2. amps-preamps
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Luxman M-10X Stereo vs. Mono or C900U

Anyone with the M10X can quantify the difference in stereo mode vs. monoral  mode? 
I currently have a Lumin T2 which I can use to connect directly to M-10X and use it as a preamp. The speakers are Kef Blade One Meta.  Is it better to put the money toward a second M-10X and run them in mono than getting a proper preamp C900U? 

thisisme
audiomanpr
4 posts
 

Hi thisisme,

You have lived with the C10x for a while. Do you can verbalize the difference vs the C900u? It is am improvement over the old model? I will appreciate your impressions on this new pre. At least, I hear improvements, all around and in the right direction, when I replaced my M900u with the M10x. That was after living with the M900u for 2 years. I just wondering how good the C10x is. Thanks

erik_squires
15,871 posts
 

The 2.5 Ohm minimum impedance is a tough load.  A vertically bi-amped pair of amps may perform best, preventing the bass from sagging the mid/treble.

thisisme OP
14 posts
 
audiomanpr,

I actually did not think I would hear the difference or need the C-10X for my M-10X when I was using the C-900U. I thought "how much better can a preamp make" when the C-900U is so good.

Turns out I was completely wrong. From the moment I first hooked it up, the soundstage is clearly larger. Image has more depths. Bass is stronger and tighter and high end is more detail. I’ve been listening every night for 2-3 hours and enjoyed it. I honestly think the C-10X is a proper and great upgrade over the C-900U if you’re running the M-10X. It really matches with the M-10X well. I can confidently say that I heard better improvements in sound on upgrading the C-10X from the C-900U than having one M-10X in stereo vs. 2 M-10X in mono.

The one very minor dislike I have with the C-10X is the volume knob resistance. It’s less resistance to turn the knob. I felt the C-900U has the perfect resistance and this new knob is too loose. However, most of the time, I use the remote so doesn’t really matter. Just that I've lost that great Luxman volume knob feel. :D

audiomanpr
4 posts
 

Hi thisisme,
I really appreciate your time for sharing your thoughts about the C10x. Your description matches with expected results when a preamp design reduce noise and original signal looses. I assume that acoustic instruments also sound more real with better tone, presence and resolution.

My C10x in on it way to my home. I will share my thoughts as well, after some weeks of audition. I have been using the C900u / M10x for more than one year so I will also detect if the system move to the correct direction or not.

Best regards 

celtic66
1,616 posts
 

Monoblock amplifiers vs a stereo amplifier cannot improve what is upstream.

My limited experience with using a DAC or music streamer as also a preamp is that a separate preamp seems more live than DAC/streamer only.

I run the Luxman C900u.  It is placed in front of the Weiss DAC which previously was used as a DAC/preamp.  The result was a far more dynamic reproduction.

Hope that contributes positively to your search.

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