Combining new and old Luxman equipment

W

Woodwind

Member
Good Morning from England,

I have a reasonable collection of Luxman kit, (a 50th Anniversary set-up (C1000 pre, M4000 power-amps and T110 tuner), a full stack of LRS components, with other items such as the R1120 receiver and various tuners such as the T530 etc. ) as well as Quad, Revox and Technics etc. I also have a modern Cyrus CD transport and separate DAC/pre-amp, as I believe that CD systems are the one area where modern kit is unquestionably better than the older stuff. Speakers are a mix of IMF TLS, Ditton 66s and 662s, as well as more modern Wharfedale Pacific Evo 30s and some smaller book-case units.

I recently acquired a Luxman CD/SACD player, the D-05u Ultimate.

My question is this: Does anyone have a view as to whether there are is any advantage in going for a modern Luxman amp (A/B type), rather than sticking with the vintage equipment as far as amplification is concerned. I hear a lot about soundstage and separation etc. But is there that much of a difference gained by using a 507uXii or 507Z, compared with running the SACD player though an LRS stack, for example?

I do have some slight views about trying to avoid adding to the burden on this planet by sticking to older, pre-used kit. But setting that aside for the purposes of this question, what do people think?
 
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I'm a proponent of the advantages of new technology and how it affects the sound quality in higher end modern amplifiers, and the newer Luxman integrated amps provide that in spades. Both of the new integrated amps you mentioned are excellent performers and would help bring extra life to your system, in my opinion. But you will be the only one who can positively confirm that by hearing one in your system.
 
Well the slightly ironic thing about the new Luxman kit is that they often say that they are always trying to remain faithful to the classic Luxman sound - slightly wamer than some perhaps. Which is fine by me!

But back to my basic question if I may: is there that much of a difference between old and new? When you refer to bringing extra life to a system - what do you mean by that? What criteria would you use to assess it as being "better" or more lively, or is it all too subjective and personal?

I am not opposed in principle to new kit - the D-05 is a startingly good SACD player, and when put through the Laboratory Reference Series pre- and power-amps into the IMF TLS 80 Mk2s is spell-binding at times. Even my 30-something son was stopped in his tracks; he sat listening for over an hour - and he usually never has time for that sort of thing.
 
If your vintage gear is not refreshed, the new Luxman gear will sound better. If your old gear is refreshed, the new Luxman gear will sound better. The issue is with the latter, is it worth the price of admission...some think so as the newer Lux integrated amps get great reviews by their owners and others.

The gear you have is some special gear but it is also from the early days of the transistor era and well its been 50 years since those were new, 50 years for Luxman to fine tune their sound with newer electronic parts. The volume control in the CL-1000 has got to sound better than the ones used 50 years ago.

With what you have, you might be able to upgrade, downsize and not be out too much cash. But I would have a hard time letting go of either of those two stacks of gear. But I could sell a huge pile of other junk I have.
 
Well - I am putting it to the test.

I have bought a Luxman 55OAXII A-class integrated amp and and will test it alongside the LRS (also an A-class) system or course), sourcing from a Luxman D-05U Utlimate SACD player.

Initial feelings are that the newer amp is not significantly better than the 1970s LRS - though I have only listened to a few CDs all the way through.

Will get back with comments once I think I have a better feel for what is going on.
 
The LRS amps do not operate in class A past a few watts. The preamp is probably. But if you mean they are A-class, First rate, top of the line, yes the LRS gear is that for sure.

Looking forward to your extended review.
 
Yes - agreed. I checked my previous post and that middle bracket was supposed to have been "(!) instead. As someone put it, the Super Class A or New Class A designation was a bit of "snake-oil" marketing. Lux of America was quite clear at the time that the LRS amps were A/B types. That said, they were/are energy-guzzlers by modern standards.
 
I'm not sure what your budget is, but i've been impressed by the latest flagship Luxman gear, incl: the M-10x power amp, C-10x preamp, D-10x sacd player & L-509Z integrated. Accuphase have been chasing specs too much in recent years and are straying away from their traditional warm, musical sound towards are more neutral sound. Whilst Luxman have been going in the other direction and designing more musical and natural sounding gear recently, whilst retaining their inherent build quality and value for money. I honestly think I could be a happy camper with their flagship gear if I were setting a new system in that price range.

The bottom line is, if you're contemplating current Luxman gear, an audition at a Luxman Dealer is strongly recommended. Some Dealers will even give you a demo amp to try in your system if you ask. My 2c.
 
Already have the 550AXii and the D-05u SACD player, both at the upper end of modern hifi - so am going to stop there for a bit. I tend not to go and spend time listening to the kit you mention as I might feel guilty wasting the dealer's time - and it would leave me a tad frustrated! One initial reaction to the "20W" 550 is that the power-rating is vastly under-stated. I have a reasonably large room (17ft by 27ft) and the volume has not been beyond the 9-o-clock position yet.
 
Hi Woodwind, great thread!

When a/b ing the LRS and 550AXii, how efficient/large were the speakers? Curious if there's a greater difference between the new and old on more efficient speakers at low volumes.

I've been contemplating new gear to upgrade my old luxman stuff, but wondering how big the difference in performance/value is.
 
Sorry not to have replied before now. The speakers I am using for the comparison are IMF TLS 80 Mk IIs, made in the late 1970s, which are very efficient according to the maker's specs - but might have dropped off since new.

So far, I have not been "bowled over" by the difference in sound between the Luxman LRS pre- and power-amp set-up, compared with the Luxman 550axII integrated amp. There is a difference - but I wonder if it is me trying to find one. Anyway - will do some proper testing in a day or two and get back.
 
Woodwind said:
Sorry not to have replied before now. The speakers I am using for the comparison are IMF TLS 80 Mk IIs, made in the late 1970s, which are very efficient according to the maker's specs - but might have dropped off since new.

So far, I have not been "bowled over" by the difference in sound between the Luxman LRS pre- and power-amp set-up, compared with the Luxman 550axII integrated amp. There is a difference - but I wonder if it is me trying to find one. Anyway - will do some proper testing in a day or two and get back.
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I'm not implying that the IMFs weren't/aren't good speakers, but I wonder how much difference you'd notice if you tried them with some high-quality speakers produced within the last 10 years?
 
I have some Wharfedale Pacific Evo 30s - which are relatively "new".

But I deduce from your comment that you feel the newer speakers are more capable of dealing with the higher end of the spectrum. Is that correct? Or is it that you feel they are able to separate the frequencies better? Will have to add the Wharfedales to the testing..........
 
Woodwind said:
But I deduce from your comment that you feel the newer speakers are more capable of dealing with the higher end of the spectrum. Is that correct? Or is it that you feel they are able to separate the frequencies better?
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It's subjective, but yes and yes. :thumbsup: Head to your Luxman dealer and see what new speakers they have running with your amp. See what other new speakers they have and ask if they can hook them up for a listen. Your Luxman amp is an exceptional piece with the right speakers, just like with any other higher end gear. Plus, it should provide worry free performance for many years which should hold some amount of value to you.
 
Somewhat wishful thinking about a "nearby" Luxman dealer !! Will try out the Wharfedales when I have finished repairing a roof thats just been hit by a storm, then a landrover that has just failed its annual checks, and then another vehicle that has started to dump its oil on the ground. As summer comes upon us there is less time in the evenings to sit down and listen to decent music of course. And so life continues...........
 
I've a contemporary CL-38uC tube preamp. So far it's driven a vintage Luxman M-300 SS power amp, a vintage Adcom GFA-555, and my new-to-me Luxkit A-3500 tube power amp.

Power amps haven't really advanced that much over the years although some internal components like capacitors and resistors can be had with improvements. So I expect (but can't prove) that a refreshed amp of similar market position will sound close to new if not indistinguishable.

BTW, I shopped for a new Luxman integrated but bought a Yamaha A-S3200. I couldn't audition either so it was guesswork on my part.
 
Didn't realize anyone, least of all IMF itself, had described their TLs as efficient. Maybe for getting some sound out, but they love lots of power.
 
Time to try some Magnepan speakers, IMO, if you have the room for them (they need at least 3-4 feet of space behind them).

Floor Standing Speakers

The floor standing speakers Magnepan is famous for.
magnepan.com magnepan.com

If the bottom half of your room is absorbent, and the top half is reflective, shorter ones will sound better, IME.
 
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