Luxman d-08u vs berkeley reference 2 dac

Hey phillyb,

for CD and SACD playback, is there a big difference in the d-08 vs the d-08u. 

That what was I was thinking. Some people have discribed the luxman as sounding really refined, musical, sweet and never analytical. I have the berkeley alpha 2 and it sounds very musical to me but I do like a very sweet and nonfatiguing sound. Thats why the luxman appeals to me. Have you heard the luxman d08u? I worry about the overhyped advertisement that sets you up for dissapointment. And at such a high price for the gear, I worry about buyers remorse. Thanks for your input. 

 
photon46:

Have you ever tried the berkeley ref2 or alpha 2 dac? If so, i would love your opinion regarding how it compares to the luxman d08u? what other sacd players did you try before settling on the luxman?

Thanks for everyone's advice. I do like the berkeley alpha 2 dac. I have the alpha 2 dac and NOT the reference dac. I am very happy with it. But i have to admit, I have always wanted to try the berk ref2 dac but never got the chance  to try in my own system to see if its alot better than the BADA2.  But i have also heard great things about the luxman d08u sacd player. Mike at suncoast audio says it blows the berkeley ref2 dac away.  and whitecamaross has raved about the luxman previously. This has made me wonder about the luxman d08u.  But both pieces are quite expensive and I dont have the means to buy both and audition them, hence the posting on this forum. Thanks for all the responses!

very interesting comments everyone. Thanks for the input!

Shannere:
I actually tried the luxman dac 06. I compared that directly to the berkeley alpha 2 dac. They were actually very close but I preferred the berkeley by a hair as it was a little more musical in my opinion. It was the only dac in my opinion that came close to the berkeley alpha2 in the 5k price range. The biggest difference i noticed was that at higher volumes, the luxman was not as smooth and composed as t he berkeley. It sounded more digital at higher volumes near ~85db or so. Many people say the berk ref2 dac is on a totally different league than the alpha2 and similarly, the luxman d08u is completely on a new level than the other luxman digital products. I just never had the chance to audition these units in my system. 


Photon: interesting that you mentioned marantz. I had a sa7s1 a few years back and it was very good. Very smooth, engaging, and sweet sounding. When I compared it to my berkely alpha2 dac, the berkeley imaged better and the images were much more pinpoint, albeit the size of the image was smaller.  Mike at suncoast seems to be a great guy. He preferred the luxman d08u emphatically over the berkeley ref2 dac and stated that the only dac that sounds analog like the luxman d08u are the MSB dacs which i never heard and are very expensive. I am glad you love your luxman. Seems to me, there are very few disappointed luxman owners out there. 

I think the new d-10x is introduced at $16,500. A tad higher than the outgoing d08u.

Jetter, have you ever tried the schitt loki? have you compared it to any other dacs? if so, what are your thoughts.

RIAA,
Have you demoed the d08u or the berkeley ref2 dac?
I also heard that even the d08 is not on the same level as the d08u. In fact, everyone that actually has owned a d08u has had nothing but good things to say about it. I wish I could personally demo the luxman d08u in my system but its not possible. luxman no longer makes that unit and not many dealers are going to let you take the luxman home. So i am just going on other listeners' experience.