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Leben cs300 vs Luxman sq38

Hello all,

Happy to be joining the group. Following 2 months of intense reading & listening to a variety of systems, I have started narrowing down my choices for a new amplifier (I consider this a first step before start looking for the speakers), between a used Octave V80 (which i liked but scared me with it's size and high valve replacement cost) and the cuter Leben cs300.

I was mesmerized by the virtues of Leben cs300: for me it combines good analysis and sheer musicality, I really like it's sound. My only problem with the Leben being it's low power, I was ready to buy it and then look for something like a Zu or a small monitor to partner it with (not ideal, but I felt ok).

Still I was just given the chance to buy a Luxman sq38u at a very good price, new, unfortunately without the option at this point to hear it. I'm thinking about the Luxman's bigger power and phono stage and I'm wondering:

How would you compare the two? Are they close in terms of sound? What should i expect as differences between them? Would i find in the Luxman the things i like on the Leben?Would you go for it? Leben somehow has a more "boutique" kind of feel while Luxman seems a bit more "mass" is it like that? Is the Luxman able to drive many more speakers and if yes what kind of speakers would you partner it with?

Many thx in advance, sorry for the long post,

Peter
peterbel
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
I think you should back up and reverse the order of your decisions. I strongly recommend deciding on speakers first. Then match the amp to your speakers. You will get much better synergy that way, IME. Speakers are the most important component in your system. And an amp should be chosen that best complements your speakers in accordance with your listening habits and preferences.

Some speakers really need power. Some are best matched with solid state, others work better with tubes. Some speakers like current.
drdennis
165 posts
 
Both were reviewed within the past year by TAS or Stereophile. A Google search should find it.
Don't worry about the Leban's power output unless you have a very large room, very inefficient speakers or listen at very loud levels. I have a 300SX paired with Harbeth C7's. It is a wonderful combination.
peterbel OP
3 posts
 
Thanks everyone for baring with me and sharing their thoughts. I have read most of the reviews of the Leben and the Luxman and the Leben seems to be getting more favor vs the Luxman.

I think it all boils down to whether the extra flexibility of the Luxman due to more power will really make a difference on speaker partnering. I have heard the Leben with bigger speakers and it didn't work for me: it wasn't that it couldn't play loud, but I felt the sound was seriously degraded.

Im not sure that the Leben can be partnered with anything but horns (which I don't like), Zu or small standmounts (like the Harbeths that drdennis mentioned above) and in that respect I feel that the Luxman can play much better with a variety of other speakers esp flpprstanders to double the power, thus allow me to get a better overall result.

Is this a fair assumption? Will the Luxman allow a bigger variety of speakers?

Thanks again to everyone for their thoughts,

Peter
ef227
9 posts
 
The Luxman sq38 should be compared to Leben CS600, they are closer in terms of price, power and tube selection
(around 25-30W from EL34/6l6 tubes)
The CS300 is based on EL84 which have less power, but great musicality and charming tone.
If you do like the kind of sound of the EL84, and need more power, consider the Manley Stingray II as well.
peterbel OP
3 posts
 
Thanks for your answer. Indeed I have now excluded the Luxman (I've auditioned it and was not persuaded) and I'm now between the Leben cs600 and cs300. In full honesty I've liked the 300 more, probably the el84 but not fully happy with the limited power thus speaker choices. I will look into the Stingray as well, thanks!
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