Rein Audio X-DAC: Pure German Audio

If I compare the X-Dac with almost every other DAC I have ever heard, it really is the neutrality and detail that stand out. As said above the musicallity factor of this dac to my ears is less present as with the well known Audio GD NFB2&3 dacs or even the simple but great Fiio E10, but it was Rein Audio’s goal to make Pure Audio and in that they have succeeded, very well so. I’m convinced that this is a dac to shortlist for those who strive for the most natural and detailed sound without putting a warm layer over it or by focussing on the bass section or something else.

It works great with both tube as solid state amps, but the best match to my ears is with the Violectric V100 and the LCD-2. I’ve never enjoyed my rock music as much as I have with this combination, especially the guitars are wonderful. I love it that much at the moment that I even refused to let Mike borrow my LCD-2 for the Dark Star review…sorry Mike 😉

I’m a very happy listener using this X-Dac, I think it could be a nice addition to my home rig. It compliments the darker sounding less detailed Audio GD NFB3, which slightly focuses on the bass, just great. I might keep the Rein X-Dac for the Violectric & LCD-2 combo, it’s a great match! It actually compliments the LCD-2 quite good, it doesn’t make your LCD-2 sound even “darker” as it already does so it could very well be the dac a lot of LCD-2 users (who find the LCD-2 to dark and warm sounding) have been looking for.

Not only I seem to like the very new Rein Audio X-Dac… I just got word from Rein Audio that the X-Dac received the Editor’s choice award from AV magazine Asia. The X-Dac is priced at 580€/$780 and with that it enters the lower part of the high-end audioworld. In my opinion it’s worth every cent and the X-Dax would make a great X-mas gift. Rein Audio also just announced on their Facebook page they are already thinking of changing the look of the X-DAC. It’s PCB layout  has changed (no idea why) and a picture of it can be seen here.

More info about Rein Audio and the X-Dac can be found on their website and Facebook page. Contact Jason at Rein Audio or surf to their webshop if you’re interested in getting one. Rein Audio will also be releasing a dedicated headphone amplifier this year but no details have been communicated to us to this day. It’s certainly something to look forward to!

Gear used: Rein Audio X-Dac, Audio GD NFB3, Audeze LCD-2, Hifiman He-500, Beyerdynamic T70, Norse Cable, Sony RDR-HX980, Violectric V100, Lafigaro 339

rein_xdac_06 rein_xdac_05 rein_xdac_04 rein_xdac_03 rein_xdac_02 rein_xdac_01 Rein Facebook

4.8/5 - (5 votes)
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Lieven is living in Europe and he's the leader of the gang. He's running Headfonia as a side project next to his full time day job in Digital Marketing & Consultancy. He's a big fan of tube amps and custom inear monitors and has published hundreds of product reviews over the years.

23 Comments

  • Reply January 5, 2012

    madriz

    “I love it that much at the moment that I even refused to let Mike borrow my LCD-2 for the Dark Star review…sorry Mike”

    LOL

    • Reply January 5, 2012

      Mike

      I know.. some partner I have. 

  • Reply January 5, 2012

    Tash

    Hi Lieven.  Interesting review as I had not heard of Rein Audio before.  How would you compare the X-DAC to the Audio-GD Ref 7.1, which I believe Mike has said is one of his reference dacs these days?

    • Reply January 5, 2012

      Mike

      Tash, 
      I think the X-DAC is more of a colorless neutral sound, where the Ref 7.1 is more colored, weighty dark sound. 

  • Reply January 5, 2012

    HC

    Hi Lieven, thanks for the great review. 
    May i know how does the X-DAC compare to the Centrance DACmini/portLX and the Lavry DA11?
    Your feedback is most appreciated.

    • Reply January 5, 2012

      Mike

      I haven’t listened to the X-DAC, but from what Lieven said, I think the X-DAC is more comparable to the DACmini and the DA11, not the DACport. 

      • Reply January 6, 2012

        HC

        Would you be listening to the X-DAC, Mike? I’ve been looking for a simple dac (no head-amp/fancy casework/volume knob) and this could be the perfect solution.

        I previously listened to the DA11, DACmini and happened to like them very much.
        Would love to hear your impressions on how the X-DAC compares against them.
        Thank you.

  • Reply January 5, 2012

    Guest

    The pathetic prices for the cables in the shop are enough reason to not even take a closer look at the product..

    • Reply January 5, 2012

      Lieven V

      Let’s not get in to the whole cable discussion, we all know there are believers and non-believers. I don’t think your comment makes any sense but that’s just me 😉

      • Reply January 5, 2012

        Vladislav Ivanovich

        Dear “guest”, before y are going to judge/criticize something – just try it… seriously :]
        It’s nice to hear, that the new playas are comin’ into this market…
        And thank you headfonia for interesting article!

        • Reply January 5, 2012

          Ville

          No one has ever claimed that cables don’t make a difference. Of course they do! The question is whether the difference a cable makes is an improvement or deterioration. Something that sounds “better” (coloration) may also be an deterioration.

      • Reply January 6, 2012

        Anonymous

        I think it’s perfectly fair to judge a company’s product by what else they’ve produced. The fact that they started their business in a controversial market such as aftermarket cables speaks volumes.

        • Reply January 6, 2012

          Mike

          Sygyzy,
          A lot of DIYer I know actually started making mini to mini or LOD cables, before working their way up to making high end DACs and high end tube amps. 

  • Reply January 6, 2012

    Rūdolfs Putniņš

    Good to see European manufacturers getting some exposure! Now I’m just waiting for you to review a Metrum Acoustics Octave, should be interesting…

    • Reply January 6, 2012

      Lieven V

      Could you contact me by mail or on FB concerning this one?

  • Reply January 17, 2012

    Naim Choudhury

    Hey Lieven,

    Just curious about your thoughts on how this DAC compares to others you’ve tried, especially recently. Trying to get a more wide scoping impression of this. I actually have one on the way myself, so will post impressions in due time, but it’s always nice to have other opinions.

    Great review by the way, just wish there was more of it! Lol.

    • Reply January 18, 2012

      Lieven V

      What is it you exactly want to know Naim? Compared to all my other dacs I’ve had or heard the general impression is it’s neutrality as mine all are somewhat “dark” and “bassy” The Xdax is the most detailled I’ve listened to as well, just as I said in the review. So could you maybe be more specific? 🙂

      Looking forward to your impressions!

  • Reply March 30, 2012

    Austin Morrow

    My 110V version should be here very soon. Unfortunately, I’ve already contacted Rein Audio explaining to them several times (even before they shipped it out) that I don’t have the money to ship it back. Oh, what to do, what to do. 🙂

    • Reply March 30, 2012

      L.

       lol Austin, you’ll just have to sell a kidney. They’re gonna want it back, count on that.

  • Reply April 5, 2012

    Austin Morrow

    This thing sounds awesome with the HD650. Wow, I can’t believe what I am hearing.

  • Reply April 5, 2012

    Austin Morrow

    Yes, just like you said, guitars sound amazing. The treble accentuation is very present, and the clarity is off the hook!

  • Reply October 23, 2014

    Batman

    There used to be a company called Rein that made high-end mixers/mixing boards…is this a different Rein?

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