Japan's Luxman Corporation is once again exporting their high-end audio products to North America, and I must admit to being very intrigued - my experiences with their classic gear from the '60s and '70s have been almost uniformly quite favorable.

Of particular interest to me right now is Luxman's current lineup of integrated amplifiers, which offer many features no longer seen in most other contemporary high-end integrateds, such as balance controls and built-in phono stages. For instance, here is Luxman's L-550A II solid-state Class A integrated amp:

http://www.onahighernote.com/images/product_categories/L_550A_Pg_2.jpg

And here is Luxman's newly-introduced update of their classic SQ-38 integrated tube amp:

http://www.onahighernote.com/images/product_categories/SQ38u_top_small.jpg

So, what do you all think - should Venus Hi-Fi start investigating these products? :scratch2:

Odd timing for them to stick their toe back in the water here, but that tube integrated is sweet looking, in a retro kind of way.

Lux had some stunning equipment at the 2007 RMAF. If I am not mistaken I posted some pics back then. What I remember the most about it was the price. Were talking close to accuphase cash here.

If you bring it in Brian I would like to get some extended listening.

Luxman's high-end products have certainly never been cheap, and I believe that the U.S. importer was showing off their most expensive integrated and universal player at RMAF 2007. If I were to bring in this line, I'd probably be focusing more on their products in the $2000 to $6000 price range (which would include both of the integrated amps shown above).

Very nice looking stuff!!

A shop here has been featuring a couple of their higher-end amps in a window lately. Very nice looking, although quite expensive.

Personally, I hope people buy these things. How often people (including myself) lament that "they don't make them like they used to", but here is a company that more-or-less is doing so. Not exactly, but as close as one could expect a company to, today. We sometimes talk about how expensive it would be to make gear today as nice as the vintage gear we like so much. Well, we shouldn't be surprised if this stuff is expensive. But if no one will buy it, then we shouldn't complain if it isn't produced any more! I wish Luxman success in their efforts to sell "vintage" style gear in today's world.

Great looking gear!

IF I wasn't another broke whiteboy, I'd buy it right now! I love those analog meters, and you can bet that class A sounds pretty accurate, just using HQ tranny's and high bias settings I imagine, since it's not really Tube class A.


:thmbsp:

The L550A is absolutely stunning, both in design and in sound (a true member of the pure class-A breed! Resolved and Sweet).
A good buddy just bought one and is using it to run some current hungry Nomad Audio Ronins with great success - the current capacity seems almost limitless (I am sure we could drive it to distort if we tried hard but at normal levels no problem).

That SQ38 looks nice too but I have not heard it.

I think the are hitting a nice sweet spot with those high-end, low, watt, full featured class-A amps; there is nothing like them in the market today.

The L550A is absolutely stunning, both in design and in sound (a true member of the pure class-A breed! Resolved and Sweet).
A good buddy just bought one and is using it to run some current hungry Nomad Audio Ronins with great success - the current capacity seems almost limitless (I am sure we could drive it to distort if we tried hard but at normal levels no problem).

That SQ38 looks nice too but I have not heard it.

I think the are hitting a nice sweet spot with those high-end, low, watt, full featured class-A amps; there is nothing like them in the market today.

Hi Frederic,

First off, welcome to AudioKarma! I have always enjoyed your 6moons.com audio reviews, and it is good to have you here.

On a non-Luxman note, I would like to offer a recommendation regarding your F.J. Om loudspeakers. These are among my favorites in their price range, and I know that you like them a lot as well, although I've gathered that you're thinking about moving on to try something different. Before doing so, might I suggest swapping your Zu speaker cables for a different brand? The reason I am suggesting this is that although I am a big fan of Zu (I am a dealer for Zu, along with F.J.), I have found that their speaker cables are not nearly as synergistic with the F.J. Oms as some other, comparably-priced brands. For instance, the Oms have more midrange body and texture when used with Soundstring's OFC speaker cables.

At any rate, many thanks for your comments on Luxman. I'll most likely be signing on as a dealer for this product line soon...

Happy listening!
Brian

Thanks Brian for the kind words.

The FJ OMs are not going anywhere! As I hear more and more gear, I can now identify more clearly what I enjoy for the long run vs. what I enjoy for a year or two.
The Rogers LS 3/5a and the FJ OM belong in the first category. Nothing's wrong with the second category though, it makes enjoying the hobby even more exciting - but the FJ and Rogers are like "confort sound" that I go back to over and over again when I need to find my roots again (sonically speaking).

Thanks for the cable advice, I will certainly try the swap.

That tube unit is sweet! Very classy. :yes:

Brian, speaking of classy retro-styled Asian tube amps, what about Leben (http://www.lebenhifi.com/products/index.html)? Are they looking for another stateside dealer? :scratch2: I thought of you when I saw their line...

Brian, speaking of classy retro-styled Asian tube amps, what about Leben (http://www.lebenhifi.com/products/index.html)? Are they looking for another stateside dealer? :scratch2: I thought of you when I saw their line...

Yeah, I've thought very seriously about taking on Leben, but Luxman offers some product categories that would fill a few gaps in my current lineup, such as full-function solid-state integrated amps and universal players. I'll be making a decision here (Luxman vs. Leben vs. ???) within the next couple of weeks.

Beeeeutiful!

Okay, I've made up my mind - I will be bringing in Luxman within the next couple of weeks, just in time for the holidays! :yes:

Oh, and here's another very interesting product that Luxman recently introduced:

http://www.onahighernote.com/images/product_categories/SQ_N100_front.jpg

This is a low-power integrated tube amp that is "full-function" in the truest sense of the phrase - it includes a moving-magnet phono section, treble and bass controls, a headphone output, and a remote control.

My first Luxman products should be here in a matter of days. I am starting off with the L-550A II integrated amplifier, along with one of Luxman's award-winning universal digital players.

My expectations are quite high, but then again I'm a fellow who's easy to disappoint. Assuming that I like these components as much as I'm hoping to, I'll post my initial impressions here.

My first Luxman products should be here in a matter of days. I am starting off with the L-550A II integrated amplifier, along with one of Luxman's award-winning universal digital players.

My expectations are quite high, but then again I'm a fellow who's easy to disappoint. Assuming that I like these components as much as I'm hoping to, I'll post my initial impressions here.

Brian did you get the Luxman L-550A II in? If yes what are your impressions?

I just sold:tears: my Luxman L-505f int amp that I bought in 2004 and hated doing it! Lost my job so had to make some sacrifices.

I hope next year I can get the L-550A II.

Personally, I hope people buy these things. How often people (including myself) lament that "they don't make them like they used to", but here is a company that more-or-less is doing so. Not exactly, but as close as one could expect a company to, today. We sometimes talk about how expensive it would be to make gear today as nice as the vintage gear we like so much. Well, we shouldn't be surprised if this stuff is expensive. But if no one will buy it, then we shouldn't complain if it isn't produced any more! I wish Luxman success in their efforts to sell "vintage" style gear in today's world.

Well said. :thmbsp:

Well said. :thmbsp:

Indeed!

Brian did you get the Luxman L-550A II in? If yes what are your impressions?

I just sold:tears: my Luxman L-505f int amp that I bought in 2004 and hated doing it! Lost my job so had to make some sacrifices.

I hope next year I can get the L-550A II.

Yes, I received my L-550A II a couple of weeks ago. And of course my opinions are bound to be a little biased, but right now I honestly feel that this integrated amplifier represents the best "compromise" between competing audiophile ideals I've heard within its price range. Prior to settling down with this unit, the only sub-$5K solid-state integrateds I'd lived with that could sway me from my preference for tubes came courtesy of Blue Circle and Brinkmann. But the L-550A II easily matches (and in several ways surpasses) the musicality of these other units - and it offers a number of "vintgage features" that I truly value. To be specific: high-quality tone controls, an excellent MM/MC phono stage, and a fantastic headphone section.

I will post more detailed impressions of this Luxman integrated soon, but for now I can honestly say that the L-550A II is a component that I could happily live with forever.

After watching so many of the familiar vintage brand names sold off to peddlers of cheap disposable crap with no internal resemblance to past glory, it is refreshing to see Luxman making a comeback.
.
.
.

Oh wait, they want how much? :bash: Never mind.

But I'll be waiting...20 years from now I'll have them. MHUooooHaAHHA.... :bat:

For now, I'll keep my L-55A and R-1070,1050,1040,1030. :thmbsp:

After watching so many of the familiar vintage brand names sold off to peddlers of cheap disposable crap with no internal resemblance to past glory, it is refreshing to see Luxman making a comeback.
.
.
.

Oh wait, they want how much? :bash: Never mind.

But I'll be waiting...20 years from now I'll have them. MHUooooHaAHHA.... :bat:

For now, I'll keep my L-55A and R-1070,1050,1040,1030. :thmbsp:

I can understand your frustration regarding the pricing - $4500 is not exactly a small amount of money for an integrated amplifier. Then again, Luxman was never considered a "budget" line in the '60s and '70s. It was only during the '80s and '90s that Luxman became cheap in North America, but that's only because most of the gear we were getting during this period was rebadged dreck. Like you, I'm glad that genuine Luxman products are once again available over here.

All of this being said, I do feel that the retail pricing of this amp is more than fair, given the current high-end audio competition.

I myself would have a hard time waiting twenty (or even ten) years to enjoy this level of musicality in my home. But you are correct in pointing out just how much cheaper the L-550A II will be in a couple of decades.

BTW, I have some leftover pizza in the fridge, if you're interested...

MMMMMMMM PIZZA!!!:yes: :D :thmbsp:

Wonder who makes their tubes for them?

Actually, the L-550A II is solid-state.

Of course, Luxman DOES offer plenty of tube gear as well, and I'll soon be getting their new SQ-38u integrated tube amp (check out the beginning of this thread for a photo). Who makes the tubes that come stock with this unit? Electro-Harmonix. Good enough? :scratch2:

Brian did you get the Luxman L-550A II in? If yes what are your impressions?

I just sold:tears: my Luxman L-505f int amp that I bought in 2004 and hated doing it! Lost my job so had to make some sacrifices.

I hope next year I can get the L-550A II.

In case you didn't see this when it first appeared, here is a link to the review of the L-550A II that appeared last year in The Absolute Sound:

http://www.avguide.com/review/luxman-l-550a-ii-class-integrated-amplifier-and-du?50-universal-music-player

Happy listening!

I lurve the look of the SQ-38u. It is exactly like their old style, its almost creepy, like it came though a wormhole

FYI, I'm hoping to bring the new SQ-38u to AK-Fest 2009.

In case you didn't see this when it first appeared, here is a link to the review of the L-550A II that appeared last year in The Absolute Sound:

http://www.avguide.com/review/luxman-l-550a-ii-class-integrated-amplifier-and-du?50-universal-music-player

Happy listening!


Read this review of the L-550a II

http://issuu.com/gerry666/docs/hifiworld_june_2007

and this review of the L-505u and they really give you the difference between the two amps.

http://www.stereomojo.com/Luxman%20L-505u%20Integrated%20Amp%20Review/LuxmanL-505uIntegratedAmpReview.htm

I use to own the Luxman L-505f(came out in 2001 and L-505u replaced it) and the review of the L-505u sounds very much like the L-505f sounded to me.

If anyone is interested in these two Int amps but not sure which one to get read these reviews.

Read this review of the L-550a II

http://issuu.com/gerry666/docs/hifiworld_june_2007

and this review of the L-505u and they really give you the difference between the two amps.

http://www.stereomojo.com/Luxman%20L-505u%20Integrated%20Amp%20Review/LuxmanL-505uIntegratedAmpReview.htm

I use to own the Luxman L-505f(came out in 2001 and L-505u replaced it) and the review of the L-505u sounds very much like the L-505f sounded to me.

If anyone is interested in these two Int amps but not sure which one to get read these reviews.

Thanks for the links! But for some reason, I cannot get the review of the L-550A II to appear on my screen - and I've tried this link on two different computers. Would you be willing to post the "bottom line" of this review?

I am sorry this article from June of 2007 is for the Luxman L-550a not the L-550a II.
How do you post photos? I scanned the article but cannot figure out how to post the pictures.


The L-550a(released Oct 2005) and the L-550a II (released April 2007)were released about a year and half apart so the article should still give people a very good idea of what the L-550a II sounds like.

Think I got the photos.

Got them posted but they are in the wrong order
Well page 1 is the 3rd photo
page 2 is the 1st photo
page 3 the 2nd photo.

Well it is hard to read so if interested save the photos and then you can zoom in more.

Thanks so much for posting this Hi-Fi World review in thumbnail form.

But I would like to make a few comments, given that you have suggested comparing the above two reviews.

First off, the L-550A review from Hi-Fi World is of the previous version of this integrated amp, and not the current MK II version.

Secondly, while the Stereo Mojo review of the L-505u seems spot-on to me, the Hi-Fi World review of the L-550A is perhaps less relevant, given my listening impressions of the newer L-550A II.

To be specific, the Hi-Fi World review pegs the L-550A as being "ruthlessly revealing" and somewhat "stark." Given my personal aversion to clinically bright and forward-sounding components, this review would strongly suggest that I would hate the L-550A II in comparison to most tube amps, and also in comparison to the L-505u. But this is not the case. Yes, the L-550A II is more "revealing" than the L-505u, but not in a "ruthless" way. Instead, the L-550A II is revealing in the way that many top-notch SET amps are revealing - you wind up hearing much more, but there is a certain sweetness to the overall presentation. Does this make sense?

I really love both of these Luxman amps, but I love the L-550A II more. And I say this as an audiophile who more often than not gravitates towards tube amps...

Cheers,
Brian

Now that you have the SQ-38u how does it compare to the L-550a II?

If I were to use 6L6GC tubes with it the power would be 25 watts correct?

Wonder which of these models is closest to my gorgeous L-55A? I'll post a nood pic. Fishbone heatsink, not the heat pipe.

It has problems on one channel. :sigh: Luxman seems to have ambitous designs, cutting edge...sometimes just odd. Not easy to fix compared to for example a Pioneer.

Now that you have the SQ-38u how does it compare to the L-550a II?

If only I now had the new SQ-38u! I've had the opportunity to hear it, and was VERY impressed, but the U.S. release has been delayed a bit. I am still hoping to be able to bring one to AK-Fest 2009, but my optimism is fading - in all likelihood, I'll receive my own unit a few days after the show. :(

Wonder which of these models is closest to my gorgeous L-55A? I'll post a nood pic. Fishbone heatsink, not the heat pipe.

It has problems on one channel. :sigh: Luxman seems to have ambitous designs, cutting edge...sometimes just odd. Not easy to fix compared to for example a Pioneer.

The L-505u is probably closer to your vintage unit in most ways.

Oh, and you're right about Luxman's history of ambitious designs. But now that this Japanese company is once again in complete control of their product range - and now that Luxman is working with top-notch distributors worldwide - repairs (if needed) will be easily handled.

At the moment, working perfectly I have the R-117 and R-1050.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj81/just44fotos/R-117/117_OpenRtSide.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj81/just44fotos/R-117/R-117_OpenTop.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj81/just44fotos/R-117/3-front-R117date.jpg

Pwr switch probs on the R-1070 and a dead channel on the L-55A. Friend just got a nifty capacitor checker/ESR meter so soon I'll be able to check more on these. :music:

Now that you have the SQ-38u how does it compare to the L-550a II?

UPDATE: I'm happy to report that I received my new Luxman SQ-38u integrated tube amp on Monday, and will indeed be demonstrating this model at the show! :thmbsp:

Okay found a new review on the L-550a II(made sure it was the L-550a II this time)

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue43/luxman_550.htm

Yup, this is a very nice review of the Luxman L-550A II - thanks for the link, jbsl!

I'm listening to this amplifier as I write this, and one of the things that continues to amaze me about the L-550A II is the fact that such a revealing amp can be so consistently musical. The Luxman immediately lets you know just how good or how bad a recording is, but it somehow allows even the worst recordings to draw you in (assuming that you like the music, of course).

For example, I'm currently spinning the CD version of Echo and the Bunnymen's first album, "Crocodiles" (one of my favorite recordings when I was in middle school). The digital transfer is quite terrible, but the L-550A II manages to make this CD musically compelling without masking the shortcomings of the remastering.

The track "Rescue" just started playing, and I'm all smiles!

At the moment, working perfectly I have the R-117 and R-1050.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj81/just44fotos/R-117/117_OpenRtSide.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj81/just44fotos/R-117/R-117_OpenTop.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj81/just44fotos/R-117/3-front-R117date.jpg

Pwr switch probs on the R-1070 and a dead channel on the L-55A. Friend just got a nifty capacitor checker/ESR meter so soon I'll be able to check more on these. :music:

I have the R-115 I bought at a yardsale for $10 (no remote, of course). Doesn't have the power of yours but it is a beauty.

Wish I could afford the new gear Brian is displaying. My god that is some perfectly designed stuff! Love the retro look more than anything I've seen lately.

Rick

Wish I could afford the new gear Brian is displaying. My god that is some perfectly designed stuff! Love the retro look more than anything I've seen lately.

Hiya, Rick!

You know, I actually felt a bit guilty at this year's AK-Fest. I have always said that you don't need to spend outrageous sums in order to get great sound, and yet the Luxman/Spendor rig I was showing off in Livonia was about 50% more costly than the most expensive system I've brought to the Fest in past years. (I comfort myself with the realization that my entire system - including the cabling, the equipment rack, and even the music I brought - costs less than several of the speakers demonstrated at AK-Fest.)

Yes, the Luxman L-550A II integrated amplifier offers terrific "value" when compared to the competition. But $4800 is a BIG slice of cash! And if you ever encounter a high-end audio reviewer who calls this amp a "budget" or "entry-level" item, please know that you have just encountered an idiot.

Cheers,
Brian

Another point the reviewer makes about the L-550a II and that I experienced with my Luxman L-505f is that the tone controls on these Luxman int amps are very very good!!

I know some people believe they degrade the sound or you are not listening to the album as the artist intended it to sound(yeah right):nono: but when so many albums are recorded less than perfect being able to turn up or down the treble or the bass a little is a big help on alot of albums. I would say around 15% my cds are outstanding recordings, 35% are good, 35% are okay, and 15% are just plain bad and can never turn them up beyond low volume background music. So with albums that are good the tone controls lets you tweak them just a little to make them sound even better.

Most of the time I just set the tone controls(TC) and left them there. Sometimes on certain songs I would adjust the TC to that song but not very often.

Of course you can turn off the tone controls also if you want.

Still hoping to get it next year.

As nice as the tone controls can be for certain recordings, I find the high-quality "loudness" function to be even more useful. Late at night, when I need to turn the volume way down, a push of this button brings everything back to life...

You are right about the loudness feature! I use to work 2nd shift and listened around 3:00 AM and the loudness button was great.

Brian I have a question about the 550a II that I think I know the answer but want to get your input. My left and right speakers are for both 2 channel and home theater.

So I would run the L&R channels out of my A/V receiver and run it to a input in the 550a II.

The only thing I am not sure about is volume level on the 550a II. I would probably have to experiment with the volume levels and movies to get the right volume setting.

a shop here has been featuring a couple of their higher-end amps in a window lately. Very nice looking, although quite expensive.

Personally, i hope people buy these things. How often people (including myself) lament that "they don't make them like they used to", but here is a company that more-or-less is doing so. Not exactly, but as close as one could expect a company to, today. We sometimes talk about how expensive it would be to make gear today as nice as the vintage gear we like so much. Well, we shouldn't be surprised if this stuff is expensive. But if no one will buy it, then we shouldn't complain if it isn't produced any more! I wish luxman success in their efforts to sell "vintage" style gear in today's world.
x 1,000

Brian I have a question about the 550a II that I think I know the answer but want to get your input...

Hello again!

Before answering your question, I have a few questions I want to ask about your setup. Expect a PM in a few minutes...

Cheers,
Brian

Okay Brian check your PM.

So Brian now that you have had the Luxman SQ-38u how do you like it?

How would you compare it to the L-550a ii?

So Brian now that you have had the Luxman SQ-38u how do you like it?

How would you compare it to the L-550a ii?

I sure wish that I could offer some authoritative comments here, but my SQ-38u apparently suffered some shipping damage en route to AK-Fest. (That's why this amp served only as eye-candy in my room at the show!) The unit was sent back, and I am waiting to get a replacement (the demand for the SQ-38u is currently outpacing the supply by a very wide margin). Rest assured that I'll post some comments here once this amp is back in my showroom.

I can relate to that!! I think almost everyone who has shipped audio gear has had it happen.

Hey ... I rarely post here, but often read with interest.
Anyway, I own a 550a II and am completely floored nearly each time I listen. It basically killed both the separates and integrateds i've owned, and so on and so forth ..
I've a question. Has anyone who owns one here ever tried the balanced input? If so, do you know if it's a fully balanced circuit? I've been using XLR interconnect (1 meter) from a CD source and the sonic differences are there when comparing to an identical cable with RCA in to the RCA ins ... Wondering what others have tried, if at all ..

kindly,
Mott