Luxman L-5 Mixed Reviews?!

[TunerLanding]

One of these in amazing condition came up locally and I’m intrigued, as I’m a Luxman fan. However, I’ve read mixed reviews on the sound quality (one reviewer claimed it had less soundstage/detail than an older marantz which boggles my mind). Build quality looks a little below the champagne finish Lux has usually boasted, but the transformer and circuit layouts look brilliant (I don’t care about the underside jacks they obviously wanted to keep a clean profile). Can any past or present owners speak to their experience with sound quality? Describe it as warm or detailed? Tube like or analytical compared to early solid state? This being a 1978 Luxman design sharing TOTL components shouldn’t this be near the sweet spot for vintage Lux quality? Any opinions are welcome, help me out I’m sure it’ll sell fast!

 

[nolasally]

I have similar L-11 and its build quality is stellar. Sounds great as well at 100wpc it has some balls to it. One classy looking and sounding amp. I sold my m-120 & C120 combo when I got the L-11. No regrets.

 

[Blue Shadow]

This being a 1978 Luxman design sharing TOTL components shouldn’t this be near the sweet spot for vintage Lux quality?

At that time, Luxman had their new TOTL gear the Laboratory Reference Series gear (5Letter##) followed by the Lab Standard Series. the -12 gear with the L-11 and L-10. Then the Studio Standard Series which contained the L-5.

Still available was the 50th anniversary gear the C-1000, M-4000 and T-110 gear and associated models and the Champagne series the L-85V/T-88 gear and associated models. The L-5 showed some cost cutting without the rosewood vinyl veneer but it still sounded good but it wasn't quite as good as those other higher end pieces. The L to get for about 50-60 wpc is the L-10 the 55wpc LSS slimline amp but it cost at least 200 more than the L-5.

I'd add it to the collection.

Luxman audio products (hilberink.nl)

 

[TunerLanding]

I took my time and missed out on an L-11 a couple years back for cheap so still kicking myself for that. The L-10 dual mono is a beautiful piece as well but I’m afraid the times of finding bargains on this stuff (particularly Luxman) every other week are over. I’m afraid the word is out guys! Seller beware, if you let these things go you may never find them again. I’m looking for Lux gear on perhaps the dryer side of their smooth signature, replacing a very liquid 1970 solid state Sansui. Just need a nudge over the edge and I’m grabbing the L-5…