McIntosh to Luxman?


Hey everybody. I need some advice.  It's fair to say I've lusted over Luxman equipment for a few years now.  Something about Japanese hifi that just gets me. Anyway, one of the online retailers of new and used equipment has a Luxman L-507uX (not the mark ii) for sale.  I do really like the sound from my hybrid MA252 integrated, and it drives my Maggie 1.7s with ease.  Most of my listening is of the streaming variety (Bludesound Node/Qobuz), and some vinyl (Music Hall MMF-5). 

Here's my question: what will the Luxman bring me that the McIntosh isn't providing?   More refinement?  More authoritative bass? Better soundstaging?  If the answer is yes, then I may pull the trigger on the Luxman.  By the way, I can get a nice trade-in on my McIntosh, so my out-of-pocket won't be too bad.    Please weigh-in if you've had both McIntosh and Luxman gear and what your experience with both brands has been.   Thanks in advance!   ~ Jerry

jrod68
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Nor do I where it comes to where you live and where you’ve heard them.  Apparently I struck a nerve, lol. Taking one’s comments and twisting them to your liking for a debate doesn’t make you sound smarter, it makes you look desperate.  Since you didn’t read the post from the beginning last time, let me spell it out for you so that you can comprehend.  Best Buy Magnolia stores across the country uses a Plano for all of their displays. In fact all name brand stores do so.  No one is asking you to believe it or not but if you want to feel smart, look it up or ask your setup guys at Best Buy Magnolia.  I have a friend who is a Manager at the Magnolia store.  I don’t guess like some other people, I ask.  That’s how I know weather i like the sound from their display or not. Apparently you’re have an issue with McIntosh and the company model.  Last I checked they set the market for the audio world. I wouldn’t be silly or blind to think otherwise.  As for a million dollar system, I’ve embarked on that journey.  I have multiple systems in my homes. Not trying to brag but you went there, lol.  A true Audiophile person knows it’s not how much you spend, it’s what you achieve in buying the best gear for your environment to get what you PERCEIVE as the best sounding system for your home.  At the end of the day, it’s their money and who are you to dream otherwise. You don’t matter to them in their eyes.  One last thing,  I use McIntosh for my theater, that’s my theater and could care less about what you think.  It’s not my many two channel rigs.  My two channel rigs is far more advanced because that was my choice. I’ve volunteered many times in college at radio stations,  so trust me!  I know what great music should sound like.  At the end of the day, I would be honest with folks but I definitely wouldn’t bash their gear like you seem to do.  To me, that’s what people do when they can’t afford it themselves or lack self motivation to explore like some folks like to do, again it’s their own money, not yours.  That’s what I call ignorance thinking that you know what’s best for others!!

Detail, imaging, impact.  McIntosh is rather dull and generic sounding.  When you first hear it, you think, a nice and safe sound.  But then you compare it to other gear, and right away you hear its limitations.

I always say don’t use what you have in your main two channel rig for movies.  You won’t wanna watch more than one movie. Heck, you may just turn it off because it is screaming at you. It will sound lifeless and unpleasant because it’s way to detailed. It’s different from just listening to recorded or live recording music. You want your movie you are watching to feel more realistic and not too bright.  That’s why you separate the two in my opinion. My McIntosh theater is only for theater, nothing more..  I don’t use it for two channel.  I don’t expect everyone to have that option. But some folks love the sound of it I. A lot of folks use it if two channel.  Now in defense of McIntosh, I always here that people nag it and say, they only purchase it because of the beautiful blue meters.  Playing devils advocate, what’s the excuse of the ones without it?  As an audiophile, I can appreciate all types of audio equipment.  I don’t close my mind to any brand. As far as I am concerned, every company makes good and bad gear.  I don’t label one company as bad because they are the most successful and keeping smaller companies afloat by peaking one’s interest in the audio world. If they go down, sorry to say others will follow suit. 

If you’re lusting after Japanese refinement in the sound, look for Accuphase E-480 upwards. You’ll forget Macs and their "meaty bass, but blanket-over-high-end" American sound that others here have pointed out. Macs are more bling than refined sound.