Luxman CL38U-SE

[Formerly YB-2]

Can you post a link to the review? Am getting nada when I google Ken Kessler or HiFi Plus for the CL38u-SE.

[Forte 4A]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Can you post a link to the review? Am getting nada when I google Ken Kessler or HiFi Plus for the CL38u-SE.

Try Ken Kessler Cl38u-se review and it will be under the title LuxmanCL38U-se/MQ-88use. Co written w/Paul Miller.

[GreginNH1]

During one of my OCD fueled adventures, I had the pleasure comparing the SE combo with the much more expensive 900u preamp and MQ-300.

There was a difference, but not much of one.

[Forte 4A]

In this price range the 38SE is hard to beat. Really opened up my Aerial 5T's.

[Formerly YB-2]

The magic of tubes with the bass control of solid-state. Bet your system does sound great.

[Forte 4A]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

The magic of tubes with the bass control of solid-state. Bet your system does sound great.

It's had some hours on it and the tubes are breaking in. I'm currently listening to Kenny Burrell and Midnight Blue. The tone pace and tempo have never sounded better. I noticed on the Luxman website the CL38U-SE was no longer listed. Must have a very low supply left. They are now showing the LX-380 integrated which has the same look as the CL38. All tube w/20 wpc. Should be interesting.

[GreginNH1]

I just picked up a mint CL38u-SE last week as I have been experimenting with tube pre-amplification. With only 30 hours on it, this Luxman is providing me with exactly what I have been looking for in terms of detail, dimensionality and warmth.

Coupled with my Gato PWR-222 monoblocks, my Harbeths are finally performing at a level I was hoping to achieve.

As Glenn stated in a previous post, the tube/ss combo can be magical!

[Luxman38]

I've had the CL38U-SE for 2 years w/my Bryston 2.5 SST2 amp. W/the Aerial 5T's it an excellent combo. Also it's still as quiet as the day I bought it. Also the phono is excellent I have it hooked up to the Luxman PDA-171A TT w/the Dynavector 20xl2. Next year I'll be upgrading to the Dynavector XX-2.

[Formerly YB-2]

Congrats on your Luxman preamps. Considered same but went the 'less expensive route' and am headed in the tube-pre/SS-amp direction with an Elekit TU-8500 preamp in-bound on 12/3. Am looking forward to getting it built & broken-in so can compare to my other gear. Every time I move to solid-state I'm always seem to be sucked back into tubes. Must be some unexplainable magic missing for me in an all SS system.

[Luxman38]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Congrats on your Luxman preamps. Considered same but went the 'less expensive route' and am headed in the tube-pre/SS-amp direction with an Elekit TU-8500 preamp in-bound on 12/3. Am looking forward to getting it built & broken-in so can compare to my other gear. Every time I move to solid-state I'm always seem to be sucked back into tubes. Must be some unexplainable magic missing for me in an all SS system.

The Elekit sounds interesting. Looks like a lot of fun in building your own tube preamp. What SS amp are you going to match it with?