DACs — Luxman DA-150

The Luxman DA-150 is a compact two-channel USB converter with a headphone section, made by Luxman in Japan, presented by the maker as a desktop design built for everyday convenience. The case is 182 mm wide and weighs 3.3 kg, so it fits beside a computer screen or on a narrow shelf, and a single set of RCA outputs lets it also feed a full hi-fi system. The American list price was USD 2,195, with a mains lead supplied.

Key specs that matter

Digital connections comprise a USB socket, a coaxial socket and an optical socket. Over USB the DA-150 accepts PCM from 32 kHz to 192 kHz at 16, 24 or 32 bits, plus DSD at 2.82 MHz and 5.64 MHz. The coaxial and optical inputs handle 32 kHz to 192 kHz at 16, 20 or 24 bits. The fixed-level line output delivers 2.5 V at an output impedance of 300 ohm. Rated S/N is 120 dB (IHF-A), total harmonic distortion is 0.0012 percent, and frequency response runs from 2 Hz to 50 kHz within +0 and -3.0 dB. The headphone output supplies 130 mW per channel into 600 ohm, 400 mW into 32 ohm and 200 mW into 16 ohm. Power consumption is 16 W, and the case is 73 mm high and 277 mm deep.

Engineering and use context

Conversion is done by the Texas Instruments PCM1795, a 32-bit part from the Burr-Brown range that Luxman also used in its D-05u SACD player. Headphone level is set by the LECUA computerised attenuator, which Luxman fitted as standard to adjust volume without loss of quality, and the headphone amplifier circuit was reworked for greater drive than earlier desktop designs. The input selector, the filter and dimmer switch and the power switch sit on the front panel, while the USB, coaxial and optical terminals are on the rear. The RCA output jacks are gold plated with an 18 mm pitch, which leaves space for interconnects fitted with bulky plugs. The headphone output is driven through a discrete buffer circuit. Mains versions exist for 230 V at 50 Hz and 115 V at 60 Hz, and there is no balanced XLR output on this model.

Pairing

With a fixed line output, the DA-150 suits any amplifier or preamp offering an unbalanced input, while demanding high-impedance headphones can be driven directly from the front socket. A computer on USB, a TV on the optical socket and a CD player on coaxial cover a typical desk setup without any external switching box.

Alternatives

The Luxman DA-06 is the larger full-width converter, with six digital inputs, balanced XLR outputs and USB decoding up to 384 kHz.