Luxman Amps Owners Thread

[Hydrology]

@Steff This is an image of the unit I took when at TIAS in October 2022. Definitely matches with the amps etc based on what was next to it in this room. It has that chamfer'd edge that the amps also possess.

 

[muon*]

Could a laptop cooler be modified to do the job cheaper, just remove the stand part and power with a wall-wart.

https://www.amazon.com.au/Laptop-Cooler-Cooling-Powered-Notebook/dp/B079FGR595/ref=sr_1_30

[wklie]

On 20/02/2024 at 10:56 AM, Steff said:

Has anyone added the NT-07 streamer to their system?

Reading through the documentation it appears as if the device isn't Roon ready

 

Luxman NT-07 is Roon Ready.

[ghu]

Hey guys - New user here, this is my first post.

Just wondering if anyone could help me out a little with this amplifier - it's a Luxman 'LM-PA 11 Power Amplifier', and I've found one for $50 on marketplace. Curious to know if It's an amplifier I should pick up, as I currently have a turntable that needs one.

There should be two Images below from the listing.

Thanks a lot!

P.S, I know this is an owners thread, so sorry for joining in without an amp of my own. Just thought this might be a great place to ask for help. 

[Steff]

@ghu This looks like one of the 1980s Luxman range (can't find any info online) - note the "made in China" on the rear.

This Luxman era is generally considered not comparable to quality before and after the brand was sold again. But if it's cheap...

 

This being a POWER amp, you'll also need a pre-amp (with a phono out). With a unit this old, you'd want to see a service history, or open it up yourself to inspect the caps, etc. Post some photos here if you move forward with it!

 

ps. might also have quite high power consumption (electricity bill) if all you're doing is running small speakers - another consideration

 

Edited July 3, 2024 by Steff

[ghu]

Thanks a bunch for all the info!

I reckon I will move forward with it, and once i buy it (if it hasn't sold already) I'll make sure to update.

Thanks again!

[Chigurh]

On 03/07/2024 at 10:34 AM, Steff said:

This Luxman era is generally considered not comparable to quality before and after the brand was sold again

I wonder if Luxmans from this era were made by Denon. I have a an old Denon 3 in 1 amp, CD, tuner and style-wise it looks uncannily like this Luxman.

[stevoz]

On 03/07/2024 at 10:34 AM, Steff said:

@ghu This looks like one of the 1980s Luxman range (can't find any info online) - note the "made in China" on the rear.

This Luxman era is generally considered not comparable to quality before and after the brand was sold again. But if it's cheap...

 

 

On 04/07/2024 at 11:38 AM, Chigurh said:

I wonder if Luxmans from this era were made by Denon. I have a an old Denon 3 in 1 amp, CD, tuner and style-wise it looks uncannily like this Luxman.

 

From 1984 to 2000, Luxman merged with Alps Electrical Co. Ltd to form Alpine/Luxman. Not a good time for Luxman products with a real consumer products driven business model.

They got back to their ethos of making uncompromising hi quality products after they broke away from Alpine and became a private company in 2000.

Thank goodness for that!

Since 2009 they have been part of the International Audio Group Ltd, who own the British brands Quad Electroacoustics, Mission, Leak and Wharfedale.

 

Edited August 10, 2024 by stevoz

[twwen2]

I've joined the ranks with a second-hand L-550AXII that I picked up today:

[Classic]

4 hours ago, twwen2 said:

I've joined the ranks with a second-hand L-550AXII that I picked up today:

Congrats..

 

How does Luxman compare to Gryphon or other electronics? In your set-up!

Edited August 10, 2024 by Classic

[couchy]

16 hours ago, stevoz said:

 

 

From 1984 to 2000, Luxman merged with Alps Electrical Co. Ltd to form Alpine/Luxman. Not a good time for Luxman products with a real consumer products driven business model.

They got back to their ethos of making uncompromising hi quality products after they broke away from Alpine and became a private company in 2000.

Thank goodness for that!

Since 2009 they have been part of the International Audio Group Ltd, who own the British brands Quad Electroacoustics, Mission, Leak and Wharfedale.

 

Not all their gear was bad from that time frame. The brid amps were great. Some top end turntables too. My c7i and m7i  combo is pretty damn good from  2000.

[twwen2]

16 hours ago, Classic said:

How does Luxman compare to Gryphon or other electronics? In your set-up!

 

First 5min: I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. 

15min mark: I guess it has good bass? 

30min mark: Ok, now this is starting to get interesting...

1hr mark: Oh wow, this is something special. 

 

I should have known it would need a proper warmup being Class A...

 

It has gobs of fat bass, just how I like it. A beautiful emotive midrange; vocals are slightly recessed compared to what I'm used to but still an overall balance that I enjoy. A lovely clean and sparkly top end - heaps of detail on offer but not annoyingly so. The soundstage it throws is huuuge and deep, much more so than the Gryphon which felt a bit constrained or "focused" at times. But perhaps the best compliment I can give the Luxman is that instruments just sound "right" - like I'm sitting there thinking "yes, that's what a real piano sounds like". Guitars are also a real treat. 

 

Safe to say I'm thrilled so far. My only concern is the low power output - my Dynaudios are 4ohm and like to be bossed around by many watts. The Luxman hasn't hardened like some amps do when asked to operate at higher outputs, but those VU meters sure are dancing close to the limit at times 

[Philharmonic]

20 minutes ago, twwen2 said:

 

First 5min: I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. 

15min mark: I guess it has good bass? 

30min mark: Ok, now this is starting to get interesting...

1hr mark: Oh wow, this is something special. 

 

I should have known it would need a proper warmup being Class A...

 

It has gobs of fat bass, just how I like it. A beautiful emotive midrange; vocals are slightly recessed compared to what I'm used to but still an overall balance that I enjoy. A lovely clean and sparkly top end - heaps of detail on offer but not annoyingly so. The soundstage it throws is huuuge and deep, much more so than the Gryphon which felt a bit constrained or "focused" at times. But perhaps the best compliment I can give the Luxman is that instruments just sound "right" - like I'm sitting there thinking "yes, that's what a real piano sounds like". Guitars are also a real treat. 

 

Safe to say I'm thrilled so far. My only concern is the low power output - my Dynaudios are 4ohm and like to be bossed around by many watts. The Luxman hasn't hardened like some amps do when asked to operate at higher outputs, but those VU meters sure are dancing close to the limit at times 

Warm-up period is sometimes a little frustrating, but essential. The reward at 45 minutes plus is definitely worth the wait.

The VU meters do dance, but they’re mesmerising!

Enjoy your L550AXii

[stevoz]

A "little' package arrived from Japan today. 

 

 

Brand new!

 

 

I ordered a Aust 240V to Japan 100V step down transformer today, a Tortech  SD100 1010W model....should do the job.

 

My brother, a carpenter/joiner, and I are going to make a three shelf rack for the amp, and my CD player and TT, then I can get this bad boy set up and enjoy.

The Fyne F502 speakers will be here on Thursday as well. I thinking Luxman/Fyne will be a nice combo.

Edited August 12, 2024 by stevoz

[stevoz]

All set up and running with the newly arrived Fynes as well.....and sounding lovely.

 

As you can see, I stuffed up the measuring of the amp and also didn't allow for the fact that it has feet! Rookie errors I know, little embarrassed.....but I'll raise the middle shelf at some point to get a bigger ventilation gap for the amp.

Having said that, it doesn't seem to be running too hot but I only played three LP sides first.....but they were played fairly loud.

For now though, really happy with how it's sounding.

 

 

 

[ray4410]

35 minutes ago, stevoz said:

All set up and running with the newly arrived Fynes as well.....and sounding lovely.

 

As you can see, I stuffed up the measuring of the amp and also didn't allow for the fact that it has feet! Rookie errors I know, little embarrassed.....but I'll raise the middle shelf at some point to get a bigger ventilation gap for the amp.

Having said that, it doesn't seem to be running too hot but I only played three LP sides first.....but they were played fairly loud.

For now though, really happy with how it's sounding.

 

 

 

yes the Luxman definitely needs some room to breathe having had one the same the over temp cut out  triggered a couple of times due to lack of ventilation  ended up using an Infinity t8 exhaust fan never had another problem.

[Honreekea]

On 11/08/2024 at 7:04 PM, Philharmonic said:

Warm-up period is sometimes a little frustrating, but essential. The reward at 45 minutes plus is definitely worth the wait.

 While my 590AX mk 2  sounds worse the longer I play it.  After a couple of hrs it's sounds like a poor version of a Class AB amp.....

[muzzagruzz]

31 minutes ago, Honreekea said:

 While my 590AX mk 2  sounds worse the longer I play it.  After a couple of hrs it's sounds like a poor version of a Class AB amp.....

Swap it out with the Gryphon Diablo 120 in the classifieds. Add the optional phono stage module if you’re into vinyl and no Luxman will better it. IMO only. 

[Hydrology]

53 minutes ago, Honreekea said:

 While my 590AX mk 2  sounds worse the longer I play it.  After a couple of hrs it's sounds like a poor version of a Class AB amp.....

You will have no issues selling it - rare as hens teeth now!

[Honreekea]

5 minutes ago, Hydrology said:

You will have no issues selling it - rare as hens teeth now!

Are you suggesting this is normal behaviour for Lux Class A's?

[Hydrology]

6 minutes ago, Honreekea said:

Are you suggesting this is normal behaviour for Lux Class A's?

 

I'm simply saying if you are unhappy with it, you can move it on very quickly as it is in demand.

 

However, my own experience of owning a 550 and hearing numerous 590 units does not correlate with your experience.

 

[Philharmonic]

 

25 minutes ago, Honreekea said:

Are you suggesting this is normal behaviour for Lux Class A's?

Nor in my experience….

Might be cheaper to have your L590AXii checked over?

[Honreekea]

6 minutes ago, Philharmonic said:

 

Nor in my experience….

Might be cheaper to have your L590AXii checked over?

That's the plan.  Except I live 6hrs away form the nearest repair shop( Kimil in Croydon Park) who I would trust it with

[ray4410]

i listen to the same amp and the only reason i would sell it is  if i want to go to bed earlier 

[Honreekea]

On 30/08/2024 at 9:00 PM, Philharmonic said:

 

Nor in my experience….

Might be cheaper to have your L590AXii checked over?

I think I worked out what is/was the problem. User error, with my  sub, the Rel T3 connection.
 

I haven't been using the T3 with the L590AXii, for some time now and the amp sounds fine during extended listening sessions. Actually, bloody amazing again :))

 

Checking how I wired up the sub to the Lux. Using the high input. I've had the negative wire (black) from the sub connected to the negative terminal of the right speaker output, not the left negative terminal of the speaker output as the T3 manual suggests.  How this could be affecting the amp, I have no clue. 

Checking the REL website, it seems the current thinking is to connect the negative terminal of the Sub to the earth point on amps.  Trying this now.......