Currently I am powering my Totem Acoustic Hawks with a Kenwood KA-9100 integrated amplifier. The Hawks are somewhat power hungry and while the 90W per channel from the Kenwood works well enough, I want more power. I have an opportunity to buy a Luxman C-02 preamp and two M-02 power amps, so I'd have 300W per speaker. These units are being sold by a very reputable electronics shop that has been in business for 40 years and is/has been certified for repair by Macintosh, Luxman (when it existed), and the like. So I have no question the units are completely up to speed, including factory updates (this shop has records for every bulletin from the manufacturers). I have no problem with and in fact prefer vintage components, especially since I'm of the belief I can get more bang for my buck. The question I do have regards the quality of these Luxman components. I'm surprised I haven't been able to find a great deal about them online, though what I have seen has been fairly positive. For any of you who know and/or have owned this equipment, what do you think of it? (And I suppose it's relevant that my point of comparison is a Kenwood KA-9100!) I know it would be important for me to listen to the system I'm envisioning, but before I try to make that happen, I'm interested in the thoughts/opinions of those who know more about Luxman than I do. Oh, and I'm sure it's relevant that my primary music source is turntables (Dual and Thorens). Thank in advance for anything you might offer.
Looking for Opinions on a Possible System Upgrade with Luxman C-02 and 2x M-02
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hunter00
Super Member
hi,i owned the same Lux gear.I originally went to it as I had been on a vintage high power receiver kick for a few yrs and had know seperates can produce a better sounding over all system all things considered.I didn't own the same Kenny you have there but ran Pioneer sx 1250 and Rotel rx 1603 power house recievers.
The Lux c-02/and M-02 power amp were an improvement ove the recievers but not buy a large margine.I eventually went to Big Soundcraftsmen and HK Citation amps/preamp and those relegated the luxman gear to the back shelf.Eventually tube gear relegated the SC and HK gear to the back shelf..
hope that helps
hunter
The Lux c-02/and M-02 power amp were an improvement ove the recievers but not buy a large margine.I eventually went to Big Soundcraftsmen and HK Citation amps/preamp and those relegated the luxman gear to the back shelf.Eventually tube gear relegated the SC and HK gear to the back shelf..
hope that helps
hunter
Blue Shadow
Waiting for Vintage Gear from this century
Luxman is still in business but on a much higher level. Like Accuphase, really nice gear.
That would be more than enough power and could possibly throw that little woofer out onto the floor if one were not listening to the system as they crank it up. But more power is safer than too little power. The Luxman should be a nice improvement but as 00 said it may be small and other gear may well be a better match to the speakers. If the gear is priced nicely, you will not lose money on it and can enjoy it and move on if you find another improvement necessary.
That would be more than enough power and could possibly throw that little woofer out onto the floor if one were not listening to the system as they crank it up. But more power is safer than too little power. The Luxman should be a nice improvement but as 00 said it may be small and other gear may well be a better match to the speakers. If the gear is priced nicely, you will not lose money on it and can enjoy it and move on if you find another improvement necessary.
Hunter and Blue Shadow: Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I'll have to give it some careful thought because I want the next move I make to last me for a while. But I guess this raises a couple of questions...First, in what way would the improvement be small? Wouldn't seem like power because 90W to 300W per channel is quite a change. So are we talking quality? and if so, what's the basis for this? This is exactly the kind of thing I'm wondering about that led me to post in the first place, so any insights would be appreciated.
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hunter00
Super Member
To get hi volume levels in your room you will more than likely only be using the first 50 wpc anyways.Ive been there done that for decades early on.Most of the Hi-wattage SS amps in my opinion after owning many were more for bragging rights than sound quality.You can achieve good sound quality and hi volumes with as little as 30-40 wpc.The difference will be in the power supplys and grade of capacitors used throughout the units.Case in point something like the vintge HK 930 dual trany recievers
So negating the power issue,The Totems are not that efficient but will still hit hi levels of output with way less power than your talking. .
From my yrs of chaseing hi end sound capable of louder volume I migrated to mid power tube amplification and efficient speakers,no compairison in my book.My Fisher 50a monoblocks rarely push more than 10 watt triode and they will fuel large gatherings in large rooms with 15 inch triaxials in large cabinets.
In my case going back to the Lux gear would be a large step in reverse from what I'm enjoying these days.good luck in your search
hunter
So negating the power issue,The Totems are not that efficient but will still hit hi levels of output with way less power than your talking. .
From my yrs of chaseing hi end sound capable of louder volume I migrated to mid power tube amplification and efficient speakers,no compairison in my book.My Fisher 50a monoblocks rarely push more than 10 watt triode and they will fuel large gatherings in large rooms with 15 inch triaxials in large cabinets.
In my case going back to the Lux gear would be a large step in reverse from what I'm enjoying these days.good luck in your search
hunter
Lesterbest
Super Member
Small changes to me represent a sideways move.
highwaychile
Well-Known Member
Don't want to derail the thread, but I would offer a differing opinion as to the level of improvement you'd see from the Luxman set. I have not owned that Kenwood, but had the Pioneer SX-980 and SA-9500; similar specs and from the same era. I have the Luxman CX-100 paired with an M-02 and a C-1010 paired with an M-2000. Both sets are vast improvements over the Pioneers in every way. Just my 2 cents worth. The M-02 does run a bit warm, but there's just no comparison IMHO.
EDIT: I'll add that also own the Phase Linear PL700 and Carver PM-1.5; big power units. Neither of those compare to the Luxman pieces either. I am in a small listening space, 14 X 12.
EDIT: I'll add that also own the Phase Linear PL700 and Carver PM-1.5; big power units. Neither of those compare to the Luxman pieces either. I am in a small listening space, 14 X 12.
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Blue Shadow
Waiting for Vintage Gear from this century
I hesitated to refute ZOOM's wild accusation that there would be no sonic improvement going for the Kenwood to Luxman as I have not specifically auditioned those prices of Lux gear but having sold both brands in the time of the KA, I will say the competing Luxman units were audibly much better. I would expect the same from these pieces from Lux, too.
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Lesterbest
Super Member
I'd save until I could update the Totem Acoustic Hawks. IMO, a lot of electronic updating is a sideways move to hear a small change.
highwaychile
Well-Known Member
I failed to mention here that the other preamps I used prior to Luxman were the Carver CT-29V, Yamaha C-80, and Yamaha C-6. Once again, Luxman sent the others out the door for me.
So glad I checked back here after the thread had gone cold early on in the proceedings. 
Thanks for the mostly consistent responses. I'd be curious to hear what the Luxmans might offer, but I've never felt comfortable about it being the right move to make. highwaychile speaks highly of Luxman, but for now I'm going to sit tight and I appreciate some of the suggestions offered for improving sound via routes other than chasing more power. Thanks to all for chiming in!
Thanks for the mostly consistent responses. I'd be curious to hear what the Luxmans might offer, but I've never felt comfortable about it being the right move to make. highwaychile speaks highly of Luxman, but for now I'm going to sit tight and I appreciate some of the suggestions offered for improving sound via routes other than chasing more power. Thanks to all for chiming in!