Hypothetical Question
- Thread starter ghamilton
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I have actually been eying that Luxman up for a future purchase. I see that the Sansui is well thought of, but Luxman has always held it's own and 30 years ago usually put out higher current than most other MFGs.
If I had to choose without hearing either, I would have to go with the Luxman since they have added all the R&D and refinements over a unit built in 1978. You would also end up with a 3 year warranty as opposed to none.
If I had to choose without hearing either, I would have to go with the Luxman since they have added all the R&D and refinements over a unit built in 1978. You would also end up with a 3 year warranty as opposed to none.
ConradH
Lunatic Member
Tough one. Trade an old but rebuilt amp with unobtainium output devices, non-standard output jack spacing and a somewhat weird tone control circuit, but that sounds fantastic, for a new amp I've never hear that (from photos) also looks to have non-standard banana spacing and a switching supply, thus no headroom, plus possibly higher THD near the limits.
IMO, better the devil you know than the devil you don't!
IMO, better the devil you know than the devil you don't!
dr*audio
Fish fingers and custard!
I have heard the AU-919, but not that particular Luxman. The AU-919 is a great amp that is very neutral sounding. To me, I prefer the AU-9900 and AU-11000 which are more warm sounding, and if you like that kind of sound then you would like the older Luxman amps like a L-100. That is a warm sounding amp with a sweet top end, like the AU-9900 and if I had to choose between a AU-919 and a Luxman L-100 I would take the L-100. Sorry, I don't know the L-505.
Luxman L-505 does not have a switch-mode power supply, it uses a regular transformer.
It is worth considerably more, therefore I would make the trade.
In a blind test, it would be impossible to distinguish the two amplifiers, so you are guaranteed to not be making a potential downgrade.
This is a win-win-win situation. Just do it.
It is worth considerably more, therefore I would make the trade.
In a blind test, it would be impossible to distinguish the two amplifiers, so you are guaranteed to not be making a potential downgrade.
This is a win-win-win situation. Just do it.
Daunia 70
Lunatic Member
I have a near mint serviced Sansui AU-919 and whilst it's a very nice sounding amp,I've got other ones that I prefer like the awesome sounding Sansui AU-X1,Trio KA-907,and Trio Supremes etc.
The Luxman L-505 is worth a lot more than the Sansui AU-919... so yep,I'd definitely do the swap.
The Luxman L-505 is worth a lot more than the Sansui AU-919... so yep,I'd definitely do the swap.
ConradH
Lunatic Member
Luxman L-505 does not have a switch-mode power supply, it uses a regular transformer.
It is worth considerably more, therefore I would make the trade.
In a blind test, it would be impossible to distinguish the two amplifiers, so you are guaranteed to not be making a potential downgrade.
This is a win-win-win situation. Just do it.
U R Right! Photos show a big conventional transformer. I thought I read that it used a switcher, but it doesn't look like it. Is it regulated? If it's not a switcher, I like it a lot more.
whoaru99
Epic Member
Why is it you say an amp with SMPS has no headroom? QSC specs say my PL3.4 has 1.9dB headroom, and it has SMPS.
ghamilton
Super Member
Your making me feel good! I have a recapped 919 and love it. Keep the comments comming!
ConradH
Lunatic Member
Fortunately I can believe two contradictory things at the same time. First, whenever I've tried to track down sonic differences between two competent amps, the better I match the levels and eliminate bias sources, the more identical they sound. My guess is the 919 and 505 would hold true to this.
That said, and for whatever reason, in actual use some amps impress me more than others. IMO, a properly serviced 919 is near the top of the heap. I don't own one, but did a service on one and was able to do a lot of listening and comparisons over several weeks. Subjectively, I didn't like the 717 quite as much, though I bet in a controlled test I couldn't tell them apart. I've never seen or heard a 505.
That said, and for whatever reason, in actual use some amps impress me more than others. IMO, a properly serviced 919 is near the top of the heap. I don't own one, but did a service on one and was able to do a lot of listening and comparisons over several weeks. Subjectively, I didn't like the 717 quite as much, though I bet in a controlled test I couldn't tell them apart. I've never seen or heard a 505.
JOMARK911
Super Member
@ghamilton
C'mon , we all know 919's value. Actually it's a priceless amp, by the meaning of design and implementation , it has no adversaries. 919 is a small au-x1.
Construction quality and sound quality of this amp are stellar. I don't mean to imply that there weren't better amps , but nevertheless this amp remains unique and absolutely respectable by all audio communities everywhere in the world.
C'mon , we all know 919's value. Actually it's a priceless amp, by the meaning of design and implementation , it has no adversaries. 919 is a small au-x1.
Construction quality and sound quality of this amp are stellar. I don't mean to imply that there weren't better amps , but nevertheless this amp remains unique and absolutely respectable by all audio communities everywhere in the world.
Daunia 70
Lunatic Member
...as already said by Jomark : Luxman is'nt what it used to be back then...
Wow! What a statement... In my opinion Luxman still make incredible gear,one only has to look at their beautifully built Japanese made L-590AX integrated... according to reviews it's up there with the Accuphase E-560 and E600 as one of the best integrated amps ever made...I'm all for one liking fav brands but not to that extent!
ghamilton
Super Member
I may be shooting myself in the foot but,... the newest Lux stuff is IMHO made better than the older stuff. Compair the old speaker binding posts with the new ones. And thats just for starters. Just look inside this new stuff! You'll pay for it though.:yes:
I still love my 919.
I still love my 919.
Deubi
Active Member
...to believe in Reviews may be problematic sometimes , if You want my opinion...:scratch2:
