[Flashman]

This is my first post on the vinyl circle.  Typically I am over at the Red Wine Audio and Omega Loudspeakers circles.  Anyhow, one of the Omega posters kindly sponsored a free drawing for a terrific vinyl album, which I won.  I had vowed to pull my old Sony PS-3300 out of the attic and purchase a phonostage if I was successful.  So I have snared the dusty turntable out of its tomb and been doing some research on a sub $500 phonostage.  I was ready to pull the trigger on the Jolida JD-9A when I stumbled on an interesting other choice. 

See, I have a Monarchy Audio NM24 DAC/preamp.  It's a combination of tube DAC, SS DAC and tube-driven linestage.  It's been well reviewed and I love its flexibility.  The owner of Monarchy Audio is C.C. Poon, an elegant gentleman in San Francisco who is well regarded in audio circles.  On a hunch, since he listed no phonostage in his product catalog, I asked Mr. Poon whether he sold a phonostage.  He said he did: a professional-grade Luxman LE109 with upgraded parts from Monarchy Audio (not sure what has been done).  Mr. Poon offered it at $500 and said I had a 30-day return policy, so I thought I would take the plunge, as Mr. Poon has been a delight to deal with on several purchases, including one return.  I've done some research on the unit and it appears it was produced in Japan between 1986 and 1989 (check out http://www.thevintageknob.org/LUXMAN/LV109LE109/LV109LE109.html#). As with all Luxman work at that time, it was considered high end and well built, if not criticized for its black, blocky looks.  It can accommodate MC and MM cartridges and has front panel selections for impedance and gain select.

I am moving forward with the purchase but thought I would post over here to see if anyone had any knowledge of the unit.  I'd be interested in any feedback. It could be that this unit is so old that not many still exist.  Still, I would be interested.  I am including a few photos here that were sent to me by Mr. Poon.  Thanks and Pax vobiscum.

(Note: I am not sure why my photos are not appearing.  Here's a link http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=gallery;area=browse;album=1716to my Luxman gallery.  Sorry.)

[TheChairGuy]

Flashman,

That's the first time I've know of that Luxman....but it looks stupendous for the money.

Good adjustability for gain and loading (for MC's at least) and dual mono right back to the power supplies means it will offer the highest crosstalk rejection....something profoundly important in really high quality vinyl playback.  On top of that, 'straight' listening for phono is great and so helpful.  It even has a subsonic filter - properly implemented (as it likely is) it can only help vinyl by reducing subsonics that affect vinyl listening pleasure.

Frankly, it looks like a stunner to me and if it's in your price range and Mr. Poon recommends it, go buy it 

I am of the general belief that unless you get a really good phonostage, you're better off getting an integrated full featured preamp, receiver or integrated with phono as each rca joint and length of IC takes the immediacy out of vinyl listening.  But, that Luxman phonostage looks to overcome any downside to adding extra lengths to your vinyl listening chain.

There are a few well-thought-of (new) phono stages for less money.....and quite a few for more....but for $500 that would be hard to beat in today's market for new I'd think.  Not sure what Mr. Poon did, perhaps changed out some leaky old caps or changed out older voltage regulators to something newer and higher tolerance....but I'm nearly certain it will only be better than new...and it was probably a darn good phono stage new.

This phono stage seems optimized for use with low output MC's, which tend to be among the more pricey cartridge offerings out there, but if you keep your choices in the Audio Technica (AT-OC9ML/II) or Denon family you won't kill your budget.  Stuff your old Sony with 6+ lb of platiclay inside (the best cheap tweek known for plastic bodied turntables) and a LOMC with your Luxman...and you'll be listening to a LOT less CD in the future.

Enjoy, John (and welcome to the Vinyl Circle)

[Flashman]

John,

Wow!  I was feeling good about the Luxman purchase based on Mr. Poon's recommendation but with your enthusiastic response and added detail about the unit I feel REALLY good!

Thanks for the kind welcome to The Vinyl Circle.  It'll be fun to pull my albums out of the attic and try out some new stuff as well.

I have asked Mr. Poon for details on his upgrades and I will post those here.  And, of course, I will post my impressions upon hearing the unit.

Thanks also for the hint on the old Sony TT.  I may need to purchase a new TT but I will see how the old one does for starters.

Again, many thanks.

Michael (a.k.a. Flashman)

[TheChairGuy]

Have a blast, Michael.  So many of us here are there to help you along the way in your vinyl journey.

Don't junk out your old Sony turntable until you invest $30 in non-hardening modeling clay (trademark name is plasticlay, but any similar will do)....available in any hobby shop (Ben Franklin, Michael's, Hobby Lobby, etc).

For $530 (Luxman and Plasticlay) and <US$300 in a low output moving coil you will likely be groovin' in a way not possible with any CD playback at ANY price

John

[Flashman]

John,

I am a novice at this, so exactly where do I put the platiclay on/in the Sony TT.  Do I expose the inside by pulling off the platter and just stuff it inside?  I guess this stabilizes the TT and makes it less prone to vibration.

Also, do moving coil cartridges work with old Sony TTs?

Thanks!

[TheChairGuy]

Michael,

Nearly any cartridge will work with you old Sony...but you mentioned privately that you have an old Shure (which you hadn't mentioned in your original post).  Try that first to keep your budget low...and move up as you need.  The nice thing is that you have a very capable phono stage that will allow rather hi-end (oft, pricey) moving coil cartridges to be used.

If you don't mind, I'll answer your PM on low cost moving coil cartridges here publicly...as it will open up the topic to a range of ideas that other members can help you with.

Under $300 for low output cartridges...the general recommendations are Audio-Technica AT-OC9ML/II ($299.99 free shipping at J & R Music) or the venerable Denon DL-103 and DL-103R for under $300.00.

Each country has widely differing prices on cartridges.  If you're willing to buy from Origin Live in the UK, you can get a Denon DL-304 for about $335.00 at today's favorable exchange with the UK Pound (+ nominal shipping by Royal Post as cartridges weigh very little)

Two caveats with Denons....if you buy outside of your country, the warranty is not honored (99.9% of them work so this is of little issue and you can return to Origin Live back in UK) and they do not offer re-tip or trade in policy such as Audio-Technica does)

I can describe how to apply plast-i-clay no better than fellow audio-sicko Paul/miney has illustrated already with his old, trust bare-bones basic Technics that plays much better since adding the clay...




Ciao, John

[Flashman]

Thanks for all the hints for a newbie.  The clay thing looks a little involved so I may wait a bit until I try my hand at it.  I'll test drive the Shure cartridge before I take the Audio Technica plunge.  Also, I'll post impressions once I get the gear all set up.  Many, many thanks for the information and encouragement 

[TheChairGuy]

Thanks for all the hints for a newbie.  The clay thing looks a little involved so I may wait a bit until I try my hand at it.  I'll test drive the Shure cartridge before I take the Audio Technica plunge.  Also, I'll post impressions once I get the gear all set up.  Many, many thanks for the information and encouragement 

You need the phono stage and it's a good one - so do it.  But, after that by far the best bang for your finite buck is the clay.  Getting a 3" maple base and 4 brass feet under your deck might help it a lot, too.  But, I'd put the clay #1 on the list.

It's not at all involved.  If it required any level of high level of competency (or intelligence) needed...I couldn't have done it otherwise

John

[stevenkelby]

Hi Michael!

Buy the Luxman, it's a winner. Stuff teh Sony with plasticlay, don't do it neat like the pics above, takes way too long, just stuff it in there, more the merrier.

Be sure to get alignment and VTF spot on with any cart, and get the records very clean, I use a vacum machine.

I use an ATOC9 and like it a lot but the AT33PTG is great too. Otherwise, a Denon 103 would be good and cheaper.

As Mikey Fremer says though, don't get crazy, just enjoy the music!

Steve

[Flashman]

Steve,

Thanks for the additional tips, very helpful. 

I hope you don't mind but I will share with those reading The Vinyl Circle that it was through your largesse that I won the fabulous John Coltrane album that is now setting me on this journey of discovery!  Thanks for your generosity and welcome back to Australia from your trip to the United States.  (I just returned to South Carolina from the inauguration activities in DC --what a gas!)

Next stop, plast-i-clay and Luxman, then, Nirvana.

all best, Michael

[stevenkelby]

My pleasure Michael, I was just paying forward the generosity of Jerome as I won a Duke Ellington LP from him previously!

The US was fantastic and I was very impressed by DC. The CES show in Vegas was a blast as well.

I'm sure you'll enjoy the Coltrane, I love my copy!

If you'd like any help with anything at all feel free to pm or email too

All the best,

Steve

[thunderbrick]

Steve, glad you are on the path.  I'd also like to say "Thanks!" to the people of Adelaide for wonderful hospitality when I was there in November 2001.  You have a BEAUTIFUL city and region!  I was reminded of it when watching the Tour of Down Under last night on cable.  It was fun to recognize some of the landmarks.  Take care!

Bob

[stevenkelby]

Hi Bob, thanks! Adelaide is really a great place to live. I grew up here and hated it so I left but then everyone leaves Adelaide, and everyone comes back

The tour is a big thing here! Lots of good cycling in Adelaide. Very hot here now though, 105F tomorrow!

[Flashman]

Mr. Poon identified the upgrades to the Luxman LE109:

"The eight signal-path capacitors are replaced with oxygen-free copper-foil capacitors (you can see the copper foil in its transparent housing).

"The gain stage comprises discrete transistors and ICs.  We replaced the ICs with a much newer low-noise type."

The unit was shipped today.  When it is up and running, I'll post here.

Thanks for the advice and good words.

[TheChairGuy]

John

[kena999]

hi...would you know what op amp mr poon used to replace the mits M5220L units in the luxman?