Nightwisher's New Luxman's Room and Beyond
- Thread starter Nightwisher
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7whales7
Addicted Member
Bx 150 silver.
Nightwisher
Farer In The Goldilocks Zone
Updates:
Bought a nice Yamaha DSP-A1 for the computer setup for Christmas. This thing is awesome. Replaced a stack of gear: Luxman C-02/M-02, Emotiva XDA-1, and MiniDSP 2x4. As nice as that stack was, I don't miss it at all with the DSP-A1. Selling the Emotiva covered the purchase. I've got a trade hopefully incoming for the M-02 (I'll keep the other M-02, the C-02, and the MiniDSP). Screen has the typical cutting out issues, but no big deal. Beautiful.
Upgraded the bedroom TV setup with a Harman/Kardon AVR-146 (love the looks of these, actually bought another similar H/K at the same time). Paired with Mirage M-290 speakers, which came from a fellow lawyer (he bought them in law school). Nice sound.
Upgraded the surrounds in the home theater system to Canton CD 220.3, so now I'm all Canton except for the "Atmos modules" (Mirage) and the sub (SVS). They sound great, very solid little speakers. I'm hoping to eventually get another pair of 502.2s if they go on sale again, and then use these for Atmos modules.
Got a NAD Master Series M15 preamp for free when I bought a pair of speakers this week (more on the speakers in the next post). Free because there's no sound. Something else to poke around with. It at least looks nice.
My Luxman T-100 tuner's meh reception wore on me enough to sell it. Replaced it with this Toshiba ST-335 I've had sitting around - should have done that a long time ago. The dial won't move below about 93, but luckily my favorites are above that. Love the looks, sounds very full.
Bought a nice Yamaha DSP-A1 for the computer setup for Christmas. This thing is awesome. Replaced a stack of gear: Luxman C-02/M-02, Emotiva XDA-1, and MiniDSP 2x4. As nice as that stack was, I don't miss it at all with the DSP-A1. Selling the Emotiva covered the purchase. I've got a trade hopefully incoming for the M-02 (I'll keep the other M-02, the C-02, and the MiniDSP). Screen has the typical cutting out issues, but no big deal. Beautiful.
Upgraded the bedroom TV setup with a Harman/Kardon AVR-146 (love the looks of these, actually bought another similar H/K at the same time). Paired with Mirage M-290 speakers, which came from a fellow lawyer (he bought them in law school). Nice sound.
Upgraded the surrounds in the home theater system to Canton CD 220.3, so now I'm all Canton except for the "Atmos modules" (Mirage) and the sub (SVS). They sound great, very solid little speakers. I'm hoping to eventually get another pair of 502.2s if they go on sale again, and then use these for Atmos modules.
Got a NAD Master Series M15 preamp for free when I bought a pair of speakers this week (more on the speakers in the next post). Free because there's no sound. Something else to poke around with. It at least looks nice.
My Luxman T-100 tuner's meh reception wore on me enough to sell it. Replaced it with this Toshiba ST-335 I've had sitting around - should have done that a long time ago. The dial won't move below about 93, but luckily my favorites are above that. Love the looks, sounds very full.
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Nightwisher
Farer In The Goldilocks Zone
Bought a new pair of speakers, Dynaudio Contour S1.4. Beautiful look and sound. These had been listed for a while and the price was dropped, so I got them this week to compare to the Ushers. These came from the same guy I got the Revels and L-507u from (he asked about the Luxman, we agreed it sounded incredible even against his full McIntosh stack). He's my high end guy. He gave me the NAD preamp since he didn't have time to fool with it, and showed me some Chario Sonnets (incredible build quality, unfortunately wasn't able to demo).
Thus far, my impressions are that they're a bit more 3D and detailed than the Ushers. They also have more bass (amazingly), which is a bit thumpy around 50 Hz and below (crossing over to the sub at 50 Hz, where I had the crossover anyway, helps a lot). Tonally similar to the Ushers, slightly more laid back. So overall a very close competition, currently preferring the Dynaudios by a slight margin. I'll keep both for a while, the Lynnfields are most likely on the chopping block since they've been sitting unused.
Another update on the main system is that I finally cleaned up the cables. Matching RCA cables and cable risers for the speaker cables (cheap and just for looks).
Thus far, my impressions are that they're a bit more 3D and detailed than the Ushers. They also have more bass (amazingly), which is a bit thumpy around 50 Hz and below (crossing over to the sub at 50 Hz, where I had the crossover anyway, helps a lot). Tonally similar to the Ushers, slightly more laid back. So overall a very close competition, currently preferring the Dynaudios by a slight margin. I'll keep both for a while, the Lynnfields are most likely on the chopping block since they've been sitting unused.
Another update on the main system is that I finally cleaned up the cables. Matching RCA cables and cable risers for the speaker cables (cheap and just for looks).
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Sound Dragon
Yawns and sets his couch on fire!
Love that Luxman! I have almost scooped up a L-505UXII several times. Dynaudio knows how to build a speaker too. Bet it sounds lovely.
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Nightwisher
Farer In The Goldilocks Zone
Thanks! Yeah, it can get tiring doing it. And what I describe in the thread is just the really good stuff and barely scratches the surface of my buying/selling/trading lol, there are hundreds more items I've played around with.
Thanks! The Luxman is just awesome. And yeah, more and more impressed with the Dynaudios.
Nightwisher
Farer In The Goldilocks Zone
More (so much for downsizing):
As alluded to, I traded my second M-02 for this beast, NEC A-10 Reserve II. Beautiful sound and something completely different. The L-430 is returning to the bedroom for now.
Snagged a pair of DCM Time Window 3s (from a thrift store!). Sound awesome. Wish I had space to keep them around longterm.
Found a very rare pair of speakers, Tennessee Sound Company Symphony. There are literally all of 4 references on the Internet to them (5 now), mostly on AK. Very heavy too, in excess of 100 pounds. Sound very nice, even when I'm running just the tops. All SEAS drivers. Very resolving, good imaging. Not dissimilar to the Time Windows. All drivers face the wall and reflect back. Keeping these.
As alluded to, I traded my second M-02 for this beast, NEC A-10 Reserve II. Beautiful sound and something completely different. The L-430 is returning to the bedroom for now.
Snagged a pair of DCM Time Window 3s (from a thrift store!). Sound awesome. Wish I had space to keep them around longterm.
Found a very rare pair of speakers, Tennessee Sound Company Symphony. There are literally all of 4 references on the Internet to them (5 now), mostly on AK. Very heavy too, in excess of 100 pounds. Sound very nice, even when I'm running just the tops. All SEAS drivers. Very resolving, good imaging. Not dissimilar to the Time Windows. All drivers face the wall and reflect back. Keeping these.
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Sound Dragon
Yawns and sets his couch on fire!
Always a treat to open your system thread bud! Those reflecting speakers are very intriguing!
Nightwisher
Farer In The Goldilocks Zone
Thanks! They're already fun to play with. Might sneak them into the living room in a few days to give everything a proper wall to reflect off, once my back recovers lol.
Toni Harris
New Member
Hello!
I have used Luxman for several years! I have almost dug out L-505UXII several times. Dynaudio also knows how to make speakers. sounds good.
I have used Luxman for several years! I have almost dug out L-505UXII several times. Dynaudio also knows how to make speakers. sounds good.
Nightwisher
Farer In The Goldilocks Zone
Yeah, mine definitely hurts. In total, heaviest speakers I've ever owned. Solid wood cabinets, metal fins, high quality drivers. If the tops didn't separate, I wouldn't be able to move them on my own.
Nightwisher
Farer In The Goldilocks Zone
Nice! Yeah, the Luxman and Dynaudio combo sounds sweet.
RemoWilliams
Addicted Member
Not at the same level but I purchased an NEC AUA 8300E integrated amplifier, knowing the Authentic Series for the most part includes some very nice gear, this happens to be one of them at around 70 W per channel. I still thoroughly enjoy the Luxmans I have - L480, L 215 and R 113 but nice to have the NEC as well. Tried to snag the similar A 7 integrated but missed out by a few hours.
I noticed a Yamaha DSP 2000 for 50.00 locally but not sure if it would be worth looking into, appears decent though. I really do not need it considering the recent addition of a Yamaha RX 1100U, they certainly continued to make great sounding amplifiers and receivers through that time period and beyond ( 1987 - 88 in this case ).
I noticed a Yamaha DSP 2000 for 50.00 locally but not sure if it would be worth looking into, appears decent though. I really do not need it considering the recent addition of a Yamaha RX 1100U, they certainly continued to make great sounding amplifiers and receivers through that time period and beyond ( 1987 - 88 in this case ).
Nightwisher
Farer In The Goldilocks Zone
Traded away my Lynnfield 500Ls for some cool toys:
Denon DP-51F turntable (with original box)
dbx BX-3 power amplifier
Sony TA-E200ESD preamplifier
The Denon sounds sweet and knocked my Marantz 6300 out of the lineup (sent that on its way). The dbx and Sony sound awesome too, hooked those up to my Ushers for a bit. I'll keep the Denon and dbx for a while.
Denon DP-51F turntable (with original box)
dbx BX-3 power amplifier
Sony TA-E200ESD preamplifier
The Denon sounds sweet and knocked my Marantz 6300 out of the lineup (sent that on its way). The dbx and Sony sound awesome too, hooked those up to my Ushers for a bit. I'll keep the Denon and dbx for a while.
Nightwisher
Farer In The Goldilocks Zone
New speakers (again):
JVC SX-WD10 Wood Cone Towers
A guy near my hometown had a pair with the original boxes listed, so I just had to have them after my love for the minisystem JVCs. Beautiful birchwood cones and dome tweeter. Unfortunately the cabinets are MDF with vinyl veneer, but fairly inert on the knuckle rap test (especially for their price point).
These sound incredible, putting most of my other speakers to shame. They are very picky and revealing, which explains some of the negative reviews. They remind me of Heresys in that regard, but fuller and play nicer with solid state. The imaging is stellar, wide and deep, as good or better than the Dynaudios. Vocals pop and sound life-like. Tonally balanced, leaning on the bright side. Paired with the L-507u and the Hsu subs, brilliant and engaging sound. They passed the Tool and Slayer tests (drums are placed excellently). High dynamic range and acoustic tracks just about knocked me out of my chair.
As far as the "professional reviews", WhatHifi always reeks of paid reviews. Also, no mention of associated equipment, room, etc used to test. And the tracks mentioned for "testing" are limited. Steve Guttenberg's review of the minisystem is fairer, but he limited the review using only the amplifier that came with the system. Not a big fan of him sometimes anyway.
Went to the hardware store and got some stone pavers for bases as well as some non-slip feet (total investment, under $10). Unfortunately the original bases weren't included, but these are better anyway.
Had to get some sake to enjoy with these too, since the wood was soaked in sake during production to bend into form without breaking.
I'm having fun with these
JVC SX-WD10 Wood Cone Towers
A guy near my hometown had a pair with the original boxes listed, so I just had to have them after my love for the minisystem JVCs. Beautiful birchwood cones and dome tweeter. Unfortunately the cabinets are MDF with vinyl veneer, but fairly inert on the knuckle rap test (especially for their price point).
These sound incredible, putting most of my other speakers to shame. They are very picky and revealing, which explains some of the negative reviews. They remind me of Heresys in that regard, but fuller and play nicer with solid state. The imaging is stellar, wide and deep, as good or better than the Dynaudios. Vocals pop and sound life-like. Tonally balanced, leaning on the bright side. Paired with the L-507u and the Hsu subs, brilliant and engaging sound. They passed the Tool and Slayer tests (drums are placed excellently). High dynamic range and acoustic tracks just about knocked me out of my chair.
As far as the "professional reviews", WhatHifi always reeks of paid reviews. Also, no mention of associated equipment, room, etc used to test. And the tracks mentioned for "testing" are limited. Steve Guttenberg's review of the minisystem is fairer, but he limited the review using only the amplifier that came with the system. Not a big fan of him sometimes anyway.
Went to the hardware store and got some stone pavers for bases as well as some non-slip feet (total investment, under $10). Unfortunately the original bases weren't included, but these are better anyway.
Had to get some sake to enjoy with these too, since the wood was soaked in sake during production to bend into form without breaking.
I'm having fun with these
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