My lust for Luxman gear together with my love of a pleasant built-in amp are two issues I’m not shy about admitting. After which there’s these meters…
Yea, I even have a factor for meters. The L-509Z ‘s launch is available in anticipation of the corporate’s centennial subsequent yr. 100 years is a really very long time.
“Built-in amplifiers have been central to Luxman’s identification, at the very 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 vital improvements.”
As you’ll be able to see, the flagship L-509Z is busy round again with a complete of 6 line degree inputs (4x RCA, 2x XLR), 2x Pre Out, MAIN IN, Two units of Speaker outputs for driving two units of audio system, and a MM/MC Phono enter with adjustable acquire for low- and high-output MM cartridges.
The L-509Z combines excessive energy and very good linearity, thanks to a few 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.
The L-509Z incorporates new Luxman tech together with their Built-in Suggestions Engine System (LIFES1.0) in each the facility amp and preamp sections and the Luxman Electronically Managed Final Attenuator-EX (LECUA-EX). The tone controls—Bass, Center, Treble—have been fully redesigned together with entrance panel LED quantity show (I additionally respect a numeric quantity show).
The Luxman L-509Z is out there now at a steered retail worth of $12,495.
Right here’s the entire press launch from Luxman:
New flagship built-in amplifier
from Luxman America
L-509Z is the primary to supply LIFES1.0 levels in each preamp and energy amp and the primary with LECUA-EX quantity management
BALLSTON SPA, New York, September 2023 – Luxman continues to arrange for 2025, the corporate’s centennial, with a brand new top-of-the-line built-in amplifier. Along with the corporate’s trademark sound high quality, the L-509Z is the primary element to include the Luxman Built-in Suggestions Engine System (LIFES1.0) in each the facility 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 identification, at the very 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 vital 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 affords a brand new phono preamp with switchable acquire to accommodate each low-output and high-output transferring coil cartridges. Different upgrades embrace fully redesigned tone controls with separate bands for bass, midrange, and treble; 12-volt triggers; 7-segment LED quantity degree show; and front-panel mute swap.
The L-509Z built-in amplifier is out there instantly at a steered retail worth of $12,495.
LUXMAN Built-in Suggestions Engine System (LIFES1.0)
The brand new L509Z is the third element to include LIFES1.0 and the primary to have it not solely within the energy amplifier part, but in addition the preamplifier. The circuit is the newest expression in Luxman’s multi-decade quest to beat the long-standing tradeoffs in amplifier detrimental suggestions.
Unfavorable suggestions has at all times been a double-edged sword. Whereas suggestions performs a central position in lowering distortion, even minuscule inaccuracies in its software can compromise the expressive energy of music replica. It was to beat this paradox that Luxman created the Solely Distortion Unfavorable Suggestions (ODNF) circuit in 1999 and refined it by means of 5 generations as much as 2021. LIFES1.0 supersedes even these proud achievements, with a totally 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 very good linearity, thanks to a few 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. The result’s distinctive sound high quality with an abundance of power.
Luxman Electronically Managed Final Attenuator-EX (LECUA-EX)
Unassuming and sometimes missed, the amount management may be the supply of delicate and not-so-subtle sonic degradations. Standard, 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 fastidiously crafted attenuator circuits. Premiering on the L-509Z, the 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 straightforward to see quantity degree 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 unbiased left/proper grounding for improved stereo separation. It dietary supplements the usual 6.3 mm jack. Rear-panel 12-volt set off enter and output accommodate appropriate residence 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.
Strong 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 toes. Of explicit observe, the highest panel contains a basic Luxman hairline end and 28 individually lower air flow ports. The amplifier weighs 65 kilos (29.4 kg).
Refined circuit topology, provided distant management
To guard the purity of music replica, 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 inner sign runs. Oxygen-free copper (OFC) wiring helps guarantee unusual musicality. The printed circuit boards additionally replicate Luxman’s thoroughgoing method: peel-coat boards reduce 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.
ABOUT LUXMAN
Luxman America, Inc. based mostly in Ballston Spa, NY, is the unique North American distributor of Luxman model merchandise designed and produced by Luxman Corp., of Yokohama, Japan. Luxman was among the many world’s first client electronics firms, based on the daybreak of the radio age in 1925. Through the years, Luxman audio elements have change into synonymous with timeless styling, beautiful match and end, and above all, uncompromising sound high quality. When the audio trade moved en masse into transistor amplifiers, Luxman continued to create vacuum tube amplifiers with out interruption. Landmark merchandise embrace the SQ-5A vacuum tube built-in amplifier (1961), the PD-300 turntable with vacuum disc stabilizer (1980) and the DU-10 common disc participant for CD, SACD and DVD Audio (2001). For extra info, we invite you to go to luxmanamerica.com and Like us on Fb.
