Mcintosh MC462 versus Luxman M10X

@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. 

@rman9 That is great news--glad your dealer came through for you!  Not surprised at all that you loved the demo and C900U in your system.  Your listening pleasure should only grow from this point.  Exciting!

I love the M800a; it's driving Joseph Audio Perspectives.  It's not as detailed and not quite as transparent as the 900u, but sounds more natural to my ears.  It does run very hot though.  There's so much heat dissipation that it almost feels like air is being gently blown through the top vents.  Maybe an M10x will be in the cards for me if I tire of having a space heater in my room.  Still, I think it's a shame that Luxman didn't keep at least one highly class A-biased power amp in the line up.

Please do let us know what you think of the M10X after you've had some time to get familiar with it in your system.  I think you might be the first person on the internet forums to share direct experience with it!  All of us Luxman fans have been waiting for reports.  😄

@erik_squires it's all good.. I am glad you gave me some hints and all I needed was a little nudge :).. Agree, the liquid middle range is so enveloping. And I think you have taken the words out of my mouth on the brittle and gritty. I use to have the Parasound P6 Halo 2.1 preamp and the Parasound A21+ amp, and when I switched to the C53 preamp and the 462, I have to admit I was a little disappointed. Something was missing. I can't judge the 462 yet as it sounds good with the C900U. The C53 is leaving my rack for certain. The M10X has the first 12 watts in class A which I think is going to pair well with the Magico's. They sounded awesome together at the dealer. Guiseppe Verdi La Traviata Overture cut through me elevating every nerve and bone and bringing me almost to tears. So I can't wait to bring M10X home soon. Also the esthetics on the M10X is more to my liking than the M900U. I like the sharper edges of the front face..