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Japanese Exotica Kondo, Leben, Luxman, Zanden

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  #41  
Old 05-22-2019, 08:56 AM
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Originally Posted by GreginNH1 View Post
Since you are a tube guy, I can totally understand why you prefer the 590AXII.
Greg, Did you ever get hold of an M900u to try out?

Given all the good reviews I am hearing, I'm wondering if I might just go with the 509X instead, and call it a day.

Do folks on her think the 509X would pair well with my Salon 2's?

Also, does anyone know if the 509X is single ended or fully balanced internally? I had read (somewhere, can't remember exactly where)that the M900u, despite having an XLR input, was actually single ended internally unless you used it in mono configuration, so I'm wondering if the 509X is single ended internally also?
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Last edited by Chewie; 05-22-2019 at 08:59 AM.
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  #42  
Old 05-28-2019, 05:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Chewie View Post
Greg, Did you ever get hold of an M900u to try out?

Given all the good reviews I am hearing, I'm wondering if I might just go with the 509X instead, and call it a day.

Do folks on her think the 509X would pair well with my Salon 2's?

Also, does anyone know if the 509X is single ended or fully balanced internally? I had read (somewhere, can't remember exactly where)that the M900u, despite having an XLR input, was actually single ended internally unless you used it in mono configuration, so I'm wondering if the 509X is single ended internally also?
Anyone?

I’m considering the 590AXii also - I know people often say the Salon 2’s require loads of power, but that’s not my experience - plus I listen at lower volumes generally, so 30W of good quality class A should be fine.

Thoughts?
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  #43  
Old 05-28-2019, 07:15 PM
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I has a pair of Salon2s for a bit. I would certainly want to see how they sounded with 30 watts before I bought anything. Just my 2 cents.
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  #44  
Old 05-28-2019, 08:46 PM
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The Studio 2s are 86dB speakers. Depending on listening levels, room size, and the type of music you play, 30 watts may not be enough. With speakers this good, it would be a shame to limit their potential with marginal amplifier power.
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  #45  
Old 05-28-2019, 09:02 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GSOphile View Post
The Studio 2s are 86dB speakers. Depending on listening levels, room size, and the type of music you play, 30 watts may not be enough. With speakers this good, it would be a shame to limit their potential with marginal amplifier power.
Agreed. Even my MC 2301s left me wanting a bit more with these speakers. The Parasound JC1s had a much better grip on them. Again, my $.02.
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  #46  
Old 05-28-2019, 09:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chewie View Post
Anyone?



I’m considering the 590AXii also - I know people often say the Salon 2’s require loads of power, but that’s not my experience - plus I listen at lower volumes generally, so 30W of good quality class A should be fine.



Thoughts?


Why not go with the 509x? Still has class A and plenty of power.
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  #47  
Old 05-29-2019, 04:49 AM
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Thanks guys. Bear in mind the 590AXii isn’t limited to 30w Class A, it’s actually a Class A/B amp at 95w/165w 8 ohm/4 ohm, just with a 30w Class A bias. So not massively under the 120w/220w of the 509X.

I currently run an Audio Research Ref 75SE, which is 75w at 4 ohm, with around half of that at 8 ohm, and it powers the Salons without breaking a sweat in my relatively small room.

With that in mind, I’m not sure the 590AXii would have any issues at 95w/165w. Does anyone know the Class A bias on the 509X?

I’m more concerned with the relative sound quality differences when paired with the relatively ‘polite’ Salon 2’s, and ofcourse cost. I’m only looking at the second hand market on these, and I can get the 590AXii for around £2k less than the 509X.

On the sound quality side though, just looking at this thread views seem to be split in preference between the two - I’d much rather there was a unanimous vote in favour of one or the other, it would make the decision a lot easier lol

I could try and get a home demo of both together I suppose, and that’s probably the best route, it’s just a bit of a logistical headache.
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Last edited by Chewie; 05-29-2019 at 04:54 AM.
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  #48  
Old 05-29-2019, 10:25 AM
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My listening room is not small. It is 22x30 and acoustically speaking rather absorbent with carpet and furniture. My speakers are also not very efficient with 86dB but a rather friendly flat impedance curve of 6 ohms. Neither my 509 class A, nor even the triode/pentode amps with much less power have any difficulty of recreating music to levels that are sane and entertaining without causing hearing damage. With peaks rarely exceeding 96dB either amp is happy. On the rare occasions I want to really crank it up for passive listening as I am busy with other hobbies in another rooms in the basement, the 509 is more than happy to take it there. There is tons of overhead reserve in the 509. It’s a very robust amp with beefy power supplies and reserves. Buy with confidence that the class A will satisfy your needs unless of course you don’t value your hearing and want to recreate rock concert levels... My Luxman 509 is a keeper and I won’t part with it.
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  #49  
Old 05-29-2019, 10:42 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PHC1 View Post
My listening room is not small. It is 22x30 and acoustically speaking rather absorbent with carpet and furniture. My speakers are also not very efficient with 86dB but a rather friendly flat impedance curve of 6 ohms. Neither my 509 class A, nor even the triode/pentode amps with much less power have any difficulty of recreating music to levels that are sane and entertaining without causing hearing damage. With peaks rarely exceeding 96dB either amp is happy. On the rare occasions I want to really crank it up for passive listening as I am busy with other hobbies in another rooms in the basement, the 509 is more than happy to take it there. There is tons of overhead reserve in the 509. It’s a very robust amp with beefy power supplies and reserves. Buy with confidence that the class A will satisfy your needs unless of course you don’t value your hearing and want to recreate rock concert levels... My Luxman 509 is a keeper and I won’t part with it.
Thanks Serge - do you have the 509X now then? Your sig says 590AXii? How would you compare the two?
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  #50  
Old 05-29-2019, 10:59 AM
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Thanks Serge - do you have the 509X now then? Your sig says 590AXii? How would you compare the two?
Nope, sorry, meant to say 590. I’ve stopped looking at the nomenclature since day one of acquiring the Luxman. My journey has been an exhaustive 30+ years with amps and speakers of various price ranges and brands coming and going to say the least. I’ve found the Luxman to be a very sweet spot as well as a tremendous performer that offers richness and musicality I value over all other parameters. Can it be outdone? Yes it can. It will cost you multiples. I’ve been there. Do I find I need to chase that pinnacle again? Absolutely not. Perfectly happy with the Luxman. As always, your personal goals and dreams may take you elsewhere, to the stratosphere and I’m not here to tell you not to. Just sharing my own experience with the 590AXII class A gem of an integrated amp.
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