Accuphase E470 v. Luxman L509x

Hi Honeybee,
I owned and really enjoyed my Luxman L550-AX, but wanted a bit more power for my somewhat greedy ATC’s. Now I have an Accuphase E-470 and it would be difficult to overstate it’s exquisite quality on so many levels.
First, it’s an exceptionally beautiful component. Everything from the sharp lines of the digital readout, to the sublime blue "Accuphase" and its golden hue. Mechanically it’s built to the highest Japanese standards. The front ’door’ just eases open, the relays give hardy clicks, the volume controller is like silk.
It’s powerful, extremely musical, and unlike many designs that exult in being minimalist, the Accuphase is extremely versatile. I, for one, really appreciate and use its many features.
You will not be disappointed with the Lux, of that I’m sure. But the E-470 is musical magic.
~Oran

Thank you very much.

I have heard them both. They are both great integrateds. 

I would describe the Luxman a bit to the neutral side of the scale compared to the Accuphase. 

The Accuphase just has a more golden midrange that sounds tonally and timbrely correct. 

The Luxman is better value with the phono stage etc..they are also sounding closer to Accuphase these days. 

For me its Accuphase all the way. I nearly bought the E-470 but went the seperates route. 

Either way way you can’t go wrong. 

I haven’t directly compared these amps, but I recently a-b compared the following setups in the same room with Harbeth 40th Anniversary speakers;

- Luxman M-900u, C-900u, D-06u

- Accuphase A-70, C-2850, D-06u

Of those combo’s, from my listening notes the Luxman amps impressed and are beautifully built, quiet, silky smooth, had good bass and control & good PRAT. Whilst the Accuphase amps had slightly softer leading edges, very good resolution and dynamic contrasts, and more energy than the Luxman amps. The Accuphase amps also sounded more delicate on vocals, was easier to listen to & gave life to the music. There was also more class A warmth than the Lux amps which was inviting. Piano also had real resonance and sounded musical/engaging.

Overall the Lux amps were more neutral than Accuphase, there was less dynamic contrast/shading to my ears, bass sounded more ’polite’ than Accuphase which had more authority, there was less ’life’ than Accuphase, vocals were clear and natural, but sounded less intimate on jazz. Though the Luxman amps are easy to listen to. Resolution was good overall. The Lux combo also sounded a tad more coherent, perhaps due to synergy with the D-06u player which served as main source?

I could see the Lux amps working well with speakers like Sonus Faber, however with a more neutral, resolving speaker I woudl lean toward Accuphase, particularly if you need extra power/control.