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New Luxman DA-06 doesnt sound so great. Will it get better?

Hi, I recently received a Luxman DA-06 dac (new, gray market Japan import) and it the sound doesnt seem to have any life.  It sounds a bit dull, uninvolving, and just low fidelity.  The best way can explain it is that it sounds like when a phono cartridge has a bad impedance mismatch with a preamp or if the signal gain is too high and it is clipping .  The unit only has less than 15 hours on it.  I wanted to know if this is normal and it would clear itself up or I have received a bad unit.  I have tried it in 2 different systems and it sounds the same. I have tried both outputs, balanced and unbalanced.  I have read this dac requires 100s of hours break in time and I hope the sound improves.  Anyone has any experience with this and could share their thoughts?  I would greatly appreciate it.  
audioman2015
newbee
4,768 posts
 
Are you using a voltage converter. I assume your CDP is 100v which needs to be converted to 115v.
audioman2015 OP
103 posts
 
Yes, I am using a Nissyo 550w converter to bring the voltage down to 100v.  The DA-06 is a dac and not a cdp.  
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
3,159 posts
 
First impressions usually indicate whether or not a piece of audio gear will do it for you...sorry to say.  I've owned a lot of gear and break in IS real, but only goes so far.  If there is an inherent problem like your describing then it will most likely simply suck a little less over time.  So...Asian sourced grey market aye?  Sounds like a counterfeit...Music Direct would give you 30-60days return just in case.  Lesson learned...sell it fast if you can!
lynott
87 posts
 
If it requires hundreds of hours of break-in (per Luxman, I assume?), then give it the required time, and you should be rewarded for your patience. The Isotek/Esoteric burn-in disc is a useful tool.

Don't give up on it yet!
audioman2015 OP
103 posts
 
100s of hours is what I read on forums with owners of the DA-06, not sure what Luxman's policy is regarding burn in.  Ive had very good luck with gray market imports.  There is no reason for me to believe that this is a counterfeit.  The build quality is outstanding, came with paperwork, and the insides are genuine.  Yes, I opened it up and took a good look inside.  Heck if this was a counterfeit, why would they waste their time doing that when they could be designing their own equipment because they are that good!  
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