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Luxman Integrated - What do they sound like

Hi Everyone,

I'm considering getting myself a late 2018 Christma present or early 2019 birthday present.

Modern Luxman reviews are really hard to come by, and are generally just superlative without being very qualitative. I mean, it's all "rah rah rah!! " and no actual details.
For anyone who has listened to them lately, can you tell me what they actually sound like in comparison to other nice amps I might have heard?

Thank you,
Erik


erik_squires
erik_squires OP
16,436 posts
 
PS, I just want to say the Luxman "peel coat" thing is super weird.

You are not required to use solder mask when you order a PCB. You can however order them bare, and with gold plating.

That's what I think Luxman is doing with their high end boards. Of course, the gold coating makes each board a little more expensive.

I just think it's funny they claim they are peeling off the solder mask.
builder3
770 posts
 
590AXII is 30W Class @ 8 ohms. Has the classic Class A sound with a nice midrange bloom. Just note it runs out of steam pretty quickly so a fairly efficient speaker is a must IMHO.

The L-590AX is 30W/channel Class A into 8 ohms, then switches to A/B. It will actually put out over 90W/channel into 8 ohms, and nearly 160 into 4 ohms.
pokey77
1,269 posts
 
@builder3

I am basing my comments on user experience. If you have an inefficient speaker, this amp won't shine for you. What this translates to is a lack of finesse and snap & sparkle.
builder3
770 posts
 
I'm only clarifying what the amp actually puts out, pokey. Nor are all inefficient speakers the same.
pokey77
1,269 posts
 
@erik_squires

"This beast consumes 150 W while idling!! I doubt its just the first 2W. :) "

I’m pretty sure that is what I read in the literature back when I was considering the 509X. The 509X gets slightly warm but never even moderately warm. The 509X sounds excellent with Harbeth SHL5Plus and Wilson Sabrina’s. Pretty good with TAD ME-1s too if I recall correctly.
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