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Luxman leaves me wanting

My current system is a Luxman L590-AXII driving DeVore Gibbon Super Nines. My source is Lumin U1-Mini (w/Sboosterj and Denafrips Venus II. Also a Rega P3. Speaker and interconnect cables are circa late 90s Cardis Cross There is a lot that is right about the sound of my set up, but I feel it’s lacking fullness in the midrange. When I turn on the loudness on the Luxman, I get the meaty weight in the mids I’m missing, but at anything but low volume, it alters the sound in a negative way. 
I had considered a tube Integrated before I got the Luxman, but liked the L590 when I heard it. Now I’m wondering if I should have gone with tubes. (At one point I had a BAT Pre w/ a Classe amp and loved the bloom in the mids and vocals).               I’m attracted to the LTA 40+ from the good reviews and long tube life. I’d be interested in hearing one with my speakers, but there are no dealers, so I could buy and return if I’m not thrilled, but wanted to know anyone has heard the 40+ with Super 9s. Also interested in other options to get a richer sound. Budget is around 8k.

128x128steverrino
avanti1960
1,406 posts
 

It is your speakers.  The nines are super bright.  

bill_k
882 posts
 

My Luxman C-900u preamp with M-900u power amp also leave me wanting... wanting to listen to more music with their absolutely stunning performance. 😍

ryder
1,682 posts
 

My current system is a Luxman L590-AXII driving DeVore Gibbon Super Nines. My source is Lumin U1-Mini (w/Sboosterj and Denafrips Venus II. Also a Rega P3. Speaker and interconnect cables are circa late 90s Cardis Cross There is a lot that is right about the sound of my set up, but I feel it’s lacking fullness in the midrange.

 

It’s the speakers. I find the Luxman L-590AXII to be very close to neutral with low coloration. The thin and lean sound you are getting is likely from the Devore speakers. Get the speaker-amp match right the L-590AXII is highly capable. The Luxman shows a level of clarity that may be missing with other amps such as Pass Labs which focus on other aspects of sound reproduction such as throwing a large expansive sound. The focus of the Luxman is more toward micro detail and nuance with a more delicate touch.

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