So you have one of the best 4K TVs available; you’ll have one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars and some of the best wireless speakers spread around your home for great Hi-Res audio, connected to your NAS drive. But what if you want to take things a step further?
That’s what the Luxman NT-07 network transport is for; to ensure that what you have works just a little better. It is essentially a specialized component that enables playback of an “extensive range of digital, file-based and streaming audio sources – for integration into high-quality component audio systems”.
The NT-07 accepts digital sound from your local NAS storage (or from the best music streaming services of course) via Ethernet, USB and HDMI (in and out with ARC; so it can work its magic on the audio from your TV, Blu-ray disc player, game console or other video source). The output is then output to an external digital-to-analog converter (DAC).
As you’d expect from something that focuses on audiophile sound quality, Luxman’s engineers say they’ve identified and reduced all kinds of noise. The NT-07’s core stages include the Japanese company’s latest generation of high-speed processor modules, which should pack enough punch and power to enhance any movie, track or album. The power supply section is, according to Luxman, “particularly robust”, in that it is equipped with a custom-made high-capacity transformer plus a pair of special 10,000 µF filter capacitors.
Central to the Luxman NT-07 is of course the ability to bring together and control all your premium audio sources. To this end, the RJ-45 Ethernet port, which receives stored audio data via Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) and the OpenHome platform, makes it particularly suitable for your NAS drive. USB 2.0 ports on the front or back can accept files directly from thumb drives and larger USB drives if you tend to veer away from streaming services (although those are accessible too), and Roon certification is apparently in the works.
As noted above, the Luxman NT-07’s HDMI inputs and outputs with ARC are a big draw, as it features Audio Return Channel (ARC) and two-channel HDMI audio output with PCM encoding up to 24-bit/192kHz sampling can support – or very high-resolution audio for movies.
The NT-07’s biggest selling point? Intelligent resampling
The NT-07 requires connection to an external digital-to-analog converter or a disc player with internal DAC access, via the digital inputs. Luxman might point you to its own D-07X, D-10X, D-03X, and D-N150.
But (stick with me) the NT-07 offers digital output via USB, optical or coaxial connections, and the USB subsystem supports PCM sampling up to 32-bit/768kHz, plus DSD sampling up to 22.5 MHz (at 1 bit , because that’s DSD for you). The optical and coaxial outputs provide sampling up to 24-bit/192 kHz. To work with the widest range of DAC modules, the NT-07 also offers MQA decoding with three selectable modes: Off, Core Decode and Pass-Through.
For best results, Luxman says the NT-07’s intelligent resampling feature matches the sampling rate and bit depth supported by the connected DAC and supports PCM with sampling rates from 44.1k to 384 kHz. Luxman offers individual up/down sampling settings so you can actually play with the resolution levels terribly neat unique selling point.
Another thing I like about this distinct version, aside from the large organic LED display, is that the front only has one solo control: an on/off switch. You’ll likely control the NT-07 via your smartphone or tablet, thanks to the free Luxman Stream app for iOS and Android, which allows users to configure, select sources, choose songs and generally control playback. It does come with an aluminum IR remote control, so you can operate it without picking up your phone and launching the app.
How much will all this make for you? The Luxman NT-07 Network Transport is available immediately for a suggested retail price of $7,495 / £6,500 (approximately AU$11,450). No, you read that right; that’s high-end audio.