Luxman D-03R CD Player & DAC – First Look

All Image Credit: Luxman

The CD is still alive and kicking getting another shot in the arm with the recent release by Luxman of the D-03R CD player and DAC. This new model is an upgrade and replacement for their older and well established entry model the D-03 X.

At its core are two 32bit, 768KHz ROHM BD34352EKV DAC chips configured in dual-mono mode, complemented by user‑selectable digital filters. Absolute timing accuracy for each input is achieved using its own low‑jitter circuitry plus an ultra‑low‑phase‑noise master clock module. The D‑03R also functions as a stand‑alone D/A converter. The USB input supports network transports, Windows PCs, or Macs, it accepts PCM signals up to 384 kHz/32‑bit and DSD data up to 22.5 MHz. The S/PDIF (coaxial/optical) inputs are ideal for legacy CD players and AV systems etc., handling up to 192 KHz/24‑bit PCM data. All inputs offer full decoding of MQA (including MQA‑CD and MQA files), with a newly added bypass mode when MQA decoding is not desired.

The D‑03R is equipped with a purpose- built dedicated single‑laser CD drive mechanism. A thick 3.2 mm steel mounting base and a steel top plate enclose the mechanism, effectively shielding it from external vibrations and ensuring precise, stable digital signal reading. In the analog stage, the differential outputs from the dual-mono D/A converters are transferred through LUXMAN’s custom components, smooth-flow non-angled circuit board traces and custom-made OFC internal wiring. These signals are fed into a fully balanced I/V conversion stage and high-quality buffer circuitry, both optimized for low impedance to drive downstream components.

Powering the redesigned electronics is a high-quality analog power supply that employs a large transformer and highly stable power supply regulation. This includes independent regulators and large filter capacitors for each of the mechanical, digital, and analog circuits. Notably, the DAC circuit capacitor value has been doubled from 3,300 μF to 6,600 μF. The chassis features a composite, shielded, loop-less construction designed to suppress magnetic fields, ground impedance, and digital noise.

The D‑03R features two pairs of analog outputs; gold-plated RCA terminals and high-grade Neutrik XLR terminals. On the digital side, in addition to a USB input supporting PCM and DSD formats, the unit is equipped with both coaxial and optical S/PDIF terminals, both input and output being compatible with DoP (DSD over PCM) signals.

Control is available using the front panel buttons and the supplied remote in conjunction with the newly adopted large-format, high-resolution OLED display that supports: a zoom display mode for better visibility from a distance, four dimmer levels, and an automatic brightness adjustment function.

Upgrades At A Glance:

• DAC Upgrade – Dual ROHM BD34352EKV DAC chips (vs. TI PCM1795 in the D-03X) deliver superior resolution and musicality.
• Mechanism Stability – A 3.2mm thick steel mounting base (replacing aluminum in the D-03X) with a rigid box structure reduces vibrations for higher reading accuracy.
• Amplifier Circuit – Fully balanced output amplifier with differential I/V conversion (vs. less advanced circuitry in the D-03X) ensures cleaner, more dynamic sound.
• Power Supply – High-capacity block capacitors (6,600µF ×2) double the DAC power supply capacity of the D-03X, improving drive and stability.
• Chassis Design – Composite, shielded chassis with optimized weight balance and separation of noise sources (an advancement from the D-03X layout).
• Display – High-resolution OLED with zoom mode and dimmer (an upgrade from the D-03X’s display) for improved readability.

Specifications: