Luxman Integrated - What do they sound like

Thanks joshfilm. You really provided a lot of information for me to think over. Unfortunately in this pursuit the only way to know for sure is to listen to the amp in your own system. It sounds like both the Luxmans are fine amps though.

@erik_squires 
That 5.1 build sounds pretty epic! 
The only advice/experience that I can lend is that it is well worth putting the 5.1 away for a bit to aim for big gains in a stereo setup. I ended up listening to much more music and replaced much of my tv and film watching with long listening sessions. Secondly, its amazing how far a well setup stereo can go to delivering an immersive soundtrack experience. I too will likely get back to 5.1 (or more) one day, but the satisfaction of a few years spent in pure stereo have been life-(habit-)changing.  There are workarounds to having a preamp, so explore until the music sounds great and makes you rush home every day a little faster to get back in the listening seat. That was the real result of getting it right. Fun times ahead.
J

Luxman assistance needed please; Will a Luxman Integrated amp purchased from Japan which states "AC 100V 50Hz/60Hz" work correctly in the USA or is there a problem?
I'm guessing that because the unit is Japan 100V so I'd need to use with the step-down transformer, am I correct?

@lak

Yes, you will, unfortunately and it will be a big one, but even a 3,000 VA unit is under $200
https://amzn.to/2GgAWl2

E

I completely agree with Steve Huff's review of the Luxman 590-AXII.  I purchased one last year to simplify my setup and have been totally pleased with the purchase.  

I love the sound in my system and the looks!

I was able to sell off my separate amp, pre-amp and phono stage.  These combined separates had a retail of $13500 without cables. 

My separates were:

Zesto Audio Andros 1.0 Tube phono stage - $3500
Classè Sigma SSP 7.1 chl SS pre-amp / processor - $5500
Sanders Sound ESL Mark II SS amp - $4500

I have a pair of Martin Logan Montis speakers.  I was fearful of going to the Luxman with only 60wpc into 4 ohms. The Sanders Sound amp had over 700wpc into 4 ohms.  But the Montis have a step-up built into them and really don't need so much power.  The Luxman seems to have power-a-plenty to drive them.  Fears were dispelled, after a few minutes listening to the Luxman / Montis pairing.

It does get warmer than the Sanders Sound, which was really cool given its power rating.  The Luxman also has a slight transformer noise, if you get really close to it.  From normal listening distances, you cannot hear it.

While the phono stage built into the Luxman is wonderful, I felt that it was not a perfect match for my Ortofon Cadenza Black.  The gain is just not sufficient.  So, I added a Bob's Devices Sky 20 SUT between my VPI Classic 4 and the Luxman phono stage input.  The Luxman is a delightful MM phono stage, which is what I now have it set to.  I love this combination and the convenience of not having to turn something else on and letting it warm up (i.e. the Zesto Andros). 

Thanks and kind regards,
Jason