Luxman integrated for Harbeth Compact 7's


I’m looking to move on from a Croft phono integrated, which quite honestly, is quite nice with the 7’s. But as it goes in this hobby, we tend to enjoy playing with gear. In searching the forums here and elsewhere, it seems this combination has made some quite happy. My price range is $5000-$6000K US, so it’s the Class A 550 unit which I have my eye on. Looking for some thoughts on this. The Croft is so darned good, I may hold on to it. Especially considering it would only bring in $1000 or so. Thanks for your thoughts.
fjn04
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Pdreher, thanks for the information. Much appreciated. Will see how it goes. Although the DA-06 is not a current model (almost 10 years old), it costs more than $2k in the used market. That surely says something. I agree the build quality of the DA-06 just like other Luxman gear is very good.

@Ryder It's been a while since I owned the DA-06, but I don't recall it as being overly warm and it definitely does not lack detail.  It is well built as you would expect from Luxman.   If I didn't need a DAC with built in volume control (direct connection to amp, bypassing the need for a preamp), I wouldn't hesitate to own it today.  I had Harbeth M-40.1's at the time, by the way... and they are a warm speaker in my opinion. 

I had a Luxman DA-06 DAC several years ago... very nice sounding, double free DAC. Recommended.

I’m currently looking at the DA-06. May I ask if you have compared any Chord DACs to the Luxman. The reviews on the DA-06 appear to be contradictory. Some praise it to the heavens while some thought it’s rubbish with an overly warm sound which lacks detail.

No it doesn‘t! As stated above, I‘ve bought the 590axII and it is wonderful with the new 7XD! The new 7XD now sounds like a smaller SHL5. It is not as warm anymore as the older 7s. It is a heavenly match!

@mbabst 

 

Luxman amps (especially Class A) sound too smooth to pair with the Harbeth C7ES3 and 30.2 and the newer XD, each of which are already rich sounding.

The Luxman do very well with the SHL5+ which are slightly more neutral sounding.  

 

@mbabst I had a Luxman DA-06 DAC several years ago... very nice sounding, double free DAC. Recommended.

Very nice. Congrats on the purchase. That is supposed to be one heck of an amp. Have you considered Denafrips or Holo? 

Hi guys, in the end I‘ve ordered one of the last available 590axII for a very good prive. What a wonderful amp it is with my C7XD!

Next up is a new DAC. Thinking about the Bryston BDA 3 or Goldnote DS10. Any other suggestions?

My experience with the Luxman 550 AX/II and C7 es3 was not a bad one. I have nothing negative to say, other than for me it was nothing special. I’m also a tube guy who almost always prefers tubes in amplification and phono. My guess is everyone is right. The Luxman’s are excellent solid state amps but perhaps the laid back (non XD) C7’s wanted a little something the Luxman didn’t have....for me anyway. Perhaps I should have gone with the Lux class A/B option. So this is all about Synergy X 5, Mingus X 5...! arafiq, very impressive looking, and I’m sure sounding amp. It’s refreshing to hear the a50i has the grunt to push the Harbeth’s. I still feel like an outlier because I want to pair my 7’s with tubes. I would certainly be in the minority on HUG.

When I bought Harbeth SHL5+, I had the Cronus Magnum II and tried it with the speakers. It was a very good combination. I then bought a Luxman 590AXII, now we're talking. It really opened up the SHL5+ and had a sweet, inviting, revealing, and very open sound. It showed me all the nuances in the music, something the CM2 was not able to do quite as well. I found it to be better in the dynamics and bass areas as well. Overall, it was much more refined than the CM2. Of course, it's quite possible that CM3 is a huge improvement over CM2, so please take my impressions with a pinch of salt.

I later bought the Audio Hungary Qualiton a50i. Compared it to the Luxman and decided that for my taste the Qualiton was a clear winner. It has all the attributes of the Luxman but adds the holographic, 'big and juicy' sound that only tubes can provide. It also does not lose anything in terms of clarity and resolution. Yes, it doesn't have quite the same bass slam and dynamics as the Luxman, but what it provides in exchange was enough for me to sell the Luxman.

Recessed?! I have no idea of what Luxman you’ve listened to but that’s about as far from my experience… I have a 595 and a 590 (don’t ask…) and my buddy has a 509. Very dynamic and revealing and very much engaging 

Do you really think so? There are a lot of happy Harbeth/Luxman owners out there.

a rogue audio cronus magnum iii sounds better than any solid state integrated i have heard with the C7s including luxman.  

luxmans are too recessed for proper synergy.  

Hi guys

I have a pretty good offer for both a 507uxII and a 590axII. I sold all my Linn gear (except LP12) to get of the upgrade path so I need a new amp. My speakers are the lovely 7ES3 XD. 

Which amp would you get and why? Is the 507 a better match with Harbeth?

I auditioned my Tannoy Sterlings driven by a Luxman 20wpc class A Integrated. It sounded wonderful. Don't  remember the model number. 
i think my hegel h390 sounds terrific driving my compact 7’s as well as my super hl5+’s, as good as any solid state amp i have tried, and i have tried many.... then again i do have a lovely, sweet sounding source... ymmv of course
I think you'll be glad you didn't go with a Hegel. I had the big Hegel with your speakers and it was a bit thin sounding. I now have HL5 Plus and Accuphase E-600 and I'm done for a long time. I'm not knocking Hegel, just the combo of Hegel and Harbeth. 
I have not received my 550 yet. Will chime back with an update. I should be getting close...ordered roughly 3 weeks ago. Cheers -Don
I'm using a Luxman 590 AXII along with the Harbeth P3ESR XD speakers in a large room and I have no issues at all. I do use a pair of REL T/7i subwoofers.
hi fin04, how's your new Luxman Amp ? How's the sound? Is it strong enough for the C7?
If you can stretch your budget I heard it with Dartzeel integrated. Sounded juicy. Next choice is Accuphase. Luxman I heard with Tannoys not with Harbeth but I would say a wee bit lean sounding.
Great conversation---I have the Luxman 505UXii and I'm considering the C7 XDs. Do you all think this would be a good combo?
I am having success with the C7's and the Audia Flight FL Three S.  Can be purchased with or without adjustable MM/MC phono stage.  
Thank you- the reason I was on the fence with the 550 was the rated power, and if it would be enough for my 86 db Harbeths. My guess is there will be a trade off of giving up ultimate grip and control in favor of refinement. In this instance, I'm ok with that trade off. The C7's are not quite a rock the house speaker anyway. I've definitely read the flagship 590's power is rated conservatively, so hopefully this holds true with the 550. 
I bought one in January after selling all my tube equipment. You will be pleased. Driving Audio Note E. Great sound
Very nice...I'm sure they are both excellent. I just can't bring myself to go LFD, for the reasons you mention, along with it's lack of built in phono. I'd love to go one box...keep it simple, and not require another cable.
I have also heard Hegel and Harbeth are a nice match. Thank You!
hegel - i have rost and h390 - both lovely, so clean yet warm and holographic, effortless

lfd le mk4 - picked one up, very impressed... lil more spotlit, open than hegel maybe lil less bottom end - ergonomics are total sh*t, stone age stuff, but the sound is very very sweet

both have the ’breath of life’ factor - just super!
Many (including the Lux) have a built in phono... a good thing because I would love to keep it simple. 
riaa... Nah makes perfect sense, but that's not realistic at the moment. The C7's are a $4,000 speaker, so I would think my price range should make a well balanced setup. 

avanti1960: shall I PM you to get the rest of your thoughts? (-: The much better options I'm not considering. Thanks in advance. 
I have owned the C7ES3 and have listened to the Luxman pairing.
The amp is an awesome looking piece of bling but the combination with Harbeth sounds soft and un-engaging IMHO.
Buy it if you want to but there are much better options for sound quality and synergy with the Harbeth C7s at your price point.
Buy a used 590 AXII for around 5-6K. You should be able to get a Brand New one for around 7K. Why the 550....your just going to ditch it to move up the line and lose money in the process. Start at the top and have no regrets!!