How would you compare Luxman to Accuphase house sound?

A

Arcman

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As I plan to go integrated (I've already started to list my gear for sale), I'm also intrigued with Accuphase. Sure, AP is more expensive generally, however, I'm not against buying a current model that is used. I'm favoring Luxman which some current models are popping up for sale from time to time used. Heck, there's even a L595ase on US audio mart for $9k. However, I enquired and the person selling is the 2nd owner which is a red flag on a model that is barely a year old.

The problem is there are no Luxman or Accuphase dealers within 200 miles of my house.

McIntosh is an option, however, I feel MC is a bit rolled off sounding. I have not heard their SS gear on a MC275.
 
You might want to list your speakers and other equipment you have in your system. Both the Luxman and Accuphase are excellent products. What don't you like about your current rig?
 
Hi ZU Omen Defs. Nothing about not liking ...it's all about minimizing the footprint. I just posted a video explaining my thought process

 
That's pretty funny. I downsized my system some years ago for multiple reasons. The two main reasons was my entry into high efficiency speakers and I moved into a smaller space. Good bye mono blocks, good bye multiple dedicated circuits, etc. I also looked into some nice integrated amps but my opinion at the time was I could get better sound with a nice preamp and then have options on which power amp to use. I still use cd's so I am using a single box player (with pcm to dsd conversion), a pre, a power amp and conditioning. Is there an integrated out there that will best your J2 and a nice tube preamp? That I cannot answer. Good luck.
 
Arcman said:
Hi ZU Omen Defs. Nothing about not liking ...it's all about minimizing the footprint. I just posted a video explaining my thought process

Click to expand...


Good video. Nice to put a face to a name.


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I'm with you on this. The fewer the boxes, the better, particularly as that snake-pit of untidy cables is expensive and the cable that improves sound has yet to be invented, however costly it is! Something to be said for all-in-ones as modern-day modules for amplifier, DAC, streamer, etc are so small, why not put them all in a single nice case with a good quality power supply unit - and no bloodly cables?

My search started when I decided to move away from tube SET amps. A fellow Avantgarde owner with Trios was raving about his latest and greatest amp purchase - the modest Benchmark AHB2. This was in early days when it hadn't been professionally reviewed, so I just bought it on the basis that if it's so wonderful powering Trios, it should be equally fantastic with my Unos. Big mistake - it was a dull as ditch-water with my speakers, so I started my search.

I hadn't decided on a power amp, or integrated, or an all-in-one for powering my high-sensitivity Avantgarde speakers (then Unos, now Duo XDs), so I asked around on forums for suggestions, spoke to dealers, read Stereophile, etc until I had a short-list that stretched to 12 units. I bought many of these used on the basis I could re-sell them at little or no loss and borrowed others from dealers.

Some were power amps, some integrated and some all-in-ones. I was surprised at the difference in sound between these 12 amps. Some were quickly discarded, but others greatly impressed.

Amongst the best were the 30 watt Class A Accuphase A-36, the GamuT D200 Mk III, the Mark Levinson 5802. Other less satisfactory ones for one reason or another were from Sugden, Bakoon, Valvet, Lyngdorf, Micromega, Quad and Benchmark. However, taking account of value for money as well as sound quality (mostly digital via CD or streaming but no vinyl), I found the modest NAD M32 the best of the bunch, but I later upgraded to the even more satisfactory and astonishing value NAD M33 all-in-one.

I could improve the sound quality but I seriously doubt I could for less than 20K and I still have the option of using a different power amp, or DAC for example with the NAD.

These £3-8K amps may be less that your budget and my chosen amp was amongst the lower-priced ones. £4K worth of electronics powering £34K speakers may sound daft, but I have no intension of upgrading any time yet - and it'll cost a great deal more unless someone comes out with an even better all-in-one. In the meantime, I'm very content with this Best Amplifier, Best Component and Editor's Choice unit from Stereophile's annual awards 2021.

I really liked the Accuphase. Beautifully constructed, thoughtful features such as gain switch and 2 independent speaker outlets, etc, but after prolonged listening I found it slightly too polite and slightly lacking in dynamic excitement than I was looking for and which I knew my speakers were capable of.

All I can suggest is that you make a short-list, buy (ideally used) or borrow all of them and give each a proper opportunity to impress with your speakers in your room. Results may well surprise and you won’t end up with a system that unbeknown to you could sound better with a different amp from your short list. Happy hunting.
 
I got to audition the Luxman 509 with Wilson Sabrina speakers and a Chord Qutest DAC and then compare it to my son's Cary Audio SI-300.2d integrated. We preferred the Cary. The Luxman had a more delicate airy and transparent sound that we found a little polite. The Cary has more meat on the bones and a better midrange and tone. The Luxman has a bit more detail but it was not dramatic. The 509 was on my short list of integrateds to buy when I move on from separates but now I am not so sure.
 
Thanks for the thoughtful response. That is a really good idea. Buying a good name used is a great way to avoid taking a dive. I once considered the ABH2 due to how quiet it is, however, I started hearing the same thing you said. I have always heard great things about the NAD's. Regardless of cost, if you found the gear that makes you want to listen,.....that's all that matters.
 
Thanks for input. I was really turned off with Cary years ago when they had the weird "tier' price structure thing ("Buy this model XYZ amp at Level one for this price, Level two for this price and so on"). Of course, I've never heard one so I can't say anything about their sound (which I'm sure is excellent). That gimmicky sales thing stuck in the back of my mind.
 
Both are incredibly reliable, Accuphase has the advantage in noise floor and energy.
 
I seems almost illegal to have 96db speakers and not consider a 20 - 30 wpc tube amp or integrated. I'm just throwing that out there as it is fun to spend other folks' money.
 
stereogeek said:
I seems almost illegal to have 96db speakers and not consider a 20 - 30 wpc tube amp or integrated. I'm just throwing that out there as it is fun to spend other folks' money.
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I used to think that and for 15 years used SET amps of between 6 watts (PX-25) and 28 watts (845 monos) with my 104 db speakers, but 3 years ago I made a deliberate decision to move to SS provided I could find one that offered as good or better sound than the SETs.

I had no blinkered view of whether this new amp would be Class A, or AB, or D, or anything else, nor if it was 12 watts or 200 watts. I just wanted the best sound from my speakers in my room. Frankly I was expecting a Class A to be top dog of the 12 amps I auditioned at home and indeed the Accuphase A-36 was very very good, but I eventually chose the (illegal) 200 watt Class D NAD M33 in the end. No regrets despite more power than I need - and I'm doing my small bit towards reducing my environmental damage by going with an efficient amp.
 
A few others to consider are the Marantz Ref. PM-10 and the PM-KI Ruby. I love the tone of the higher end Marantz gear. They do piano so beautifully. I find the midrange and tone of Marantz to be seductive, but my tastes lean to a slightly warmer more romantic midrange. The Ruby punches way above its price point. I believe it is a Class D amp with a Class A front end if I remember correctly. My son would have bought the Ruby over the Cary but he wanted a built in DAC and BT.

Ken I. from Marantz tuned the KI gear to have that warmer tone and romantic midrange.

Another amp to consider is the Primare Prisma I35. It sits at the other end of the spectrum. It is highly detailed and resolving, has great punch with good air and transparency. It's DAC module is excellent. It is probably similar to the Luxman sound but it think it may have more punch.

The Boulder 866 would be one to consider depending upon your budget.
 
Thanks. I may need to look at Marantz again. Like Pioneer, Denon, etc...I kind of see Marantz basically an A/V receiver producer which is not fair. Marantz upper line systems have always gotten great reviews
 
Arcman said:
Thanks. I may need to look at Marantz again. Like Pioneer, Denon, etc...I kind of see Marantz basically an A/V receiver producer which is not fair. Marantz upper line systems have always gotten great reviews
Click to expand...

Resale on Marantz is terrible, stick with your first 2 choices.
 
I cannot speak to Accuphase, but you really cannot go wrong with any version of the Luxman Integrateds. Even my 505UXII is killer and from what I heard, the 1st 6 watts are class A on all the units that are not full class A.
 
There is so many choices out there it is crazy. Maybe demo integrated units from a dealer or two with a return policy? BTW...I still don't think you will find much better that your J2 and a kick butt tube pre. The PS you had is ok but the J2 deserves better. Good luck.
 
I know the J2 is killer. I may even keep the J2 to switch in and out of the system or as a backup. The BHK is a world class unit, however, it's really a hybrid tube preamp. Basically, a tube buffer built in. Even with different tubes, it sounds solid state...which is not a bad thing at all. The tube does smooth out some harshness on some harsh records...but not tubey in a McIntosh sense.
 
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