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Luxman 590axii with KEF Reference 1

Hi all

Im considering Getting a Luxman 590 axii  to go with my KEF reference 1. Am I kidding myself? On paper the Luxman doesn’t have anywhere near enough power to drive the KEFs, but I’ve read multiple reviews saying that the Luxman can drive difficult loads.
I was driving the KEFs with a Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP integrated. I loved the openness and width of the soundstage, but felt that the bass was somewhat uncontrolled. I just got a NAD M33 and feel that although the bass is better controlled, the sound overall is restrained and somewhat compressed compared to the Primaluna. 
So I’m considering the Luxman, hoping that it gives me the bass control of the M33 and the airiness and openness of the Primaluna.
What do you think?
dworkman
arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,664 posts
 
Yes without a doubt the Luxman 590 will give you amazing bass. For some reason, Luxman seriously under rates the power specs. I was driving my Sonus Faber Olympica 2 with Audio Research GSI75 and the sound the KT150s made was quite good. But once I switched to the 590axii, the bass was glorious - punchy, impactful and textured. The sound is less euphonic but comes damn close to tubes, with better dynamics, detail retrieval, and wide soundstage. 
Sonus Faber Olympica 2 are 88 db and 4 ohms. The Luxman has zero trouble driving them. The KEF Ref 1 are less sensitive but higher impedance. I’m sure you’ll like the performance. Good luck!
dworkman OP
12 posts
 
Ok thanks appreciate the reply. 
yyzsantabarbara
4,808 posts
 
You may want to consider the KRELL K-300i integrated that I am using to drive KEF LS50's. It is very smooth (tube like) and very powerful. It will rock those KEF 1's. This KRELL has amazing bass on both my LS50's and Thiel CS3.7.

In the future, the LS50 will be replaced by a Yamaha NS5000 which has a huge bass driver. That should be a pretty incredible combo in the big room I have the KRELL in.

I also tried the CODA CSiB with both of the LS50 and CS3.7. It is also a great sound with a little less bass than the KRELL. The CODA has 3 versions and I had Version 1 with 150 | 300 at 8 and 4. The first 18 watts were in Class A. I think both of these would have more bass power than what I remember from the Luxman 509x and the m900u. Both are great integrated amps.
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