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In Reply to: Opinions on the Luxman 505, 505ux, 505uxII posted by Hyfi on September 19, 2019 at 05:25:08:
My first thought is an in home audition, of the integrated amplifier. Second, if considering a speaker upgrade I'd do that first and then select the best partnering amplifier/integrated amplifier. I'm not familiar with your speakers so can't help specifically. I did upgrade a system for my wife's condo. The speakers are Sony SS-NA2ES. I'd auditioned many and stumbled on these. Considering they were Sony ES series I told the dealer I was not interested in spending any time auditioning them. He pushed back and said don't pay attention to the label just listen. He also said he hears that from many customers, who would not give them a listen. The dealer was right, a great speaker seeking a better badge. They were competing with Sonus Faber Olympica II/II, Revel Performa 208, Aerial Acoustics 5T/7T, Paradigm Performa f208, and B&W 702s. Overall the speakers are quite good and bettered the others. I found them to have a flat frequency response up to the mid-high frequencies. They were slightly tipped up in the upper high frequencies. Placement is pretty straight forward., with no toe-in. Transparency, coherence, soundtage width and depth is all I could ask for. The speakers are 93dB efficient. I listen predominately to Jazz for which these are great.
Regarding the Luxman integrated amplifiers I purchased a Luxman 509X and have not regretted it. Interconnects and speaker cables are Discovery Signature and Essence. I went for the Luxman integrated or the simplicity. My goal was to simplify the system, eliminating multiple boxes. The Luxman with the Sony SS-NA2ES draws me into the music with a slightly relaxed presentation. The amplifier has the authority to properly reproduce stand up acoustic bass, the dynamics and shadings of piano and sax, and the shimmer of cymbals. It definitely approaches a tube sound, offering a little more punch, and trading a slighty dryer perspective for excellent inner detail retrieval. With the 505 your going to trade off detail, transient response and dynamic punch. Selection is going to be dependent on your final speaker choice and the type of music you generally listen to. Personally I'd go for the 509x over the 505 or 507. Integrated amplifiers I listened to were Bel Canto Black, Sim Moon Audio Neo 360i/600i/700i, Mark Levinson 585, Hegel 360. I will say the Sim Moon Audio 360i with Vandersteen Treo CTs are another great combination as is the Hegel/Revel.
My reference system is Genesis V, cj Premier 11a, Audible Illusions 3/3A, Linn Sondek LP 12 with Denon 304 into Denon AU1 step up transformer, or VPI Prime with Ortofon Cadenza Black into JC Gold board in the AI Modulus 3A pre-amp. Cables are Nirvana SX-LTD. The Luxman gives me a strong taste of the Reference System without the heat or maintenance. Hope this helps you in your quest.
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Follow Ups
- RE: Opinions on the Luxman 505, 505ux, 505uxII - weedeewop 07:41:58 09/19/19 (6)
- RE: Opinions on the Luxman 505, 505ux, 505uxII - Mick Wolfe 09:29:11 09/19/19 (5)
- RE: Opinions on the Luxman 505, 505ux, 505uxII - weedeewop 10:52:01 09/19/19 (4)
- RE: Opinions on the Luxman 505, 505ux, 505uxII - Mick Wolfe 17:24:59 09/19/19 (0)
- Thanks for the feedback - Hyfi 11:02:54 09/19/19 (2)
- RE: Thanks for the feedback - weedeewop 11:09:40 09/19/19 (1)
- RE: Thanks for the feedback - Hyfi 11:24:24 09/19/19 (0)