Luxman’s new D-03X CD player/DAC


Anyone care to comment about your hands-on or ears-on experience with the Luxman D-03X?  Comparisons to other DAC’s you’ve heard?
rockrider

The D-10x is $16.5K.

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/luxman-launches-d-10x-flagship-sacdcd-player/

Luxman stills lists the 5u, 6u and 8u on their site; presumably, there will be one or two more new "x" models to bridge the gap between the 3 and the 10.

The D-10x is $16.5K.

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/luxman-launches-d-10x-flagship-sacdcd-player/MCDVOICE

Luxman stills lists the 5u, 6u and 8u on their site; presumably, there will be one or two more new "x" models to bridge the gap between the 3 and the 10.


Thank you for this post. Good luck.

I am supposed to have a D-03X delivered today.

Will post my opinion hopefully in a few days.

Noticed you mentioned its use as a DAC. My intention is to use it as a CD player.

rockrider

 

The DAC in a Luxman D-03x is very good, especially at its price-point. I did hear this Player in an ultra High -End system featuring a dCS Bartok. The Luxman was not embarrassed. The Bartok exhibited a measure more of Clarity, Depth and Soundstage.

 

Happy Listening!

tomcarr

 

I am looking forward in your receiving the D-03x.

 

Happy Listening!

@rockrider 

@jafant 

Got the D-03X unboxed last night. Arrived undamaged, thankfully!

Double-boxed, plenty of cushioning, nice packaging.

Remote control is a disappointment due to the cover for the battery doesn't fit the remote snugly and falls off. My wife laughed and said I should tape it, wink wink.

Fit n finish is first class. The drawer opening and closing is completely silent! I have never owned a CD player that felt, operated and looked so luxurious. It is an absolute pleasure to operate.

I connected it with balanced XLR cables to the Topping Pre90.

I also left the Oppo 103 connected with RCA cables.

No warm-up for the Lux. The Oppo is ready for battle, it's never turned off. 

Decided on some Dire Straits. Know the album well.

We both know how to listen. Focused with eyes closed, seated in the sweet spot.

Fully warm Oppo is up first. Since I rate the Dire Straits album class A for sound quality I mention how good it sounds from the Oppo.

Stone cold Luxman is up next. I'd like to say it blows the Oppo out of the running, but it doesn't. It's a little better. I play around with the "Invert Phase" button. On this album, we both prefer the Invert phase button engaged. It's a subtle difference, but the soundstage seems more 3D that way.

Clarity is a little better from the Lux. Timbres are better too.

That was last night. Left it on auto repeat all night.

First (very brief) listen this morning the Lux is starting to strut its stuff with better everything.

Will post more as the Lux gets more broken in...

tomcarr

 

Good to read the D-03x arrived safe and sound. Enjoy the Music.

 

Happy Listening!

Update on the sound of the D-03X.

At first it sounded about the same as my Oppo 103.

Now with it being left on 24/7 and several hours of playing music I am very happy to report it is sounding significantly better than my Stereophile class B rated Oppo 103, thankfully.

Only real complaint is the battery cover for the remote. The remote itself is nice, the cover fits so poorly it falls off. Very surprised. 

The Invert Phase button is very useful. Makes the center fill more solid.  It has made a difference on about half of my discs.