Audio Research or Luxman?

rwwear

You were a dealer, I won’t challenge your experiences, here’s mine:

Preamp has two outputs, I set up matched volume, instant remote A/B

A: Preamp direct to Cayin Amp, CD In

B: Preamp thru Chase RLC-1, to Cayin AUX. Raise Chase volume to match ’A’ volume.

Results: same as ever: Zero difference. Over many years, 3 units, 3 systems, no one here can hear any difference with that Chase RLC-1 in or out.

Based on your comments, I specifically concentrated on Bass, no change.

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IF the volume relationship of preamp/amp/Chase RLC-1 is not done properly, tubby bass can/will definitely occur:

because the Chase has built-in (automatically progressively engaging) ’Loudness’ designed specifically for low volume listening, gradually boosting the bass as volume reduces. ’Loudness’ is a stupid name, and MOST people do not understand/set ’Loudness’ correctly.

Proper ’Loudness’ setup: Chase (other device) at DEFAULT volume startup, starts pretty low with no ’loudness’ engaged. Raise volume at the preamp or amp (not the Chase unit): UP to your normal listening volume, then never touch that preamp or amp volume again.

Now, use Chase for more volume, no loudness. Use Chase for less volume, as you go lower, ’Loudness’ is automatically progressively engaged. i.e. keeping Jass Bass Players at proper level relative to everything else. That is what maintains INVOLVEMENT at low levels for me. Fletcher Munson curves are REAL.

Chase unit remembers where the volume is left, so it is easy for someone to leave it low, bass boost involved, then, next turn on, mistakenly raise the preamp or amp volume, thus raising Chase’s bass which will be tubby at higher volumes.

In a store, you have no control over who did what, when.

I unplug my Chase unit, to get it back to defaults periodically, to make sure all is set correctly. Main system, one I just re-installed and evaluated, I added a front power switch to easily get back to defaults.

It's the same for it's remote balance. it remembers where last set, say a squeak left. I forget, turn system on the next day, it plays whatever a squeak left. Another reason to do the default reset. 

My McIntosh mx110z Tube Tuner/Preamp also has ’Loudness’, switched, on or off. I never tried it because the Chase handles it for me.

You may know, people had tricks to disable the Chase’s ’Loudness’. They simply used it wrong, took away a valuable feature.

Following recommendations from here, I purchased a Chase off ebay, but the unit doesn't appear to be compatible with my Luxman because I can only use the main-in on the Luxman. According to the Chase owner's manual, the volume setting on the amplification device should be set to half volume. I can't use the volume control on my Luxman because it is faulty along with the balance pot. 

Is anyone interested in buying my Chase? 

audiojerry,

I ASSUMED you had more than one source equipment, thus I mentioned the Chase Unit.

We are talking about getting you listening until you find someone who will repair the Luxman’s internal volume controls someday, correct?. After that, you may still want to use the Chase for it’s remote features. (4 inputs, volume, balance, low volume loudness)

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Now you are going straight into the 507’s Main In with a source component? It’s not too loud? Then hook up the Chase, it will be just fine.

In any case, I think you should try the Chase before you part with it. Chase’s default volume is low, if not too loud you are all set. If too loud, that’s a problem, you cannot start with the Chase below it’s default Volume for your normal listening level, as the Chase will have engaged ’Loudness’ before you want it to, it will make tubby bass as I explained above.

IF too loud, you could put the Chase into one of these manual stereo volume controls, then go to your amp’s main in.

Not audiophile, but it isn’t active, get’s you going.

1. Chase at it’s default volume (unplug, plug it in to get defaults). (on/off does not go to defaults, it retains ’last’ settings).

2. Chase out to intermediate manual volume control

3. Manual volume Control to amp’s Main In.

4. Set manual volume control at your Normal Listening level, leave it alone after that.

5. then use the Chase for Remote Volume, up or down, now getting proper advantage of the automatic ’loudness’ at low volumes,no loudness at increased volumes, and advantage of it’s remote volume and balance for tracks that benefit a lot from a small balance tweak.

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After you find someone to repair the Luxman’s Volume controls, remove the intermediate volume control.

Then, like me, my fancy eared friends: try as you will, you simply cannot find any difference with that Chase In or Out. It’s S/N 120db is real.

I am flabbergasted each time it makes no difference other than adding all it's features. My preamp's volume works manually, my Cayin has remote volume, I go without the Chase, with the Chase,  

this is a simple remote volume control

Additional advice is appreciated. Just to clarify, when I placed the Chase between my source and connected to the Luxman main-in, the sound was audible from my speakers, but the volume level was very low and could not be adjusted up or down. Everything else on the Chase worked: balance, treble, bass. 

I don't want to use a simple potentiometer for volume adjustment as it would degrade sound quality, and I have learned how amazingly good the 19 year old Luxman amp sounds. When I use my Audio Research Reference 3 preamp or connect the Luxman directly to my PS Audio DirectStream Dac, it makes me wonder if I should look into a newer model Luxman.