I can’t comment on the Rogers but I can on the LX-380. I bought one recently with the intention of using it on Cornwall IV, which arrive tomorrow. In the meantime, I’ve been playing around with it on other speakers, PMC IB2i and ADS L1290/2. I’m rather stunned by its quality and versatility.
In theory, at 14w into 4 ohms, the Luxman should have no business with the 89db, 4ohm load of the PMCs in my main system. But it drives them with aplomb, easily energizing my 600+sq/ft room and sounding sweet, clear, and rich. It even provides decent bass, which is spec’ed down to 25hz on the Ib2i. Now, I usually drive these speakers with 200 watts of Class A solid state. In the past I’ve used 150w/channel VAC 300.1a tube amp. So, I expected the paltry wattage of the Luxman to strain and clip and choke, sounding thin and generally lousy. Quite the opposite: this combo, a complete mismatch on paper, sounds remarkably good. Not quite up to my big amps on these speakers but definitely listenable.
Moving it into my office system on the ADS L1290 was even better. These speakers are 90db at 8 ohms, a slightly more congenial load, but not one you’d think ideal. I’m kind of blown away by this combo. It is excellent. I might just keep it together and find something else for the Cornwalls!
Bottom line is, Luxman must wind some fantastic output transforms because this low-watt IA seems to drive anything. I can’t say how the 15ohm Rogers would react; the Lux does not offer taps for different impedance; but I’d guess it would sound pretty darned good.
On more thing: the phono section is quite respectable, both MM and MC. My system is heavily vinyl-centric (3 TT, 5 tonearms), and this thing is not embarrassed by my high-end phono stages. It’s not very flexible, with fixed MC loading at 100, but good nonetheless.
I think the LX-380 is a little gem. And it is quite a lovely-looking piece, too, for a guy like me who remembers the ’70s.
In theory, at 14w into 4 ohms, the Luxman should have no business with the 89db, 4ohm load of the PMCs in my main system. But it drives them with aplomb, easily energizing my 600+sq/ft room and sounding sweet, clear, and rich. It even provides decent bass, which is spec’ed down to 25hz on the Ib2i. Now, I usually drive these speakers with 200 watts of Class A solid state. In the past I’ve used 150w/channel VAC 300.1a tube amp. So, I expected the paltry wattage of the Luxman to strain and clip and choke, sounding thin and generally lousy. Quite the opposite: this combo, a complete mismatch on paper, sounds remarkably good. Not quite up to my big amps on these speakers but definitely listenable.
Moving it into my office system on the ADS L1290 was even better. These speakers are 90db at 8 ohms, a slightly more congenial load, but not one you’d think ideal. I’m kind of blown away by this combo. It is excellent. I might just keep it together and find something else for the Cornwalls!
Bottom line is, Luxman must wind some fantastic output transforms because this low-watt IA seems to drive anything. I can’t say how the 15ohm Rogers would react; the Lux does not offer taps for different impedance; but I’d guess it would sound pretty darned good.
On more thing: the phono section is quite respectable, both MM and MC. My system is heavily vinyl-centric (3 TT, 5 tonearms), and this thing is not embarrassed by my high-end phono stages. It’s not very flexible, with fixed MC loading at 100, but good nonetheless.
I think the LX-380 is a little gem. And it is quite a lovely-looking piece, too, for a guy like me who remembers the ’70s.