My last Integrated Amp: $5-10,000?

Luxman. 

I missed the speaker brand (would like to know) but likely still going to answer Luxman, Pass, Gryphon or Hegel.  Mac 5300 isn't in same range as much of what we are describing here.  As someone else said move up the line 1-2 notches if you can.  

I use Luxman 509x and this review really spoke to me.,,,would be curious where you OP or others come out on this continuum:  

For argument and sake of reference point, if you were to put Boulder amplifiers (and we still had the 1100 series here for comparison) as straight-up natural at 12 o’clock – adding nor subtracting nothing, with no sense of added tonal saturation, our reference Pass XS Pre/XA 200.8 is probably at about 10:30. With going to the left a bit on the warm/saturated side. The Luxman 900 series was about 11:30, with our tube references the PrimaLuna EVO 400 and VAC i170 coming in at about  9:00 and 9:30. I’d put the recent Esoteric integrated about 12:30 – slightly to the cold side, and the last few Simaudio amplifiers we’ve reviewed about 1:00 – even more clinical. The L-509x, like it’s larger separates has that same touch of warmth/saturation, without being slow or non-resolving. I wish I would have had the ability to listen to them both side-by-side and suspect that the L-509x comes very, very close to the 900 series in terms of sonic performance.

@mtbiker29 

I have the Luxman 595ase and could not be happier. The 509ax is a world-class amplifier. Luxman is just a quality outfit thru and thru.

just saw your post. I had the 590 AX II. I did enjoy it for vocals very much. Listened to lots of vinyl with it as it has a built in phono stage. Vocals were really nice with the amp. It is not in any way a powerful amp. I know people talk about specs, and it isn’t a “weak” amp but for rock I found that when pushed the sound pressed and sort of screamed. A little like being to fast in 3rd gear. Classical def didn’t have enough power. Jazz and vocals are nice. So if you like to rock out I would maybe go with a bit more power. I have spent time with the levinson 585 and that def has more bass and power. For sure. It is more neutral sounding, a tad colder than the 590 but it has more guts and sounds good. The Luxman 509 to me has nothing in common with the 590. Totally different color as it is designed AB vs class A. To my ears the 509 was not nearly as nice as the 590 or the 585. Somebody mentioned pass, the INT 60 would be much more powerful than either Luxman. Pass puts out lots of power in their class A designes. I also listened to Boulder , Ayre . Someone mentioned gryphon 120. I actually do believe that will be your amp because of the vocals and rock. The 120 is considered to be a fantastic integrated with a slightly warm color. I sold my 590 AX II luxman because it just didn’t have the power I needed for classical.

Dancarlson10,

Good information. I believe the speakers play a huge role in the amp selection. May I ask on the speakers that were matched with the Luxman L-590AXII and 509X? I have not listened to the 509X but own the 590AXII. The 590AXII to me is a wonderful amp when matched with appropriate speakers. It’s currently the best sounding integrated amp below $10k I’ve owned after more than 25 years of messing around in this hobby. I’ve had it matched with Marten Duke 2 and it’s a wonderful sounding combination - smooth, slightly warm but delicate and refined with good clarity and detail. It’s not easy to achieve smooth and warm with refined and detail at the same time but the 590AXII managed to deliver this result. Most smooth or warm amps/systems sound soft and wooly, lacking in detail, dynamics and drive but the Luxman combines everything together and delivers the sound as a whole package.

The L-590AXII matches well with efficient or relatively easy to drive speakers. If the speakers are a demanding load or there is a requirement to fill a large room with sound. then perhaps there will be other more appropriate options as you have brought up. More powerful amps such as Pass Labs INT-60 or INT-250 etc.

If you must go integrated I recently heard the new Luxman L 507Z and the sound paired with Harbeth 30XD speakers was very nice.  

see post 74.  

https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/axpona-2022.1143328/page-3

Looking good. Let me paste the photos here.