Luxman 590AX II Break-In

When I was choosing a new integrated, I finally resolved my choice down to the L-590AXII or L-509X. I chose to go with the L-509X, but am sure I would have been happy with the 590A. 

Anyhow, I noted the speakers reviewed with the amps, and the WhatHiFi L-509X reviewer used the ATC SCM 50 and the KEF Reference 1. There was no mention of the issue you are having.  https://www.whathifi.com/luxman/l-509x/review

This Audiodrom review compared both amps and only noted some slight difference between them. http://www.audiodrom.net/en/integrated-amplifiers/detail/31-integrated-amplifiers/574-luxman-l-509x

Advice given previously about your room, may be the most correct, and I fear you could start riding a roller coaster if you change amps. Have you considered a subwoofer? The KEF Ref 1’s are great speakers but can’t be expected to deliver great bass without significant help from the room. 

Good luck!

@jeffreyw

Many here have suggested the problem is room/speaker interface. It’s entirely possible or maybe even likely in your situation.

As an example, Some years ago, I had a pair of Chapman T7 3-way floor-standers, which sounded wonderful in a large living room. When we redesigned the interior, I moved the stereo system to a smaller, but dedicated listening room, I could never get the Chapmans to sound good. Bass went from terrific to awful. It had nothing to do with the amps- I was using either powerful tube monos and tube pre- and a very sweet 150 WPC SS integrated at the time.

I should also say that while the dimensions of the room itself are small, since the rear wall and most of the side wall open to adjacent much bigger rooms, the listening room is in effect, bigger. I fortunately don't get "boomy" bass.

Now, as I said in an earlier post, the Luxman 550AXII works a treat with my SF monitors with or without a single, small sub, but always with the thick front corner bass traps. On some music, I’ll turn the sub off.

Keep us posted.

It sounds to me like maybe the Kef is too small for your largish room. @jeffreyw  Bring your Luxman with you to the dealer to hear it paired with "your" speakers in an optimized room. @erik_squires The Reference 1 actually has a 6.5" bass driver it's the concentric mid that's 5".

Similar set up to you. I have a 30W Class A amp (DIY Hiraga Super 30 W), which is driving a pair of Seas Coax book shelf speakers. (DIY Sealed 5Ltr enclosure using the C16N001/F driver - Seas recommended enclosure and crossover) Room is 12,x18’ approx. I’m having no shortage of bass with this small box. Low watt class an amp, small coax driver. With those 3 way speakers, you should get a better bass response than what I’m seeing. 
 

Have you tried running a 50hz tone sine wave through your set up? You may want to try doing that (can be streamed from YouTube) and walking around in the room. Bass nodes will become very apparent and might help in getting the speakers properly positioned in the room.

just a thought…

@jeffreyw ,

I have the big brother to your Reference One’s and they need to be at least 2’ from the front wall and 3’-4’ from the side walls.  I’m not sure how loud you play your tunes, but mine don’t come alive until 60+ dbs.

All the best.