Why does my Yamaha sound better than the Luxman 595?

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Dman777dman777

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Hello,

I have the Luxman 595 class A amp. I also have the Yamaha r-n2000a used as a preamp to the Yamaha AS-3200. Ether system will use the same Sonus Faber Lumina II speakers. These speakers could be considered on the bright side.

I don't know why, but the Yamaha setup(preamp and amp) sounds a bit better to me. It is more open sounding and the sound stage sounds better. The Luxman has the vocals and instruments more forward than the Yamaha, which I like alot. But the Luxman sounds more flat and closed when compared to the Yamaha setup. Why is this?
 
what kind of test / comparison did you do ? volumes level matched ? blind / sighted ?

A lot variables and biases come into play.........
 
Same speakers were used along with same source (Sony ES CD player). Volume matches as close as possible being class A volume is much different. For Luxman, I only needed 30% volume while the Yamaha r-n2000a preamp it's around 70%.
 
Strange combination of gear. You are comparing a 30w (8 ohm)/60w (4ohm) Class A integrated amp to a Yamaha 2 channel receiver rated at 90w into an 8 ohm load that you are using as a preamp into a Yamaha integrated amp rated at 100w into an 8 ohm load and 150w into a 4 ohm load. Your speakers are small with no real bass and are insensitive at 86dB with a nominal 4 ohm impedance. Maybe you prefer the sound of the mashup Yamaha gear you are using because you have more power and more headroom than the Luxman can provide to your 86dB/4 ohm speakers
 
Speaking strictly of 4 ohms since all the amps I have do 4 ohms, and my speakers are 4 ohms....

Yamaha gear you are using because you have more power and more headroom than the Luxman can provide to your 86dB/4 ohm speakers
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I was wondering about this, also. But if the Luxman truly had issues trying to keep up with the Yamaha, why would I only need to raise the Luxman volume 30% to get the same loudness as the Yamaha setup which I have to set about 70%?
 
Dman777dman777 said:
Speaking strictly of 4 ohms since all the amps I have do 4 ohms, and my speakers are 4 ohms....



I was wondering about this, also. But if the Luxman truly had issues trying to keep up with the Yamaha, why would I only need to raise the Luxman volume 30% to get the same loudness as the Yamaha setup which I have to set about 70%?
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Possibly amplifier sensitivity for full output is lower on the Luxman gear than the Yamaha gear. It's certainly not because the Luxman is more powerful than either of your Yamaha pieces.
 
Dman777dman777 said:
Same speakers were used along with same source (Sony ES CD player). Volume matches as close as possible being class A volume is much different. For Luxman, I only needed 30% volume while the Yamaha r-n2000a preamp it's around 70%.
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LMAO, 'Class A' volume is different ?? 100% audiofool nonsense !!! Volume is measured in db and a meter can't tell what class of amp is being used !
 
Dman777dman777 said:
Hello,

I have the Luxman 595 class A amp. I also have the Yamaha r-n2000a used as a preamp to the Yamaha AS-3200. Ether system will use the same Sonus Faber Lumina II speakers. These speakers could be considered on the bright side.

I don't know why, but the Yamaha setup(preamp and amp) sounds a bit better to me. It is more open sounding and the sound stage sounds better. The Luxman has the vocals and instruments more forward than the Yamaha, which I like alot. But the Luxman sounds more flat and closed when compared to the Yamaha setup. Why is this?
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You don't need double blind listening tests and stuff. That is silly.

All amps sound different. ESPECIALLY when you are comparing a Class A amp to non-class A amp. Different amps and different brands have different voicing of their gear. That is in large part what you are hearing combined with the difference in power output (though the Luxman puts out WAY more power than it is rated for).
 
Dman777dman777 said:
Same speakers were used along with same source (Sony ES CD player). Volume matches as close as possible being class A volume is much different. For Luxman, I only needed 30% volume while the Yamaha r-n2000a preamp it's around 70%.
Click to expand...

Hey Dman - FYI that is not how it works. Don't worry though as none of us on this forum were born knowing everything and we have all learned about hifi over time. Ignore the snarky responses and know most people on this forum are great and happy to help.

Just ignore the static on forums and enjoy the music!
 
MichaelsMinute said:
Hey Dman - FYI that is not how it works. Don't worry though as none of us on this forum were born knowing everything and we have all learned about hifi over time. Ignore the snarky responses and know most people on this forum are great and happy to help.

Just ignore the static on forums and enjoy the music!
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Michael, snarky ?? , whatever, when someone comes on a makes a claim that 'Class A volume is much different' , I'm sorry but that smacks of audiofool nonsense, agreed ?

As for blind listening test and such being silly, again, whatever. But don't think for a minute that level matching volume level is silly, for if you do, look in the mirror, you'll see what silly looks like !!
 
Dman777dman777 said:
Yes, I was wondering about this also. I am thinking about buying a pair of Cornwall 4s to see how they two systems sound on the Cornwalls.
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I owned Cornwall IV's and they were very good speakers. They are super efficient so the Luxman will have no issue powering them. And at the end of the day you may just prefer the sound of the Yamaha which is totally OK. There is no right or wrong as to what sound you like.
 
MichaelsMinute said:
And at the end of the day you may just prefer the sound of the Yamaha which is totally OK. There is no right or wrong as to what sound you like.
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Yep, I think I have a big anxiety over this. I feel like if the amp is not for me, then I need to sell it right away to recoup it's costs before it depreciates more. But, on the other hand... if it's synergy and I just need the right speaker to make the Luxman sound better than the Yamaha, then I would regret selling it beforehand because it's limited edition and hard to find.
 
Dman777dman777 said:
Yep, I think I have a big anxiety over this. I feel like if the amp is not for me, then I need to sell it right away to recoup it's costs before it depreciates more. But, on the other hand... if it's synergy and I just need the right speaker to make the Luxman sound better than the Yamaha, then I would regret selling it beforehand because it's limited edition and hard to find.
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Synergy plays a HUGE factor. It's tough to know exactly how an amp and a speaker will gel - or not gel. If you got the Luxman used at a decent price you can probably recoup your money where it is a limited edition piece.
 
Just to clarify... I like the sound of the Luxman over the Yamaha AS-3200. But put the Yamaha r-n2000a as a preamp with the Yamaha-3200 and it's really impressive.
 
Dman777dman777 said:
Just to clarify... I like the sound of the Luxman over the Yamaha AS-3200. But put the Yamaha r-n2000a as a preamp with the Yamaha-3200 and it's really impressive.
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I think you need to take a step back and not rush to a judgement on which is better. Maybe spend some time this weekend with a drink, listen to music, don't over analyze and see how you like it. Sometimes in a rush to make a judgment we make it harder. I know I have certainly been there before.
 
Dman777dman777 said:
Speaking strictly of 4 ohms since all the amps I have do 4 ohms, and my speakers are 4 ohms....



I was wondering about this, also. But if the Luxman truly had issues trying to keep up with the Yamaha, why would I only need to raise the Luxman volume 30% to get the same loudness as the Yamaha setup which I have to set about 70%?
Click to expand...

Forget about Gain , best to volume match between amps , that is play the luxman at the volume it sounds best and then Play the yamaha at the same dB volume level ( not gain level ), this will eliminate the power advantages ..!


Regards
 
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