Luxman amps

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bonzo

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Hi, there seems to be less activity here on Luxman amps, which sound great on Vivid G1s, but also ABed bridged M800a against Ypsilon aelius and loved what they did. Now there is the M900u, which is apparently more open and dynamic, but less class A. 800a was 60w class * 8ohm, and bridged was 240*8, doubling down to 1 ohm.

m900u is 150w stereo * 8, with 12w class A, and 600*8 when bridged.

Soundstage hifi rated m900 as the best amp he had heard, and stereophile and others have been very positive. So have a couple of others I reached out for feedback, who have owned VAC, Lamm, and other well known stereo.

Would like to check for more shared learning on these as they are much lower priced compared to Gryphon, Dagostino, and the likes.
 
If you haven't seen the Audiodrom review of the Luxman C-900u linestage and M-900u power amp I'd suggest checking them out at the link provided.

In conclusion they state: "The M-900u and the C-900u get our 100% Reference award and I am sorry that Audiodrom does not grant anything like 150% Reference, for example. They are that good."
 
I had the 30 watt Class A, 590ax in for demo on my former Zu Definitions. It sounded like cream and ironically ran hotter than tube amps I've owned. I've heard Luxman Class A on Vivids sound great at shows, so its clearly a synergy thing.

I will say, Luxman doesn't have good resale so cheap on the used market to try.
 
Totally disagree. Luxman is better than any amp i have had. Only creamy if upstream and power is creamy.
 
Darrin is no amateur and I trust his ears to report the truth. If he loves the Luxman amps best, I truly believe they are amazing amps.

I wish I had the opportunity back to get and hear those amps. I heard them in a local dealers home system. I spent the afternoon with him and a couple of "audiophiles". I loved what I heard. Thinking back now, not sure why I never took the next step.

So happy for you Darrin!


kzhtoo said:
Just because there's a thread on this, have you owned Vitus, Soulution and CH?
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Sorry, didn't mean to sound untrusting. Should have worded better.
 
Hi Darrin, saw that you are using bridged m800 with the Maggie 20.7. Interesting because I was checking from a perspective of using them on restored apogees (4 ohm impedance)

Any chance to compare them with 900u?

Btw, which CH and Vitus models were you referring to?
 
bonzo said:
Hi Darrin, saw that you are using bridged m800 with the Maggie 20.7. Interesting because I was checking from a perspective of using them on restored apogees (4 ohm impedance)

Any chance to compare them with 900u?

Btw, which CH and Vitus models were you referring to?
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I haven't heard the M900 yet. Philip H the US distributor and I spoke yesterday (I had a technical question about balanced inputs and he spent an hour on the phone with me - super nice guy we should invite to the forum). He was praising the M900 and said it and the 1000 are better than the 800 - but not by huge margins but noticeable. He spent a lot of time sharing with me insights on the 900 preamp and why that is a jewel. I do like the fact the M800 is 100 percent class A unlike the others. Also a reason I am keeping my beloved Marantz MA9S2 amps in case it is a super warm day. I haven't had to turn them off due to heat tho. They don't throw that much heat off.
 
Dpod4 said:
I haven't heard the M900 yet. Philip H the US distributor and I spoke yesterday (I had a technical question about balanced inputs and he spent an hour on the phone with me - super nice guy we should invite to the forum). He was praising the M900 and said it and the 1000 are better than the 800 - but not by huge margins but noticeable. He spent a lot of time sharing with me insights on the 900 preamp and why that is a jewel. I do like the fact the M800 is 100 percent class A unlike the others. Also a reason I am keeping my beloved Marantz MA9S2 amps in case it is a super warm day. I haven't had to turn them off due to heat tho. They don't throw that much heat off.
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Yes I have been to Philip's place with Steve. Was very impressed by his bridged b1000s but what the hell that's crazy money.
 
bonzo said:
Yes I have been to Philip's place with Steve. Was very impressed by his bridged b1000s but what the hell that's crazy money.
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That's why the m800 monos are the cats meow. 90 percent of the 1000 and 40 percent the price.
 
Hi Darrin,

What preamp are you using with the M800's? I forgot what you mentioned you were using.

Thanks!
 
joeinid said:
Hi Darrin,

What preamp are you using with the M800's? I forgot what you mentioned you were using.

Thanks!
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The c900 is well reviewed and audio.Bill owns it but Joel of 6 moons who too has the bridged m800 prefers the coincident pre to the c800
 
Very interesting. Thank you for the additional info.



bonzo said:
The c900 is well reviewed and audio.Bill owns it but Joel of 6 moons who too has the bridged m800 prefers the coincident pre to the c800
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So, compared the M900u to the Viola Symphony on Tad Evolution 1 floorstanders with the Nagra Jazz and Esoteric K03. The M900 won easily. Much more organic, full bodied, better tone, without drawing attention to anything. The Viola was fast and clean, but too metallic in comparison. The Viola is more extended on either end but much leaner. It was trying to startle with dynamics, but not as naturally as Spectral. This is what I like about the Lux. When you play it on its own, it does not surprise with bass and dynamics like Spectral, or with valve like decay, or Vitus like liquidity (though the m800 is full class A, so it might). But A/B it, you will immediately find it much more organic, full bodied, solid, and 3d, without drawing too much attention to any one characteristic. Maybe that might make it a bit boring at shows.

We then moved from the TAD to the YG Hailey, and this is an AWESOME speaker. A bit bass light and needs subs, but think of it as a natural, Quad like resolution and decay in the mids, very open, great tone, good bass but a bit light, but nothing that cannot be fixed with a sub. And room friendly. All demo tracks were baritone, soprano, and orchestral.
 
bonzo said:
So, compared the M900u to the Viola Symphony on Tad Evolution 1 floorstanders with the Nagra Jazz and Esoteric K03. The M900 won easily. Much more organic, full bodied, better tone, without drawing attention to anything. The Viola was fast and clean, but too metallic in comparison. The Viola is more extended on either end but much leaner. It was trying to startle with dynamics, but not as naturally as Spectral. This is what I like about the Lux. When you play it on its own, it does not surprise with bass and dynamics like Spectral, or with valve like decay, or Vitus like liquidity (though the m800 is full class A, so it might). But A/B it, you will immediately find it much more organic, full bodied, solid, and 3d, without drawing too much attention to any one characteristic. Maybe that might make it a bit boring at shows.

We then moved from the TAD to the YG Hailey, and this is an AWESOME speaker. A bit bass light and needs subs, but think of it as a natural, Quad like resolution and decay in the mids, very open, great tone, good bass but a bit light, but nothing that cannot be fixed with a sub. And room friendly. All demo tracks were baritone, soprano, and orchestral.
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Love the Hailey, myself. My guess is the bass would be better if you monoblock'ed the M900u...they like juice!
 
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