Luxman vs Hegal

@jjss49 

The Hegel 390 @ $6500 outperforms the Luxman 509X @ $9500 handily?? The Luxman is 20lbs. heavier and half the power but will definitely keep up and far surpass the Hegel. Look at the build quality; the Hegel looks like a $250 stereo receiver from the rear. Open up the case; the luxman is built like a Rolex. One overlooked aspect of the Luxman is the current delivery. For a measly 120W, it plays like its got 250 and can power anything out there. There is no comparison if we are talking the class A Luxman 590AXII vs. the Hegel. The Luxman destroys the Hegel for music realism, albeit slightly speaker-dependent. The OP will have to let their ears decide, though!!

@michobr59 

The Luxman combination is a reference standard; the Hegel is not. If you are going the Luxman separate route, look into the new Luxman M10x. I heard it with the c900u through a pair of B&W 802D4s. Jaw-dropping performance. This would be an "end-game" system. 

I heard both, but not in the same system. Luxman sounds like a live presentation, and Hegel sounds like HiFi. Luxman products any day of the week!!

@michobr59 

I am going to call an audible and attract you to an alternative. When I was in the market to upgrade a source for my B&W 802D3s, my dealer recommended the Rotel Michi line. I had money in hand to buy the Luxman separates (which I am obviously fond of), and the dealer sells. He stated the Michi performance is very close for 1/3 of the price. However, the resale value will not keep up with Luxman. The Michi line is incredibly built and offers an outstanding price/performance ratio. However, the new Luxman M10x ups the ante and further separates itself from the Michi line substantially!!

Lastly, a previous post highlighted the CODA line. This is an outstanding company to deal with!! I had a CODA 16, which was a powerhouse but a little too neutral for me. Their integrated's are exceptional and a great value. 

@michobr59 

The Luxman M10X, M900U, 507Z, and 509X can power any speaker in production. Do not be fooled by the limited power specifications. Luxman's 100 watts is the equivalent of many's 200W amplifiers. Luxman excels in current delivery and driving difficult loads. 

The big question for you is your room size and listening levels? The class A 590AXII and 595ASE will depend more on those factors because of their limited power output. The 590 is a sleeper because, in testing, it far exceeded its 30W rated output, albeit in class a/b. Both of these integrated will have to be purchased used. Sadly, Luxman is "supposedly" getting out of the class A-game. 

Your Revels are 88dB sensitive with an impedance of 8 ohms. They don't appear to be too difficult of a speaker to drive; thus, depending on room size and volumes, I think you could choose whatever Luxman your ears and budget decide. 

@jjss49 

You win!! No amplifier in the world other than Hegel will drive a 3-ohm load. This is a "cake-walk" for a Luxman. Measurements are just that, only a small metric that may or may not contribute to listening pleasure. The ears are the ultimate judge. 

@michobr59 

I apologize for the competition between myself and jjss49. I will no longer be contributing to this post. Please feel free to PM me, and I will help you in any way that I can! Or, just follow jjss49's advice and always wonder if the Revels are performing their best. I just wanted to show you that there are other options out there. If you don't go the Luxman route, please try to hear a Gryphon Diablo 300. A true marvel of audio engineering.