Review: Audinst HUD-DX1 – The Update

If the preceding paragraph sounds familiar, that is because it is taken, almost verbatim, from Mike’s review of the MX2.  For the most part, this is a very good thing.  The sound plays well with pretty much any music you can throw at it.  The only sticking point I have with the sound is with the bass impact.  A little more slam down below would go a long way toward making the sound more dynamic.  With the Sennheiser HD650, which brings its own bass impact, this isn’t a problem.  They make for an enjoyable team: smooth, warm and musical. The new Senn HD630VB also goes well with the DX1, as does the Grado SR80e, as they both benefit from the warmth of the DX1.  One headphone to be avoided is Hifiman’s terrific HE400i.  It sounds grainy, and lacks the impact to really sell the music.  I do find the HE400i to be a bit more finicky in its amp pairings, but these two do not make beautiful music together.  It isn’t a matter of volume, but it feels underpowered.  Here, more than anywhere else, the impact is just lacking, and that is something that should be addressed in the DX2 (or whatever it ends up being called).  I should say that I do feel the bass detail to be pretty decent here, with the right headphone.

Although I don’t have the MX2 here with which to compare, I am wondering how much has changed from that model to the DX1.  DSD and opamp change notwithstanding, they seem to be pretty identical, given the fact that the virtues and (especially) that vices of the layout are the same.  Were the DX1 retailing for around $250, this wouldn’t be much of a problem, but it is being sold for $400, which does give me a moment’s pause.  If the only major difference is DSD, is that worth it?  Also, at the $400 level, the competition starts to get fierce.  You have the Matrix Mini-I units, which offer better build quality, better sound, and a lot more options, but, then again, they aren’t portable.  There is that insane ifi Micro iDSD, which has power and a feature set that the DX1 can’t touch, although I do find the DX1 to have a more musical sound.  The Fiio e10k is much better portable unit, and it is much cheaper, but it doesn’t have the features and inputs of the DX1.  A good DAP from iBasso or Fiio would offer a great portable choice, but you would need to add an amp to get the best from full sized phones where the DX1 can already kick the HD650 out.

If it isn’t obvious, I am rather torn about what conclusions to make.  Physically, you have a decent size and build, but it is hampered by the very 2010 lack of a line out and gain switch.  The sound signature is great, but lacking a bit in impact (which is a bigger deal depending on the phones you use).  There around equally priced (or cheaper) home DAC/amps that offer better performance and features, and there are equally price (or cheaper) portable units that offer better performance and features, but none, for this price, that will do double duty.  If, looking at the Audinst DX1, you think this would fill the void in your audio life, you can go ahead and pull the trigger.  I just find this unit stuck at a very awkward intersection of price, features and performance.  I really do enjoy listening to the DX1.  I am spinning Jenny Lewis with the SR80e as I write this and am loving it.  For the future, add the line out and gain switch, add some impact to the bass, and maybe a little more strength for Orthos, and that would be an absolute killer at $400.  For the present… eck, I just don’t know.

Edit Lieven: I do think Dave raises some valid points. At the same time I perfectly understand that DSD fans would pay extra to have the DSD capable Audinst. To each his own