2. amps-preamps
  3. 173313-9486

Audio Research or Luxman?

I recently acquired a 1973 Luxman L-507 integrated amp only to learn that the volume/balance control pots are bad and can't be replaced, but I was able to bypass the pre-amp section and run it with the amp section only, and oh my, did it sound good.

I was very surprsed to find that its sound quality came too close in sound quality to my ARC separates: a Reference 3 preamp and Ref 75SE amp. So now I'm wondering how a modern Luxman like a l-505uXii or 507uXii would compare with my ARC separates. 

Any thoughts anyone?

 

audiojerry

Showing 3 responses by kren0006

kren0006
1,859 posts
 

Erik: are you predicting each of the current 505, 507, and 509 will be phased out soon?  They all still say “ New” on the site. 

kren0006
1,859 posts
 

Ok, just checking because you said “50x line”, which I interpreted to mean all three. Did you mean just the 505, or what exactly is being discontinued

kren0006
1,859 posts
 

It depends on what level of Audio Research you are talking about.  For example, within the last month I had a one hour audition of Wilson SabrinaX speakers both with the Luxman L509x integrated amp ($10k) and also with the ARC separates LS28 and VT80 stack (about $20k).  I preferred the Luxman as being more dynamic with better grip on the bass and just a better presentation.  DAC was a Chord dac.  So it depends.

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