Music Direct__Catalog_Web 2016 | Page 100

ULTIMATE FIDELITY : A LIMITED EDITION CRAFTED BY LUXMAN CORPORATION, JAPAN After more than 85 years, Luxman continues to strive for total audio perfection with components that exude luxury on the level of a waterfront Monaco penthouse. The Japanese company’s motivation relates to its desire to connect listeners with music in a way that fosters ongoing dialog, warms the soul, incites contagious excitement, and stirs imaginations. If you’re ready to hear what unabated passion for fidelity sounds like, you’re ready for Luxman. Rega has always held steadfast to the belief that audiophile sound can be attained for a cost that doesn’t cause sticker shock. While the British company secured a name for itself in the 1970s with its analog designs, components such as the Planet CD player and Jupiter CD transport permanently cemented Rega’s reputation as a heavyweight in the digital-audio field. Rega’s commitment to great disc playback continues today with Apollo-R and Saturn-R. HIGH-RESOLUTION DIGITAL FROM AN ANALOG PERSPECTIVE REGA Apollo-R CD Player NEW LUXMAN D-05u SACD Player/CD Player/USB DSD DAC Now outfitted with a consummate-sounding USB DSD DAC, D-05u is reference everything—parts, quality, engineering, construction, looks, and, above all, sonics. This 32-pound Japanese-made marvel features a built-to-spec drive mechanism, pristinely tuned chassis, Burr-Brown chipsets, and peerless analog circuitry. The dead-quiet D-05u plays back CDs with wondrous dynamics, exacting detail, and the kind of involving texture found in the custom stitching on bespoke suits. And once you hear what this nonpareil instrument does with SACD, you’ll realize you’ll want a bigger digital library and extra time off from work to keep spinning discs. ALSO AVAILABLE: $1,095 D-06u SACD/CD Player $9,990 $4,990 REGA Saturn-R CD Player/DAC Last year, a New York Times article explained why Japan refuses to embrace digital downloads and remains committed to compact discs. In a word, it’s a matter of fidelity. No disc-player manufacturer knows this better than Japan’s legendary Luxman. Specifically designed for playing back CDs, D-38u touts a tube output stage that affords every disc warmth, musicality, and richness. An analog output-driven headphone output, on-the-fly tube/solid-state switch, 24-bit/192kHz Burr-Brown DAC, and elegant, rigid wooden chassis round out one of the best tube CD players ever made. Just picture how good it will sound—and look—in your room. Saturn-R runs rings around the competition! First and foremost, it is a phenomenal DAC. Four S/ PDIF inputs and an asynchronous 24-bit/192kHz USB input play audio files from any source. Rega’s famous top-loading CD transport adds an extra touch of class. In today’s download-obsessed world, there is nothing wrong with loading a disc into Saturn-R and pressing “play.” But the real reason to audition this player is the analog back-end. Saturn-R is the most analog-like of any DAC/CD player at this price. LP lovers rejoice: This is the digital front-end for you! $3,990 $2,995 LUXMAN D-38u Tube CD Player NEW MARIGO AUDIO LAB Clear Transformation CD Mat Marigo’s new CD mat features material-technology upgrades that result in an even quieter noise floor, greater static absorption, stronger resonance control, enhanced low-level detail, and improved ambience information. Its proprietary coatings also lend to analog-like realism. Stunning. $199 96 DISC PLAYERS Rega’s R-Series components continue to draw exemplary reviews from across the board. A recipient of TONEAudio’s Exceptional Value Award, Apollo-R gives you Rega’s famed analog-like warmth, and preserves the detail and dynamics that allow recorded music to sound believable. Trust us: A serious audition is in order. With its superb cohesiveness and excellent instrumental separation, Apollo-R sets the standard against which all other CD players at this price level are measured. 800.449.8333 MUSICDIRECT.COM HIFI TUNING Disc Demagnetizer OPTRIX CD Cleaner/Clarifier Improve the sound of every disc with the push of a button. Disc Demagnetizer removes residual magnetism from any disc. You’ll hear better tonality, a wider, taller, and deeper soundstage, and more air between instruments. This audiophile tweak never fails to impress. $299 Optrix reduces CD skipping and improves readability of all CDs and DVDs. It’s easy to use—spray it on, wipe off. One bottle brings 100 discs to life with superb detail and natural musicality. Try a bottle. You will want more! $17 60-DAY SATISFACTION GUA I9Q