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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
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,123 posts
 

I bought a cheap replacement inlet but it’s not yet in the Luxman. I just bought it to test fit my cables and it seems to do a lot better than what’s in the Luxman both electrically and mechanically.

Seems like replace the inlet in your Luxman is the solution. No?

 

bolong
384 posts
 

My Anticables plugs have good connectors but the stiffness of these cables can sometimes make them sag enough to affect contact. Lately, I have been making loops from tape that first wrap around the cable just behind the plug and then are brought to adhere to the top of the chassis enclosure and tensioned enough to resist gravity. Same approach with HDMI cables which often have poor contact as well.

Of course, these are not issues with pin "grip" so much as they are issues with the weight of the cables.

erik_squires OP
15,709 posts
 

@imhififan

 

Have you measure it?

 

I will after I pull it out! :)

 

Seems like replace the inlet in your Luxman is the solution. No?

 

Yes, that's why I'm about to replace it.

erik_squires OP
15,709 posts
 

I think I came here to see if anyone else had a similar problem, because these parts are so standardized and Luxman is not known for being cheap that I’m honestly more than a little surprised at the issues I’m having.

PS - Thanks for the image, @imhififan  I have been trying to find that from parts drawings without any luck.

carlsbad's avatar
carlsbad
1,551 posts
 

Eric,

I read this yesterday and decided to wait and see what you had to say about replacing the male fitting on the amp. I don't have any experience with Luxman so I can't answer your actual question.

With Furutech not being the pancea that most people think it is, you might try an upgrade to a screw type connector. Since you make your own power cables this would not be a problem for you and when you sell the amp, this would be a nice upgrade that should be positive.

The problem with this is that a quick search didn’t find anything I like at a reasonable price.

But I’ll keep an eye open and if you like this idea and find something you like I’m sure you will post it. I’m having a custom amp built and the power cables between chasses are screw type so I’ll ask my amp builder what he used.

I have a mill with a DRO so it is easy for me to drill precise holes so if you need an adapter plate made, sketch it up and I’ll be glad to make it for you.

Jerry

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