How many companies can boast being 100 years old? Denon, Yamaha, and Luxman are three of the oldest consumer A/V brands in the world and whilst our friends in Japan still have another 15 months to go before they hit that rather incredible milestone, that has not stopped them from introducing a number of new CD players, phono cartridges, and integrated amplifiers to showcase their next generation of innovation.
Luxman, unlike some its other Japanese rivals like Denon and Rotel, sits in a slightly different position because it competes rather favorably with some of the bigger American brands like McIntosh, Audio Research, and Mark Levinson who appeal to a more traditional high-end customer that already knows that Luxman is one of the best brands to ever come out of Japan.
The company doesn’t refresh its lineup every single year and we’re only seeing a constant flow of new products now because of delays caused by the pandemic and its looming milestone.
The Luxman L-509Z is the first component to incorporate their Integrated Feedback Engine System (LIFES1.0) in both the power amp and preamp sections. It’s also the first with the Luxman Electronically Controlled Ultimate Attenuator-EX (LECUA-EX).
“Integrated amplifiers have been central to Luxman’s identity, at least as far back as 1964, when our SQ-38 became a mainstay of Japanese jazz cafes,” said Jeff Sigmund, president of Luxman America. “Our new flagship honors that tradition, incorporating the essence of our separate preamps and power amps while introducing significant innovations.”
The L-509Z replaces the L-509X and joins the L-507Z of 2022 in Luxman’s Z Series. Compared to its predecessor, the new integrated amp also offers a new phono preamp with switchable gain to accommodate both low-output and high-output moving coil cartridges.
Other upgrades include completely redesigned tone controls with separate bands for bass, midrange, and treble; 12-volt triggers; 7-segment LED volume level display; and front-panel mute switch.
LIFES1.0
The new L509Z is the third component to incorporate Integrated Feedback Engine System (LIFES1.0) and the first to have it not only in the power amplifier section, but also the preamplifier. The circuit is the latest expression in Luxman’s multi-decade quest to overcome the long-standing tradeoffs in amplifier negative feedback.
Negative feedback has always been a double-edged sword. While feedback plays a central role in reducing distortion, even minuscule inaccuracies in its application can compromise the expressive power of music reproduction. It was to overcome this paradox that Luxman created the Only Distortion Negative Feedback (ODNF) circuit in 1999 and refined it through five generations up to 2021.
LIFES1.0 supersedes even these proud achievements, with a completely redesigned circuit featuring improvements in distortion detection, regulation, and thermal stability. The result is a rare combination of exceptionally low distortion and the natural sound quality associated with “non-feedback” circuits.
The L-509Z combines high power and superb linearity, thanks to three stage Darlington bipolar transistors in quadruple-paralleled push-pull configuration. The highly regulated power supply boasts a massive, 600 VA EI-type transformer and an array of eight 10,000 µF filter capacitors.
The Class AB output stage is conservatively rated at 120W+120W at 8 ohms and 240W+240W at 4 ohms.
LECUA-EX
Unassuming and often overlooked, the volume control can be the source of subtle and not-so-subtle sonic degradations. Conventional, variable-resistor volume controls often introduce noise. And left/right tracking errors can unintentionally shift the stereo balance as the user adjusts volume. For these reasons, Luxman has long avoided the variable resistor in favor of carefully crafted attenuator circuits. Premiering on the L-509Z, the Luxman Electronically Controlled Ultimate Attenuator-EX (LECUA-EX) is a computerized precision attenuator. It delivers meticulous volume adjustment across 88 discrete steps while minimizing distortion. The new LECUA-EX enhances the experience with a new rotary encoder, featuring a weighted mechanism to enable smoother adjustment with an immensely satisfying control “feel.”
Other Enhancements
Compared to the predecessor L-509X, the new amplifier also features a precise 7-segment LED display, making it easy to see volume level from any listening position. Instantaneous output is displayed on large, highly-sensitive VU meters which are illuminated by white LEDs for optimum viewing. The “Pentaconn” 4.4 mm, five-conductor, balanced headphone jack provides independent left/right grounding for improved stereo separation. It supplements the standard 6.3 mm jack.
Rear-panel 12-volt trigger input and outputs accommodate compatible home automation systems. Control input and output terminals coordinate operation with compatible Luxman components. A front panel Mute button complements the remote control Mute. Two preamp outputs and one power amp input enable flexible system configurations including biamping.
Chassis
To suppress airborne and shelf-borne vibration that can blur the microdynamics of quiet musical passages, the chassis is uncommonly robust with thick aluminum panels and density gradient cast iron feet. Of particular note, the top panel features a classic Luxman hairline finish and 28 individually cut ventilation ports. The amplifier weighs 65 pounds (29.4 kg).
Circuit topology
To protect the purity of music reproduction, Luxman engineers gave careful thought to input/output terminals and signal routing. For example, the RCA terminals use a copper alloy that combines the conductivity of copper with the durability of brass. Luxman provides 18- and 20-mm spacing between terminals to accommodate high-grade interconnects.
Large, parallel configured speaker relays and ultra-thick 3.5-square-mm cable ensure low impedance transmission. The inline speaker terminals offer ample spacing for thick speaker cables and Y terminators.
To protect the music from interference, beeline topology minimizes internal signal runs. Oxygen-free copper (OFC) wiring helps ensure uncommon musicality. The printed circuit boards also reflect Luxman’s thoroughgoing approach: peel-coat boards minimize dielectric effects while round-cornered printed circuit traces ensure smooth current transmission.
The supplied RA-17A wireless remote control also operates Luxman digital players released after 1996.
Price & Availability
The Luxman L-509Z integrated amplifier is available immediately at a suggested retail price of $12,495.
For more information: luxmanamerica.com/product/l-509z/
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ORT
September 25, 2023 at 5:01 pm
When it comes to red-heads people say some dumb things…But it’s a matter of fact that if you have money or CLASS you lose the “stepchild” facet and become “auburn”.
I can hear the flaccid protestations of the typists out there, “But your ORTness, just WTF(!) does this have to do with this Luxman?!”
Like many things that cost a great deal, the Luxman is a quality piece of kit. And like my personal choices for audio and video, Marantz & Denon, Luxman projects CLASS. No…Not “Class A” or “Class AB”, although those can be somewhat important from one’s personally influenced subjectivity.
Like Marantz & Denon, Luxman has the looks that are Class made metal. In truth, Luxman makes some of the finest looking and performing audio equipment available. As much as I like Denon, Luxman is better looking and Luxman’s CD player is almost as gorgeous as the Marantz CD60 (silver/gold version!).
Red-head or auburn, Denon/Marantz or Luxman. A or AB, pure Class all the way.
Oh! And just so folks know ’twas I what done writ this all…Class over ass every time!
Class dismissed! Yeah…Sometimes I can be an ass but never an asshole or as my youngest brother would say, a whole ass.
ORT