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Luxman L-509X for ATC SCM 19v2/40v2, thinking integrated to start with

I like to listen to music at low to normal levels and wondering how Luxman L-509x will work or ATC SCM 19v2. I am considering starting with an integrated first and not go over $8k for amp and preamp. 

Initially I wanted to try ATI AT6002 and a Tube preamp with good phono stage and the price seems to be somewhat close to a good used integrated amp. 

Please suggest integrated with good phono stage and DAC less than $8k . Prefer 200w 8ohm output, but can settle for a bit less for good implementation.
geek101
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
I know you said integrated but you check all your boxes and stay under $8K by pairing a Cary SA-200.2 ES with a Cary SLP-98P.  On the integrated front I think that Luxman L-509X is hard to beat and I'm seeing them used a bit below your max price.
yyzsantabarbara
4,811 posts
 
I heard the Mark Levinson 585 yesterday and it was spectacular. There is one on A'gon for less than what you want to spend. I was always considering the Luxman 509x but I have not heard it. I may take a chance and buy the Luxman without hearing from A'gon or buy the ML 585 from the dealer I went too. I never was a big fan of ML gear before but this sounded great with the Magioc A3's.
intensemojo's avatar
intensemojo
3 posts
 
Did you ever find out? I agree, my ATC SCM40v2 need juice/current to sound good too. I have Hegel H360 which sounds great however due to the ATCs being inefficient I need to give it some volume for them to wake up and give me full range.
geek101 OP
284 posts
 
@intensemojo I got different speakers so I went with Benchmark AHB2.
You could try Coda CSiB Integrated Amplifier. Or if you are thinking separates then there are so many options starting with the very ATC P2 amplifier.
agrippa
160 posts
 
With a sensitivity of 85dB your current speakers will never sound properly alive at low volume.  That's just the nature of low-sensitivity speakers.  Been there, tried it (with an array of different amps) and failed utterly.
The only way to achieve engaging sound at low levels is to use speakers with a sensitivity of at least 90dB.  95dB would be better, 100db better still.
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