Any real experiences with a Luxman C900u and C10x?

Addition to the above post.  There is nothing wrong with the 509x integrated, i just wanted more.  

Update. c900u setup into m10x

The c900u is a huge improvement over my 509x as a Pre. The best way I can describe the difference is ‘the sound is now free and simply just flows to let the music be the focus’.

I have not heard the c10x, but with my current setup I’m in no rush to change.

Huge thank you to Albert at precision audio and video in Chicago for setting me up with the new pre.

@sdavada I'm sure you're going to really like it.  Please let us know you're thoughts!

@jeffreyw For now a C900 is on it's way after a quick demo.  Thank you

@polyrhythm9 

Ok. My opinion differs a little. I think the M10x/C10X smokes the 509X. I was never impressed with the Luxman integrateds. I had the 509AXII and it was a failed experiment, unfortunately!

@sdavada 

I'm not sure why the Luxman has received lukewarm praise. I would go for the C10X. You would have a 'state-of-the-art' system for many years to come. I wish I had gone in that direction, but my wife loves the blue meters.

Best and good luck!

@jeffreyw The M10X/C10X combo bettered the 509X.  The 509X was impressive though. 

@polyrhythm9 

Are you stating that the 509X bettered the M10/C10 combo?

@polyrhythm9 exactly, I like the Luxman sound 

@markusthenaimnut i hear you, some folks try to hard to push their ‘sound’. Experimenting as you say is part of the joinery which should be enjoyed. 

@celtic66 good to hear. I took the plunge and ordered a c900u to power an m-10x for my ATC50 PSL’s. 

Luxman C900u controls my ATC 50 actives.  It is quite fast, dynamic and images well.  It is fast enough to stay with the actives.  Tubes were too slow.  I love the sound, it is for me, perhaps not you.

The C900u is fed by Weiss 4 channel 501 DAC and Naim Core server.  How wrong could you go?  Best of luck.

Just need to add a couple comments:

1. I have a friend who owns a Luxman 509 integrated. It sounds superb. The descriptors I'm reading in this thread don't reflect my own experience. I think Luxman equipment sounds excellent. 

2. Over the last several months I've become more convinced that we are never "hearing" a single piece of equipment. We're always hearing a combination of pieces of equipment, and that includes source(s), interconnects, speaker wires, speakers and room. 

3. I make these comments simply to emphasize the criticality of auditioning equipment for yourself, ideally in a system you're thoroughly familiar with.

4. One last thought - I'm sure that any and all of the equipment that folks are recommending on this thread is sounds superb, in the right system, with the right links in the chain... 

I've had the M10X / C10X combination for 9 months.  I didn't have a chance to compare C10X vs C900u though. 

I use this combo with a Chord DAVE dac and Magico S3 mk 2 speakers.  I was going for clarity, detail, and convincing musicality to the sound. To my ears- this combination brings that for sure! The sound is more LIVE MUSIC with little bloat to the sound.  Instruments sound real, in particular ride cymbals (I'm a drummer so that was a goal) - Of course, this is all very subjective.  

I did demo a 509X in home for a few days.  Comparatively, this is cleaner - with more bass extension, better separation of instruments, and a bigger soundstage. 

If you like the Luxman sound -  the C10X is excellent. 

Plus 2 @ghdprentice, I bought a C900 amp as Jay and others were all about it 4 years ago. I burned it in, and in and in, but the sound was exactly as GHD reports. I had Wilson Sasha 2s at the time. I sold it within a few weeks and bought ARC 160m s. I have since moved onto a Gryphon Antileon EVO and i'm happy. That said I was told that you need to put Luxman preamps with a Luxman Amp which I did not do. So my story is incomplete. 

Thank you @wswright20 

Also, not sure where you are located but I would suggest giving Albert Sportis at Precision Audio/Video in Chicago a call.  He is a pretty large volume and experienced Luxman dealer and may be able to help you with a comparison?

I currently have the C900U with mono M900U amps driving Focal Scala EVO's with a stereo pair of Rel 31's.  Have moved from Mac with B&W and SF in the past and greatly prefer my current setup. I have found it to be extremely cable sensitive however!  I stream almost exclusively with Tidal through an Esoteric N-01XD.  I was able to listen to both the C10X and the M10X at Axpona this year with Magico and decided that I would have to do a direct comparison in my room to determine if there is a significant enough difference to justify the upgrade.  For what it's worth the Luxman reps state the C10X to be the more significant of the two upgrades.   If it were me, given the attractive pricing for the C900U on the used market, I would consider giving one a try.  Likely not a significant financial risk even if you decide to eventually move to the newer model.

+1 @ghdprentice on the sound attributes of Luxman.  I extensively demoed one of the Class AB Integrateds with Persona 7F speakers.  I was all set to take them for in home trial, but was disappointed in the harshness and lack of midrange warmth.  Unlike @ghdprentice, I drifted to the much more musial SS products from Audonet.  I find Audionet very much more musical and delicate, yet full and dynamic.  My thoughts continue to be that if I can get this sound without tubes, it is the way to go.

I actually had that exact combination. I came from a Luxman integrated so probably same sound signature but it was definitely an improvement as you would expect.

I wanted to use one line stage / preamp for both my tube amp ( 300b PSet) and the Luxman M10X. 

I have an Aric Audio Motherload preamp using some “BAD BOY” NOS 6SN7. That I compared with the C900 and I would not call it better but just a little more laid back as you would expect.

Anyway I ended up keeping the tube preamp.

I can now go between the M10X and the Aric Audio to change the sound from a more detailed sound to a hard-hitting sound and a laid-back sound of the 300b.

I would say using the c900 just gave it a little more detailed sound. I would imagine it would be hard to find a better solid state preamp to match with the M10X (except maybe new c10x). The prices of the c900 are really good now and if I totally separated my systems I would go back to it.

Focal Sopra #3 speakers for now.

I am a bit of a contrarian in this site when it comes to preamps. I do not want warmth, or anything added from a preamp. That is why I was not a fan of the c900u preamp.

My ideal preamp does not add anything to the sound. My Benchmark HPA4 does not add anything. I have it paired with a Sanders Magtech, but I am thinking of getting my CODA #16 hooked up to it for my office system

My other preamp, Holo Audio Serene, is almost like the LA4 | HPA4 except for being a tiny bit warm. I have this paired with the CODA #16 amp which I think is similar to the M10x. The CODA #16 maybe a bit warmer. I did not listen long enough with the M10x to know for sure.

I recently heard the M10x and the different sounding SimAudio 761. I am trying to decide which one of the 2 to get, but I know which 2 preamps I will use.

The EQ-500 has been discontinued, so you will likely have to look at the used market to get one.

Thank you @ghdprentice.  I definitely have a liking to the luxman sound signature.  I have a 509x which i'm using as a preamp and phono amp.

With my new M-10x and to get the most out of it I want to a dedicated preamp and phono amp (looking at the Chord Symphonic or Luxman EQ-500).  

For speakers Sonus Faber, DynAudio, and Magico. 

I have heard the C-900u, and a variety of the L-509X lines. Also the M-900u and M-10X. They all have a very distinct sound signature that are very similar with increasingly lower noise floor and more dynamic presentation. If you really like the Luxman presentation, you can be sure buying the higher tier model will sound better. 

I prefer more balanced and musical presentation. If this interests you at all,  I would recommend looking at an Audio Research, Conrad Johnson or VAC preamps if what I am saying appeals to you. These are more musical and natural. The best place to start to get a musical presentation into your system is through a warmer and more natural preamp. 

If you do not have much of a choice in dealers. Then consider a trip to go listening to some other equipment. Just to verify you are on the right track. On a Saturday or Sunday I have been known to drive a couple hundred  miles to an appointment or two at a distant high end store for some auditioning. On business trips, across the country after work is done. 

@ghdprentice Appreciate your response.  What speakers were being used with the Luxman gear you've heard?

Also do you have any experience with the two pre amps i mentioned?

First off, I have to say I am not fond of Luxman solid state equipment. I have listened to it a lot and it is lean and lacks midrange bloom and rhythm and pace. This amp is like that. However it has deep power reserves and sounds “high end”, particularly when mated with Luxman solid state preamps. The high end nature conveys a sense of transparency and exceptional detail, also looking great. But many people love them, presumably for these reasons.