Headphones amplifiers — Luxman P-800u

The Luxman P-800u is a solid-state headphone amplifier announced in October 2026 as the successor to the P-750u II, which went out of production in spring 2026. Luxman draws on technology developed for the P-100 CENTENNIAL, and the Japanese release was set for November 2026 at JPY 550,000 including tax. The front panel is finished in Luxman's blaster white, with spin-finished, knurled knobs and an acrylic display window.

Key specs that matter

Continuous output from the balanced sockets is 8 W per channel into 16 ohms, 4 W into 32 ohms and 213 mW into 600 ohms. From the unbalanced jack the amplifier delivers 4 W per channel into 8 ohms, 2 W into 16 ohms, 1 W into 32 ohms and 53 mW into 600 ohms. Frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within +0/-0.1 dB and extends from 10 Hz to 170 kHz at the -3 dB points. The S/N ratio is 116 dB unbalanced and 119 dB balanced. Power consumption is 42 W, or 27 W with no signal. The chassis measures 440 x 93 x 402 mm including knobs and rear terminals, and weighs 15.7 kg.

Engineering and use context

The circuit uses version 1.1 of LIFES (Luxman Integrated Feedback Engine System), the same feedback engine found in the L-100, D-100 and B-100 CENTENNIAL models. The P-800u has four identical amplifier channels in a fully balanced layout. When headphones are plugged into the 4.4 mm Pentaconn or the 4-pin XLR socket, the channels work in BTL (bridge-tied load) mode, and Luxman claims lower intermodulation distortion, better channel separation and improved power supply regulation from this arrangement. With the 6.3 mm unbalanced jack, the four channels are grouped two per side and run in parallel, which Luxman says doubles current capability. Level is set by the electronically controlled LECUA attenuator, and the display shows the volume position in -dB. Three-step gain switching and left-right balance adjustment are built in, and a six-step volume limit guards against accidental high settings. Inputs comprise one unbalanced and two balanced pairs, and a through output feeds the incoming signal to further components.

Pairing

With output ranging from several watts into low impedances down to a couple of hundred milliwatts at 600 ohms, the P-800u covers headphones from inefficient planar magnetic designs to high-impedance dynamic models. Balanced headphone cables with 4.4 mm or XLR plugs make use of the bridged mode, while the gain switch helps sensitive headphones keep the volume control in a usable range. The two balanced inputs suit a DAC or disc player with XLR outputs, and the through output lets the amplifier sit in a system ahead of a preamplifier.

Alternatives

The Luxman P-100 CENTENNIAL is the brand's other current headphone amplifier, developed for the company's centenary.