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Top Luxman integrated - 509u or 590Aii?

The Luxman integrated amps are highly regarded. Their two top models are similarly priced, though they differ in that the 590Aii is 30 wpc pure class A, and the 509u is 120 wpc class AB.

The class A 590Aii amps are supposed to sound great, but they run very hot and are inefficient.

The class AB 509u amps are powerful and more efficient, and they also apparently sound good.

I have auditioned the 550Aii (20 wpc pure class A), and it sounded wonderful. It is the only Luxman integrated on display in my city.

I am confused as to which would be the better choice, the 509u or the 590Aii?

Regards,

Mark
toronto416
phaelon's avatar
phaelon
1,038 posts
 
If you have only one (digital) source, I'd like to recommend that you include the Luxman MQ-88 in your considerations.
chashas1
596 posts
 
If you keep reading these posts you'll stay very confused.
Eventually only you can pull the trigger.
Good luck!
toronto416 OP
210 posts
 
"These posts" do help when you have to consider components sight unseen. "Pulling the trigger" would otherwise be a shot in the dark.

Thanks to all for shedding some light on my confusion.

Regards,

Mark
usblues
1,217 posts
 
Just to shed a little darkness your way,theres a Sansui G99x for sale here[no aff] that will come close to being the equal of these Luxman's you mention.And best of all its 500$.Good luck,Bob
flg2001's avatar
flg2001
543 posts
 
I agree with newbee's notes above... a Class A amp brings a different presentation (more musical IMO) where even one can be fooled of hearing a SS or a Tubed design (this happened to me when I had a Gryphon Anthileon amp)

But... speakers play a major role on not having the sense of lacking of additional drive and dynamics... I am not familiar with your Verity speakers so I can't comment there, I drove a quite easy load with Avalon while I had the Gryphon and reached a nice level of music reproduction.
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