A long-awaited new product has appeared in the family of digital-to-analog converters from the Japanese company Luxman – DAC with DSD support Luxman DA-250. Until now, of the three Luxman DACs, only the older Luxman DA-06 model supported the DSD format (the model belongs to a far from the most affordable price segment), and the two younger DACs only worked with a 24-bit/192 kHz signal. The external digital-to-analog converter Luxman DA-250 represents a further development line of the DA-200 model.
As a converter, the Luxman DA-250 uses the PCM1795 chip from Burr-Brown/Texas Instruments, which supports operation with a PCM signal at 32-bit/192 kHz resolution, as well as with a DSD stream with sampling rates of 2.82 (DSD64) and 5.64 (DSD128) MHz.
The Luxman DA-250 model has a neat, all-metal body, made in a laconic corporate style. On the right side of the front panel there is a 6.3 mm headphone jack and a LECUA precision analog volume control knob. To the left is a 2-line LED display with 7-segment characters and adjustable brightness, showing the selected input and sample rate. The front also has an input selector knob and a power button. The model received a more powerful headphone amplifier with a discrete buffer circuit, which produces 130 mW per channel at 600 Ohms and 400 mW per channel at 32 Ohms.
A characteristic feature of the Luxman DA-250 is its ability to work as a preamplifier. The device is equipped with one unbalanced analog input and balanced and unbalanced analog output. The output can be switched to an adjustable mode using the proprietary LECUA (Luxman Electric Controlled Ultimate Attenuator) volume control system, which implies analogue signal level control. The input signal, whose amplitude varies in voltage, is converted into a current signal, the magnitude of which is regulated by switching shunts (the so-called current switches), and then it is again converted into voltage.
The most interesting features of the Luxman DA-250 are its capabilities, and they differ significantly from the DA-200 model. Thus, the USB input supports the following parameters: PCM – 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz with 16, 24 and 32 bits, DSD – 2.82 and 5.64 MHz (1 bit). Digital inputs include one coaxial and two optical inputs with 24/192 support. There are optical and coaxial outputs.
To control the functions of an external DAC, a miniature remote control is provided, with which you can also change the phase of the signal at any output. The model is equipped with a JPA-10000 power cable with OFC copper conductors. The official website of the Luxman company provides access to download a driver for Windows OS, which allows you to work with the USB input of the DAC in asynchronous mode, as well as to download a proprietary software audio player. The Luxman DA-250 delivers high-quality audiophile sound that is accurate, transparent, natural and detailed.
Specifications Luxman DA-250
Digital-to-analog converter PCM1795 (32 bit/192 kHz)
Supported sampling rates for USB PCM input: 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz (16, 24 , 32 bit), DSD: 2.82, 5.64 MHz (1 bit)
Supported sampling rates (for coaxial and optical inputs) 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz ( 16, 24 bit)
Output voltage/impedance 2.5 V/300 ohms (RCA), 2.5 V/600 ohms (XLR)
Maximum output voltage 8.7 V (RCA), 10 V (XLR)
Frequency response 2 Hz – 50 kHz (+0, – 3 dB)
Harmonic distortion 0.001%
Signal-to-noise ratio 118 dB
Headphone amplifier output power 2 x 130 mW (600 ohms), 2 x 400 mW (32 ohms), 2 x 200 mW (16 Ohm)
Inputs coaxial, 2 optical, asynchronous USB port (type B)
Outputs 6.3 mm headphone, linear RCA (adjustable/non-adjustable), balanced XLR (Neutrik, adjustable/unadjustable), coaxial, optical
Remote control yes
Power consumption 19 W
Dimensions (WxHxD) 364x81x279 mm
Weight 5.4 kg