Compare And Contrast The Pass INT 60 With The Luxman 509x...

[bluegrassphile]

...Can anyone familiar with these amps compare them? I'm not sure if the Luxman 509x is closer to the INT 60 or INT 250? But I would like to hear your opinions on how these amps compare. Thank you!

[GSOphile]

What speakers?

[Mike]

Luxman 509x = sweet and toe tapping musical.

Pass INT-60 = warmer, richer. Engaging as well.

Really depends on speakers. For Harbeth? Luxman.

[bluegrassphile]

What speakers?

Oops! Forgot that rather important component...Harbeth Super HL 5+ 40th Anniversary Edition

[bluegrassphile]

Thanks, Mike! Appreciate the advice. I'm finding it's pretty hard to beat the Luxman/Harbeth combination.

[Mike]

Thanks, Mike! Appreciate the advice. I'm finding it's pretty hard to beat the Luxman/Harbeth combination.

Me too. Plus the Luxman has a built in Phonostage.


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[bluegrassphile]

That phono stage on the Luxman could come in handy. I've had a (late '80s, early '90s) Technics DD33 direct drive automatic TT in our basement store room for almost 20 years just gathering dust. It was given to me by my sister after her husband passed away suddenly. They had purchased a new audio system from Best Buy. Besides the TT they also purchased a Technics receiver and CD changer, and Infinity bookshelf speakers. All the components except the TT were sold at an auction. The TT is dusty but in mint condition. It has barely been used.

I know it might not sound as good as the current crop of high end TTs and it might need a cartridge upgrade. But it also might sound pretty good. Unfortunately, under pressure from my wife to create more room in our small-ish house, I got rid of a large vinyl collection several years ago. Even had some direct to disc jazz LPs. It was one of the biggest mistakes I've ever made. At least as it pertains to high end audio.

Anyway, what's done is done. I wasn't into high end audio at the time. And TTs were on the way out.....I thought. And I didn't want to get caught with a bunch of "worthless vinyl".

But I digress.....I do wonder if any mods can be made to the TT to improve it? Perhaps a cartridge upgrade would boost the performance some? Maybe I would just be money ahead by purchasing a new TT? I really don't know. Right now I don't have a single vinyl record to play on the TT. But that's easily remedied. Just a trip or two to a local pawn shop or record store should suffice. But, yeah, the phono stage would come in handy.

[Dguitarnut]

Luxman 509x = sweet and toe tapping musical.

Pass INT-60 = warmer, richer. Engaging as well.

Really depends on speakers. For Harbeth? Luxman.

Fully agree. I have had both side by side with my Magicos. The Luxman has less of a colored sound than the Pass Int-60 and I would rank it a notch above overall.

[bluegrassphile]

Thank you, Larry. That response is very consistent with others I've read. I'm making final decisions on components for my new system and I pretty much have things narrowed down. That Luxman/Harbeth combination is going to be very hard to beat...unless something new comes along before the first of the year. That's when I order the rest of my system. But, for now, it looks like Luxman and Harbeth. Just thinking of this system makes my mouth water.

There are just so many outstanding choices for components you really have to do your research. I've looked at countless choices and combinations and I keep coming back to these two for my particular application. I just wish I had the time and money to drive to fifty different audio shops and listen to everything they have. There was a time you could do just that. Most towns of any size had audio stores. Even many of the the big towns might only have one or two these days. And a lot of big towns have none. The closest audio store to me is an hour and a half. Not too bad. But the next closest true high end audio shop (not HT store) is four and a half hours from where I live. But the research is half the fun. I'm really enjoying it.

And I have to say both "Mikes" at Suncoast have been extremely helpful. Huge thanks to both of them. I was an avid, true audiophile in the late '70s but haven't been one since. So they've had to put up with a lot of very basic newb questions, not only about audio but digital too. I still have a lot to learn to get "up to speed" but with the help of a lot of people on this forum I'm slowly getting there. Thank you, everyone, for your help.

[hifinutt]

if you wanted to integrate the AV system with theatre bypass , you would find it difficult . the luxman has at least that facility i believe

ithe luxman is a bit easy to lift and handle , dont fancy the sharp fins on the pass integrated

[hifinutt]

how do folks find the remote on the luxman ? i do like an accurate easy to use remote . there is a 8 week old 509x a few miles from me and every so often it just calls out to me...........

[kzhtoo]

Fully agree. I have had both side by side with my Magicos. The Luxman has less of a colored sound than the Pass Int-60 and I would rank it a notch above overall.

Hi Larry, how would you compare Luxman 509x vs. Diablo 300 on Magico? Wondering if you did have that chance. TIA.

[Dguitarnut]

The Diablo 300 was a more live presentation with amazing detail. The Luxman was a more of a hi-fi presentation. The Magicos speed and resolution were showcased better by the Gryphon Diablos IMO.
Matter of taste really.

[bluegrassphile]

I would guess the Diablo 120 would be a better comparison for the Luxman 509x as they're much more similar in price vs the Diablo 300. However, from what I've read the 509x swings above it's weight, so maybe it's competitive with the Diablo 300, I don't know? I'm leaning toward the Luxman 509x as it's reportedly a great match up with the Harbeth Super HL 5+ Anniversary speakers I ordered. They're being made as we speak. But I would not necessarily rule the Diablo 120 out. I know Mike highly recommends the Luxman/Harbeth pairing...right Mike?

[Jack]

Stick with the Luxman. If Mike had thought the Diablo's were a better match he would have told you so.

[Mike]

I would guess the Diablo 120 would be a better comparison for the Luxman 509x as they're much more similar in price vs the Diablo 300. However, from what I've read the 509x swings above it's weight, so maybe it's competitive with the Diablo 300, I don't know? I'm leaning toward the Luxman 509x as it's reportedly a great match up with the Harbeth Super HL 5+ Anniversary speakers I ordered. They're being made as we speak. But I would not necessarily rule the Diablo 120 out. I know Mike highly recommends the Luxman/Harbeth pairing...right Mike?

Right. The Luxman synergy with Harbeth is excellent.

[bluegrassphile]

There ya go! Er, there I go.

[thyname]

I have a feeling the Pass INT-250 would be much better than Int-60 and possibly even the L-509x depending on speakers.