Accuphase vs Luxman

“i could use my Accuphase A-48S for the bass but I’d hand to buy 2 more amplifiers for the mids and highs.  In theory this sounds great!”
@fire_water 

I guess we’ve opened the door to a rabbit hole :-)

I honestly can’t imagine the A48S not being up to the task of driving 105dB efficiency speakers. If you feel the AL5s are lacking bass in your gorgeous room, I’d suggest adding a pair of REL Classic 99s. I recently upgraded to a pair myself, and they turned out to be absolutely amazing and equally complimentary for my Canterbury’s. 

@lalitk yes the Accuphase A-48S is more than enough and our sounds spectacular.  I guess I like to experiment. The rabbit hole is big and deep lol.

Ok so now you've touched on something that I've been thinking about for some time - SUBWOOFERS!  In fact I was told to consider REL Classic 99 with my LaScalas by another discerning and credible audiophile who owns an exclusive hifi style just north of Toronto. 

Do I connect using a high-level, high-pass connection?

“Do I connect using a high-level, high-pass connection?”

Absolutely — that’s the beauty of RELs and why they integrate so seamlessly with your main speakers. Once dialed in properly (usually no more than 15–20 minutes of tweaking), they’ll become inseparable from your AL5s. 

I have to tell you.  This forum is filled with incredibly discerning and knowledgeable audiophiles. What started as a conversation I had with a gruff who asked about Luxman and how it compares to what I have morphed into a highly amazing discussion and as a result of which I've learned a few things.

I'm keeping my Accuphase components and will look into different ways of improving things like room treatment and SUBWOOFERS.

The A-48S is a very capable amplifier - and hardly stressed by speakers that are as sensitive as 105 dB.

As I mentioned before I heard a significant improvement going from an older C-2450 pre-amp to the C-2900 with my A-48.  The C-2300 replaced the C-2450, and I have not heard it but I imagine the C-2900 is a step up.  

Accuphase matches it's pre-amps and amps as follows:

C-2300 + A48

C-2900 + A-80 

C-3900 + A-300

Your DAC might be the first area for improvement.  The DC-37 was introduced in 2014, and it was apparently based on the DP-720 SACD player introduced in 2013.  The DP-720 was replaced by the DP-750 in 2018 which was then replaced by the DP-770 in 2023 or 2024.  The DC-37 was never replaced as a stand-alone DAC, but it is several generations behind and is now in the 'product museum' - meaning it was discontinued.  It was in essence replaced by the various SACD players listed above.

The only other stand alone DAC produced was the special anniversary DC-1000 introduced in 2021.  I have not heard it but from perusing reviews it sounds like it is very special.

Apparently listening to CDs in Japan is still more popular than streaming, which is why companies like Accuphase, Luxman, and Esoteric are still producing new and improved SACD/CD players.  The new DP-770 SACD player would be their newest DAC.