What number of corporations can boast being 100 years previous? Denon, Yamaha, and Luxman are three of the oldest client A/V manufacturers on the planet and while our mates in Japan nonetheless have one other 15 months to go earlier than they hit that moderately unbelievable milestone, that has not stopped them from introducing a lot of new CD gamers, phono cartridges, and built-in amplifiers to showcase their subsequent technology of innovation.
Luxman, not like some its different Japanese rivals like Denon and Rotel, sits in a barely totally different place as a result of it competes moderately favorably with a few of the larger American manufacturers like McIntosh, Audio Analysis, and Mark Levinson who attraction to a extra conventional high-end buyer that already is aware of that Luxman is among the greatest manufacturers to ever come out of Japan.
The corporate doesn’t refresh its lineup each single yr and we’re solely seeing a relentless circulation of latest merchandise now due to delays attributable to the pandemic and its looming milestone.
The Luxman L-509Z is the primary element to include their Built-in Suggestions Engine System (LIFES1.0) in each the ability amp and preamp sections. It’s additionally the primary with the Luxman Electronically Managed Final Attenuator-EX (LECUA-EX).
“Built-in amplifiers have been central to Luxman’s id, at the least way back to 1964, when our SQ-38 grew to become a mainstay of Japanese jazz cafes,” stated Jeff Sigmund, president of Luxman America. “Our new flagship honors that custom, incorporating the essence of our separate preamps and energy amps whereas introducing important improvements.”
The L-509Z replaces the L-509X and joins the L-507Z of 2022 in Luxman’s Z Sequence. In comparison with its predecessor, the brand new built-in amp additionally gives a brand new phono preamp with switchable achieve to accommodate each low-output and high-output transferring coil cartridges.
Different upgrades embody utterly redesigned tone controls with separate bands for bass, midrange, and treble; 12-volt triggers; 7-segment LED quantity stage show; and front-panel mute swap.
LIFES1.0
The brand new L509Z is the third element to include Built-in Suggestions Engine System (LIFES1.0) and the primary to have it not solely within the energy amplifier part, but in addition the preamplifier. The circuit is the most recent expression in Luxman’s multi-decade quest to beat the long-standing tradeoffs in amplifier unfavorable suggestions.
Unfavorable suggestions has at all times been a double-edged sword. Whereas suggestions performs a central function in lowering distortion, even minuscule inaccuracies in its software can compromise the expressive energy of music copy. It was to beat this paradox that Luxman created the Solely Distortion Unfavorable Suggestions (ODNF) circuit in 1999 and refined it via 5 generations as much as 2021.
LIFES1.0 supersedes even these proud achievements, with a very redesigned circuit that includes enhancements in distortion detection, regulation, and thermal stability. The result’s a uncommon mixture of exceptionally low distortion and the pure sound high quality related to “non-feedback” circuits.
The L-509Z combines excessive energy and excellent linearity, thanks to 3 stage Darlington bipolar transistors in quadruple-paralleled push-pull configuration. The extremely regulated energy provide boasts a large, 600 VA EI-type transformer and an array of eight 10,000 µF filter capacitors.
The Class AB output stage is conservatively rated at 120W+120W at 8 ohms and 240W+240W at 4 ohms.
LECUA-EX
Unassuming and infrequently missed, the amount management might be the supply of refined and not-so-subtle sonic degradations. Typical, variable-resistor quantity controls usually introduce noise. And left/proper monitoring errors can unintentionally shift the stereo steadiness because the person adjusts quantity. For these causes, Luxman has lengthy prevented the variable resistor in favor of rigorously crafted attenuator circuits. Premiering on the L-509Z, the Luxman Electronically Managed Final Attenuator-EX (LECUA-EX) is a computerized precision attenuator. It delivers meticulous quantity adjustment throughout 88 discrete steps whereas minimizing distortion. The brand new LECUA-EX enhances the expertise with a brand new rotary encoder, that includes a weighted mechanism to allow smoother adjustment with an immensely satisfying management “really feel.”
Different Enhancements
In comparison with the predecessor L-509X, the brand new amplifier additionally contains a exact 7-segment LED showmaking it simple to see quantity stage from any listening place. Instantaneous output is displayed on massive, highly-sensitive VU meters that are illuminated by white LEDs for optimum viewing. The “Pentaconn” 4.4 mm, five-conductor, balanced headphone jack supplies impartial left/proper grounding for improved stereo separation. It dietary supplements the usual 6.3 mm jack.
Rear-panel 12-volt set off enter and outputs accommodate appropriate house automation techniques. Management enter and output terminals coordinate operation with appropriate Luxman elements. A entrance panel Mute button enhances the distant management Mute. Two preamp outputs and one energy amp enter allow versatile system configurations together with biamping.
Chassis
To suppress airborne and shelf-borne vibration that may blur the microdynamics of quiet musical passages, the chassis is uncommonly sturdy with thick aluminum panels and density gradient forged iron ft. Of explicit word, the highest panel contains a traditional Luxman hairline end and 28 individually reduce air flow ports. The amplifier weighs 65 kilos (29.4 kg).
Circuit topology
To guard the purity of music copy, Luxman engineers gave cautious thought to enter/output terminals and sign routing. For instance, the RCA terminals use a copper alloy that mixes the conductivity of copper with the sturdiness of brass. Luxman supplies 18- and 20-mm spacing between terminals to accommodate high-grade interconnects.
Giant, parallel configured speaker relays and ultra-thick 3.5-square-mm cable guarantee low impedance transmission. The inline speaker terminals supply ample spacing for thick speaker cables and Y terminators.
To guard the music from interference, beeline topology minimizes inside sign runs. Oxygen-free copper (OFC) wiring helps guarantee unusual musicality. The printed circuit boards additionally replicate Luxman’s thoroughgoing strategy: peel-coat boards decrease dielectric results whereas round-cornered printed circuit traces guarantee clean present transmission.
The provided RA-17A wi-fi distant management additionally operates Luxman digital gamers launched after 1996.
Worth & Availability
The Luxman L-509Z built-in amplifier is offered instantly at a prompt retail value of $12,495.
For extra info: luxmanamerica.com/product/l-509z/
