Luxman 509x vs Hegel H390

Google pictures of the internal wiring of the Japanese made Luxman 509 versus the Chinese made Hegel 390 and speculate on that evidence alone which has the build quality most likely to serve you best and longest. That Hegel seems to promote they are a Norwegian company and not mention where their amps are actually made is another consideration.

Mike

I have a Hegel/ Magnepan combination that is totally revealing to the source.  It is a Plain Jane to look at and I have drooled over the Luxmans many times since, but  the Maggies are power hungry.  Always look at what will make your speakers sound best.

I’m sure the Hegel is fantastic and great build quality before I get berated. Very understated look.

The Hegel’s build quality is the sole reason I scratched it off the list. The plasticky look feels cheap as it reminds me of budget NAD amps.

The Luxamas, both the 507 and 509 are just a feast for the eyes. With either the blue tone of the display on the 507 or the plain white on the 509 being so visually appealing. Did Hegel take the Scandinavian prosaic minimalist approach in black  a bit too far perhaps ?..I tend to believe this might explain so many 390s on the used market. 

Another one that surprised me lately, although a bit pricier , still might consider given its good looks and huge detail and spatial rendering is the Moon 600i  V2 from Simaudio. However it lacks the sweet smooth nature of the 507/509. 

While I highly regard the two amps you’ve identified, and given your speakers I’d go with the Luxman, but if you’re possibly open to a tube front-end integrated I’d highly recommend looking at Octave and Unison Research hybrid amps.  Those preamp tubes last forever, and I think their neutral yet tube magic will set your speakers free.  That’s absolutely where I’d go, and you can fine-tune your sound with different tubes if desired/needed.  Best of both worlds IMHO.