Features world premiere of MUS-IC™ digital-to-analog converter, LxDTM-i disc transport and ODNF-u analog circuit
BALLSTON SPA, New York, July 2020 – Befitting the company’s finest SACD/CD player, the Luxman D-10X is the world’s first home audio component with ROHM Semiconductor’s eagerly anticipated MUS-IC™ BD34301EKV digital-to-analog converter. The player also incorporates important new technologies in the disc transport and analog circuit. “We’re building on the heritage of our acclaimed D-08u,” said Jeff Sigmund, president of Luxman America, “adding more playback capabilities, the very latest conversion technology and refinements in every sub-system.”
LxDTM-i, Luxman Original Disc Transport Mechanism (improved)
Luxman engineers understand that exposing the disc transport to vibration and resonance can result in subtle distortion. To overcome this challenge, they substantially upgraded the company’s LxDTM disc drive. Made in Japan, the new LxDTM-i encloses the drive in 8 mm thick aluminum sides that extend to the front and rear panels, plus a 5 mm thick steel top plate. For added production, the physical mounting system forms an integrated structure that supports the side frame. An improved disc reading mechanism contributes to music playback of exceptional clarity.
MUS-IC BD34301EKV converter
The D10-X marks the world premiere of the MUS-IC BD34301EKV digital-to-analog converter from ROHM Semiconductor. Like Luxman, ROHM is a Japan-based manufacturer with many decades of audio expertise. The converter reflects 28 separate parameters optimized for sound quality, including aspects of circuit design, layout, photomask, wafer production and packaging. For example, to optimize sound quality, selected “bonding” wires that connect the chip to the lead frame are made of copper, while others are made of gold. A 32-bit ΔΣ (Delta-Sigma) design, the converter achieves a phenomenal noise signal-to-noise ratio: -130 dB. The D-10X applies a pair of these converters in dual mono configuration, delivering a listening experience of unsurpassed musicality.
Versatile SACD, CD and MQA playback, Bulk PET file transfers
In addition to two-channel SACD and CD media, the D-10X plays a robust selection of file formats via USB inputs and the free LUXMAN Audio Player computer software. Available for Mac OS® and Windows® PCs, the software decodes WAV, FLAC, MP3, DSF, DSDIFF, ALAC and AIFF files. The USB input accepts PCM signals at up to 768 kHz sampling and up to 32-bit quantizing plus DSD signals at up to 22.4 MHz/1-bit sampling. Coaxial and optical inputs accommodate PCM digital audio up to 192 kHz/24 bits.
The D10X incorporates Master Quality Authenticated full decoding for MQA files and MQA-CDs. MQA audio files up to 24-bit are supported via USB, optical and coaxial inputs.
In addition to conventional, “isochronous” file transfers at fixed bitrates, the USB input supports two modes of Bulk Pure Enhanced Technology® (Bulk Pet®) high-resolution audio file transfer. This optimizes data packaging and delivery to the converter, easing the processing load for both the host CPU and the device CPU. This in turn reduces the workload between reading and reproduction, enhancing playback stability and improving sound quality.
ODNF-u, Only Distortion Negative Feedback (ultimate) analog circuit
Negative feedback is an extremely powerful tool in analog circuit design. But minuscule inaccuracies in the application of feedback can compromise the expressive power of music reproduction. For this reason, Luxman has developed and refined the Only Distortion Negative Feedback (ODNF) circuit, culminating in ODNF-u, which debuts on the D-10X. This fully balanced configuration maximizes error detection accuracy, for greater musical expression across the audio band. Tailored, gradual 1st order filter x 3 band processing achieves a natural waveform without the need for conventional output filters.
In typical Luxman fashion, the company’s engineers have seen to every detail.
- The composite, loop-less chassis is well shielded to block digital noise.
- The oversized power supply features large filter capacitors and a transformer 27% larger than that of Luxman’s previous flagship.
- The printed circuit boards exhibit the full suite of Luxman’s signature refinements: gently curved wiring patterns to promote signal flow; 100 μm copper foil signal traces and gold-plated connections to minimize stray capacitance; and peel-coat removal of the solder mask to suppress even subtle degradations in sound quality.
- The RCA output jacks apply gold plating over an alloy that combines the conductivity of copper with the durability of brass.
- Rugged Neutrik terminals provide the balanced XLR outputs while a front panel Phase Invert button enables listeners to swap polarity.
- Density gradient cast iron insulator feet provide firm support while diffusing shelf-borne resonance.
The D-10X has a clean, understated design finished in brushed aluminum and comes supplied with the matching RD-29 aluminum remote control. The front-panel fluorescent display has a zoom mode for easy reading from the ideal listening position. The D-10X will be available in August at a suggested retail price of $16,495.
ABOUT LUXMAN
Luxman America, based in Ballston Spa, NY, is a subsidiary of Luxman Corporation of Yokohama, Japan. Luxman was among the world’s first consumer electronics companies, founded at the dawn of the radio age in 1925. Over the years, Luxman audio components have become synonymous with timeless styling, exquisite fit and finish, and above all, uncompromising sound quality. When the audio industry moved en masse into transistor amplifiers, Luxman continued to create vacuum tube amplifiers without interruption. Landmark products include the SQ-5A vacuum tube integrated amplifier (1961), the PD-300 turntable with vacuum disc stabilizer (1980) and the DU-10 universal disc player for CD, SACD and DVD Audio (2001). For additional information, we invite you to visit luxman.com and Like us on Facebook.
Bulk Pure Enhanced Technology and Bulk Pet are registered trademarks of INTERFACE Co., LTD. DSD is a registered trademark of Sony Corporation. Mac OS is a registered trademark of Apple Inc. MUS-IC is a registered trademark of ROHM Semiconductor. MQA and MQA-CD are registered trademark
