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Looking to upgrade from Sansui to Luxman

pluske

pluske

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
Hi AK, I hope to get some advice on amp choices

For the last few years I've been very happily listening to a Sansui AU-666 (fully restored by TomB). Recently, I picked up a Luxman turntable that I am also extremely pleased with, in part because I think the styling is so beautiful. Ive since done a lot of reading about the luxman brand and have had an eye out for a luxman amp to replace the Sansui, whose black face is a mismatch for the silver and rosewood turntable.

Finally someone local is selling off a bunch of Luxman amps, namely an L-31, an L-100 and an L-80V. They are all in good cosmetic condition and the seller claims they are serviced, though I have my doubts.

The question: Am I making a huge mistake? The AU-666 sounds great to me, would this be a step down? If not, can I get any guidance about what these amps are like and which I should try to get? Ive found the thread where someone is having an awful time with an L-100 for instance.

I cannot keep the Sansui if I do this, dont have that kind of money. The Luxmans are being sold for roughly the same price as I can get for the sansui, though getting a recap will add to the cost. Thanks in advance for everyone's input.
 
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What speakers are you running? Do you need more power?
The L-100 is nice, and it has a lot more power. 110WPC, your Sansui has 35WPC.

If you upgrade from a restored unit, you'd want to get the replacement restored as well.
 
If the thread about the L-100 problems is the one the recent one in this forum it looks like the issues are a result of sloppy service.
I've worked on these and a good tech should be able to get one working reliably. No special weaknesses of note.
 
For integrated I like my L-530 and also L-430. For separates, I like my C-03/M-03 and C-1010/M-4000
 
The Fuxtor said:
These are great sounding items! Look for the L-530! It will match up very nice to your tt , and it sounds amazing!!
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If you are looking for L-530 all recapped I think you have to pay quite a bit more than what AU-666 sells for. Once I had AU-999 (by itself it sounds very nice) fully restored and moded still nowhere near my fully recapped L-530. This is a very personal opinion someone may find Sansui AU-999 better than L-530.
 
Raccoon1400 said:
What speakers are you running? Do you need more power?
The L-100 is nice, and it has a lot more power. 110WPC, your Sansui has 35WPC.

If you upgrade from a restored unit, you'd want to get the replacement restored as well.
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Ive got some AR11b's that I resuscitated with new caps and foam. The sansui does just fine, I understand 70s amps were typically underrated on wattage.
 
pluske said:
Good to know. Unfortunately the L-100 and L-80V are both gone already, only the L-31 remains.
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Probably a lateral move, and then you have to get it restored/recapped if you want it on the same level as the sansui.

Is there anything you feel you don't like about the sound of the Sansui?
 
One thing I found with that model of sansui is it was picky speaker wise. It didn't sound quite right on my NS-690 but rocked a pair of Tannoy C-10.

I think it comes down to if you are happy with your current sound. If you are, don't worry get too caught up in what people say about similarly powered units :) Especially since your unit is restored.
If you aren't then you can try something else. As long as you don't need more power. Not sure how efficient your speakers are but they are a sealed cabinet I think, that is generally a less efficient design.
 
Raccoon1400 said:
One thing I found with that model of sansui is it was picky speaker wise. It didn't sound quite right on my NS-690 but rocked a pair of Tannoy C-10.

I think it comes down to if you are happy with your current sound. If you are, don't worry get too caught up in what people say about similarly powered units :) Especially since your unit is restored.
If you aren't then you can try something else. As long as you don't need more power. Not sure how efficient your speakers are but they are a sealed cabinet I think, that is generally a less efficient design.
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Im very happy with the current sound, the AR-11s are not all that efficient (86db) but I when I turn the volume to 3.5/10 the bass becomes tangible and I think if i crank it past 5 I will put the windows at risk. Like I said before, this is about visual aesthetics for me. I think the Luxman L-31 *looks* gorgeous and it will match the PD-264 visually better than the black face AU-666.
 
Well I know you all are just on the edge of your seat with what happened here, and let me tell you. The guy selling the 3 luxman amps was being real squirrelly. Used a google voice number, gave me the address of a pentecostal church, started asking for a depost... had to tell him to go kick rocks.

Fortunately found a local guy on the bay with a L-80V that i can just barely afford. So, trading in the AU-666 for that. So long Sansui, Ive listened to you for over a decade. I hope Im not making a mistake.
 
The L80 is from the "good" Luxman era. I've worked on to restore and have listened to an L85V. Nice unit, decently made inside. Excellent styling.
I've also had an L-2 integrated since new that I bought finishing high school. Low power but did the job ok. Still have that. The model with a long series of push button switches on the front in a row. Somehow they all still function fine without any deoxit or similar treatment.
Your PD264 is also "period correct" for the L80, if not a generation newer. I'm sure you will enjoy the sound of the Lux. They will look great together as well.
 
Great to hear! The face is really beautiful, I only with the veneer was rosewood instead of vinyl but it doesnt matter that much, only the face really shows. Cant beat champagne knobs on silver, and those levers that click down with just the right amount of pop.

I think the TT is a little newer, and I know its BOTL but I have such a supercharged cart on there I think it doesnt matter. only issue Ive had is that it puts a huge amound of static in the vinyl, more than my previous TT. Is that a platter mat characteristic? Ive been thinking about putting something else there to fight it.
 
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