Luxman 505z

@mksun I agree with the new LED volume display--looks really nice. I believe they changed the color of the VU meters to white from blue (505uxii). I love the ambiance of the blue meters for late night sessions. I plan to go to Axpona in April---maybe Luxman will be there.

@bluorion, I would find out more about improvements to class “A” mode for the 507z. I love having an LED display for volume levels since I am constantly adjusting the volume based on different sources. Not sure why Luxman didn’t have this feature on previous models.

I'd love to audition one but my local dealer doesn't carry Luxman---I'd have to drive quite a ways to try one. I'd prefer not to pay $$$ for an amp that's just splitting hairs in my amp and the new 505z. But moving to the 507z might just do it. But here's the thing---I don't normally play my music 'loud' just mostly late night, low level listening. Will I hear a difference then?? But I do love the new aesthetics. :)

I have not heard the 505z but I recently replaced an older McIntosh Integrated with the Luxman 509z. I was waffling between purchasing a used 509x versus buying a new 509z. Despite the huge savings of buying a used 509x, I determined the improvements in the “z” line was worth the spending the extra $. I considered the LED display of volume setting an essential feature which the previous versions didn’t have. Luxman also raised the volume threshold of “A” mode for the 509z. Unfortunately, I couldn’t do a side by side listening comparison between the 509x and 509z but was sold on the 509z after auditioning it at my local dealer. I’m extremely happy with the 509z and glad that I gave my local brick and mortar dealer the business.

I haven’t heard them, but given the small incremental differences from Luxman in the past:  I’d consider a 508 or 509 as a more worthwhile upgrade, even if older series. The additional devices in the output stages can make the amp perform better with more troublesome speakers.