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Has anyone owned or auditioned the recent Luxman integrated amps? I'm curious to know what they sound like and how they compare to say Accuphase integrateds?
Follow Ups:
I listened to the Luxman L-550ax integrated using my Sonus Faber Auditor M speakers and my Ayre CX-7eMP CD player on Friday (5.11.12). The power cables were the same as I have at home. The retailer was using the Synergistic Research Element Copper interconnect cable ($1,295). I am using the Harmonic Technology Magic Link 2 cable and it sounds okay to me.
My immediate response was that the Luxman amp sounded much better than my Ayre AX-7e Integrated amp. I was very surprised and shocked since I was not expecting to hear this much difference. I heard more detail, the voices were clearer and it sounded great. We played voices, classical and jazz from six CD's. After listening for a while, we switched out the Luxman for my Ayre AX-7e integrated amp. Wow, what a difference. I immediately noticed that with the Ayre the music was not as clear, not as open and it sounded dull. We then switched back to the Luxman. We again listened to the same CD's and the same tracks to ensure I was hearing the same musical source. It is hard for me to describe sound but the music sounded much better with the Luxman then my Ayre. Everyone hears different things but I heard a clarity, musical detail and openness that I did not hear with my Ayre amp.
My retailer did not have a Luxman L-590ax amp in stock so we talked about it instead of the L-550ax. Of course, he said it would be much better than the L-550ax but it costs $10,500 and that is too expensive for me. I am sure the L-590ax would be another level of sound improvement but it is out of my price range.
I was very impressed with the Luxman L-550ax integrated amp. I was concerned about its 20 wpc rating but the retailer said to forget the wattage rating. During listening, I increased the sound volume and we never entered the red zone on the amp. It was loud (very) and still sounded very good. I liked the Luxman L-550ax integrated amp very much.
I purchased the Luxman L-550ax amp on Saturday (5.12.12). The delivery date is to be determined.
Hi!
Can you share your experience with the Luxman 550AX? Are 20 watts enough to drive your speakers to loud levels without compression?
I am thinking in buying one of these integrateds. My speakekers are Von Schweikert VR 33
(90 db, 8ohms). My room is some kind small 14x12x8.
Thanks,
Dan
I own the L505u. Bought it in 2010 and have anjoyed every moment with it, and I expect that it will be my last SS amp. It is beautifully built, sounds quick, transparent and tonally complete and has driven the various speakers I've owned in the meantime with remarkable delicacy and authority.
The ergonomics are terrific, and it looks and feels like the high-end, despite its modest (relatively) cost. Compared to the nonstop hassle of the two amps that preceded it (Manley Stringray and Sugden A21SE) it has been a genuine pleasure to listen to and use.
Some caveats: it has quite high gain, so is better partnered by CDPs at the standard 2V output; it is more neutral than the class-A variants (I owned one of those and prefer this model) and the binding posts are odd.
Otherwise, this Lux is the finest piece of hifi I've owned. Highly recommended.
n
Any comments on the Luxman L-509u Class A/B amp vs. the Luxman L-590ax Class A amp? Both of these units are priced at $10,000 and that is expensive (for me). Maybe the real question is how does the Class A/B amp compare to the Class A amp.
See this review on the Luxman L-590ax integrated amp:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/luxman4/luxman.html
I actually just took delivery of an Accuphase E-360. Though no real direct comparison with Luxman, my research suggests that Luxman, though very competent and almost its equal, is still not in the same league as Accuphase. Compared to most SS gear, the Accuphase has more finesse, if I can call it that. It seems more powerful than its rating, probably given that some headroom was built into it.
It's very organic sounding, natural and unforced. Luxman, supposedly, is not as involving, if you will. Mind you, I replaced high end SET monoblocks with the Accuphase. The SET did have a deeper and wider soundstage and a lusher midrange but not a night and day difference and overall, the Accuphase actually won over it. I would imagine the Class A separates or integrateds would best most SET amps in overall comparison. I didn't feel like I lost out at all, really. I'm even eyeing other Accuphase gear now and to think previously, I was a die hard tube guy. Recently auditioned gear was Ayre, Modwright and Lamm. What I would stick my neck out to say, though, is that the Accuphase equaled some separates. Astounding, really.
I have owned a Luxman 550A for 4 year by now. Like it very much, smooth sound but not overly sweet. The Accuphase is sweeter and thicker sound, and I liked it more but too expensive even back to then, $9600 for their Class A model. But with appropriate cable I achieved what I wanted. Power was a concern, but at the end no issue to push my Dynaudio Contour 3.4, which is 4 ohm with 89 db sensitivity, a relative difficult speaker. Listening area is fairly big 25x20x9, but the average capacity I have been using is about 40% of full capacity. I have auditioned the integrated in that price range of the following, Ayre, Krell, Accuphase, SimAudio, Classe, McIntosh, and choosed this one. Almost took the Ayre.
I don't own either Luxman or Accuphase but have heard many models from both brands. Luxman, while expensive, is top notch. I always thought Accuphase, even more expensive, sounded a bit on the warm and thick side until I heard it with the right interconnects and speaker cables. That sound in a word was stunning.
I'd say both in the right set up would sound extraordinary. Even with Thiels.
The reason I asked was because I have never heard Luxman gear and I don't see the brand discussed much on the Asylum. They seem more reasonably priced than Accuphase which would be their direct competitor, in my opinion.
I'm more interested in the the Luxman Class AB integrated(s) as the lower power Class A model(s) would likely be insufficient for my Thiel speakers.
...Abe
I believe the Luxman L-550xa class A is $5,400 and the Luxman 590AII Class A is about $10,000 (?). Does anyone have any comments on these Class A amplifiers? How do these class A amps compare to the Luxman A/B amps?
It looks like the Accuphase products are more expensive than Luxman. For example, I was told the new Accuphase E-360 integrated amp is $10,000. Can someone confirm its $10,000 price? This is too expensive for me. The Accuphase E-360 integrated is rated at 100 wpc into 8 ohms and only 140 wpc into 4 ohms. I expected 200 wpc into 4 ohms. Am I missing something? Is the E-360 fully balanced? I see that it has two balanced inputs. The unit looked very interesting until I saw the price.
I have not auditioned the Accuphase but would be interested in hearing comments on the Luxman A/B integrated amplifiers.
Yes, the L550ax is $5400. There is also an updated version of the L590AII, the L590ax. That one is about $10,000. I believe it's a 30 watt version of the 550ax.
I've owned the Luxman L-550ax for a few months now. Class A 20 watts. Gave up a big rig to go with an integrated. I didn't audition Accuphase (actually didn't audition the Luxman either) but compared to my EAR 868 / CJ 140 gear I don't think of the word "sacrifice" in the least. The Luxman is well built, music has a good sense of scale and there is a richness that I don't remember with the CJ. That said, I don't think the front to back depth is as good as the EAR / CJ combo. I can't do an accurate comparison as I moved to a condo with a smaller listening room than I was used to at the same time I changed my system to an integrated. I know I've got about 20 less tubes and not that I have anything against tubes (i don't) but I like less tubes. I keep the stereo on for 12 hours a day sometimes a SS integrated suits my lifestyle and needs better. Speakers are Gallo Ref 3.5's, front end is mac mini/JK Mk 3/Response Audio 3.1 DAC. Analog is VPI Scout/Dynavector 20XL2 low output. If you're in the NYC/LI area and would like to come take a look / listen let me know.
Steve
if the new luxman is an improvement over my 70's stuff, i would heartily recommend it - if it is as good as mine, i would highly recommend it!
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." -HST
Does this mean you are giving up on the Bryston 7bsst2's?
No, I'm not giving up the Bryston gear. I'm just curious about Luxman as I have never heard their gear and I don't see the brand discussed much here.
I just found these reviews online. Look at review two and three as they make comparisons on Accuphase integrated amps.
I do not own any Luxman gear. After reading John Marks praise for the LUXMAN L-505U, it would be on my short list if I was in the market for an integrated amp. Music Direct has a 30 day guarantee policy. You may want to talk with them. If you get one, let us know what you think.
Abe,
I own the SQ-N100 tube integrated and have been pleased with it. If you would like to know more let me know. However, based on your Accuphase comparison it sounds like you're more interested in the SS products.
Stereophile's John Marks is favorably impressed by their efforts.
It's no wonder that truth is stranger than fiction. Fiction has to make sense.
Mark Twain
I haven't but I dig the way their gear looks and I definitely like that they eschew the usual minimalist thinking and include tone controls and a mode (stereo/mono) switch.
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