I recently traded my Mac MA5300 for a Luxman L-550AX ll. New, out of the box, the Luxman was a great disappointment. After two days, I put it back in the box. Two days later, I tried it again. It started to morph into a revealing, open soundstage approaching holography. It's the most expensive integrated I've ever bought. I do not regret the purchase, and I'm digging it. As previously posted, the Bluesound Node, IMO is your gate.
McIntosh to Luxman?
Hey everybody. I need some advice. It's fair to say I've lusted over Luxman equipment for a few years now. Something about Japanese hifi that just gets me. Anyway, one of the online retailers of new and used equipment has a Luxman L-507uX (not the mark ii) for sale. I do really like the sound from my hybrid MA252 integrated, and it drives my Maggie 1.7s with ease. Most of my listening is of the streaming variety (Bludesound Node/Qobuz), and some vinyl (Music Hall MMF-5).
Here's my question: what will the Luxman bring me that the McIntosh isn't providing? More refinement? More authoritative bass? Better soundstaging? If the answer is yes, then I may pull the trigger on the Luxman. By the way, I can get a nice trade-in on my McIntosh, so my out-of-pocket won't be too bad. Please weigh-in if you've had both McIntosh and Luxman gear and what your experience with both brands has been. Thanks in advance! ~ Jerry
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I owed Mcintosh separates for a long time, once I could afford them. I agree with most of the posts here, it's a bit light at the top end, and to me a bit dark, now that I own the Luxman 590AXII, the Luxman sound could not be more different, and to me much better. I would not go back to Mcintosh, old or new. By the way, I have received a lot of nasty responses any time that I talked down about Mcintosh, but I am simply telling my experience, the Luxman sounds better to me then the Mcintosh I owned. I would suggest to try it out, with a return policy as it will sound much different then the Mcintosh, and yes, give it a little time it to open up and for you to get use to it. I also owned the Bluesound (I have since upgraded to Aurender) and would agree with the others that it's a great little streamer, but you could easily do much better. |
I’d put the new Innuos Pulse Mini on your radar for a streamer, and as @jjss49 recommended above an upgraded linear power supply (not necessarily Innuos’ own LPS) should be included in your budget to get the best performance out of it. Best of luck with all this, and please do share your impressions if you could. Curious minds wanna know. BTW, I’ve got 100 bucks the OP chooses the Luxman if anyone wants to take the other side. Heh heh. |
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