Mcintosh MC462 versus Luxman M10X

When I run the Lumin streamer through the Luxman DAC, the clarity that I get, I am not hearing the same when I run it through the C53 Mcintosh's DAC.. It sounds a little thin and less clear. So I am making a leap here to think that the Luxman brand would be more to my liking with the power amplifier also. I could be totally wrong.. As to why I am not thinking about switching the preamp, I really don't have a clear answer on that.. 

Thank you all, I have to admit I am totally confused.. The MC462, it's less than maybe 5 months since I bought it from the dealer.. They have this option, where if I switch to something within a year of purchase that is twice the price they take it back 100%. That's part of the reason for the temptation on the Luxman 10x. As that amp is a recent launch, they won't have that for a demo.. If I get it, it would be ordered for me.. So the dilemma. I also realize, that I could be chasing my tail in this hobby..  BTW, I also have the Mcintosh MA 352, and I love that thing.. One other question, has anyone had experience with the Luxman DA250? 

Erik, Before I consider moving to the Luxman m10x, I am planning on auditioning and borrowing the Luxman C900u for a at home trial from the dealer.. That'd help me with the question on the C53 preamp's DAC as to how it performs with the Luxman 's C900U. And thanks for re-enforcing that I should trust my ears more than anything.. 

Thank you Eugene!! This message hit me at the right time.. I am a bundle of nerves and giddy with excitement.. I have the audition tomorrow at my dealer for the C900U connected to the M10X (The first and only demo unit that they got on Tuesday) hooked up to the A3. On top of that, I'll be  bringing the C900U for a home trial in my system, If all goes well, I'll be swapping the C53 for the C900U and the 462 for the M10X. Both units are less than 5 months since I bought them, and the dealer provides a trade up 100% for any unit I buy from them within a year as long as its twice the price. Of course the M10X I'd have to wait as it would have to be ordered. And I really appreciate your kind balanced words that helps me re-enforce how I am approaching this. With Mcintosh I have the MA352 also recently bought and I love that, and I'll continue to enjoy that and I'll not ever trade that one in. It might be the tubes that makes it sound so pleasing.  How do you like the M800a? what speakers do you drive? Will let you all know how it turns out.. Wish me luck :) Thanks again... 

Thank you!!

Jeffrey, will keep you posted on whether I go for the C900U and M10X.. What Amp are you, or contemplating moving from?

The dealer is expecting one stock unit of the 10x in about two weeks.. The Essence stereo is class A all the way right? what speakers are you driving? I like the Magico A3's a lot. It's been only a few weeks since I got them.. They seem to sound better everyday... Not sure if speakers have a burn in time also..

@jeffreyw Thanks!! Other systems the dealer carries, Boulder and Audio Research.. 

@jeffreyw @erik_squires @eugene81 and everyone else on this thread, Thank you guys.. I felt transformed and smitten with the Luxman combo at the dealer: the system as a combo of D03x, C900U, M10X and A3. I brought home the C900U and swapped out the C53 and I am running it through the Mcintosh 462 into the A3s. Simply put, let's say you go to a symphony.. The Luxman makes you feel like you are in the symphony hall, the Mcintosh C53 feels like you are listening to it in another room with a recording on a good quality sound system. The sound from Luxman feels guttural, the growling of the voices, the hush, the striking of the cymbal, touch of the piano keys, the distant oboe,  I can keep going.. I will stop.. But I am pretty much sold on the C900U.. The dealer after a requisite time of having the M10X burn-in has promised to bring it to my home so I can try it out.. 

@eugene81 When you metioned JA perspectives, brought a smile to my face. I had the JA RM22si's for the longest time. Loved them.. I traded them in recently. I had reached out to Jeff and I was supposed to have had a phone call facetime from him to discuss the Perspectives and the Pearl. Mostly the Perspectives.. But I did not hear from him and I took it as a sign that it wasn't for me. I did not attempt to push it. I bet you love those perspectives. I'd be honored if I end up being the first few to experience the M10X in my system.. The pressure is on.. :) I'll be sure to keep you posted. The tactile feeling of touching it at the store.. The twinkling of the VU meters.. It's a fine machine..

@erik_squires it's all good.. I am glad you gave me some hints and all I needed was a little nudge :).. Agree, the liquid middle range is so enveloping. And I think you have taken the words out of my mouth on the brittle and gritty. I use to have the Parasound P6 Halo 2.1 preamp and the Parasound A21+ amp, and when I switched to the C53 preamp and the 462, I have to admit I was a little disappointed. Something was missing. I can't judge the 462 yet as it sounds good with the C900U. The C53 is leaving my rack for certain. The M10X has the first 12 watts in class A which I think is going to pair well with the Magico's. They sounded awesome together at the dealer. Guiseppe Verdi La Traviata Overture cut through me elevating every nerve and bone and bringing me almost to tears. So I can't wait to bring M10X home soon. Also the esthetics on the M10X is more to my liking than the M900U. I like the sharper edges of the front face.. 

Got the M10X delivered yesterday.. not the demo, but my new piece that I ordered.. Absolutely in love with it. I let go of the 462..   Unfortunately, I have to now sit and wait for the C900U, earliest is June delivery.. I gave up on pairing the C53 with the M10X, combo sounds very bright and thin.. So I am using an older Nakamichi as a preamp, and that paired with the M10x sounds good, but miss the C900U demo unit.. Just have to be patient to get the one that I ordered.. 

@overthemoon Thanks for the kind words!! My first dive into good equipment was Parasound gear.. I had a Nakamichi amp and a Pioneer Elite for the longest time, like 10 years or so, something flipped in me overnight and I wanted to revive my audio experience. I wanted to update the theater receiver and ended up ordering the Rotel 1580, ended up finding ROTEL discontinued the model and the local dealer kept playing me  wrong after taking the money and finally got tired of them and pulled the plug on that order., Right after that bad experience, I bought the Parasound A21+ and the Parasound 5.1 systems with the P6 halo preamp from a excellent dealer across the country. Within months I realized a local dealer here carried Mcintosh and I was beating myself for having bought the Parasound gear without researching cause Mcintosh has always been something that I wanted to delve into. I went into the store and when I walked out, they were loading the C53 and the 462 into the back of the trunk of my car. Within weeks I was back into the store and this time it was the Magico A3s and Luxman D03X and the Mcintosh MA352. The DAC on the Luxman simply blew away the DACs on the C53.. From then on it's been a constant itch to move from Mcintosh to Luxman although I love the MA352 and will keep it for the sweet tube sound. But the combo of the Luxman C900U and M10x and Magico A3 is so much to my liking that I decided to swap out the c53 and the 462 with the C900U and M10x.. So there is my journey in a nutshell. Hope I didn't bore you with all the details. But I am content with these choices and once I get the c900u in place when I get it in June, I'll share my experience of the combo.. I have already heard it at the store and it is just exceptional.. 

@woots Thanks for the valuable input. You are right, I'll be living with this decision hopefully for a reasonable amount of healthy life time and I'd have to trust my ears. Your input rang in my ears when I was at the dealer :)

@jeffreyw Thanks!! will do..