2. amps-preamps
  3. 149216-20253

Hacking a Luxman Integrated

One cool and often under appreciated feature in Luxman integrateds is the "Separate" button. It disconnects the preamp from the amplifier, allowing for a number of approaches. Actually this is two features. One is the always active preamp output available on the back.

The second is the ability to feed the amp directly, bypassing everything in the preamp. Useful features:
  • Add room correction/EQ/active crossover in the middle.
  • Passively bi-amp (without using separate)
  • Feed a subwoofer (without using separate)
  • Use amp for home theater
  • Use ~ 0.047uF cap to add a high pass to your Luxman, letting you feed a sub for everything below 80 Hz.
  • Use ~ 1uF or higher to add some flavor to the sound. 
It has me thinking about using it with my sub for 2 channel again. :)


Best,

E
erik_squires
jsqt's avatar
jsqt
117 posts
 
I was using the pre out from my 509X to feed an SVS SB-16 Ultra, while running my La Scala IIs full-range from the 509X. Using the SVS app I was able to set the crossover and slope pretty well dead-on so the blend was perfect with the bass-shy LSIIs. 

I don't listen to a lot of bass-heavy music, but it definitely added a little presence on things like kick drums, double bass, etc that really filled in the sound where the LSIIs are lacking.

I'm currently running an AVM 60 for home theater into the Main In and running my subs/LFE out of that amp's sub pre out. I am using Anthem Room Correction to EQ the subs, and by using the 2nd output of my DAC into the Anthem, I'm able to listen to full, unadulterated 2 channel audio from the 509X out of the LS IIs, while the EQ'd bass is now coming from the Anthem. 

When it comes time to watch movies I hit the "Separate" button and get the full room-corrected L/R mix from the Anthem into the 509X. 

Prior to this, I had a vintage Luxman CL40 preamp I was running into the Main In, and would use the "Separate" function to listen to the tube pre going into the 509's amps. Sounded amazing but in order to use the full system for home theater, I moved the preamp back into my vintage system. 

VERY useful function!
rpeluso
1,036 posts
 
I use mine to drive Vandersteen 5A speakers, and have the low pass filters attached, without this feature I could not use this integrated.  Its great, by the way.  And so are the loudspeakers.  
Post removed 
erik_squires OP
16,007 posts
 
Hey maxwave :
I didn't call it that because the Luxman behaves a little differently than the traditional  HT bypass features, but yes, you can achieve the same results.
More to discover