AudioAficionado.org  

Go Back   AudioAficionado.org > Manufacturers Forums > Japanese Exotica

Japanese Exotica Kondo, Leben, Luxman, Zanden

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 08-07-2017, 08:03 AM
GreginNH1's Avatar
GreginNH1 GreginNH1 is offline
Senior Member

 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Concord, NH
Posts: 1,890
Default Luxman C900u + M900u

I spent a few hours at AVT in Nashua listening to the Luxman combination. The units only had a couple of hours on them and they already sounded quite good. I heard them with the KEF Blade 2 and of course, my current speakers, Aerial Acoustics 7T.


It's apparent that the new US distributor is making a HUGE difference representing this brand with a very large inventory and commitment to ultra-fast shipping on orders not in stock. Additionally, the outlandish markup of the previous distributor has been slashed with this combo now listing at $15,000 each as opposed to $20,000 each.

Luxman plans a major re-vamping of the designs of their integrated amps as well - utilizing the technology from their flagship products so event the entry level integrated amps will see an improvement.

Very exciting times ahead for Luxman!
__________________
Audio Room: CH Precision I1, Esoteric k01XD, Lab 12 Melto 2, Luxman PD-171A TT, Roon Nucleus, Stenheim Alumine Three, Silversmith Fidelium speaker cables, Siltech 680 interconnects, Shunyata Sigma USB Cable, Audioquest Hurricane PCs, Shunyata Everest,CORE Design racks, Stein Harmonizers, HRS damping plates, Stillpoints and all that other silly stuff.

Office: Luxman L-595A SE, Diapason Neos speakers, HiFi Rose RS150B, Nordost Frey 2 Interconnects, Tellurium Q Silver speaker cables,
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 08-07-2017, 08:35 AM
audio bill's Avatar
audio bill audio bill is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Chicago suburbs
Posts: 1,641
Default

I can attest to the reference level caliber of the Luxman C-900u preamp having owned it for a couple of years. Both in build quality and sonic performance it is in the upper echelons, and there have been at least a few reports of it outperforming the top Accuphase preamp which is significantly more expensive in the US.

To be fair regarding their new pricing, you should realize that with Luxman now handling their own US operations they've eliminated an additional layer in distribution and the associated margins previously required to support an independent distributor. So even though I purchased it at the much higher original price I don't think it's justified to blame their previous distributor, but it's very nice for new potential customers to now have the lower pricing.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-07-2017, 09:25 AM
GreginNH1's Avatar
GreginNH1 GreginNH1 is offline
Senior Member

 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Concord, NH
Posts: 1,890
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by audio bill View Post
I can attest to the reference level caliber of the Luxman C-900u preamp having owned it for a couple of years. Both in build quality and sonic performance it is in the upper echelons, and there have been at least a few reports of it outperforming the top Accuphase preamp which is significantly more expensive in the US.

To be fair regarding their new pricing, you should realize that with Luxman now handling their own US operations they've eliminated an additional layer in distribution and the associated margins previously required to support an independent distributor. So even though I purchased it at the much higher original price I don't think it's justified to blame their previous distributor, but it's very nice for new potential customers to now have the lower pricing.

Thanks audio bill - point well taken. I am aware that the new distributor is a wholly owned subsidiary of Luxman corporate. The previous distributor did not do a very good job IMO as I had to wait 5 months to get Luxman gear that was in stock in Japan. With that kind of mark-up, one would expect much better service. After a litany of excuses and other issues like mine, my retailer dropped the line.

With the new distributor in place, my retailer has taken the line back on and has nothing but rave reviews for them!
__________________
Audio Room: CH Precision I1, Esoteric k01XD, Lab 12 Melto 2, Luxman PD-171A TT, Roon Nucleus, Stenheim Alumine Three, Silversmith Fidelium speaker cables, Siltech 680 interconnects, Shunyata Sigma USB Cable, Audioquest Hurricane PCs, Shunyata Everest,CORE Design racks, Stein Harmonizers, HRS damping plates, Stillpoints and all that other silly stuff.

Office: Luxman L-595A SE, Diapason Neos speakers, HiFi Rose RS150B, Nordost Frey 2 Interconnects, Tellurium Q Silver speaker cables,

Last edited by GreginNH1; 08-07-2017 at 10:20 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-07-2017, 11:28 AM
audio bill's Avatar
audio bill audio bill is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Chicago suburbs
Posts: 1,641
Default

Just a point of clarification regarding my previous post, I still own the C-900u and am proud to have it as the centerpiece of my system. I know when it comes to audio gear it's difficult to predict what the future may bring, but I honestly can't imagine ever replacing it and will likely have it buried with me for eternal listening. It really is that good!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-07-2017, 11:58 AM
GreginNH1's Avatar
GreginNH1 GreginNH1 is offline
Senior Member

 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Concord, NH
Posts: 1,890
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by audio bill View Post
Just a point of clarification regarding my previous post, I still own the C-900u and am proud to have it as the centerpiece of my system. I know when it comes to audio gear it's difficult to predict what the future may bring, but I honestly can't imagine ever replacing it and will likely have it buried with me for eternal listening. It really is that good!
Very good to know!
__________________
Audio Room: CH Precision I1, Esoteric k01XD, Lab 12 Melto 2, Luxman PD-171A TT, Roon Nucleus, Stenheim Alumine Three, Silversmith Fidelium speaker cables, Siltech 680 interconnects, Shunyata Sigma USB Cable, Audioquest Hurricane PCs, Shunyata Everest,CORE Design racks, Stein Harmonizers, HRS damping plates, Stillpoints and all that other silly stuff.

Office: Luxman L-595A SE, Diapason Neos speakers, HiFi Rose RS150B, Nordost Frey 2 Interconnects, Tellurium Q Silver speaker cables,
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-26-2017, 07:15 AM
robd2 robd2 is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 220
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by audio bill View Post
Just a point of clarification regarding my previous post, I still own the C-900u and am proud to have it as the centerpiece of my system. I know when it comes to audio gear it's difficult to predict what the future may bring, but I honestly can't imagine ever replacing it and will likely have it buried with me for eternal listening. It really is that good!
Hi Bill, what amp do you have your 900u paired with?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-26-2017, 09:05 AM
audio bill's Avatar
audio bill audio bill is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Chicago suburbs
Posts: 1,641
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by robd2 View Post
Hi Bill, what amp do you have your 900u paired with?
Currently the Jeff Rowland 625 which is excellent in its own right, but I'm planning on moving up to the matching Luxman M-900u power amp. Need to increase my workouts a bit first to be able to handle that artfully machined 100+ pound chassis!

Last edited by audio bill; 10-26-2017 at 09:12 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-07-2017, 09:42 AM
Nebob Nebob is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Scandinavia
Posts: 19
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by audio bill View Post
Currently the Jeff Rowland 625 which is excellent in its own right, but I'm planning on moving up to the matching Luxman M-900u power amp. Need to increase my workouts a bit first to be able to handle that artfully machined 100+ pound chassis!
I am absolutely flabbergasted with the precence and tangible sound that this 900u combo produces with my Vivids. Extremely high build quality is icing on the cake.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-07-2017, 10:12 AM
audio bill's Avatar
audio bill audio bill is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Chicago suburbs
Posts: 1,641
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nebob View Post
I am absolutely flabbergasted with the precence and tangible sound that this 900u combo produces with my Vivids. Extremely high build quality is icing on the cake.
Thanks for sharing your experience which just makes me want to add the M-900u power amp to my C-900u even more! The top level Luxman gear is indeed built to an exceptional standard, even the tactile feel of its controls simply exudes excellence and the highest level of refinement.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-11-2017, 09:41 PM
vintage_tube's Avatar
vintage_tube vintage_tube is offline
Just Pure Lucky



 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: East Coast
Posts: 8,746
Default

Maybe not the appropriate letter specific thread to post this -- but MusicDirect has 3 Luxman products at 47% - 50% off:

C-800f Preamplifier
M-600A Stereo Power Amplifier
D-08 SACD/CD Player

Best Sir,

Bob
__________________
Amps:VAC 450iQ Monos in Silver Flake on HRS M3X2-1921's, HRS G7 Footers/G-Links & Sound Anchor Conecoasters.
Preamp:VAC Master Preamplifier (Silver Flake)
Digital Source: dCS Rossini CD/SACD Transport, Vivaldi APEX DAC, Upsampler Plus & matching Clock (Silver)
Analogue Preamp:VAC Renaissance SE Phono stage in Silver Flake with XLR Output Option & with Nordost Valhalla XLR's.
Analogue Sources:SME 20/2 w/SME V arm & Nordost Valhalla TA cable, Palo Santos Presentation Cartridge & Akai GX-400D Reel-to-Reel w/relapped heads by JRF Magnetic Sciences. Akai RC-17 cabled remote (original owner since 1974).
Vibration Control:TT on HRS M3X2-1921 shelf.
Speakers:Wilson Audio Alexia in Argento Silver/Black grills sitting on Acoustic Diode Kit.
Power Cables:4 Nordost Odin Supreme Reference on amps, preamp & DAC. Ansuz Acoustics C2 on Transport & Clock.
Power Distribution Bar:Shunyata Everest 8000 w/Omega XC Power Cable.
Power Outlets:Furutech GTX-D NCF (R) duplex outlet, GTX Wall Plate & Duplex Cover (x2) on dedicated, same panel phase, 20A breakers.
Speaker Cables:3M Nordost Odin Supreme Reference on Nordost Sort Lifts.
Signal Cables:Nordost Odin XLR's on dCS DAC & Amps.
Digital Cables: Nordost Odin 2's, 110 ohm AES/EBU on dCS Transport to DAC.
Clock Cables:5 each 75 ohm 1.25M Nordost Valhalla BNC/BNC Digital
Ethernet Cable: WireWorld Platinum 1M Starlight® 8 Twinax
Headphones:Vintage Koss Pro IV AA.
RCM: Audio Desk PRO
Tube Test Gear:Mint late '60's/calibrated Heathkit TT-1A, MaxiMatcher Preamp & Space Tech Labs ATT-3.02 tube test sets.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Audioaficionado.org tested by Norton Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:56 AM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
©Copyright 2009-2023 AudioAficionado.org.Privately owned, All Rights Reserved.
Audio Aficionado Sponsors
AudioAficionado Subscriber
AudioAficionado Subscriber
Inspire By Dennis Had
Inspire By Dennis Had
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Wyred4Sound
Wyred4Sound
Dragonfire Acoustics
Dragonfire Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
Esoteric
Esoteric
AC Infinity
AC Infinity
JL Audio
JL Audio
Add Powr
Add Powr
Accuphase - Soulution
Accuphase - Soulution
Audio by E
Audio by E
Canton
Canton
Bryston
Bryston
WireWorld Cables
WireWorld Cables
Stillpoints
Stillpoints
Bricasti Design
Bricasti Design
Furutech
Furutech
Shunyata Research
Shunyata Research
Legend Audio & Video
Legend Audio & Video