Luxman D03X vs D10X

@rman9,

I do not know what their latest and greatest is.  The VRDS NEO transport is one of the absolute best in the business and many high end manufacturers buy the Esoteric transport for their own machines.

I have the Luxman D10x and it’s the best digital playback I’ve ever heard.

It’s natural, neutral, and detailed like I’ve never heard from a source before. Directly against the Marantz SA-10 and the Lumin X1 it’s better sounding in those categories and overall enjoyment. I’ve had the same experience with the usb input on the player as well as with disc playback.

If you’ve ever played with digital filter selection on players and listened to the trade offs of each filter in terms of bass definition, full-sounding bass, warmth, forwardness, brightness, or focus/clarity/apparent resolution of the high frequencies, I describe listening to the Luxman as having none of those tradeoffs. It’s as if there is no filter and I am hearing everything on my discs with clarity for the first time. In old discs from the 80’s I hear details and punch I never before heard and didn’t think was there.

I was considering the two top Esoteric players as well but wanted to avoid considering external clocks, power supplies, or filter selection for best sound. I figured that if the Luxman didn’t float my boat, I would try Esoteric but having owned the Luxman for 6 months I have no desire to try the Esoteric at this time.

I also have the D10X, and like rnrmf1971 I will keep it for the rest of my lifetime.

@rnrmf1971 @rpeluso thank you both..  Any first hand experience like that is so helpful. Could you both detail what is the rest of your gear are? I am typing this with a little nervous twitch and a hastened breath, as I nudge towards making the decision to swap out the D03X. I'll be calling my dealer this coming week. I felt the same jitters when I decided to swap out the Mcintosh 462 with the Luxman M10X. I can say, I have never been more happier having done that. The C900 preamp to replace the Mcintosh C53 was a easy decision. I am waiting on that unit to be delivered in June. But I had brought a demo unit from the dealer and I can't wait to get the one ordered.. Thanks again!!

I have a Constellation Audio Integrated coupled with the wonderful Perlisten S7t loudspeakers; also have a nice TT, but rarely use it.  I have a big open room and the music that is played here fills the space, no head-width sweet spot, its great in most places.  I bought all of these pieces other than the TT in the last 3-4 months, but have been buying great audio for more than 20 years.  I have two other systems set up, and enough to make a 4th, but this is the one I turn to when I want to revel in great music.  I have other Luxman players, including a D-06 and a D-05u, both are great, but this new one is a step up.