Luxman integrated or separates

[Ern dog]

I’m looking for some Lux advice about components. I’m currently using a Border Patrol SET 8 wpc amp, Melody 101 tube preamp, and Coincident speakers. I’d like to move into solid state and retain all the things I love about tubes: liquid mids, holographic, big sound stage, and natural warmth.

I'm thinking about the Luxman L-590AXll or doing separates like the M-600 and a Luxman preamp. I would love to dive straight into the new Luxman 900u combo but don’t have the funds for that right now. What are the sound differences between the L-590AXll and the M-600 amps?

Thanks,
Ernie

 

[Dth31]

What is it about your current system that makes you want to switch to solid state? I got tired of messing with tubes over 10 yrs ago and wanted to fall in love with solid state but have never found a SS system that has enough, for me, of what you like about tubes.

It is often recommended to keep a tube preamp in combination with a SS amp. I tried that previously with a CAT preamp, but the system still sounded like the SS amp. In my 2nd system I am using a SS preamp with a variety of tube amps (2A3 and 300B SET, and EL34 PP) and these combinations work really well for me.

Unless you really are sick and tired of tubes altogether, I would personally change 1 thing at a time. If you don’t like either a SS preamp or amp in you system, you probably won’t like 2. Of course, YMMV.

 

[Ern dog]

These days the line between top shelf SS gear and top shelf tube gear is getting smaller. I’m not convinced that I won’t be happy with Luxman gear, but only a demo will tell for sure.

 

[Kingrex]

I never heard Luxman, but was very interested so did some calling around inquiring about the M600A. One dealer told me the power output was quite a bit higher with the separate M600A over the integrated offerings. He was pretty resolute about that. I don't know that he was talking about tone. I think he was talking more about ability to drive a load and have headroom.