Luxman Ups Their CD Game With the D-03R CD Player & DAC

What’s different about the new Luxman D-03R compared to the D-03X? Just about everything.

I suppose I need to preface this post by talking about how CD’s are making a comeback and how the kids just love ’em and nostalgia, but that’s so…vinyl.

the Luxman DP-07 Compact Disk Player (c.1980s) as seen in the Command Performance A/V room at CAF 2024 from the personal collection of Doshi Audio‘s Nick Doshi

Luxman released their first CD player, the DX-104, in 1983 so they know their way around pits and lands and lustful design. The new D-03R features a number of upgrades from the previous CD-03X including dual ROHM BD34352EKV DAC chips, a new amp circuit, a new power supply, chassis design, and a refreshed display.

In addition to spinning CDs, you can send music through the D-03R’s internal DAC thanks to three digital inputs (USB, Coax, Optical) and out through the single-ended RCA or balanced XLR outputs, or bypass the DAC via two digital outs (Coax, Optical).

The Luxman D-03R CD Player & DAC is available now for $6495.

Here’s the press release:

Luxman D-03R
A Leap Beyond the D-03X

We are proud to introduce the Luxman D-03R CD Player & DAC—a next-generation model that takes the beloved D-03X and advances it in every way. With major design and engineering upgrades, the D-03R is built for uncompromising performance.

What’s New Compared to the D-03X

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.

The D-03R isn’t just a replacement—it brings Luxman’s upmarket quality and performance to a lower price point of $6,495.

Company Website: Luxman
US Distributor Website: Rhythm Distribution