Luxman Intergrated Amps

jalanutan · « **on:** 31 Jan 2011, 09:48 pm »

Hey people, I'm new, and hope we can all be good mates, exchanging info and having a laugh.
I've owned an old Pioneer SX-550 amp tuner since new in 1978, and two-way 'Realistic' 60w speaker since new in 1980. I'm still using the speakers, but have also bought a set of Wharfedale CSR9's from 1992 recently. My Pioneer finally began to play up, and was going to cost around $400 to repair, so I thought I'd try some up-to-date gear. I quickly found out that unless I'm willing to shell out a few thousand, I'm not going to get anywhere near the same sound quality.

I bought a new Onkyo TX-8555, which is worth $800 for $600 because of a stuff up at the shop, and while it's a nice unit, it still hasn't got that ' I want to listen to ALL my music with this amp'. I finally decided to repair my old Pioneer, which actually only cost $200 in the end. It was great to listen to that 70's sound quality again. Still, it would be only time before the Pioneer would need repair again, so I began to search for info on other brands that were made in the seventies, that may be even better than the Pioneer, and that even though may have been much more expensive than the Pioneer when new (pioneer cost only $250), I could buy cheap second hand.

I came across a Luxman LV-121 made in the early ninties for $180. It cost $2,500 when new, so I thought it was a real 'high-end' machine. And it is, I can't believe it, but it's heaps better sound quality than the Pioneer...sorry lol. I wonder now just how much better sound quality can go...is there a limit??? I'm thinking that a Luxman from the seventies or eighties might have a more mellow sound, more like the valve jobs, which is something I've never experienced.

Does anyone have an old luxman? Or can tell me anything about the quality of old vintage units? Or any info at all really! Luxman sold out to 'Alpine in the mid 80's, so did that disrupt anything?

Thx in advance,
Rgds,
geo

jalanutan · « **Reply #1 on:** 2 Feb 2011, 10:20 am »

Sorry mate, no-ones interested

bpape · « **Reply #2 on:** 2 Feb 2011, 12:18 pm »

Luxman quality did go down for a while after they were sold but they were still pretty good pieces. It was just a different design philosophy than when they were on their own. It was never bad stuff by any stretch.

Bryan

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #3 on:** 2 Feb 2011, 12:22 pm »

Flipped a lot of gear over the past 35 years but never owned any Luxmon.

Delta Wave · « **Reply #4 on:** 2 Feb 2011, 01:58 pm »

I've had a few Luxman pieces and the pre Alpine stuff was fantastic. My turntable is a 30+ year old Luxman, although it was actually built by Micro Seiki for Luxman it still shows their penchant for superb quality. I've had a few integrated amps & receivers over the years and loved them.

There are a couple of sites like this one http://www.onahighernote.com/luxman/ floating around out there that may give you some insight.

pumpkinman · « **Reply #5 on:** 2 Feb 2011, 02:02 pm »

Up until a few years ago I was still listening to average gear that was until I heard some high end systems.
I took the plunge and with the help of other nut cases (fellow ACer's) I have put together a nice system.
I have never owned anything by Luxman but I do have a nice Pioneer SX-1050

Welcome to AudioCircle

Indiansprings · « **Reply #6 on:** 2 Feb 2011, 02:43 pm »

No Luxman here either. I do love vintage receivers though. I am finelly letting go of my Marantz 2325. This is hard to do.

yeldarb · « **Reply #7 on:** 2 Feb 2011, 04:44 pm »

Used to sell Luxman in the late '70's. It was an ultra premium product and made like fine jewelry. Even the later stuff is superior, and they are apparently now making some of the best. Wish I'd bought some when I was selling.

Mitsuman · « **Reply #8 on:** 2 Feb 2011, 05:46 pm »

I have a Luxman TP-114 tuner/preamp that I bought new ($450) in 1991. It's a great unit, very neutral sounding, but doesn't have the best phono section to be honest. I have a lot of vintage gear but don't own any pre-Alpine Luxman stuff currently. That being said, I would put my TOTL Technics SU-V9 integrated up against any of the Lux integrateds from the 70's.

jalanutan · « **Reply #9 on:** 3 Feb 2011, 11:14 am »

Hey thx guys, appreciate the feedback. I'll check out that web site Delta Wave. The Pioneer SX series are great, but the Luxman I bought is better. Hmmm I guess there are good model's in each brand.
Cheers, geo

Delta Wave · « **Reply #10 on:** 3 Feb 2011, 04:13 pm »

Quote from: Mitsuman on 2 Feb 2011, 05:46 pm

I have a Luxman TP-114 tuner/preamp that I bought new ($450) in 1991. It's a great unit, very neutral sounding, but doesn't have the best phono section to be honest. I have a lot of vintage gear but don't own any pre-Alpine Luxman stuff currently. That being said, I would put my TOTL Technics SU-V9 integrated up against any of the Lux integrateds from the 70's.

How do you like that Mitsu amp? They have one for sale down the street at Audio Classics....

DTB300 · « **Reply #11 on:** 3 Feb 2011, 04:31 pm »

I use an older M-117 Amp for my surround channel duties, and can swap it into main duties if I ever have a failure of my main amp. It is a nice sounding amp and handles difficult speakers loads very well.

The new Luxman Integrated amps are really good sounding IMO and has brought Luxman and great sounding audio back together again.

Mitsuman · « **Reply #12 on:** 3 Feb 2011, 04:59 pm »

Quote from: Delta Wave on 3 Feb 2011, 04:13 pm

How do you like that Mitsu amp? They have one for sale down the street at Audio Classics....

I bought my first one new in 1978. You may have gathered from my screename that I'm kind of a fan.

I run the DA-A15DC in my main vinyl rig in the mancave and currently run the DA-A10DC in my office rig, with the Luxman TP-114 I pictured above. I've lugged my Mitsu gear all around the country while in high school, through college, and after 33 years it's still bulletproof and sounds as good as anything I've heard from today.

flintstone · « **Reply #13 on:** 3 Feb 2011, 05:11 pm »

I had a Luxman receiver with B&W speakers many years ago........the Luxman was outstanding sounding for the day.

Dave

Delta Wave · « **Reply #14 on:** 3 Feb 2011, 06:46 pm »

Quote from: Mitsuman on 3 Feb 2011, 04:59 pm

I bought my first one new in 1978. You may have gathered from my screename that I'm kind of a fan.

I run the DA-A15DC in my main vinyl rig in the mancave and currently run the DA-A10DC in my office rig, with the Luxman TP-114 I pictured above. I've lugged my Mitsu gear all around the country while in high school, through college, and after 33 years it's still bulletproof and sounds as good as anything I've heard from today.

Nice!

Nope, never would have guessed.

jalanutan · « **Reply #15 on:** 3 Feb 2011, 08:56 pm »

Yes Mitsuman, I'm not surprised your unit has kept pumping out great music for thirty three years. I also bought my Pioneer SX-550 in 1978, and never had any trouble with it until last year when one channel began to play up.

I actually went and tried out one of those surround sound systems, and even though I again bought Pioneer, the quality wasn't there. Even the Pioneer speakers weren't as good as the old 'Realistic'. Hence, my search for a vintage unit what has been reconditioned.

I'm looking for another one for the shed, so might check out if there are any old valve jobs around. Does anyone know what the difference is between valve and transister amps???

Mitsuman · « **Reply #16 on:** 3 Feb 2011, 09:42 pm »

Quote from: jalanutan on 3 Feb 2011, 08:56 pm

Yes Mitsuman, I'm not surprised your unit has kept pumping out great music for thirty three years. I also bought my Pioneer SX-550 in 1978, and never had any trouble with it until last year when one channel began to play up.

I actually went and tried out one of those surround sound systems, and even though I again bought Pioneer, the quality wasn't there. Even the Pioneer speakers weren't as good as the old 'Realistic'. Hence, my search for a vintage unit what has been reconditioned.

I'm looking for another one for the shed, so might check out if there are any old valve jobs around. Does anyone know what the difference is between valve and transister amps???

Sorry if I contributed to a minor thread hijack.

Regarding your last statement, are you being facetious?

jalanutan · « **Reply #17 on:** 4 Feb 2011, 02:56 am »

Actually no, I've never owned a valve amp, and while I love great sounding music, I've only really got into it in the last couple of years and particularly the technical side in the last few months. So while it maybe a bit of a joke to hear someone ask that question (totally understandable), I'm genuine about it. I've heard people say that valve amps produce some of the most sweetest music....

Oh, thx for your imput and links guys, just marvellous.
Cheers,
geo

OzarkTom · « **Reply #18 on:** 4 Feb 2011, 03:40 am »

Here is an ad for the LV 121 and 122.

http://luxman.fotopic.net/p7230264.html

I use to have a tube integrated back in the 70's. That was very laid back sounding, maybe too laid back.

jalanutan · « **Reply #19 on:** 6 Feb 2011, 04:23 am »

Thx, I managed to enlarge the add, but it's in German, lol. Hey, I just bought a L-215 from 1985. It was serviced two years ago, and I've got the invoice too. All caps were replaced in both pre and power sections with a couple of other things + all 'pots' were services...whatever they are??? Anyway, it sounds heaps better than the LV-121, with a more mellow bass with more depth to it as well. It has greater clarity a higher volumes, yet there's only 5w diff between them??? Now, you'd think that a later model would be better eh? But I think the sale of Luxman in 1984 to 'Alpine' may have disrupted the hitherto quality high-end image that Luxman had since it's introduction in 1925, and more importantly, the actual sound quality.

Actually, this model may have been one of the last units of quality. Luxman were known to keep the 'valve' sound with their 'trans' units, and it makes me wonder why the hell would people prefer trans amps with poorer sound quality? Ok ok, it's subjective I suppose, but I don't believe a person would choose poorer quality sound. And yes, other factors to account for are portability, fragility and cost. However, for the major sound entertainment in your home, wouldn't you choose a valve job? So, why don't the manufacturers provide a choice in this matter? Would the cost be such consideration? Even so, I'm sure there are those of us who wouldn't mind shelling out a few extra bucks for great sound!!!

Cheers,
geo