Accuphase vs Luxman

I have to tell you.  This forum is filled with incredibly discerning and knowledgeable audiophiles. What started as a conversation I had with a gruff who asked about Luxman and how it compares to what I have morphed into a highly amazing discussion and as a result of which I've learned a few things.

I'm keeping my Accuphase components and will look into different ways of improving things like room treatment and SUBWOOFERS.

The A-48S is a very capable amplifier - and hardly stressed by speakers that are as sensitive as 105 dB.

As I mentioned before I heard a significant improvement going from an older C-2450 pre-amp to the C-2900 with my A-48.  The C-2300 replaced the C-2450, and I have not heard it but I imagine the C-2900 is a step up.  

Accuphase matches it's pre-amps and amps as follows:

C-2300 + A48

C-2900 + A-80 

C-3900 + A-300

Your DAC might be the first area for improvement.  The DC-37 was introduced in 2014, and it was apparently based on the DP-720 SACD player introduced in 2013.  The DP-720 was replaced by the DP-750 in 2018 which was then replaced by the DP-770 in 2023 or 2024.  The DC-37 was never replaced as a stand-alone DAC, but it is several generations behind and is now in the 'product museum' - meaning it was discontinued.  It was in essence replaced by the various SACD players listed above.

The only other stand alone DAC produced was the special anniversary DC-1000 introduced in 2021.  I have not heard it but from perusing reviews it sounds like it is very special.

Apparently listening to CDs in Japan is still more popular than streaming, which is why companies like Accuphase, Luxman, and Esoteric are still producing new and improved SACD/CD players.  The new DP-770 SACD player would be their newest DAC.

@toronto416 so my DC-37 is a dinosaur :( 

I got it at a great price and it replaced the DAC-60 in my preamplifier.  I heard a difference but an even more apparent difference when I went from an Innuos Pulse to my current Innuos Pulsar.  I'm happy with my DC-37 but wondered where I can go from here and you helped clarify this.  I haven't listened to a CD in 15 yrs so I never really thought about a CD player. I believe there is a DC-1000 available in Ontario that came in as a trade.  You probably know which one I'm referring to.  Seeing that my only source of music is through streaming maybe the DC-1000 is the way for my to go then? I'm slowly exploring vinyl but this is another thread for another time.   Objectively speaking,  will the Accuphase DC-1000 be the way for me to go?

“Your DAC might be the first area for improvement.

@toronto416 

No doubt the DC-1000 is a step above the DC-37. That said, I don’t see the DC-37 as a bottleneck in @fire_water’s system (atleast not yet). I’m not opposed to upgrading, but my philosophy has always been to look at the system as a whole. Before chasing a new component, I ask: have I done everything possible to optimize the performance of each piece in the chain—signal path, isolation, and acoustics included? Once those fundamentals are dialed in, then a component upgrade truly elevates the system rather than just shifting its character. 

I’ve seen it too often, we audiophiles get caught up in the allure of “better gear” without realizing that a carefully optimized system can unlock more from existing components than we expect. A DC-37, properly supported in terms of isolation and partnered with a well-treated room, can easily punch above its weight. By approaching upgrades holistically, you ensure that a future move to something like the DC-1000 isn’t just compensating for overlooked fundamentals but actually adds meaningful refinement to an already optimized chain.

If you look at my system, every component has been carefully optimized to extract the finest nuances from each note. As good as the stock feet on Accuphase components are, they’re still receptive to floor-borne vibrations and energy circulating in the room. When I introduced Combak’s TU-333EX Tuning Insulators, the improvement was immediate—lower noise floor, greater detail retrieval, more convincing vocals, richer instrumental overtones, a more dimensional soundstage, and an overall stronger sense of presence.

That’s why I believe @fire_water current setup still holds a lot of untapped potential. Before suggesting an upgrade or replacement, it’s worth exploring how much performance can be unlocked by optimizing resonance control, isolation, and the signal path. In many cases, these refinements transform the system in ways that component swapping alone can’t achieve.

Just my two cents! 

There are 2 DC-100o's listed on the Canuck site - one in Ottawa and one in BC.  The BC listing shows a more realistic retail price - but it is 2K above the 2024 list price (which is the last year Canadian dealers could post Accuphase retail prices.  The reason is that we pay say C27K for the same unit that retails for US27K in the US - there is a big discrepancy between US and Canadian list prices).

The Ottawa listing has an inflated retail price but the asking price is decent - but as a dealer I think he has to charge HST.

The DC-1000 has the same list price as the C-2900, and the DP-770 is within 1K.  The DC-1000 is a much more sophisticated DAC than the DP-770 - it is not just a DP-770 minus the transport.  Look at them 'under the hood' on the Accuphse website.

Accuphase makes excellent phono-pre amps.  I have a C-47 which replaced the AD-2900 phono unit in my C-2900 which is an available option.  The AD-2900 is a much bigger and more substantial unit than the slim AD-60 phono card that fits into the C-2300.

I have an Accuphase E-380 integrated amp in a second system and I put a DAC-60 card in it and it is surprisingly decent sounding.