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Luxman L505u . . . why not?

I'm getting close to pulling the trigger on one of these--an upgrade from my Rotel receiver. Before I do, I'd like some perspective from the learned A'gon community. First, will it be a significant upgrade from the Rotel? What kind of sonic improvements can I expect? Second, why shouldn't I buy from Audiocubes II? http://www.audiocubes2.com/brand/Luxman/product/Luxman_L-505u_Integrated_Amplifier.html
I know On a Higher Note is the official U.S. distributer, but my budget pushes me towards the less expensive purchase option. Third, regardless of where I purchase it from, it will need a transformer to boost the power to 220. I don't know anything about the possible effects this might have on sound and performance of the component--can anybody speak to this? Is it possible to have the piece modified to accept the U.S. 110 current? I want the piece because it meets my requirements for an integrated: it's at least 100W, it has speaker A/B (I've got speakers in the kitchen and the main living room), it's got a great phono section (I play 50% records, 50% CDs), and it's got a headphone amp. Those are the features I want in an integrated. Any advice, suggestions, dissuasions will be appreciated.

Danny
rosedanny
jimthewebguy
44 posts
 
I doubt you will be disappointed. Please post a detailed report after your Luxman arrives!
jimthewebguy
44 posts
 
Chashas1 I can't find this thread for the life of me, although I can't ever find my socks or the pencil that I'm holding, either. Could you please give me some more details as to where to find it?

"There's a thread under Speakers now that might interest you, someone compares the Harbeth 30's with your speakers."
chashas1
596 posts
 
Jim, I think this is the one...

01-10-10: Bwcanuck
My experience has been that the recording medium and media have been the weakest link in my system. I prefer higher resolution speakers but this places massive limitations on what I can play to get a truly live detailed sound without hearing background noise or errors in mixing. I've heard the Monitor 30 beside a pair of NS-1000M and they shared an almost identical response in that room. The M30 had a color or warmth, a wood note and was quite forgiving of material and gear even though it had more treble, but was still more detailed than many other speakers that I remember. I enjoyed them. The NS-1000M was incredibly neutral from what I could tell, dynamic, let me hear far too deep into what was playing in the audition, to the point where what I was hearing was almost programmed sounding. Things like distant sounding strings with a close sounding vocal that doesn't fit stood out. When I ponder about recordings maybe they should use speakers like those to know what they are doing to a recording, I think most listeners want to hear more music, less recording process.
Bwcanuck (Answers)

it was the fifth post under a thread for avalon, harbeth, etc...

I think what I was trying to show you at the time was that your speakers are monitors, hence very revealing, sometimes too much so, yet also requiring a good matchup in electronics. I doubt the lil Leben would have enough juice for your speakers.
In the latest issue of Stereophile, John Marks again goes crazy over the new Luxman 505u. He's pairing it with the Harbeth 7-3's...if you could find one of those over there who knows?
toronto416
199 posts
 
Chashas1 - which recent issue of Stereophile (and what page) mentions the 505u?
Thanks,
Mark

brianmgrarcom
1,317 posts
 
Feb. 2010, Page 47,49.
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