Buying a Luxman L505z from Japan


Hey, so I’m looking to purchase a Luxman L505z from Japan - I will need a 120-100v step down transformer . I wanted to find out if anyone has experience with this and if it will compromise the sound in anyway? I saw one from a dealer on eBay with a 99% rating, but I’m unsure if I should trust it. Any insights would be greatly appreciated 

edubbers

Look here for an example. 

https://www.luxman.com/product/detail.php?id=49

On the right is a section "Power Consumption" which lists the absolute maximum power this unit can consume.  For the current L-505z that’s 330W.  This is honestly not a lot, in the era of kilowatt amplifiers. So any step down transformer of ~ 500W (i.e. VA) is probably good enough. 

Many of these would work: https://amzn.to/4nb0Ed8

Just walk away from that thought. Don't do it. Ignore all thoughts of this kind, buck up and pay for US/ Canada version. 

I have the Luxman L-509Z direct from Japan. I use a step-down transformer, and I can usure you it DOES NOT affect the sound in any way!

I have 47 years in the electronics industry as a radio technician, and I have built and modified many amps and various other stereo components.

The Japanese voltage version of the Luxman works flawlessly in the USA with a transformer.

You can listen to people who think they know or someone who actually has the setup in the USA...your choice.

I enjoy my $14K amp for the $7K I paid...

 

@cdhumiston thanks, I feel like I’m going to go with it- I have the opportunity to get a NAD M33 from a dealer - it was just a demo for $3,800 but in comparison to the Luxman, it fell short. Do you have a specific dealer in Japan that you go through- or was this 1 time thing. 

I’ve purchased 2 Luxman  amplifiers from Japan at significant savings vs US. One functioned flawlessly and I eventually sold it without any issues. One converter failed and it affected the amp. I had a hard time finding a repair shop that would fix it  I bought a higher quality converter and the amp functions without any issues. Even with the import fees and repair costs I still saved thousands of dollars. Keep in mind that the warranty will not be valid in the US. So if you’re ok with that risk then go for it. Buy a quality converter. Good luck. You won’t be able to tell any sonic difference.