Mcintosh MC462 versus Luxman M10X

@rman9 

I will be powering a pair of B&W 802D3s with the new system. As far as speaker burn-in, along with system burn-in. I believe I needed at least 200 hrs. The results were dramatic, at least a 200% improvement.

Good luck with your audition! A word of advice, the new Luxman system should blow away the McIntosh system (as it should, almost 3X cost), so it is not a fair comparison. You should have some more fun and then compare Luxman to a system similarly priced. Let your ears be the judge!!

@jeffreyw Thanks!! Other systems the dealer carries, Boulder and Audio Research.. 

@jeffreyw 

Just curious where you feel the build quality differences are between the 462 and the Luxman gear.

Mc462 is an extremely powerful, and contrary to others beliefs, neutral amp.  I find it more neutral than my previous Pass Labs.  It’s built damn well, like all McIntosh gear.  McIntosh gear wouldn’t last so long, if it wasn’t built so well and with excellent quality.  

Now my C2700, not as neutral.  But, I knew that getting into tubes.

I’m sure the Luxman gear is also well built, as the examples I have seen and heard are also well built.

Sound different - absolutely.  Both excellent.  But to say Luxman’s build quality is better than McIntosh… not sure I would agree.

@jeffreyw @erik_squires @eugene81 and everyone else on this thread, Thank you guys.. I felt transformed and smitten with the Luxman combo at the dealer: the system as a combo of D03x, C900U, M10X and A3. I brought home the C900U and swapped out the C53 and I am running it through the Mcintosh 462 into the A3s. Simply put, let's say you go to a symphony.. The Luxman makes you feel like you are in the symphony hall, the Mcintosh C53 feels like you are listening to it in another room with a recording on a good quality sound system. The sound from Luxman feels guttural, the growling of the voices, the hush, the striking of the cymbal, touch of the piano keys, the distant oboe,  I can keep going.. I will stop.. But I am pretty much sold on the C900U.. The dealer after a requisite time of having the M10X burn-in has promised to bring it to my home so I can try it out.. 

@rman9  So glad you found what you liked!  Forgive me for not saying more, I did not want to bias you the wrong way before you made your decision.

Yeah, I'm with you in terms of the sound quality of one vs. the other.  The extension at the bass and treble, the liquid midrange.  I find the Magico line to be a bit cool to start with, and I couldn't imagine you liking a Mc sound with them.  Honestly to my ears Mc sounds brittle and gritty. The combination of smoothness and coolness in the treble in the Magico + the smooth output of the Luxman in the top octaves makes it an amazing combo.