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A Tale of Two Luxmans

96.254.19.20
Posted on July 20, 2014 at 20:10:59
Craig25
Audiophile

Posts: 119
Joined: August 25, 2002
 Several months back I found a Luxman R-115 at the local GW for $25.00.
Despite some nagging issues with the mute relay, I have been very impressed with the build quality and the sound of the receiver. Even though it was built probably after Alpine had bought the company, I didn't see anything about it that looked cheap. Fast forward to today. I answered a ad on CL for a Luxman TP-114. I wanted to upgrade the pre I'm now using, a Yamaha C6, with one that might go better with my chinese tube amp and I thought that Luxman SS products were supposed to be voiced to sound more like their tube offerings.
I drove over two hours each way for this thing, and although the price was reasonable, $80.00, I'm still kicking myself for getting somewhat obsessed.
This pre, which also has a tuner, is about half the weight of my C6. So I opened it up and took a peek and discovered...There is a lot of empty space in there. Granted the C6 has a very elaborate tone control and more phono options, but what I see inside the Luxman is just, well,..cheap.
To be fair, I have only listened for a few minutes tonight so I can't comment yet on that, but whoever called Luxman the "Japanese McIntosh" was not talking about the TP-114.

 

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Let's kick it back a notch, posted on July 21, 2014 at 06:27:21
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 Space aside - how does it sound?

Granted Luxman has had a roller coaster past, but what company hasn't. Overall Luxman has maintained a decent level of quality. So at least give it a try before assuming it's a bad piece. Remember - sometimes less IS more. And preamps are funny that way.

charles

 

RE: Let's kick it back a notch, posted on July 21, 2014 at 07:42:33
AudioSoul
Audiophile

Posts: 4594
Location: north central AZ
Joined: July 9, 2005
Um, I think you need to put JMHO next to that comment about Macintosh. There are thousands if not million of people that own or have own Mac equipment that love the sound. Who made you judge and jury?

 

RE: Let's kick it back a notch, posted on July 21, 2014 at 08:15:34
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 You're right. That was an ignorant and personal comment for me to make. I deleted it and do apologize for that thoughtless, and honestly stupid! remark.


Thank you for pointing that out.

charles

 

RE: A Tale of Two Luxmans, posted on July 21, 2014 at 10:48:11
Brian Levy
Audiophile

Posts: 2438
Location: Toronto
Joined: June 5, 2000
 Like many imports, the reputation was marketed with the first imported product line that while not really a Japanese McIntosh were fine units and a cut above the poular imports of the time.

IMHO, the Japanese McIntosh quality was the earliest Sony lineup and then a litle later the Accuphase line. Accuphase, I think, staid the course longer than any others that tried to claim that title.


Don Brian Levy, J.D.
Toronto ON Canada

 

RE: Let's kick it back a notch, posted on July 21, 2014 at 11:09:23
Brian Levy
Audiophile

Posts: 2438
Location: Toronto
Joined: June 5, 2000
 I agreed with your statement so would have supported you if there were an issue. As with almost every statement on this board, it is opinion and we each are entitled to express ours.

For instance 1st gen SAE coomes closer to McIntosh quality as did Mattes. Yes, my opinion.
Don Brian Levy, J.D.
Toronto ON Canada

 

RE: Let's kick it back a notch, posted on July 21, 2014 at 12:15:35
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 He was referring to a comment I made about a particular brand. I've since deleted it.

charles

 

RE: A Tale of Two Luxmans, posted on July 21, 2014 at 13:52:40
Scholl
Distributor or Rep

Posts: 1357
Joined: March 8, 2001
 What problem did you have with the mute relay?

I touched up the solder joints on mine and it is fine. I do have problems with no volume when first turning it on but after a few minutes it operates well.

 

"Japanese McIntosh", posted on July 21, 2014 at 16:06:05
briggs
Audiophile

Posts: 1674
Location: Connecticut
Joined: April 16, 2002
 There would have had to be a Japanese Sidney Corderman. Japanese don't grow that big.

 

RE: A Tale of Two Luxmans, posted on July 22, 2014 at 08:08:26
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 - IMHO, the Japanese McIntosh quality was the earliest Sony lineup and then a litle later the Accuphase line. Accuphase, I think, staid the course longer than any others that tried to claim that title.

Brian,

You hit the nail on the head! I have some early Sony and the build quality if fantastic! I have never owned Accuphase, but I can't argue with you assessment. Fantastic gear! I do think Luxman had some great gear too though.

Dave

 

You Could Have Started Your Post With..., posted on July 22, 2014 at 16:44:29
Lee of Omaha
Dealer

Posts: 1800
Location: Omaha NE
Joined: September 8, 2006
 ...It was the best of build quality, it was the worst of build quality.

(You may groan).

 

RE: A Tale of Two Luxmans, posted on July 22, 2014 at 17:04:28
Craig25
Audiophile

Posts: 119
Joined: August 25, 2002
 Well, I listened more last night and listened again tonight. This pre succeeds in making my tube amp sound ordinary. I don't have the best hearing and I don't know if that makes me easier or harder to please. I really had to listen through a variety of inputs. If you've ever seen counterfeit money and the first time you look at it you know somethings wrong, but more looking and trying to convince yourself that it's okay never quite makes it okay, that's the feeling I have with this pre.
Finally I switched the Yamaha C6 back in and that confirmed my feelings.
The C6 is a much, much better preamp, IMHO.
What a difference from the R-115 receiver. They may look similar, but sound a world apart. Regarding the mute relay on the 115, mine also functions normally after a few minutes warmup. I have tried turning it off/on several times to kick it closed and increased the volume the give it more voltage, but it just seems to need the warmup to stabilize the circuit.
BTW, I would like to own a Mac someday, but they just never turn up at the thrifts!

 

RE: A Tale of Two Luxmans, posted on July 23, 2014 at 08:48:24
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 I don't think it is that the Luxman is bad, it is that the C-6 is that good. I am a big fan of Yamaha preamps, and have had a C-6 in my system. It would still be the if I had not found a Yamaha C-2x for dirt cheap in a pawnshop. Although they went completely under the radar of American audiophiles, the C-6 is a special preamp and is still highly sought after in Japan.

Dave

 

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