Luxman 590AX II Break-In

OP’s solution is likely more economical than building a new home with a properly designed, dedicated listening room, as tempting as that option might be.

@jeffreyw

I think brother @Arafiq has given you accurate, insightful, and potentially useful information. I’m running a LUX 550AXII and and I do appreciate what it does right- which is a lot. I also appreciate its many functions- which is the primary reason I purchased it. I would say that it took about 200 hours to break-in. I leave it on 24/7.

My primary speakers are vintage Sonus Faber monitors. 86.5 db, 6 Ohms.

Overall I would say that the music has a silky, perhaps "creamy" quality, but of course, not many would mistake the LUX for a tube amp. :) One more thing- I wanted to buy a new unit and had a 590AXII been available I would have gone with that instead.

Best of luck sorting things out- I’d start with your speakers.

@jeffreyw

Does your wife like the way the system sounds now?    Does she love music? Does she listen critically? I'm asking with utmost respect.

My wife has phenomenal hearing but she never sits down in front of our hifi system to listen critically or casually for enjoyment.  Our home has an open floor plan and music is in the background for her. I play almost every genre except metal, rap, and pounding electronica- mostly classical, both light and heavy, jazz, folk, other acoustic, world, etc.

She danced professionally for many years and has heard a lot of live music.  I will often solicit her opinion when I change something, whether it be amplification or even cables.  My wife doesn't care about the usual audiophile stuff- "sound stage, imaging, second or whatever order  harmonics," and so on and so forth, but she is very aware of the overall SOUND of the music. Is it warm, is it smooth or is it harsh and strident-is it pleasing to the ear- does it sound somewhat "real"- is it non-fatiguing?  All relative and subjective, I know, but for me her comments are valid and useful.

I took a look at your Kefs and agree that they are quite attractive, but these days there are a lot of other speakers with great visual appeal. 

Anyway, I'm following this thread and will be interested in learning how you resolve the issue.

@jeffreyw

Many here have suggested the problem is room/speaker interface. It’s entirely possible or maybe even likely in your situation.

As an example, Some years ago, I had a pair of Chapman T7 3-way floor-standers, which sounded wonderful in a large living room. When we redesigned the interior, I moved the stereo system to a smaller, but dedicated listening room, I could never get the Chapmans to sound good. Bass went from terrific to awful. It had nothing to do with the amps- I was using either powerful tube monos and tube pre- and a very sweet 150 WPC SS integrated at the time.

I should also say that while the dimensions of the room itself are small, since the rear wall and most of the side wall open to adjacent much bigger rooms, the listening room is in effect, bigger. I fortunately don't get "boomy" bass.

Now, as I said in an earlier post, the Luxman 550AXII works a treat with my SF monitors with or without a single, small sub, but always with the thick front corner bass traps. On some music, I’ll turn the sub off.

Keep us posted.

@jeffreyw

Are you buying the more powerful amp and if so, what will you do for a preamp?

Glad you’ve now heard sufficient bass through those KEF’s. May you be able to hear that bass at home. :)

@erik_squires

OP alluded to his WAF regarding the KEFs. I believe Mrs. OP very much likes the way the speakers look. A big plus for Mr. OP. :)

This is an interesting thread. I’m tuned in until OP reveals the resolve.  

@jeffreyw 

Thanks very much for the update.  As I said, I find your thread quite interesting and informative as well.  Since I have a fair amount of experience with Sonus Faber monitors, and because they not only generally sound good, they generally have great eye appeal.  Perhaps your better half might be amenable to at least looking at them.  Your 590 would likely work very well.  

Full-disclosure; My Lux 550 AXII is powering my circa 2004 SF Guarneri Homage and I think the synergy is excellent.  Some "experts" have insisted that I need more juice on tap.  Maybe, maybe not.   I can listen for hours without fatigue or losing interest. I have a pair of REL T5x but they are not always plugged in unless I want to rock the Casbah..  But, stating the obvious- our hobby is so personal and subjective  that only you and your wife will really know what works for you.

After many years of audiophilia, one thing I've learned is that tossing a lot of coinage at real or perceived deficiencies is not always productive nor prudent.

This wind bag now rests his case. :)