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My Luxman Integrated has AC Inlet Envy

I love my Luxman 507ux, it does so many things right, so soon after I got it I built a shielded power cable as an upgrade to the relatively plain cable that came with it.

To make a long story short, after trying out a number of different cables and female IEC plugs it seems the AC inlet has prongs which seem too short. For sure, the Luxman has no ground pin. I'm sure that this means it's not required, so that’s not an issue. What is an issue is that even a Wattgate plug, which are famous for a tight grip, can’t stay in. Even a little wiggle can disconnect the amp.

It seems either or all of these are true:

  • The missing ground pin is keeping plugs from feeling very grippy
  • The pins are too short
  • The pins are too thin

If I play with a cheap power cord, it seems like the AC doesn’t connect unti lthe very last 2 mm of travel of the plug. This seems wrong.

I bought a cheap replacement inlet and it just feels so much better. Meaning, I can feel the plug grip the pins much earlier, and they all grip much better.

Anyone else have issues with Luxman inlets??

 

PS - I absolutely insist on building my own power cables. This is my hobby not yours so please stop trying to convince me my problem is that I didn’t buy your boutique brand.

 

erik_squires
kingsleuy's avatar
kingsleuy
174 posts
 

I did have such problems but not with Luxman.  One intermittent drove me crazy.  The receptacle had a pin break loose and would be push inward as the plug was inserted.  But the pin would be pull back outward when the plug was removed.  Visually it looked okay.

Since you make your own power cables and have already Replaced the inlet receptacle, this should not be a problem for you to perform.  But you have to have a lot of commitment to the cord you are using. 

If it does not Feel Right, I bypass the inlet receptacle altogether and hard wire the power cord straight to the power supply circuit board or wherever those wires from the inlet receptacle go to.

ryder
1,682 posts
 

@erik_squires there is no ground pin on the IEC inlet of my L-590AXII. Just two pins. Perhaps try a power cord which can stay firm inside the inlet of your L-507UX? There's no issue with my Acrolink cord staying put inside the inlet. 

corelli
945 posts
 

My Marantz Ruby has no ground on the IEC C-14 like yours.  I have quit using Wattgates as their IEC plugs have a bad design as you have found out. Try these instead--much better pin geometry:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08332R442/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

I plan on replacing the two pin IEC C-14 with a three pin.  Easy to swap out.  Just leave the ground unconnected.

tinear123
240 posts
 

It's rather easy to resolve.  I wouldn't modify the Lux except to ever so slightly bend the pins inward 2-3mm.  Then take the end of the cord that plugs into the Lux and shave the end back to bring the mating contracts closer to the end.  A belt sander makes short work of this but can be done by other methods.  I did this on a MoodWright years ago and completely resolved the connection issue.

petg60
1,486 posts
 

A simple way is to find a Furutech dealer and try there how tight is the fit between their inlets and iec plugs. That means probably you would have to change the iec inlet on your Luxman.

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