Incoming: Luxman 505UXII

Tried out the Headphone section last night. I only listened to one disk, but it was really nice to have this ability back in a main system. Also interesting that plugging in does not auto switch the speakers off, you have to manually do that. Not sure why anyone would want speakers on if they are listening via headphones.

Can anyone tell me the proper setup for HT Bypass? The manual is not written very well and does not mention HT Bypass as a feature although it can be done.

I am reading that I should go from HT Front Out to Luxman Main In, then toggle the Separate Switch but not 100% sure.
 
Congrats on an amazing integrated! Definitely leave it on and never turn it off, it will only continue to sound better and better.

RE HT Bypass, yes, you would run your pre-outs from the HT pre/pro into the Main In on the Luxman, and then when you listen to home theater, hit the "Separate" button, which bypasses the internal Luxman preamp and allows you to control the system from your HT pre/pro while utilizing the amps in the Luxman.

Congrats again!
 
There's no reason to not expect it to sound every bit as good as a 509x. The only difference being the output power. And your ears may not even be able to tell the difference between 100 wpc and 120 wpc. I think you got major bang for the buck, Brian. Can't wait to hear your comments after a couple hundred hours of break in.
 
Thanks Jeremy!

Just for keeping my green footprint smaller, I won't be leaving it on full time, but I am getting as many hours on it as I can.

It has sounded better already with maybe 12 hours on it.

I only have a few picky non sound issues that could be a little better for a unit of this caliber.

Binding Posts are not allowing me to make a full connection with my spades
Meter Light should have a half dim setting vs only On or Off
Remote is nice and beefy but should be about 3/8 to 1/2 inch narrower so it fits your hand better for control
The Manual size is odd and will not fit in a standard filing cabinet folder

Other than that, I am very happy to finally join the Luxman Club.
 
Shadowfax said:
Packaging was decent, heavy double boxed, good plastic wrapped ends and a full cloth bathing cap over the unit. Heavy and solid.

I had to do some rearranging and removed my VAC and Stratos to rebuild my second system. I had to move the APC up a shelf for ventilation and placed the Rega P3 where the Stratos was. Needless to say, I took some Advill when I was done.

Out of the box and still cold it sounded decent. Played Chet Atkins Pickin on the Beatles on Vinyl and the Phono in the lux is a world different than my Rotel receiver. As it warmed up you could hear the subtle changes to the top end as well as s nice grip of the bass. I have to say, my Dyns have never shined in the top like this but still keep all the bass. I played some Bob James, Special EFX, and finally Heather by Jessica Williams Live at Yoshis sounds closer to when I first heard it thru Lampi - Pure Audio Project gear. Both Victor Wooten's Bass and Vocals are crisp and clear on The Message from Bela Fleck.

Oddly and just like with my old Hafler 945 pre, I so far have preferred the Line Direct off, so Tone circuit engaged but flat. I also like the Loudness button for lower volumes. I still have to plug my Grados into the Headphone jack but I am sure it will be nothing less than all the other options. Its really nice to have remote volume after 15 years, let alone 2 volume knobs on the VAC. I figured out the HT Bypass but still have to re-run the setup on the Integra now.

So far Nothing to complain about really. It is a little imposing compared to a Hegel. It would have been cool if they gave you 2 meter light levels as opposed to just on or off, dim would have been perfect. The only other thing I struggled with are the Binding Posts. They are covered with a plastic shroud so I had a hard time making the connection plus my Synergistic cables have a narrower slot at both ends so they dont go over the post all the way. I had to adapt Bananas on the other end for the Dyns but they fit both the Counterpoint and Clearfields which they came with. The post knobs are also flimsy for a unit of this value but once connected it doesn't matter too much.

Other than the looks, Mrs Shadow who has a good ear loves it already. She picked Ian Anderson String Quartets which is recorded in a Cathedral and sounded fantastic. I suppose it will get better in time also.

Here are a few crappy shots in my not so well lit room.
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I'll have to admit I'm hoping that when my amp and gear comes the freight company workers will bring everything right up to my door. At 125 lbs, with the packing, the Pass Labs int 250 alone is no lightweight. Then I have to wrestle it down the basement stairs to my listening room. I think I can handle the MSB and Roon Nucleus though. ;) :D

I remember when I was a kid I was always so excited to see what other kids got for Christmas. Nothing has changed. We're still nothing but big kids. :celebrate008_2:
 
The UPS guy would not step foot in my house, my wife held the door and he placed it just inside and she had to push it out of the way herself.

Didn't you order the Gryphon?

And yes, this is Adult Candy for sure.
 
bluegrassphile said:
There's no reason to not expect it to sound every bit as good as a 509x. The only difference being the output power. And your ears may not even be able to tell the difference between 100 wpc and 120 wpc. I think you got major bang for the buck, Brian. Can't wait to hear your comments after a couple hundred hours of break in.
Click to expand...

The Luxmans are all conservatively rated so my 100 is really closer to 115 wpc. My Stratos is 200 and you cannot tell the difference in power, just in detail and clarity and grip.
 
Shadowfax said:
Tried out the Headphone section last night. I only listened to one disk, but it was really nice to have this ability back in a main system. Also interesting that plugging in does not auto switch the speakers off, you have to manually do that. Not sure why anyone would want speakers on if they are listening via headphones.

Can anyone tell me the proper setup for HT Bypass? The manual is not written very well and does not mention HT Bypass as a feature although it can be done.

I am reading that I should go from HT Front Out to Luxman Main In, then toggle the Separate Switch but not 100% sure.
Click to expand...

HT Bypass:

Use of separate function:

Allows external HT pre-amp to integrate into system so that Luxman 505uXII amplifier drives front speakers during HT playback.
Connection: Connect FRONT LEFT and FRONT RIGHT output from suitable HT pre-amp to MAIN IN LEFT and MAIN IN RIGHT

Behavior:

With SEPARATE function set to OFF, unit performs as follows:
Unit acts as integrated unit where all source signals from internal 505uXII pre-amp are passed to 505uXII amplifier.
MAIN IN connections DO NOT pass connected HT pre-amp signal to 505uXII amplifier.

With SEPARATE function set to ON, unit performs as follows:
Unit acts as a separate pre-amplifier AND separate power amplifier
PRE OUT terminal supplies 505uXII sources to external amplifier (if connected)
MAIN IN connections pass connected HT pre-amp signal to 505uXII amplifier.

**Note: PRE OUT terminals always supply signal REGARDLESS of SEPARATE function setting, this allows for bi-amping if desired.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
"[...Didn't you order the Gryphon?...]"


Changed my mind. I liked how the int 60 sounded so much I decided to go with the int 250. They don't sound exactly alike but the int 250 seems to have the same sweet Pass personality of the int 60 with a few more things added like the extended top and tight bottom end...among some other things.

I remembered how superb the int 60 sounded. Then we plugged in an MSB Discrete DAC/streamer with optional (2nd) power chord.....Ecstasy! I'm taking a bit of a gamble as I've not auditioned the int 250, just the int 60. But after visiting with Mike and Kent English at Pass Labs at length about both the int 60 and int 250 I now feel pretty confident in my choice. I know if by some chance I didn't like the int 250, Mike would bend over backwards to help me have a satisfactory outcome. I really do not anticipate that will be necessary.

If I purchased the D300 I wouldn't be able to afford the MSB. I really think the MSB is worth it. Plus, I remembered how good that Pass sounded. My ears really like that smooth, warm, Pass personality. Add the MSB, decision made.
 
bluegrassphile said:
"[...Didn't you order the Gryphon?...]"


Changed my mind. I liked how the int 60 sounded so much I decided to go with the int 250. They don't sound exactly alike but the int 250 seems to have the same sweet Pass personality of the int 60 with a few more things added like the extended top and tight bottom end...among some other things.

I remembered how superb the int 60 sounded. Then we plugged in an MSB Discrete DAC/streamer with optional (2nd) power chord.....Ecstasy! I'm taking a bit of a gamble as I've not auditioned the int 250, just the int 60. But after visiting with Mike and Kent English at Pass Labs at length about both the int 60 and int 250 I now feel pretty confident in my choice. I know if by some chance I didn't like the int 250, Mike would bend over backwards to help me have a satisfactory outcome. I really do not anticipate that will be necessary.

If I purchased the D300 I wouldn't be able to afford the MSB. I really think the MSB is worth it. Plus, I remembered how good that Pass sounded. My ears really like that smooth, warm, Pass personality. Add the MSB, decision made.
Click to expand...

Wow, I must have missed all that along the way. I'm sure you will have an awesome system in the end. Can't wait to hear about it when it comes together.
 
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