How do you like the Headphone Section in your Luxmans?

Check out a Singxer SA-1.  It’s fully balanced and operates in Class A, and at $599 new it’s certainly worth checking out.  I can’t speak to Luxman headphone amps in their integrateds, but I think it’s fair to say for the most part they’re an afterthought and if you’re at all serious about HeadFi get a separate amp.  That said, if you’re only an occasional headphone listener and like what you’re hearing through your Grados, who cares?  Just enjoy and save the $$$.  I will say though as a relatively recent HeadFi devotee it’s like the rest of high-end audio — everything matters and it can get crazy expensive yet also extremely rewarding.  Unless you’re willing to start down that very slippery slope, I’d say just enjoy what you already have unless you’re willing to contract another expensive disease.  FWIW. 

I havent listened, but a review I read mentioned there really is not a headphone section or amplifier.  Luxman uses the main amp through a resistor.  That is it.

So your mileage will vary.  A lot better with high impeedance headphones I would think.

@erik_squires 

I think this is common. I have heard this kind of thing before. It is an afterthought… better have this function. Why I chose a separate headphone amp (Woo) and found it incredible. I think most companies just add it to add another feature. Most folks don’t use them, I never have. I always put together a separate system for my headphones.

@ghdprentice 

Funny you should mention that. One of the two best headphone amps I've ever heard was a Woo that was too rich for me.

I only listen to cans once in a while so my questions were more out of curiosity as to the quality of the Luxmans. I also use the Phono section which is also good enough for me.

@brianh61  The phono stage is a whole different matter. :)  Top notch.

I only have headphones and I use the Luxman P - 750u Headphone amp ad I have not heard an amp to beat it and believe you me I listened to quite a few and they couldn't hold a candle to the Luxman. It is expensive but it is an amp for life.

Next time I drop by my dealer, I’ll bring a set of headphones and listen to a Luxman. But my experience with several other… and more expensive integrated amps has been their headphone section is very poor quality. They have apparently been thrown in to have one. Maybe Luxman is different… but I doubt it.

I have owned well over a dozen headphone amps varying from a couple hundred bucks with four over $1,000, in pursuit of great sound. Once I found Woo headphone amps, I have never considered anything else. Incredibly natural… and some very powerful like my WA-5 that can power speakers if you want. This will take control of any headphones and get the most out of them.

Best thing. Go try a good headphone amp. They can be a real revelation.

@jim204  I have a P-750u as well. Yes, it is among the best. So is my Ampsandsound Nautilus. The Nautilus ought to be good, it weighs twice as much and costs twice as much (not that weight and cost are necessarily determinative of anything).