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Harman Kardon HK 730 Twin VS. Luxman R-1050

SFP

SFP

Active Member
As the quest continues....

Between the legendary Luxman R-1050 (mint condition) and an HK 730, what would folks choose and why?

I own an HK 430 (love it and my HK gear) but a friend has offered me his babied Luxman R-1050 which I have always admired for a really good price.

I own gear I never believed I would ever own and love it. Every room in the house has a vintage set-up at this point. I so do not need with the HK or Luxman... but I want one and/or both....

I am wondering if I keep saving the pennies and watching for a HK730 or jump on the Luxman 1050.

Of course part of me is, "by the Luxman and start saving for the HK 730 again"... the 730's have become as rare of hens teeth here in Canada in the past couple of years (I do know of a single owner HK 930 for $1500.xx CDN).

My little HK 430 sounds so wonderful and I love the aesthetics of the design. I'll never sell it (have sold other HK gear in the past). I have the Marantz (2245), I have the Pioneer (SA-8100, TX-8100, PL-518, RT-1020L)(SX-780 - bedroom system), I have the Akai (AM-2400, AT-2400, AP-207), the Yamaha, and hell even the Realistic (STA-960, LAB-8500). Canada Audio Mart as of today (July 18, 2024) has only one HK 730 listed for sale. Nothing in my province (I'm in BC). When they come up on Marketplace or other local classified sites they are gone the same day.

I am aware of how amazing and beautiful the Luxman R-1050 is.

If it makes any difference.... am 55, single, live in a house.... so no one to complain, and I can always make room at the end of the day.
 
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SFP said:
(I do know of a single owner HK 930 for $1500.xx CDN).
Click to expand...
That has to be the one up in the C.R. area and I've been watching the ad for a while to. At that price, I'll bet his phone is ringing off the hook and he has to beat potential buyers away from his front door with a big stick! Nah, seriously, that's a bit too much for a 930 regardless of its past history. Also, considering its age, it will probably need some refreshing. Even with todays inflated prices of 70's stereo gear, half the asking price would be closer to reality. Just because they are old doesn't mean they are gold!

I see you are located in Victoria. So am I, Langford Area, or North LA as I like to call it. A 630 Twin just sold locally for around $300 and I picked up three of them in the area for a fair price and one just needed a good cleaning while the other two each had a dead channel requiring a bit of sleuthing and parts replacements to bring them back from the edge. One of them has a fully rebuilt power supply and main amp board and will probably stand its ground against a 930 sound wise. After I finish the other boards in it, I'd put money on it.

Sorry I can't recommend which unit to buy as that is a personal choice but myself, I like HK's and have about a dozen of them around here! To me, they are like kittens and I can't say no if I find one.
 
I had an H/K 730 in pretty much mint condition. It sounded awesome with CDs, but the phono stage on these units is not very good. I also owned a Luxman 1040. I did not own them both at the same time, so I never was able to compare them directly, only from memory.

Grab the Luxman.

I'm a bit of a collector of late 70s - early 80s receivers and amps. I foolishly sold my 1040 over 5 years ago, and it's one of those pieces of gear that I really regret selling. The way I look at it, you already have that wonderful sound the dual-mono -x30s have with your HK 430, so why not try something different? I expect the 430 and 730 would sound about the same in any case, it's just the 730 can go louder. The Luxman 1040 I owned had a "lush" sound, super smooth and warm. And it had a better phono stage than the H/K for sure.
 
OK back to your thread on your topic.

It seems you are looking for more positive info on which receiver to add to your collection. But you already have a collection of gear so maybe you can tell us what you think of the differences you hear in those sets of electronics...hopefully using the same speakers.

You want a 730, so get one, keep it on your radar until your deal comes along. If the Lux is at a nice price, I would not let that one go. I'm keeping two receivers but Lux, R-1050 and R-3055. I have another few to sell. I did sell both HK 330c that I have had but would buy a 330/430/730 if one came up at my price as they are nice. They will not replace the Lux units.

I read the review in the thread that you added this question to in General and understand the differences that were discussed. Note that the reviewer was using some Klipsch speakers which have a very crisp sound and are very sensitive, producing huge sound for small watt input. Depending on the speakers you use the choice of receiver might change but the two you are asking about are much closer than the 730 vs 117 as was compared in the review. The much newer 117 probably has a cleaner, clearer sound which is a bit different from the two units from a decade earlier. I need to get a 115/117 someday, there is just too much good written about those units.
 
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Blue Shadow said:
But you already have a collection of gear so maybe you can tell us what you think of the differences you hear in those sets of electronics...hopefully using the same speakers.
Click to expand...
Will attempt to do this intelligently....
For testing, using a Pioneer PL-518 turntable with an OM Super 20 and VM95N (very different sounding carts - both are nudes however)

Realistic STA-960 plugged into Celestion D332 speakers (100 watts) - it has punch sounds like I remember loud stereos sound like back in the 70s/80s. LOVE the look of it. Reminds me of the Pioneer sound.

Akai AM-2400 with the same speakers - prefer it over a Yamaha CR820 (did a comparison with a friend), clean and crisp.. mids are beautiful. Clean pure Japanese sound - very neutral. Can listen to it all day long.

Pioneer SA-8100 with same speakers - punch way more than the Realistic or Akai. Adjustable in more ways. Soundstage reminds me of being in the 5th to front row of a live rock concert. For rock, metal, punk - the SA-8100 and Akai win for pure punch.

HK-430 with Celestion D44 speakers (100 watts as well I believe) - this is where things change - you can hear EVERYTHING clearly and musically. Feels like you are sitting in the studio. Even the HK460i I owned prior to the HK430 sounded good, but the HK430 is unreal for a low watt amp.

Marantz 2245 with Celestion D44 speakers - before I got this amp in April of 2024, I, like a lot of folks tended to think the "hype" around that early to mid seventies Marantz gear was a myth - this unit changed my mind. As a friend said upon hearing it for the first time while we went through everything from Megadeth to Marvin Gaye and it kept getting turned up louder and louder "it just gets clearer and more musical the more you throw at it". It's warm.... louder volume and I feel like I am in a private small venue hearing the band... lower volumes sound good, but the HK430 IMHO outshines them all at lower volumes.

How's that? Make sense?
 
Mumbles said:
That has to be the one up in the C.R. area and I've been watching the ad for a while to. At that price, I'll bet his phone is ringing off the hook and he has to beat potential buyers away from his front door with a big stick! Nah, seriously, that's a bit too much for a 930 regardless of its past history. Also, considering its age, it will probably need some refreshing. Even with todays inflated prices of 70's stereo gear, half the asking price would be closer to reality. Just because they are old doesn't mean they are gold!
Click to expand...
Yeah that be the one.
For that price it better be mint (notice no actual photos of the actual unit), include ALL the print factory documentation and ideally the OG box.

But even at that, it seems way to high. At $650-$800 CDN... maybe, but end of day I prefer the look of the 730.
 
I'll follow up with a review of the R-1050 after I get a chance to run it through its paces. Gonna need to figure out where it goes into my primary "entertainment/collection" stand... and thinking I may put it on my pro audio rack (then just need to figure out which TT it will get). Speakers wise, I'll be running it through the D332's initially. Have this natural fear of f*&king up my D44s eh....

The HK430 I do believe is going to replace the Pioneer SX-780 in my bedroom. The SX-780 is going to a best buddy in a couple of months (along with speakers and a TT)
 
You commented on a post of mine and I followed a link.

Your HK430 does not have the resolution of the HK730. Both have the same sound signature. I have the 330c, the 430, the A402 and the 730. I do not have any idea how the 730 compares to the R-1050, but in essence: All of them have the same sound signature, the 430 and the A402 do not resolve detail as much.
The reason you liked the Marantz is, because Marantz has a better preamp. The preamps of the HK are great, unless you have to turn the tone control knobs. The phono preamps are mediocre.
Best
Soundork
 
Mumbles said:
That has to be the one up in the C.R. area and I've been watching the ad for a while to. At that price, I'll bet his phone is ringing off the hook and he has to beat potential buyers away from his front door with a big stick! Nah, seriously, that's a bit too much for a 930 regardless of its past history. Also, considering its age, it will probably need some refreshing. Even with todays inflated prices of 70's stereo gear, half the asking price would be closer to reality. Just because they are old doesn't mean they are gold!

I see you are located in Victoria. So am I, Langford Area, or North LA as I like to call it. A 630 Twin just sold locally for around $300 and I picked up three of them in the area for a fair price and one just needed a good cleaning while the other two each had a dead channel requiring a bit of sleuthing and parts replacements to bring them back from the edge. One of them has a fully rebuilt power supply and main amp board and will probably stand its ground against a 930 sound wise. After I finish the other boards in it, I'd put money on it.

Sorry I can't recommend which unit to buy as that is a personal choice but myself, I like HK's and have about a dozen of them around here! To me, they are like kittens and I can't say no if I find one.
Click to expand...
I've got a huge soft spot for that series. I've got a 230a, a couple of 330cs, a 430, a 630, a couple of 730s, and a 930. At the moment, only the 430 and a 330c is working. The other 330c is on the bench now. Got a parts shipment today so I finished up a PSE Studio 2 gen2 real fast.
 
Quick update....
Car issues earlier this month.... the Lux comes home this weekend.

Will give an update next week.
 
Mumbles said:
That has to be the one up in the C.R. area and I've been watching the ad for a while to. At that price, I'll bet his phone is ringing off the hook and he has to beat potential buyers away from his front door with a big stick! Nah, seriously, that's a bit too much for a 930 regardless of its past history. Also, considering its age, it will probably need some refreshing. Even with todays inflated prices of 70's stereo gear, half the asking price would be closer to reality. Just because they are old doesn't mean they are gold!

I see you are located in Victoria. So am I, Langford Area, or North LA as I like to call it. A 630 Twin just sold locally for around $300 and I picked up three of them in the area for a fair price and one just needed a good cleaning while the other two each had a dead channel requiring a bit of sleuthing and parts replacements to bring them back from the edge. One of them has a fully rebuilt power supply and main amp board and will probably stand its ground against a 930 sound wise. After I finish the other boards in it, I'd put money on it.

Sorry I can't recommend which unit to buy as that is a personal choice but myself, I like HK's and have about a dozen of them around here! To me, they are like kittens and I can't say no if I find one.
Click to expand...
Seen the 930 for sale on the mainland for $700.xx? Saw it on Marketplace about a week back.
 
SFP said:
As the quest continues....

Between the legendary Luxman R-1050 (mint condition) and an HK 730, what would folks choose and why?

I own an HK 430 (love it and my HK gear) but a friend has offered me his babied Luxman R-1050 which I have always admired for a really good price.

I own gear I never believed I would ever own and love it. Every room in the house has a vintage set-up at this point. I so do not need with the HK or Luxman... but I want one and/or both....

I am wondering if I keep saving the pennies and watching for a HK730 or jump on the Luxman 1050.

Of course part of me is, "by the Luxman and start saving for the HK 730 again"... the 730's have become as rare of hens teeth here in Canada in the past couple of years (I do know of a single owner HK 930 for $1500.xx CDN).

My little HK 430 sounds so wonderful and I love the aesthetics of the design. I'll never sell it (have sold other HK gear in the past). I have the Marantz (2245), I have the Pioneer (SA-8100, TX-8100, PL-518, RT-1020L)(SX-780 - bedroom system), I have the Akai (AM-2400, AT-2400, AP-207), the Yamaha, and hell even the Realistic (STA-960, LAB-8500). Canada Audio Mart as of today (July 18, 2024) has only one HK 730 listed for sale. Nothing in my province (I'm in BC). When they come up on Marketplace or other local classified sites they are gone the same day.

I am aware of how amazing and beautiful the Luxman R-1050 is.

If it makes any difference.... am 55, single, live in a house.... so no one to complain, and I can always make room at the end of the day.
Click to expand...
Hello SFP, I collect the Pioneers and just jump into Harman Kardon a couple month ago. My first one is 230A, then moving up to 330A, 430 and final I got 730 this month. I just finish recap all of them and they sound beautifully! I am in Ontario and I could see two of 930. I will get HK A-402 soon since it is the same as 730. I don't see 730 for sale recently but a couple of 430.
I still want to buy Luxman R-1050 to try out and wait for a good deal. Currently one in my area advertises for $5xx.
 

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Blue Shadow said:
Have you compared a Pioneer to a similarly powered HK?
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My SX-636, SX-737, CR-820, G6700 and Sony STR-6800SD. I did not setup the speaker to do side by side comparison. Pioneer is warmer and 730 more clear and deep. It is close to my Marantz 2230B.
 

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Picked the Lux up last Sunday and got it hooked up Monday.... Pioneer PL-518 TT and my Celestion D-44 speakers...

After four days of playing my regular rotation albums (Marvin Gaye, Scorpions, Pink Floyd, The Band, Television, Wings, Aerosmit, etc)... and using both the vintage Shure cart as well as the AT-VM95N, I can say that yeah... the phono pre-amp on this unit kicks ass...

Over all sound - outdoes the Marantz 2245 and HK-430 Twin. Straight up A/B with the Akai AM-2400 - it kills the Akai (and I LOVE my Akai gear)....

If this is what HiFi is... then yes, I may finally understand why people pay to step up from lower-end HiFi and Mid-Fi...

This weekend hooking it up to the Celestion D-332's and am planning on pushing it with some first pressings Black Sabbath, Megadeth, Savatage as well as Dead Boys, Gen X and Social D.. then will throw some Dire Straits, Queen and Warren Zevon at it...

It is beautiful to look at.

of course, bigger than I expected, so now changing up the entire music room and have to reinforce my "main" entertainment stand as it, along with the Marantz is making it bow due to weight, and it is too wide to fir my "pro audio stand"....

A few crappy iPhone pics attached...

I am a very very happy music guy this week. ;)
 

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