any device with this type of connector.

A second separate USB connector is in charge of powering the device. This redundancy makes it possible to completely ignore the audio parasites induced by a non-isolated USB source. This power connector is USB-C to facilitate scenarios of nomadic use and battery power.

In addition to the USB input, the LA QXD1 has an S / PDIF interface. The latter allows it in the first place to decode the S / PDIF streams received on its oaxial & optical inputs with a 24-bit / 192kHz / DSD64 resolution.

In addition, the SPDIF interface is also connected to the USB interface as well as to a digital output on coaxial port. In addition to its DAC function, the LA-QXD1 can thus work as a digital interface able to interface its optical / coaxial and USB inputs to an S / PDIF coaxial output.This digital interface output offers various integration possibilities for occasionally or permanently connecting devices that do not have the appropriate inputs/outputs.

Simple and accessible control panel

The device is easily controlled using four buttons located on the front panel. These provide access to source selection, digital filter adjustment, volume control and mute functions.

A panel of four LEDs indicates the active output in real time and allows you to check that the device is powered up.