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  1. #1
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    Luxman D-08u CD/SACD player & DAC

    I spent some time at AXPONA and had a chance wander into many different rooms there. One of the best sounding setups I had the pleasure of hearing was using CAT electronics (pre and power) driving Vivid Audio speakers. The sound was very realistic, and extremely musical and engaging. What shocked me was that the source they were running at the time was using redbook CDs! I’m admittedly much more of an analog guy and find well mastered high res digital material much more enjoyable and natural sounding than (most) CDs. Then I saw what they were running for the digital source and it was a Luxman D-08u CD/SACD player and DAC. While it lists for $18K US I have never in my life heard CDs sound so completely engaging, with natural decays and beautiful textures being effortlessly revealed. I really never thought that CD quality digital recordings could ever sound this good. Of course the entire system was contributing to what I experienced, but it proved to me that you can get reference quality reproduction from redbook CDs. It's also a full function DAC supporting resolutions up to DXD for PCM and double DSD. I now have to give some serious thought to purchasing the Luxman D-08u; they really make some awesome gear!

  2. #2

    Re: Luxman D-08u CD/SACD player & DAC

    Quote Originally Posted by audio.bill View Post
    I spent some time at AXPONA and had a chance wander into many different rooms there. One of the best sounding setups I had the pleasure of hearing was using CAT electronics (pre and power) driving Vivid Audio speakers. The sound was very realistic, and extremely musical and engaging. What shocked me was that the source they were running at the time was using redbook CDs! I’m admittedly much more of an analog guy and find well mastered high res digital material much more enjoyable and natural sounding than (most) CDs. Then I saw what they were running for the digital source and it was a Luxman D-08u CD/SACD player and DAC. While it lists for $18K US I have never in my life heard CDs sound so completely engaging, with natural decays and beautiful textures being effortlessly revealed. I really never thought that CD quality digital recordings could ever sound this good. Of course the entire system was contributing to what I experienced, but it proved to me that you can get reference quality reproduction from redbook CDs. It's also a full function DAC supporting resolutions up to DXD for PCM and double DSD. I now have to give some serious thought to purchasing the Luxman D-08u; they really make some awesome gear!
    I really wonder how good Is the DAC inside when used as a USB DAC.
    I am indeed looking right now for a CD/SACD player with an inboard DAC that will be good enough to also act as my main USBDAC for my filer server.

    And the DAC inside need to be a little on the warm side: Indeed, I have a BHSE amp + Stax SR009 headphone that is VERY relealling but also some time too analytical to the point that it can be fatiguing. Therefore I am looking for a DAC that will be very precise & detailled BUT also on the warm side to warm-up a little the Sound signature of the Stax009.
    time too analytical to the point that it can be fatiguing.

  3. #3
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    Re: Luxman D-08u CD/SACD player & DAC

    Luxman players and DACs are generally considered to have a sound signature like what you describe, but I'm not in any position to be able to confirm how it would meet your expectations with your specific components. Sorry that I can't provide a more definitive answer for you but there's really no substitute for a personal audition in your system.

  4. #4
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    Re: Luxman D-08u CD/SACD player & DAC

    Bill, you were spot on about this baby.
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

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  5. #5
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    Re: Luxman D-08u CD/SACD player & DAC

    Thanks for confirming my impressions Mike. That was almost 3 years ago now since I heard it at AXPONA and I can still remember it vividly, it was that good! Of course the rest of that system definitely helped, but it still effectively demonstrated what the source was capable of.

  6. #6
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    Re: Luxman D-08u CD/SACD player & DAC

    I’ve been toying with the idea of one “last” disc player. Having one more suited to my taste with digital inputs like this one seems like a great option. I’m going to have to demo one but that could be dangerous
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

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Luxman D-08u CD/SACD player & DAC

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