Luxman L505u . . . why not?

Brianmgrarcom- Thanks, that's just where I'm headed next.

First on my listening list is a Luxman 570Z, which another Yamaha NS1000x owner uses and likes. Are you familiar with these speakers or amp?

I've been told (to no end) that Luxman lost it's edge when taken over by Alpine, and vintage shops don't generally carry much post-1984 Luxman stuff. They say new models have neither the depth nor the "silkiness" of the old tube amps. I'll try to judge that for myself soon.

Also, on a budget, I'm looking for something used or very good value. These Luxman integrateds you've listed are out of my range if new. I'm hoping to keep it under USD2000, and hopefully closer to USD1000.

The Prima Luna Prologue Two and Leben CS300X were both about USD 1000 in mint used condition, while the Luxman SQ38DF goes for about about USD 1600. My old Luxman 507 goes for only about USD 600.

Still, I do intend to give these new Luxmans and lots of others a listen, especially if I can find them in a shop with clear and neutral monitors like my Yammies to listen through.

As I'm sure you can gather from my posts, I'm pretty new to this "audiophilia world" and just trying to learn enough to choose an amp I'll be really happy with for a few years.

I am not familiar with those setups, sorry. While I have followed the comments you allude to from others where Luxman was steered in aother, wrong, direction when under Alpine, it is clear that is no longer the case nor has been for some time, quite the contrary. I do have a L-590a II on order.

Lol! Jim, before you shoot yourself in the foot yet again, reread what you've written. And I say this not to defend the Leben at all- I don't own one, or Luxman, yet.
Twice now you have used the Leben with speakers you obviously don't like, the diatones and the thiels. And twice you blame it on the Leben. Before you write off the Leben, you need to use it with either the speakers you own or something very similiar. I don't know the sound of the diatones, but I've never liked thiels, at least the ones I've heard. You describe them to a t. And again I say your luxman is masking that. The top end on the Harbeth is extended yet sweet. And that's what the Leben showed.

Again, speculation only, but from what I've read, the newer Luxman gear is equal to or better than its predecessors. Even though it's not mentioned much, yet, maybe because of it's price point, 6k, the new version of the 38q is supposed to be stunning. It's odd that people are either buying the new lower priced entries or the top two expensive models. Obviously none of the new gear by Luxman is in your price area now. Is the Leben used?

Keep at it...

Hello Chashas1: Yeah, I'm new to this and I know now it's almost useless to test-listen on equipment other than your own. It was fun trying, though. It seemed to me that logically if one amp sounds better or worse than another through several different speaker systems then it is likely a similar relationship would hold with your own speakers, but this subject involves loads of factors of acoustics and taste as well as that simple "logic," which is becoming ever so clear to me, so that "logic" might not hold at all.

The shop has a policy of dibs: Interested parties put their name on equipment, and have rights to buy it, in order of when they put their name on it, within 3 days of being listed. If your name comes-up, then you can buy it, and if you return it within 30 days you get 90% of your money back.

I was not first on the list on either listening, and therefore I could not buy it and test it at home for 10% of the price, which I would certainly have done had I had that chance. I figure that price is like a night out in the pub here in Japan, but much more interesting and rewarding, and it is how I happen to have the Prima Luna at home now. I have one more week with that amp before I return it.

During my second listening someone bought the amp, and based on what we heard we didn't really feel bad about it.

If I made a mistake, then just to let you know I wasn't using bullets, but bombs to shoot myself in the foot with, because the Leben was in beautiful mint condition and had the Mullard tubes people seem to prefer, and many on here will probably go cry when they read this: it was only about USD $1000, it's normal price in Japan where local audiophiles apparently don't generally consider it so great.

That means that, had my number come-up and was able to buy it, even if I disliked it at home I could have sold it to someone overseas who really appreciates it and made a hefty profit.

My number didn't come-up, and I couldn't have owned this particular Leben even if I wanted to.

I wonder how else can I choose the best amp when I have no chance to listen on my own equipment?

I wonder how else can I choose the best amp when I have no chance to listen on my own equipment?

Take it with you. While not your room, at least it is your speakers. Not always easy, but it is an option. Or, buy low enough to resell if you don't like a piece.