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Adcom, Luxman, Technics amp question

D

Da He Hua

Active Member
I have been given an opportunity to buy three gears for a total price of $200: Adcom GFA 555, Luxman LV 105 Integrated, and Technics SU 9070 Pre-amp. I was told that they were functional a few years ago and then they were put in storage in the basement. They are a little dusty and I won’t be able to test them out.
  1. Is it worthwhile buying them at that price?
  2. I currently use a Jelco 750 tonearm with a Denon 103 cartridge. It connects to a Marantz 2220B receiver via a 1:15 step up transformer. If I replace Marantz with Luxman LV 105, then I will still use the step up transformer, right? But if I instead replace Marantz with Adcom GFA 555 and Technics SU 9070, do I still need the SUT?
  3. I expect to only keep one amplifier. Between Luxman LV 105 and Adcom GFA 555, which one would you keep? I listen to classical music.
  4. Is there any reason Marantz is preferable than either two amps?
 
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1) If either amp works at all you'll get your $200 back just flipping the one you don't prefer. I'd take the risk at $200, YMMV.
2) From what I see the Luxman and Technics both supports MM or MC cartridges, so you may not need the transformer. It could be that the transformer + MM input sounds better than the MC input, so again, need to see what you prefer.
3) You never mention your speakers. Regardless, your ears will know best, and results depend on your speakers. For $200 you could have a lot of fun trying things out and get a very good result in the process.
4) No experience, sorry.
 
4. Yes, some people don't care about anything but the name or the looks of a unit and that Marantz is of the Blue Light era, a real looker to some.

The GFA-555 is a highly regarded amp but has the limitation of no output protection relays so if it dies it could seriously damage the speakers. There are a few things you should check before hooking it up to speakers. I just got one and am going through the evaluation possible upgrades.

The Luxman should sound pretty good.

Although you will be listening to the Marantz or the Luxman, you could hook up your sources into the Technics and use its output to the Aux in of the Marantz (or Luxman) setting its volume at about half then use the Technics to adjust the system to try the Technics. I would use a lower volume on the Marantz (or Luxman) until you know things are right with the Technics.

These units should easily sound better than the Marantz but that Marantz may have a sound you prefer.
 
What's your question? 20 wpc vs 200 wpc with seperates. Yogo vs Z28. Get the money out of your pocket NOW!
 
How come not able to test? It will be a gamble. Look at fuses. If not blown, maybe you take a chance because price is very good...for working units. Voltage requirement will be on back of units which will tell you if you need SUT.
 
Nice find. Technics su-9070 is a really nice preamp, well thought out layout with 3 phono inputs (2 MM and 1 MC). Don't pass on this if you want that. But you absolutely need to replace all electrolytics in this is 30 year old unit. Mine worked ok when I bought it 2 years ago but the recap really transformed the sound.
 
Thank you to all for the helpful responses. I plan to upgrade to floor-standing speakers in the future which the current Marantz will not be powerful enough to drive. I guess on that ground, I should take the gamble and buy these three amps.
 
I paid $150 for the su-9070 + whatever the electrolytic caps cost, so really you cannot lose for 2 bills. Seen this unit sell on epay for that quite a few times if you don't like it. I'm 100% certain you will need some deoxit to clean up the volume pot at minimum (this will require faceplate removal) but this unit is super easy to work on.
 
There are two versions of the Technics 9070 - I ended up with the earlier one - which is crap and nowhere near as good as the later one.

I did buy direct from japan however - it may be the case that only the good one was exported.

Sorry I don't have any more info on which one to look for. Pretty sure the "Mark 2" is the one you want to get.
 
I think you'll find the Luxman to be the best of the bunch. The Marantz won't hold a candle to the Luxman just because the Luxman is better and with 4 times the power it won't strain when pushed. For me the Adcom's are ok but with vintage not worth the possibility of loosing a perfectly good set of speakers plus the Luxman will also sound better.
 
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