Shug451
Sansui Low-Powered Amp Guy
It’s been a fun several years of Receiver/Amp Shoot-Outs here in the WPBB (Wood-Paneled Baltimore Basement). We’ve had some good competitors the last few months, but there’s one receiver that has risen to the top. Yes, the Luxman R-117. This may not come as a surprise to many of you. The Lux is generally regarded as one of the best ever made – or at least the best of the ‘80s. Here’s what the ol’ Lux has bested the last several years:
Receivers
Marantz 2270
Pioneer SX-5570 (import version of the SX-950)
Luxman R-1120
Sansui 9090
Amps/Preamps/Integrated
Yamaha M4 power amp/Blair Chapman Tube Preamp
Proton D1200 power amp/Audible Illusions Modulus 1 preamp
Sansui AU-7500
All of this equipment had been serviced and was operating up to spec, except for the Luxman R-1120.
My problem is that every one of these worthy competitors bests the Luxman R-117 in the looks department. By A LOT! I enjoy the aesthetic appeal of vintage audio equipment almost as much as the audio, and I have a hard time sitting in my listening room while looking at the bland ‘80s-styling of the Lux. I’ve even come to just turning on the Proton with its beautiful big green VUs, so I have something interesting to look at. Is that so wrong?!
The other amazing thing about the Luxman is that it was less expensive than any of these other combos, except for the Sansui AU-7500.
So, I’d like to take a moment to hail this fine receiver. You may be ugly on the outside, but you’re beautiful within.
And Now, the Fine Print…
The rest of my set-up includes a Thorens TD-160, Pro-Ject Tube Box DS, and Pioneer DSS-7 speakers. I will say that when I didn’t use the Pro-Ject as a phono pre, the Luxman still had one of the best—if not the best—built-in phono stages. (The one on the Marantz had been completely rebuilt and did sound pretty darn good, as did the AI Modulus.)
I’ve also owned the Luxman R-115, which also trumped most of the receivers but not necessarily the separates. The sound from the R-115 wasn’t quite as full as the from the R-117 and on my particular example, the phono stage wasn’t as good. Still, the R-115, which can be found for less than 200 bucks, is probably one of the best deals in used audio. If you can tolerate its looks!
Receivers
Marantz 2270
Pioneer SX-5570 (import version of the SX-950)
Luxman R-1120
Sansui 9090
Amps/Preamps/Integrated
Yamaha M4 power amp/Blair Chapman Tube Preamp
Proton D1200 power amp/Audible Illusions Modulus 1 preamp
Sansui AU-7500
All of this equipment had been serviced and was operating up to spec, except for the Luxman R-1120.
My problem is that every one of these worthy competitors bests the Luxman R-117 in the looks department. By A LOT! I enjoy the aesthetic appeal of vintage audio equipment almost as much as the audio, and I have a hard time sitting in my listening room while looking at the bland ‘80s-styling of the Lux. I’ve even come to just turning on the Proton with its beautiful big green VUs, so I have something interesting to look at. Is that so wrong?!
The other amazing thing about the Luxman is that it was less expensive than any of these other combos, except for the Sansui AU-7500.
So, I’d like to take a moment to hail this fine receiver. You may be ugly on the outside, but you’re beautiful within.
And Now, the Fine Print…
The rest of my set-up includes a Thorens TD-160, Pro-Ject Tube Box DS, and Pioneer DSS-7 speakers. I will say that when I didn’t use the Pro-Ject as a phono pre, the Luxman still had one of the best—if not the best—built-in phono stages. (The one on the Marantz had been completely rebuilt and did sound pretty darn good, as did the AI Modulus.)
I’ve also owned the Luxman R-115, which also trumped most of the receivers but not necessarily the separates. The sound from the R-115 wasn’t quite as full as the from the R-117 and on my particular example, the phono stage wasn’t as good. Still, the R-115, which can be found for less than 200 bucks, is probably one of the best deals in used audio. If you can tolerate its looks!
