Luxman LX33 Integrated Tube Amp. YEAH? NAY?
Why don’t you look for new LUX like SQ-N100 integrated? You could find it used for the same price. I sold one to a friend and it’s very nice for the price (under $1500) with MM phono stage, remote control, headphone amp and super cool design. |
chakster thanks for the idea if money was tight an apparently good one as you would think, there are no sq100’s currently available except far foreign lands, and not much less than this sq-150, $1,960 + $90. shipping no tax. https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649734717-luxman-sq-n150-integrated-tube-amplifier/ the other one is more $2,250 + $100. ship, probably pay tax, not sure. Advantage: worked on by Audio Classics. I just dropped my mx110z there, met Ryan, and wrote him about this unit last evening. 117 v version. https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649730439-luxman-sq-150-integrated-tube-amplifier-w-mcmm-pho... Having sq-150’s MC option appeals to me (their MC setting fits my AT33ptgII well enough I think). I may someday use this 10 wpc with my extremely efficient 16 ohm horns in my main system, use the Cayin elsewhere or sell it. Unfortunately Luxman’s bias adjusters are also internal, at least it is lighter to move around. .............................. I have patience to wait for what I buy, but I want to end the search (the fun becomes misery for me) and buy something soon. |
I heard back from Ryan at Audio Classics: " As far as the SQ150, that is a great unit. The Luxman has been very popular in the past year. Very appealing to the McIntosh enthusiasts it seems. Sweet, never bright, and very very low noise. It would match very well with the Wharfedale's". I made an offer on one here in USA, with a twist: "You want your full price? Or pretend we bargained hard and you gave me your Tuesday evening discount? Your choice, just let me know". waiting for sellers reply. |
Ah, the best made plans .... not so great when you are an idiot. After all the waiting, I rushed things in the end. I got excited about the Luxman SQ-N150. Both MM and MC and it just so happens the MC setting (not adjustable) fits my AT33ptgII cartridge very well! 2 months old, great price, small (really small), 10 wpc tubes will not be too much heat in my small office, oh yeah. Remote volume for PC, TT, R2R, whoopee. Well, ALL the Vintage and fairly recent Luxmans I looked at had pre-out/main-in. Not this little one, I didn't pay enough attention. So, that nixes my plan of pre-out to self-powered sub; sub minus low bass to main-in; 10 wpc no low bass to the somewhat inefficient wharfedales (87). Takes the work of low bass away from both the amp and the speakers. That is what let me take the risk of 10 wpc with 87 speakers. Lowest efficiency speakers I ever had, and now the lowest powered amp I ever had. Luxman drove my very efficient 16 ohm horns/15" woofers wonderfully for 3 hrs last night. Amazing. Up here, we shall see. I will use the speaker wires in/out of sub, that does not give the amp a break, but the Wharfedale's don't try to make low bass, and I am only 6 feet from the speakers, no need for much volume here. |
