Any Luxman amps here

[Naturelover]

Hi,

Have been wanting to hear a Luxman amp to make a decision if I would like to get one from Japan. It should preferably be one of the current models so I can buy new.
Preferably anyone in Bangalore, Kochi or Mumbai. This since I will be travelling to these places soon.
Willing to travel to other places as well.

Thanks

 

[Fantastic]

Why the attachment to a brand name ?
Not all amps made by any brand are equally good. Only a few are good, the rest are average. I have a Luxman with discrete power amp. ( they made units with STK (ugh!) also !). It sounds nice. Warm bass and sweet They have upmarket models that sound far better. Maybe you should look for 'specific models'. But then you get great amps from lots of other companies. Some being much less expensive ! I don't keep track of that.
But if you want a good amp fix your price point and search on the Net. You will find recommended models from a host of companies. Luxman isn't the only good brand. Buying a 'brand' without knowing anything about a 'specific model' is like fishing in the dark. You could end up with a good look expensive amp but which doesn't do what you want it to do ! If you know nothing about amps, well, you need lots of help from the Net !
Cheers.

 

[Naturelover]

No, it is not an attachment to a specific brand. I am on the lookout for an amp in a budget of around 1.5 lacs and Luxman is one of the suggested brands. Since there is no dealer in India, I need to fall back upon any helpful FMs.
It will probably be something like the L-505UX that will fit in the budget.

 

[dheerajin]

TRIGON ENERGY is within 1.5 lacs and it is cheapest in india compared to other countires, and since you are travelling to B'lore , you could audition the same.
It is recommended by many in the forum.

Cheers

Dheeraj

 

[mpw]

agree with fantastic.

use your time in bangalore, mumbai and cochin to audition amps as well and preferably get the amps and speakers matched from one place - maybe a good deal too..

do visit a few FM's places to hear different setups as well and try your best to ensure your money is spent well.

as far as amps go - please try to get indian voltage compatible ones.. in my view a transformer adds one more variable to the chain that is best avoided.. but thats just me.

mpw

 

[AVM]

Naturelover, you could probably reach out FM Panditji. He recently imported a Luxman integrated.

Fantastic, curious to know the model of the Luxman.

 

[prem]

Hi naturelover

Ideally look at an amp speaker combo. Most amps in the 1.5 to 2 l range with the right matching speaker will sound good. First figure out whether you want to go the Harbeth, Spendor way. If you are clear about that then start finalising your amp. Dont hear things in isolation.

if you hear a few 3-4 lakh well set up systems, there will not be any major difference. Usually only parallel shifts.

 

[soulforged]

I had written to Luxman about buying their product from Japan since there no dealers in India. Posting their response here as you seem to have the same plan...

Please be aware that Luxman products made for Japanese market are designed to work on 100V AC only. This is unique to the Japanese market; hence please do not buy such products to use outside of Japan as it will not be complaint with your local mains voltage. If products have been bought under such circumstances your local distributor will not be able to help you with warranty and servicing.

Since we have no distributor in India at this moment, would you mind to buy Luxman goods from nearby country, like Thailand or Hong Kong?

Thanks and best regards.

 

[prem]

Hi Naturelover

Chances are you will hear a greater difference in sound presentation between a Harbeth, ATC and a Rethm than between a Luxman, Naim and Accuphase.

When i mean a difference in sound presentation, i dont mean one is superior to the other. For example sound from Rethm will be more immediate, coherent and transparent as compared to Harbeth which will be more warm, sweeter and organic. According to me this is where 'what floats your boat' comes in.

 

[panditji]

I had written to Luxman about buying their product from Japan since there no dealers in India. Posting their response here as you seem to have the same plan...

I too got the same reply but I wanted the 505 uX in the golden finish and got it from Japan....

 

[soulforged]

I too got the same reply but I wanted the 505 uX in the golden finish and got it from Japan....

So are you using a step-down xformer or did they make a 220v version for you?

 

[panditji]

Hi naturelover

Ideally look at an amp speaker combo. Most amps in the 1.5 to 2 l range with the right matching speaker will sound good. First figure out whether you want to go the Harbeth, Spendor way. If you are clear about that then start finalising your amp. Dont hear things in isolation.

if you hear a few 3-4 lakh well set up systems, there will not be any major difference. Usually only parallel shifts.

Absolutely agree...you need to decide the speakers first ... it would be better to spend time auditioning speakers and like Prem said choose if you want the Harbeth/Spendor types or the Rethm single drivers or speakers like Dynaudio/ProAc/Blumenhorfer ...once you decide the speakers then you can start looking at amps....

If you decide on Harbeth/Spendors, then even a good used integrated amplifier will be good enough and you can save money..however if you like a Dynaudio then you will have to look at amps which can drive them to their full potential as they are picky about the amount of power and current...

I got a quote on the Magnepan 1.7 in black from Audiovision for 2 lakhs which i think can easily fit your budget, room and your music taste...do audition those in Mumbai as well as you might like it....

Please put the maximum amount of money on speakers and maybe buy a used integrated at first and then if you have more money to spend, buy an expensive amp if required...

 

[panditji]

So are you using a step-down xformer or did they make a 220v version for you?

Using a step down transformer with a servo stabilizer...I know the voltage can be easily changed to 220 in the amp but I don't know any expert who can do it for me...a lot of people in the US import directly from Japan and convert it themselves or use a step down transformer since the US prices are almost double the Japanese prices...

 

[dheerajin]

I am using PSB Synchrony after auditioning Harbeth/Spendors and found Synchrony much richer in soundstage and neutral with full frequency range. They are not biased towards any particular sound signature. Throw whatever you want and they will reproduce with ease. However they are 4 ohm and need high current amps, like Dynaudio speakers, to drive them to full potential.
IMO give them a try, while visiting mumbai. I have hardly seen anyone in this forum mentioning synchrony, dont know why? May be my ears are not upto the mark:licklips:.But in other forums, i have read that, for same quality(SQ) of PSB Synchrony one has to spend twice as much for other brands.
You can read the designer Paul Burton's interview on the net regarding Synchrony's design and reviews.

Cheers
Dheeraj

 

[Naturelover]

Your signature shows Synchrony 2 which are now discontinued. The website has Synchrony 1 and 1B. Have you heard these and can you tell me the prices?
Thanks

I am using PSB Synchrony after auditioning Harbeth/Spendors and found Synchrony much richer in soundstage and neutral with full frequency range.

 

[jai1611]

Your signature shows Synchrony 2 which are now discontinued. The website has Synchrony 1 and 1B. Have you heard these and can you tell me the prices?
Thanks

The Synchrony 1 will need a big room. The 1B is a good bookshelf - worth auditioning.

 

[dheerajin]

Your signature shows Synchrony 2 which are now discontinued. The website has Synchrony 1 and 1B. Have you heard these and can you tell me the prices?
Thanks

PSB Synchrony-2 is discontinued..correct but dealer has stock of them in mumbai and you can get good discount on them because of discontinuity.
Anyway last time dealer told me, because of discontinuity they are maintaining the stocks of these VFM premium speakers.
Synchrony One comes around 3.5 Lacs and it is not suitable for the room you mentioned.
Synchrony Two- Last retails price was 2.05 Lacs and you can further discuss the discount with dealer.
Synchrony speakers plays with your mind, when correctly placed you can see the tonsils of the singer and instruments will be everywhere in the room except speakers.Try to have CD of -Exotic Dances from the Opera with you while having audition of Synchrony.

Cheers
Dheeraj

 

[AVM]

Ideally look at an amp speaker combo.

True.
My decision to go with a Luxman was based on the audition of the Tannoys. I had heard the Luxman M06a which is a class A power amp when I decided to go in for the Tannoy drivers from a FM. I did hear the Tannoys with a Quad amp aswell.
I wanted to pick the amp also then but it was already sold to another FM.
Along came Lux M4000 which also was also paired to similar Tannoy's and decided to pick it up.
Months later the new owner of M06a wanted to give it away and I picked it up. It runs on 100V and I use a step down transformer.

Panditji,
Would like to hear your combo sometime.

Regards,

 

[panditji]

True.
My decision to go with a Luxman was based on the audition of the Tannoys. I had heard the Luxman M06a which is a class A power amp when I decided to go in for the Tannoy drivers from a FM. I did hear the Tannoys with a Quad amp aswell.
I wanted to pick the amp also then but it was already sold to another FM.
Along came Lux M4000 which also was also paired to similar Tannoy's and decided to pick it up.
Months later the new owner of M06a wanted to give it away and I picked it up. It runs on 100V and I use a step down transformer.

Panditji,
Would like to hear your combo sometime.

Regards,

Anytime sir..I am based in Faridabad .... It's only that my room is empty right now as I have no furniture and carpets as yet..But if you want to hear the tonality, then you are most welcome anytime...

 

[vijwilso]

Panditji

Have you posted any write-up on the 'Naim vs Luxman" with Compact 7 . Been waiting for this.