What integrated should I upgrade to?
Thanks Freediver. I am certain that tubes arguably have a sweeter sound, but this thing will stay on for hours at a time and I want to be able to turn it on with a remote. Most of the tube amps I have seen need to be turned on from a physical switch on the unit. Needs to be warmed up etc. i do appreciate the suggestions. I’ve heard of all those brands. Just think for my application, SS is the way to go. |
Thanks cd318 for the thoughtful advice! While I don't have an Arcam - it's a Cambridge Audio CXA80 - I might do as you suggest and move the Luxman 590axII down to my second system. The only difference will be the speaker and interlink cables really. I have the same power cables in both systems. There is of course a big difference in those cables... Transparent Ultra compared with Musicwave. Thanks, Jason |
Kingsleuy many thanks! That’s sound advice! What I have is definitely great for TV viewing and the occasional time I want to listen and cook or just don’t want to walk upstairs. You make valid points! I should just walk my ass upstairs when I want to really listen! Haha. At least while I still have enough bends left in my knees! Thanks to all who have weighed in! Much appreciated! |
Thanks Erik_squires! I already have a Luxman 590axII, so well acquainted with the sound. It's great! I'm seriously considering a 550ax for my second system. My concern is that, because I will leave it on for long durations (sometimes all day and night) that it will heat up my room quite a bit. So, I'm considering the following options, which I will also put dollar costs next too; since that is also an influencer. 1. Luxman 550ax (used) - $2925 2. Marantz KI PM Ruby (new openbox) - $1800 3. PS Audio Strata (new) - $2100 4. Do nothing and stick with my Cambridge CXA80 - $0 |
Erik and others... Down to: 1. Used 550ax - $2925 2. New 505uxII - $3300 Some folks tell me there is a big sonic difference between Mark I and Mark II versions of these amps. I only have experience with my own Mark II version of the 590, so have nothing so go on confirm this notion. Sonics aside, the new 505 of course comes will full manufacturers warranty. |
Thanks Don Jr. i would really like to check out Accuphase someday, but they seem hard to find here in the states. I’ve never come across any in all the times going to Capital Audio Fest or the FL show. I might have missed them, but cannot remember ever seeing or hearing them. Thanks to all for the kind and thoughtful advice and recommendations. Now I need recommendations for a nice DAC. This is mainly for my TVs optical out. So not looking for high end. I stream music straight from my Auralic Aries mini and use its built in DAC. Sounds rather good to me. So if a reasonable DAC can upgrade that so be it, but if not I am fine with using the built in DAC. Was considering Cambridge DAC magic (similar time my old CXA80s built in dac I presume) Topping E30 ( has a remote which is nice) Parasound zDAC version 1 used Wyred 4 Sound DAC2 v1 used (a stretch in what I really wanted to spend, given the outlay for the 505uxII) |
Thanks Geoffrey. But I’ve already acquired the Luxman 505uxII. I hadn’t considered Music Fidelity, but thanks for the suggestion. I which I would have had a dealer near me to audition one and the many others that have been recommended. I know the sound of Luxman well, having lived with a 590axII for over a year now. I have grown found of it: sound, fit and finish. So decided, to go with another Luxman for my family room system. At the moment I’m in need of a good inexpensive DAC. 😁 |
Thanks Nitewulf. There is a 30 day return on the Cambridge CXN v2. So I will give it an audition. If it is rubbish, I will be sending it back for a full refund. My requirements for a streamer are: have at least one optical input (for my TV), be Roon ready, and have balanced XLR outputs (I have some nice cables I want to use). Oh and be able to power it on and off via a remote. The PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell DAC was also in the running. But with that I would need to continue using my Auralic Aries Mini as a streamer. |
Yep. I do listen to music in my family room, but will use it a lot for watching TV. I will not be listening to records or CDs in this room. All those are upstairs in my reference room. Though, I also have a big 75in TV up there. So watching TV and movies are great in either location. You think I'm nuts getting a Luxman for mostly TV? |
Thanks. Hard to change now! I think the retail on all my cables could pay for a new 509x. It just sounded great when I first connected it up and just forgot about it all. The power cables are Shunyata and Voodoo power cables connected to a Shunyata Denali conditioner. I think the next logical upgrade are the speakers. I am thinking a major upgrade will be needed there to better what I have. So, lots of saving and researching. |
ryder, Thanks for the words of wisdom! I didn’t know it was sensitive to cables. I have never tried any other cables with it. Since I had separates before the 590axII, I just used the same cables. I only use and have Transparent Cables. For the 590 I use Transparent MusicLink Ultra XLRs from DAC to the Luxman, then Transparent MusicWave Ultra to the speakers. Transparent MusicLink Ultra from CD player. Transparent MusicLink Super on turntable and external phonostage. For the 505uxII I use Transparent MusicLink Plus XLRs from the DAC and the Transparent MusicWave Plus (newest Gen5) to the speakers. |
