2. amps-preamps
  3. 173313-9486

Audio Research or Luxman?

I recently acquired a 1973 Luxman L-507 integrated amp only to learn that the volume/balance control pots are bad and can't be replaced, but I was able to bypass the pre-amp section and run it with the amp section only, and oh my, did it sound good.

I was very surprsed to find that its sound quality came too close in sound quality to my ARC separates: a Reference 3 preamp and Ref 75SE amp. So now I'm wondering how a modern Luxman like a l-505uXii or 507uXii would compare with my ARC separates. 

Any thoughts anyone?

 

audiojerry
erik_squires
16,244 posts
 

@kren0006 

I sure hope not!! It was something another A'goner told me via private message when he was looking to buy.

Their prime competitor, ,Accuphase, though does offer a lot of flexibility, including built in DACs in their units. I would not mind seeing an all-in-one Luxman integrated that included a DAC in it, but I'm all out of cash for this lifetime.

kren0006
1,859 posts
 

Ok, just checking because you said “50x line”, which I interpreted to mean all three. Did you mean just the 505, or what exactly is being discontinued

erik_squires
16,244 posts
 

@kren0006 My understanding was that the 507ux II, which only recently replaced the original, was being discontinued.  Whether this means the entire 505, 507 and 509 are being discontinued I don't know.

Of the three the 507ux would seem to be the most popular (guessing) so if it's going I can't imagine the others remaining.

tennisdoc56
128 posts
 

Audition esoteric integrated before luxman.  Started demo with luxman and bought the esoteric.  Knew they were a leading digital player, no prior experience with their amos 

bluorion
479 posts
 

I believe the 507UXii is being replaced with the 507z with some upgrades. Not sure if/when the 505 or 509 will be updated. 

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