Mcintosh MC462 versus Luxman M10X

It depends.

I've owned Mc amp/preamp and enjoyed it very much.

When I was looking to upgrade my amp/preamp I did compare Mc with others and noticed a difference I liked.  I then did upgrade to a different brand.

Every manufacturer's goal is to be just the music and the reality is there are many compromises for every piece of equipment.

If you are 'missing' something in your system that's the problem to solve.

When I run the Lumin streamer through the Luxman DAC, the clarity that I get, I am not hearing the same when I run it through the C53 Mcintosh's DAC.. It sounds a little thin and less clear. So I am making a leap here to think that the Luxman brand would be more to my liking with the power amplifier also. I could be totally wrong.. As to why I am not thinking about switching the preamp, I really don't have a clear answer on that.. 

While the MC462 is an excellent amplifier for the price, it is not up to the quality/performance of Luxman. I think moving up to the new M10X would be a monumental leap in performance, albeit for almost $10K more! I am in a similar situation and contemplating the M10X or the Gryphon Essence stereo. 

These amp brands sound so very different, that perhaps you are wondering if your hearing is accurate.  Yes, it is.  The difference, especially in the treble, is real. Pick the one you like better.

Owned McIntosh monoblocks for many years. While looking to improve my sound in my speakers I demoed Luxman and found it much more musical and detailed.  Luxman also goes much lower on the ohms scale which when combined with my Martin Logan Esl15a’s at the time were a much better combination than the McIntosh and Martin Logan’s.  I ended up going the tube route with Audio Research but if I would have stayed SS would have purchased Luxman. You will live with your decision a long time so don’t rush and trust your ears. Much success!