Luxman Amps Owners Thread

[ray4410]

1 hour ago, Steff said:

Not an amp issue but thought I would ask here (google no joy):

in recent weeks my D-06 SACD player has once switched itself off during playback, today it stopped SACD playback with this display message:

 

When I removed the disc the display briefly showed a message "internal". I am currently playing another disc.

Feeling a little anxious about potential underlying problems, can these units be serviced in Australia/Melbourne?

Advice welcome, thank you.

just a suggestion Steff have you tried unplugging  the unit from the mains sometimes these newer digital sources need to reset them selves worth a try. 

[Philharmonic]

On 06/12/2024 at 11:58 AM, Steff said:

Not an amp issue but thought I would ask here (google no joy):

in recent weeks my D-06 SACD player has once switched itself off during playback, today it stopped SACD playback with this display message:

Hi Steff...

From my (limited) knowledge and experience and page 43 of the D-06u Owner's Manual...

 

· Check to see whether "UNLOCK" of the digital input is displayed or not. (When the digital signal from the digital device is not synchronized with this unit, the source may not be reproduced.)

 

What "synchronized" means exactly I'm not sure, but it would appear that any interruption to the signal will stop play and bring up this message. It refers particularly to attempted play from PC via USB where the appropriate compatible drivers haven't been installed.

 

In your case I'd certainly give @ray4410 's advice a burl and next check both ends of your s-pdif connection for a firm fit or, if possible and you have access to one, try changing out the s-pdif cable for another to see if it's potentially faulty?

Regards

Phil

[Steff]

16 hours ago, Philharmonic said:

page 43 of the D-06u Owner's Manual...

Hi Phil,

thanks for going through the manual. In fact, I have an even older D-06 model (no "u") which does not have the USB port. No ext. signal is fed into the D-06. AND I don't use spdif, I simply connect RCA directly into the amp.

 

I did follow Ray's advice and have been playing a few discs again, without any recurrences so far, fingers crossed!

Best, Steff

[RMcWaffles]

Hi y'all, today I took delivery of my L-505z.

 

This is my first Luxman product and I am thrilled. I will be having many listening hours in the near future to break in and get familiar with this amp's intricacies and the role it will take with my existing system.

 

I will be writing a more in-depth review detailing my experience with Luxman, how it matches with my current gear, and how my approach to music has been impacted.

Note - I was curious to see which version of the Eq knobs I would be receiving with my unit. Seems there is a different spec. that has an opaque finish on the knobs. Glad I got this finish, though. This makes the controls match in finish, and I can't get over how good it looks.

 

Anyway, here's some pics -

 

[Steff]

@RMcWaffles fabulous, and the newer model with the updated fascia volume read out also. Matches the red speakers nicely! I have the same amp in the previous model 505-uxII

I rarely use the tone controls, maybe the treble on some vinyl but only setting dial to 1-2. Oh and I only turn on the meter backlight for the occasional light show, quite bright in low light conditions. Look forward to your listening notes...

Edited December 19, 2024 by Steff

[RMcWaffles]

@Steff Yeah, I am 3 albums in and I am realizing that the tone controls are not needed right now. I kinda want to see how the amp burns in and comes into its signature sound. I am surprised at how cool it stays, I knew AB doesn't heat up as much as A, but this has run for a solid 4 ours at 9-10 o clock volume, barely feel anything on the top panel.

Do you do anything special to keep dust from getting into the amp thru the top grates? I am perhaps overthinking it, but I may put a cloth on top while it is not being used. I am a bit of a clean freak with my electronics.

[Philharmonic]

2 hours ago, RMcWaffles said:

This is my first Luxman product and I am thrilled.

Thrilled is what us Luxman owners come to expect...welcome to the club Rob!

[Antipodean Brad]

I don't have a Luxman unfortunately, but I use a piece of table-protector when mine is not in use.  I highly recommend using something soft and non-scratchy to keep out the dust.    

 

Congratulations on your acquisition - I am envious.  Looking forward to hearing of your experiences.

[Pebbles]

Another solution is to get a plastics fabricator to make a clear acrylic cover and add felt bump ons where it may touch the amp.

Not the cheapest solution but it works well. Make sure you put a bump on where the remote sensor is so you can’t accidentally turn it on when the cover is on as I did! It shut itself down thankfully.

 

Edited December 19, 2024 by Pebbles
Improvement

[stevoz]

On 19/12/2024 at 1:43 PM, RMcWaffles said:

@Steff Yeah, I am 3 albums in and I am realizing that the tone controls are not needed right now. I kinda want to see how the amp burns in and comes into its signature sound. I am surprised at how cool it stays, I knew AB doesn't heat up as much as A, but this has run for a solid 4 ours at 9-10 o clock volume, barely feel anything on the top panel.
 

 

Funny you should say that....I was coming on here to talk about burn in and then noticed your comments. Congrats on your 505z @RMcWaffles, you're going to love it.

 

Re: burn in, I have had my 505uXII for about 4 months now and lately have been noticing just how good everything sounds, like blissfully good, everything I play.....and then it hit me that it's probably burnt in and coming into it's own now.

 

I was impressed off the bat but would sometimes lament that the 'difference' between it and my old Cambridge Audio amp didn't seem great enough.

I lament no more, instead reveling in that luxurious full bodied Luxman sound. It's truly bloody wonderful.....the Cambridge never sounded this good.

 

I also do not use the tone controls, just 'line  direct' as I used to with the old CA amp. This way, the Luxman is tonally perfect to me.

 

I am finding the same with heat....I run mine louder at 12 to 1 o'clock (peaking around 80dB). It's in a timber rack (see below) with not really as much vent space as I'd like and it's only ever turned off twice but generally does not get really hot at all.

 

The new combo of Technics TT, the currently fitted Grace F9BR/MR cart, Fyne speakers and Luxman amp is awesome.....my music has never sounded better.

It truly blows me away.

 

 

 

Edited December 20, 2024 by stevoz

[Pebbles]

@stevoz  my 2c .....

 looking at the Fyne specs 91db and 8 ohm and volume knob at 12-1 you must play very loud or have a big room or both? I have the 590axII and 87db 6ohm speakers and in a 5 x 3.5mtr room 11oclock is getting uncomfortably loud for me (and I like loud also).

    I would be investing in a new rack..does not look like enough ventilation to me, especially with closed sides. If it has shut down a couple of times that means its getting way too hot. If you cant feel the top you may not be able to tell. Luxmans are made to last but running hotter than designed will shorten the life of the amp. For a small outlay you can ensure optimum performance.

Regards, Andrew

 

[Philharmonic]

51 minutes ago, Pebbles said:

my 2c .....

 looking at the Fyne specs 91db and 8 ohm and volume knob at 12-1 you must play very loud or have a big room or both? I have the 590axII and 87db 6ohm speakers and in a 5 x 3.5mtr room 11oclock is getting uncomfortably loud for me (and I like loud also).

I also run a 590 AXii into Fyne F1-8 speakers (91dB sensitivity) and anything much over 10 o'clock on the dial is becoming an uncomfortable listen (and I too like loud).

Edited December 21, 2024 by Philharmonic

[Steff]

I strongly want to echo @Pebbles' input, protect the amp from heat stress!

@stevoz mostly plays vinyl from what I understand, so that might account for an extra "hour" turn on the volume dial, and the listening room also seems perhaps a little larger? Perhaps remediating the overheating will also make the amp run more efficient.

I can get the volume dial to about 12 o'clock when playing vinyl but wouldn't really want to (also have very sensitive speakers).

Dial between 11 and 12 brings the digital sources to 90dB+. That about tears my ears off but is a lot of fun on select occasions.

 

@RMcWaffles a non-static cloth will likely be an inexpensive and working dust protection solution.

 

[Philharmonic]

2 minutes ago, Steff said:

@stevoz mostly plays vinyl from what I understand, so that might account for an extra "hour" turn on the volume dial

And there's often extra 'gain' through using XLR inputs over RCA. 

[stevoz]

4 hours ago, Pebbles said:

@stevoz  my 2c .....

 looking at the Fyne specs 91db and 8 ohm and volume knob at 12-1 you must play very loud or have a big room or both? I have the 590axII and 87db 6ohm speakers and in a 5 x 3.5mtr room 11oclock is getting uncomfortably loud for me (and I like loud also).

    I would be investing in a new rack..does not look like enough ventilation to me, especially with closed sides. If it has shut down a couple of times that means its getting way too hot. If you cant feel the top you may not be able to tell. Luxmans are made to last but running hotter than designed will shorten the life of the amp. For a small outlay you can ensure optimum performance.

Regards, Andrew

 

 

Both. My room dimensions are in my signature.....but the room is 8m x 5m with a 4.5m high gable.....a big space indeed with what I consider fine acoustics (mudbrick, big timbers, glass with timber venetians with a slab floor covered in laminated timber flooring). I use a 'dB sound meter' phone app to measure the volume from where I am sitting (about 4m from the speakers).

 

It never sounds strained or too loud, it sounds like heaven to me.....and I believe I could go louder if I wanted too.

 

I am considering a new rack also.

Edited December 21, 2024 by stevoz

[DSharp]

Lots of lovely new Lux pics on here, They made nice looking gear in the past too.

It doesn't sound too shabby either

 

 

About the CL-38 & MA-88 courtesy of the vintage knob
http://www.thevintageknob.org/luxman-CL-38.html
http://www.thevintageknob.org/luxman-MA-88.html

CL-38

Whenever there's a change of ownership, Luxman suddenly (re)produces ultra tube components.

In the case of the CL-38 and MA-88, Lux was at the same time celebrating its 70th Anniversary and preparing itself to wave goodbye to ten-year owner Alpine.

Like the ten-year earlier CL-50 which inaugurated the use of Duo-ßeta in a tube preamp, the CL-38 has a Duo-ßeta circuit but ads STAR earthing topology and very modern goodies :
1,6mm FRP non-resonant base, Line-Phase sensor, 70µ glass-epoxy PCBs, voltage-stabilizing large chokes in the power supply's B circuit, relay switching of all terminals, an NF tilt tone compensator, super parts and ever important, the Ultimate Attenuator.

The latter is a big box holding two glass-epoxy PCBs etched with 32 non-magnetic P-shaped gold resistors - in other words, a device like that of the Sony TA-E88B ('76). The best where it really matters.

The line-straight mode bypasses the monitor switch and NF tone compensator, effectively linking the signal from the input relays to the ultimate attenuator ; the line amp is placed after the attenuator.

The circuit is a two-stage amp with a cap coupling cathode and plate and a low 20dB NFb level ; 12BH7A tubes are used throughout and a 6CG7 for the tone compensator.

Dedicated power supplies feed the L and R channels separately for both the line amps and the tone stage, plus another for the power-on LED ; all regulated, of course naturally goes without saying, and everything copper-plated and copper-encased, too.

No phono stage : E-03 necessary for vinyl pleasures ; to make some economies of scale, the CL-38 is housed in the L-500 chassis (or vice-versa).

The CL-38 was made by Azden, like its MA-88 monoblock companions.


MA-88
 

This is where the "old Luxman" ends : Alpine is about to leave, Azden starts to manufacture the high-end components Alpine doesn't want to make anymore (little profit there, as always), and the Luxman staff is about to loose many of its oldest engineers which will soon either leave or simply retire.

 

Companions of the CL-38, the MA-88 are tube monoblocks made to celebrate Luxman's 70th Anniversary ; they proudly show their two KT-88 Super tubes up front and their 1961 OY36 trafos, remanufactured again for the occasion.

 

A 12BH7A is used for the first stage and a low-impedance 6CG7 for the driver stage ; the output stage is a Williamson pentode circuit for low power loss and very low phase rotation.

No cap at the reference point's, no cap either due to the fixed bias configuration, only 12dB of NFb.

 

The two OY36 are identical in core and coils to the 1960s originals, but with better packaging and mounting methods and the improvement of copper shielding plates added to the core and ground's electric potential.

 

To avoid tonal degradation with a large number of taps, the output terminals have been design strictly for 6 Ohm ; a 12-step resistance array input attenuator is located at the back.

 

The upper base is made of Luxman's FRP non-resonant material : it rests and covers a traditional metal chassis.

 

Power output :1x 45W (8 Ohm)

THD :< 0,1% (1Khz, 1W output)

Frequency response :50Hz...30Khz (-1dB ; 1W output)

Input :0,8V / 60kOhm

S/N ratio 90dB

Tubes :2x KT-88 Super

1x 6CG7

1x 12BH7A

1x 5U4GB

1x 6X4WA

PC :120W

170W at rated output

Dimensions :22 x 17,2 x 45,5cm

17kg.17kg.

Listprice :800,000¥ /pair

Optional :BMA-88 cover (40,000¥ - more like Invisibilia...)

Edited December 21, 2024 by DSharp

[mikizee]

43 minutes ago, DSharp said:

Lots of lovely new Lux pics on here, They made nice looking gear in the past too.

It doesn't sound too shabby either

 

 

About the CL-38 & MA-88 courtesy of the vintage knob
http://www.thevintageknob.org/luxman-CL-38.html
http://www.thevintageknob.org/luxman-MA-88.html

CL-38

Whenever there's a change of ownership, Luxman suddenly (re)produces ultra tube components.

In the case of the CL-38 and MA-88, Lux was at the same time celebrating its 70th Anniversary and preparing itself to wave goodbye to ten-year owner Alpine.

Like the ten-year earlier CL-50 which inaugurated the use of Duo-ßeta in a tube preamp, the CL-38 has a Duo-ßeta circuit but ads STAR earthing topology and very modern goodies :
1,6mm FRP non-resonant base, Line-Phase sensor, 70µ glass-epoxy PCBs, voltage-stabilizing large chokes in the power supply's B circuit, relay switching of all terminals, an NF tilt tone compensator, super parts and ever important, the Ultimate Attenuator.

The latter is a big box holding two glass-epoxy PCBs etched with 32 non-magnetic P-shaped gold resistors - in other words, a device like that of the Sony TA-E88B ('76). The best where it really matters.

The line-straight mode bypasses the monitor switch and NF tone compensator, effectively linking the signal from the input relays to the ultimate attenuator ; the line amp is placed after the attenuator.

The circuit is a two-stage amp with a cap coupling cathode and plate and a low 20dB NFb level ; 12BH7A tubes are used throughout and a 6CG7 for the tone compensator.

Dedicated power supplies feed the L and R channels separately for both the line amps and the tone stage, plus another for the power-on LED ; all regulated, of course naturally goes without saying, and everything copper-plated and copper-encased, too.

No phono stage : E-03 necessary for vinyl pleasures ; to make some economies of scale, the CL-38 is housed in the L-500 chassis (or vice-versa).

The CL-38 was made by Azden, like its MA-88 monoblock companions.


MA-88
 

This is where the "old Luxman" ends : Alpine is about to leave, Azden starts to manufacture the high-end components Alpine doesn't want to make anymore (little profit there, as always), and the Luxman staff is about to loose many of its oldest engineers which will soon either leave or simply retire.

 

Companions of the CL-38, the MA-88 are tube monoblocks made to celebrate Luxman's 70th Anniversary ; they proudly show their two KT-88 Super tubes up front and their 1961 OY36 trafos, remanufactured again for the occasion.

 

A 12BH7A is used for the first stage and a low-impedance 6CG7 for the driver stage ; the output stage is a Williamson pentode circuit for low power loss and very low phase rotation.

No cap at the reference point's, no cap either due to the fixed bias configuration, only 12dB of NFb.

 

The two OY36 are identical in core and coils to the 1960s originals, but with better packaging and mounting methods and the improvement of copper shielding plates added to the core and ground's electric potential.

 

To avoid tonal degradation with a large number of taps, the output terminals have been design strictly for 6 Ohm ; a 12-step resistance array input attenuator is located at the back.

 

The upper base is made of Luxman's FRP non-resonant material : it rests and covers a traditional metal chassis.

 

Power output :1x 45W (8 Ohm)

THD :< 0,1% (1Khz, 1W output)

Frequency response :50Hz...30Khz (-1dB ; 1W output)

Input :0,8V / 60kOhm

S/N ratio 90dB

Tubes :2x KT-88 Super

1x 6CG7

1x 12BH7A

1x 5U4GB

1x 6X4WA

PC :120W

170W at rated output

Dimensions :22 x 17,2 x 45,5cm

17kg.17kg.

Listprice :800,000¥ /pair

Optional :BMA-88 cover (40,000¥ - more like Invisibilia...)

 

Beautiful.

[couchy]

2 hours ago, DSharp said:

Lots of lovely new Lux pics on here, They made nice looking gear in the past too.

It doesn't sound too shabby either

 

 

About the CL-38 & MA-88 courtesy of the vintage knob
http://www.thevintageknob.org/luxman-CL-38.html
http://www.thevintageknob.org/luxman-MA-88.html

CL-38

Whenever there's a change of ownership, Luxman suddenly (re)produces ultra tube components.

In the case of the CL-38 and MA-88, Lux was at the same time celebrating its 70th Anniversary and preparing itself to wave goodbye to ten-year owner Alpine.

Like the ten-year earlier CL-50 which inaugurated the use of Duo-ßeta in a tube preamp, the CL-38 has a Duo-ßeta circuit but ads STAR earthing topology and very modern goodies :
1,6mm FRP non-resonant base, Line-Phase sensor, 70µ glass-epoxy PCBs, voltage-stabilizing large chokes in the power supply's B circuit, relay switching of all terminals, an NF tilt tone compensator, super parts and ever important, the Ultimate Attenuator.

The latter is a big box holding two glass-epoxy PCBs etched with 32 non-magnetic P-shaped gold resistors - in other words, a device like that of the Sony TA-E88B ('76). The best where it really matters.

The line-straight mode bypasses the monitor switch and NF tone compensator, effectively linking the signal from the input relays to the ultimate attenuator ; the line amp is placed after the attenuator.

The circuit is a two-stage amp with a cap coupling cathode and plate and a low 20dB NFb level ; 12BH7A tubes are used throughout and a 6CG7 for the tone compensator.

Dedicated power supplies feed the L and R channels separately for both the line amps and the tone stage, plus another for the power-on LED ; all regulated, of course naturally goes without saying, and everything copper-plated and copper-encased, too.

No phono stage : E-03 necessary for vinyl pleasures ; to make some economies of scale, the CL-38 is housed in the L-500 chassis (or vice-versa).

The CL-38 was made by Azden, like its MA-88 monoblock companions.


MA-88
 

This is where the "old Luxman" ends : Alpine is about to leave, Azden starts to manufacture the high-end components Alpine doesn't want to make anymore (little profit there, as always), and the Luxman staff is about to loose many of its oldest engineers which will soon either leave or simply retire.

 

Companions of the CL-38, the MA-88 are tube monoblocks made to celebrate Luxman's 70th Anniversary ; they proudly show their two KT-88 Super tubes up front and their 1961 OY36 trafos, remanufactured again for the occasion.

 

A 12BH7A is used for the first stage and a low-impedance 6CG7 for the driver stage ; the output stage is a Williamson pentode circuit for low power loss and very low phase rotation.

No cap at the reference point's, no cap either due to the fixed bias configuration, only 12dB of NFb.

 

The two OY36 are identical in core and coils to the 1960s originals, but with better packaging and mounting methods and the improvement of copper shielding plates added to the core and ground's electric potential.

 

To avoid tonal degradation with a large number of taps, the output terminals have been design strictly for 6 Ohm ; a 12-step resistance array input attenuator is located at the back.

 

The upper base is made of Luxman's FRP non-resonant material : it rests and covers a traditional metal chassis.

 

Power output :1x 45W (8 Ohm)

THD :< 0,1% (1Khz, 1W output)

Frequency response :50Hz...30Khz (-1dB ; 1W output)

Input :0,8V / 60kOhm

S/N ratio 90dB

Tubes :2x KT-88 Super

1x 6CG7

1x 12BH7A

1x 5U4GB

1x 6X4WA

PC :120W

170W at rated output

Dimensions :22 x 17,2 x 45,5cm

17kg.17kg.

Listprice :800,000¥ /pair

Optional :BMA-88 cover (40,000¥ - more like Invisibilia...)

 I have a lot of love for Luxman  and have always lusted after those Monoblocks.

 

[stevoz]

2 hours ago, DSharp said:

 

Lots of lovely new Lux pics on here, They made nice looking gear in the past too.

It doesn't sound too shabby either

 

 

Yep, they certainly did. My first 'decent' amp was an L3 back in 1978 and I used it well into the 90's (I still have it but it's not working).

 

 

It feels great to have come a full circle back to the Luxman brand after 30 years.....just feels right.

Edited December 21, 2024 by stevoz

[art of SOUND]

Some Luxman amp installations Ive been involved with over the last few months.

 

 

 

 

 

[rantan]

On 19/12/2024 at 1:13 PM, RMcWaffles said:

I am perhaps overthinking it, but I may put a cloth on top while it is not being used. I am a bit of a clean freak with my electronics.

 

I do precisely the same thing.

I bought a really soft velour hand towel that is never used for any other purpose. This easily covers the entire top of the amp and drapes down the sides slightly

I have considered getting a custom made acrylic cover but they don't come cheap so when (if ) Im am ever flush with $$, I will buy one.

Good to know that your initial impressions are very good and I can promise you that this will  improve markedly over the next few months.

[nahamd]

Looking to service and repair 550X. Any recommendations?

[art of SOUND]

On 3/2/2025 at 10:38 PM, nahamd said:

Looking to service and repair 550X. Any recommendations?

 

https://www.audioactive.com.au/site/pages/service.php?srsltid=AfmBOooinPAGyZYTGS2UUaGh61HzZl8bhM30MBDvsioJqtM0qefcW1ky

 

 

[Willmax]

Those Luxman amps with those big VU meters are gorgeous, and given their popularity, must sound good too. With all their stunning looks and sound quality, likely only surpassed by the warm glow of Lux tube amps