Finally got a Luxman


So I’ve been at this hobby 35+ years and while I’ve had some good pre/amp tube gear from AR and BAT it’s all been used vintage gear. Good gear nonetheless but old tech (30 years in some cases) and finicky at that age. Though the BAT preamp has never had a hiccup. 

Today I got my first new high end integrated amp from Luxman, the poor man’s integrated, the L-505uxII.  I’ve always wanted a Luxman, but it’s always been out of my price range until recently.

I’m running it on a pair of Forte IV’s (technically Forte III’s that have the upgrade kit to make them the same as Forte IV’s).  Even though it’s got less than an hour on it, it’s blowing me away.  The tone is so smooth and it’s way more refined. .

I look forward to the next 100 hours to see how this thing changes.

last_lemming

@jafant Interesting, wouldn't think Thiel is a good match.  Just based on the their speakers being 4ohm, sensitivity at 86-90 range.  Probably sit at 3ohm territory when playing.  I feel Luxman is a killer with soft dome, high sensitive speakers.  When I paired it with the Silverline Sonata, I can say its my goto system when I want to do audiophile listening.

Congrats on the Luxman. That was on my wish list as well. I had several intergrated on my list. A Mac with those blue meters I wanted since forever. Finally got one. The other was a Accuphase and I got a great deal on a new one. I had PassLabs on the list and got that too. Last was Hegel. Got that and I decided to stop. I’m at 70 so I’m trying to enjoy life. I may yet get a Luxman.

@webking185, the Thiel CS2.4’s are not terribly difficult to drive, but you do need an amp that doubles down. I have driven them easily with an Audio Research 60w vintage amp for instance. What I have found is that what you need is quality watts. And here the Luxman is just fine.