Luxman d-08u vs berkeley reference 2 dac

personally i wouldn’t sell the berkeley. i’ve had one in my system and thought it superb. don’t know if you can upgrade to series 3 but even so i’m sure the cost is brutal. you’ve got a really high end machine and it’s paid for. someday i hope to take my own advice. 

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!

 
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?

I have read Luxman is releasing two new transport DAC models using a different DAC chip than what has been current models.  I have yet to see notification of availability in the U.S. yet, but had been shown in Japan in later 2019.

I tried several DAC's in the 3-5000 range and settled for the Luxman DA06.  It is not syrupy by any means but does have a warm silky sound  the top end is extended but doesn't stick out and I don't think I am missing an detail.  I expect to have it for quite a while.  To me the signature is similar to how a classA amp sounds compared to an AB