P-100C
Our first LUXMAN 100th anniversary model, a headphone amplifier with high drivability and musicality
HEADPHONE AMPLIFIERS
P-100 CENTENNIAL
Our first LUXMAN 100th anniversary model, a headphone amplifier with high drivability and musicality
100th Anniversary “CENTENNIAL”
In 1925, inspired by an experimental broadcast from Japan’s NHK, a visionary businessman crafted a prototype radio receiver and shared its technical manual. This breakthrough captured the imagination of audio enthusiasts, igniting excitement and innovation.
From this spark, Lux was born. The company soon ventured into designing and manufacturing radio tuners, amplifiers, and speakers laying the groundwork for what would become modern audio systems. Through relentless innovation and craftsmanship, Lux evolved into the brand now known as LUXMAN.
Now, a century later, we proudly celebrate 100 years of sonic excellence. To honor this milestone and step boldly into the future, LUXMAN has refined its expertise and perfected its technology to create the “CENTENNIAL” models designed to set new benchmarks in performance and sound quality for the next century.
Leading this special lineup is our flagship P-100 CENTENNIAL headphone amplifier, a testament to our legacy and our commitment to the future of high-fidelity audio.
A Symphony of Pure Sound
Immerse yourself in the pinnacle of headphone listening.
Feel the true essence of recorded sound from the hush of silence to the soaring heights of a crescendo. More than sheer power, this headphone amplifier unveils the finest textures, the boundless depth of the soundstage, and the rich emotional resonance that brings music to life.
“New amplified feedback engine” LIFES
Fully balanced amplifier circuitry that drives a wide variety of headphones
ODNF (Only Distortion Negative Feedback) has been at the heart of LUXMAN’s amplifier technology for over 20 years, excelling as a unique, high-quality feedback system for improved sound. Since the release of the P-1 in 2002, LUXMAN’s headphone amplifiers have continuously evolved with the benefit of ODNF. Our P-750uMKII features the latest, most advanced version of ODNF. The P-100 CENTENNIAL, created to commemorate our company’s 100th anniversary, is the first headphone amplifier to incorporate the LIFES amplification feedback engine, an evolution of ODNF.
LIFES, our groundbreaking technology designed for a new century, completely reimagines circuit design and components, while retaining the core concept of feeding back and eliminating only the distorted components detected at the output, a hallmark of ODNF, to produce a clearer and more vibrant tone. We’ve carefully selected high-quality, robust components, including a newly adopted, high-performance FET used in the voltage amplification stage. Compared to ODNF, distortion at the output is reduced by more than half and the signal-to-noise ratio is improved by over 3dB. The result is an amplifier that is quieter than ever, with every element of an audio recording more precisely defined, bringing the dynamism of our listener’s favorite music to new heights.
“New computerized attenuator” LECUA-EX
High definition volume control system with tactile response
For over 20 years, LUXMAN has been perfecting LECUA, an advanced electronically controlled attenuator, which addresses issues such as L/R level imbalances at low volumes and changes in sound quality due to volume control position, issues especially noticeable when listening with headphones, where the sound source is close to the ear. The P-100 CENTENNIAL features our LECUA-EX system, which uses a solid-state (IC) design to streamline the circuitry and incorporates a high precision rotary encoder with a weighted rotation mechanism for precise position detection.
Additionally, by updating the core IC, it offers a range of 200 steps in 0.5dB increments, allowing for even finer micro-adjustments. The LECUA-EX system integrates all volume-related functions, including three-stage sensitivity switching based on the impedance and efficiency of the listener’s headphones, left-right balance adjustment and a six-stage volume limiter to protect both your ears and your headphones from unexpected volume spikes. A large 3-digit, 7-segment LED display clearly shows the volume level, making it easier to maintain consistent volume settings during precise listening.
Fully balanced headphone outputs,
four discrete power amplifiers
The P-100 CENTENNIAL is a high-performance headphone amplifier featuring fully balanced architecture, enabled by uniting four independent amplifier blocks, enhanced by our advanced LIFES amplifier feedback engine. These identical amplifier modules have been meticulously designed using discrete components for optimal audio fidelity. Balanced output: Using a BTL (bridge-tied load) configuration, the balanced output combines the positive and negative signal outputs from four independent amplifier blocks. This setup enhances channel separation, positional accuracy, reduces intermodulation distortion and improves power regulation.
Unbalanced output: The unbalanced output employs a parallel drive system, combining two amplifier circuits per channel to double the output current, ensuring ample driving power. When using the balanced output terminal (φ4.4mm or 4-pin XLR), a switch allows for parallel unbalanced operation with independent left and right grounds. For the ultimate headphone listening experience, connection to two P-100 CENTENNIAL units via their 3-pin XLR outputs offers parallel BTL balanced drive. This mode employs all eight available amplifier blocks, doubling the current output per channel, yielding unmatched, exquisite performance.
Abundant output terminals to suit your choice of headphones
The headphone outputs provided by the P-100 CENTENNIAL have been engineered to connect to a wide variety of high-end headphones available across the global market. In addition to a standard (unbalanced) φ6.3mm output terminal, there is a 4-pin XLR terminal and a φ4.4mm terminal, both balanced outputs. In addition, a 3-pin XLR terminal is also provided as a dedicated terminal for the parallel BTL balanced output mode using two P-100 CENTENNIAL units.
Various settings and adjustment functions
eliminate sound quality degradation
By applying LECUA processing, the unit offers three levels (0, -6, -12dB) of sensitivity switching, LR balance adjustment (0.5dB steps, LR 0 to -12dB) and output mute functions that match the impedance and efficiency of the headphones used without degrading the sound quality. In addition, the unit is equipped with a volume limit function (6 levels: OFF, -10, -20, -30, -40, -50dB) that sets an upper limit on the volume and protects the listeners’ ears from excessive sound pressure levels.
LED Volume display
with large 7-segment LED
The P-100 CENTENNIAL is the first LUXMAN headphone amplifier to feature a display panel on the front. It features a large 7-segment LED (3-digit display showing 0.5dB steps) with excellent visibility that allows you to check the current volume level numerically. In addition, the status of the through output, mode switching during balanced output, BTL and volume limit functions have their own LED indicators.
Various drive mode switching
The P-100 CENTENNIAL offers a total of four output configurations that can be selected according to the performance characteristics and quality of your headphones, including two styles of parallel unbalanced output (common ground LR/independent ground LR), BTL balanced output and our ultimate output configuration, achieved by using two P-100 CENTENNIALs operating as paired mono units. We feel these options will bring out the full potential of our listeners’ beloved headphones.