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Luxman L590AX vs.590AXii

I am in the position of being able to buy either the 590AX or the 590AXii. The AXii is 2x the cost of the AX. I listened to the AX through Focal Kanta No2 speakers, which I own, and was thoroughly impressed. My question is this: what improvements did Luxman do to the AXii  relative to the AX that might justify spending 2x the cash on it?

The AX I listened to was manufactured in 2015 and is in pristine condition.

TIA

128x128re-lar-kvothe
abd1
155 posts
 

@re-lar-kvothe where we’re you able to find the 509axII for $7k? Or the mk1 for $3750? My speakers are pretty efficient and I may sell my First Watt SIT3 to try one. Thanks. 

re-lar-kvothe's avatar
re-lar-kvothe OP
158 posts
 

@abd1 

An L-590AXll recently sold for less than $7K on USAM. There is an L-550AXll available now on the same site for $5400. Reverb has an L-550AX 120v US version for $3000. Ebay has all versions available from $3K but are shipped from Japan. If you have patience, I am sure one will pop up for sale again here in the US.

I went another route and bought a Pass Labs XA-25. Now I am looking to sell my FirstWatt F6

abd1
155 posts
 

Thanks. Why did you settle on the Pass vs Luxman? All have strengths and are beautiful products. What speakers are you driving?

re-lar-kvothe's avatar
re-lar-kvothe OP
158 posts
 

@abd1 

I went with the XA-25 because I already have a history the FirstWatt F6 and I got to listen to the Pass on a set up similar to mine. Price was also a factor as was availability. For speakers I have used Focal Kanta No.2s, Moth Audio Cicadas, Zu Audio Soul MKlls, and my tried and trusty Mirage M760s. All sound great. The Focals are obviously in a league of their own however, and I know this will be difficult for some to agree or understand, but the Mirage absolutely love the XA-25 (and the F6 for that matter). I bought the Mirage in 1986 and used them with a variety of new/vintage amps over the years. Never did they sound mismatched with any of the amps. I have owned Spendors and Harbeths paired with a McIntosh MA-5200 as well. None have impressed me as much as the Mirage. Once I found the sweet spot for them I decided to sell the Focals and am in process of selling the Souls. I am going to keep the Cicadas for my low WPC tube amps. 

abd1
155 posts
 

I was able to get the l590axii for a great price. I have to go out of town so I won’t receive it for a couple weeks. Curious if anyone has used one with an external amp? I love tube amps and have a couple plus a First Watt SIT3. I plan on playing around with configurations using the internal amp and external amps. Perhaps I’ll find the performance of the Luxman good enough to not keep the other amps?

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