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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
erik_squires
16,122 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
15 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
1,668 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.

ja_kub_sz's avatar
ja_kub_sz
273 posts
 

Been running DAC as preamp and loving it so far, but not planning on continuing this as is. Can’t say enough great things about the M-10x, I’m just floored at what I’m hearing. Nuanced detail that till now has gone unheard, not just palpable bass, but fully formed and textured bass, and soundstage width and depth that makes my bookshelves sound damn near as good as my floor standers. Wow! Happy I got this and looking forward to all it’s pairings. Definitely top three pieces of gear that made my jaw drop (personally in house), could very well be #1, but giving it time.

Just T+A DAC200, WiiM Pro and B&W 706s3... Just getting lost in it.

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