What integrated should I upgrade to?
Hi folks,
Firstly, my apologies for yet another "what should I" post. But I'd like to seek the advice of my Audiogon brethren.
Currently, in my second system used mostly for TV viewing, I have a pair of Wharfedale Reva 3 floorstanding loudspeakers, a Cambridge Audio CXA80 integrated amp / DAC and an Auralic Aries Mini streamer. Wired with transparent Music Link / Wave cables and Shunyata Hydra Talos conditioner and Voodoo Fire power cable to the CXA80.
I've been itching to upgrade the integrated amp, as I figure it is what's holding things back from a resolution standpoint. I moved a better DAC (PS Audio Direct Stream Junior) to the second system and it didn't make a discernible difference given the existing gear. I then moved the Reva 3's up to my reference system and plugged them in and they sounded wonderful! I've got a Luxman 590axII integrated in that system with the PS Audio Direct Stream Junior DAC. The power foundation is nearly the same; using Shunyata Denali there.
So it leads me to conclude that the CXA80 needs upgrading.
I have been considering a nice used Luxman 550ax or trying the new PS Audio Strata integrated. I kinda know what to expect with the Luxman. The PS Audio would be a greater unknown, but has the nicety of everything in one box: DAC, Preamp, amp and streamer. The money outlay will be more for the Luxman, but not a huge difference. It will be used rather than new. Though, I would need a cheapy DAC just to accept the optical from the TV.
Thoughts on this?
Firstly, my apologies for yet another "what should I" post. But I'd like to seek the advice of my Audiogon brethren.
Currently, in my second system used mostly for TV viewing, I have a pair of Wharfedale Reva 3 floorstanding loudspeakers, a Cambridge Audio CXA80 integrated amp / DAC and an Auralic Aries Mini streamer. Wired with transparent Music Link / Wave cables and Shunyata Hydra Talos conditioner and Voodoo Fire power cable to the CXA80.
I've been itching to upgrade the integrated amp, as I figure it is what's holding things back from a resolution standpoint. I moved a better DAC (PS Audio Direct Stream Junior) to the second system and it didn't make a discernible difference given the existing gear. I then moved the Reva 3's up to my reference system and plugged them in and they sounded wonderful! I've got a Luxman 590axII integrated in that system with the PS Audio Direct Stream Junior DAC. The power foundation is nearly the same; using Shunyata Denali there.
So it leads me to conclude that the CXA80 needs upgrading.
I have been considering a nice used Luxman 550ax or trying the new PS Audio Strata integrated. I kinda know what to expect with the Luxman. The PS Audio would be a greater unknown, but has the nicety of everything in one box: DAC, Preamp, amp and streamer. The money outlay will be more for the Luxman, but not a huge difference. It will be used rather than new. Though, I would need a cheapy DAC just to accept the optical from the TV.
Thoughts on this?
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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? |
I see you are a Luxman fan having both L-590AXII and 505UXII in separate systems. A word on the L-590AXII. It is very sensitive to cables. If you want to bring out the best performance from the Luxman, do not skimp on cables particularly interconnects connecting the DAC to the Luxman. Consider balanced connection if your DAC can take balanced. You won’t regret it. |
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. |
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. |
The KI Ruby has a very good blend of a sweet tube like sound but with tons of current on demand .the Ruby is grossly underrated in power it says 100 wpc in fact it is 170wpc into 8 ohms and almost 280 into 4. i have been into audio over 40+ years the mstched parts quality is very high and the active preamp ,with seperate power supplies and seperate power for linesr microprocessor volume that is out of the circuit once done adjusting and excellent analog section the 2 dual mono N core amp modulesare direct coupled to the a Loudspeaker terminals ,and all connections Copper. And copper clad chassis for extra magnetic isolation ,it has exceptional build quality and made in Japan ,not China ,Ken Isawada had just retired after 40 years with Marantz,passed away several months later ,RIP Ken. this was his final effort , the KI 10 is 2 x more powerful still , please note upgrade the 2 fuses and good power cord for a noticable increase in resolution . since it is a bit warm if you want a bit less buy the Hifi tuning supreme fuses and buy next size up for stock fuses can vary over 15% , and to have a fuse pop on start up is $$, |
Independent measurements here. https://www.hifinews.com/content/marantz-sa-kipm-ki-ruby-sacd-playeramplifier-lab-report |
@jasonsim i disagree with the hegel bashing below luxman may be made better (it also costs a lot more) but it doesn’t sound better than top hegels - as you probably know, majority of cost in these units is the case/cosmetics my long time retailer/hifi nerd bud carries both, says unapologetically that if you want dimensional natural clear non-abrasive solid state sound, then it is hegel all day long over luxman within the same price classes luxman offers excellent sound in their super high end stuff, their tube amps are wonderful... but they don’t compete on value for SQ i own a hegel rost and h390 currently, owned a lux 507-2 last year, sold it after about 9 months, sounded too smoothed over/veiled in my system - of course ymmv as always no financial affiliation to either... |
