100 YEAR PEDIGREE - Luxman L-505Z Amplifier Review

I have an old Peachtree nova 125 amp with Buchardt S400 MKII speakers. Looking to upgrade the amp/DAC. Would the l509z with Pontus 15th DAC be a significant upgrade over the Hegel h400? It sounds like it given the comparison in this review against the l505z.

Tsrun great review as ever.I aam thinking of Rpgue tube pre and some Gan poer but those Japanese amps just dobt leave my mind.I likedcthe xomparrison you made with X series bit also i liked you bringing the Accuphase 280 into the mix.I'd rather the independent ownership of Acvuphase but thonk the veighter top end and solid mids you describe would be the best optlon.zThere are a lot of 509Z rabets out there )and at its pricevit should be good) so hoping you get the507Z next

Great review. I would be interested in your thoughts on why such a high end product would even have treble and bass controls. Especially if their use degrades sound quality as you noted.

"Almost cut my hair" is a great song, It would like to hear it with the Luxman!

Another great review! I will contact Polish distributor asking for a short listening session. Kindest regards from Warsaw! Piotr

I was lucky enough to import from Japan a 1980s Luxman L540 integrated. Not only is it a thing of beauty, but it sounds terrific. They do make great gear. I should point out that currently you can have a brand new 505z for £2500 plus tax and delivery from Japan. £50-90 for a voltage converter and you have a bargain. £5500 gets you the incredible 509z, which would be my choice. Yes, there are risks, and I dont know how the warranty would work, but I have imported several pieces from Japan without issue, and wouldnt hesitate if I was in the market for a new amp.
As for regrets, mine is selling a lovely pair of Shanling Tube Monoblocks (SP 80, I think). I see them crop up for sale now and again for over twice what I paid for them, and kick myself.

505z. A Superb Amp. But the 507z is a Huge Step Up. The casework ( Top & Sides ) is Superb. Not the 'Cheapo' Metal 'wrap around' like on the 505 ! The Face-Plate is thicker. And yes, the Bass is a Mega Improvement. My previous 'End Game' amp was the Hegel H390. After a move to a smaller property, I recently 'downsized' to the Superb H190v. Some weeks ago, I had a 'day out' and called into a dealer I had not been to before. ( U know what's coming ! ? ) I had a listen to the 505 and then, the 507. They were also, spookily, ATC Dealers. Handy, cuz my own 'End Game' speakers are also ATC's, the SCM40 - Passives. Now, as U know Tarun, ATC's are not known for their 'Bottom End' Heft ! .... ( I use a REL T5X Sub ) I was amazed by the 'Baby' 505z driving the 40's. Had a listen for about 30 minutes. I then tried the ( Warmed Up ) 507z .... OMG .... So, yes, the 507z really is a Giant 'Step Up' .... with a load more bass & control .. Er, so much for downsizing, eh ! ... Looks like I now have to 'make room' for the 507z. This really WILL be me 'getting off' the Amp train ! ! Nice Video as always. I look forward to your 507z review. ATB

My regrets are not missing a new purchase but selling something I wish I still had. I thought about buying some of my 1980s and 1990s consumer level audio devices I once owned from ebay for nostalgia and then decided not to and instead created a photoshop image stacked six high with these: Technics receiver, Halfler amp and preamp, Vector Research equalizer and receiver, and Yamaha CD player. The devices are all life sized and I can print the 24" wide by 36" tall image on my $5000 Epson 24 inch wide printer or I can output for a TV screen and have an image of one of my devices on a 55 to 65 inch TV. I had to create every single knob, meter, label, line, switch, light. It was great fun and looks great. I wish I would have kept my 1993 Yellow Mazda RX-7 R1. I wish I would have kept my 1991 Kawasaki SS Jet-ski. I wish I had kept my Centurion Iron Man bicycle. I did buy an old Apple II and Texas Instruments TI-55 Calculator for the memories.

The usual FULL cover style of reviewing which makes this site in a class of its own.
Tarun does not superlatives and doesn't deal with the stats separately from the overall review like most do.
I would have liked a few sentences re adding a subwoofer, especially in relation to the small QUADS and Monitor Audios.

I love the look and sound of Luxman. The red led between the VU meters looks misplaced imo. Can it be shut off?
Once again great review. Thank you for your time on this.

Great work Tarun, as usual I'm a bit of a Luxman fan myself so I enjoyed your opinions on their new entry-level amplifier.👍🎧

How is the headphone amp in the L_505Z (or the 507Z)? Thank you.

Ya. It could be its $7000 price.

what would i like for you to review.....well products having icar like prices like the kerr 100

I have always admired the Japanese craftsmanship there discipline and culture there people just seem to go that extra mile to achieve perfection... Great Review 🙏

When a website gets stuck in 2024 and even a High End passed without anything noticeable from a huge brand, you wonder how serious are they. Yes they don‘t have to bring anything new every time, but even reports about their existence on shows have been minimal. Instead Accuphase is pushing. But equally, no news around Leben, but that‘s a tiny corp, thus understandably focusing on producing wonderful equipment.

Uh! Sadly no tape-out. Off the list it goes.

“Zed’s dead, baby. Zed’s dead.”

FOMO is the blight of many audiophiles, driving many purchases and sometimes leading to disappointment and regret. What I do is wait till the final decision seems like a slam dunk and then -- purposely, delay while I listen intently to the system I've already got. Thankfully, 9 times out of 10, something apparently even better comes along and the cycle begins afresh. 🙂

Seems one can currently get this new on Ebay for c.£2600 including VAT + import duties, etc. Only thing is, it isn't 220V, but 100V with the Japanese power supply. Still, you can get a decent appropriate step down transformer for c.£100. Only question is, would it sound as good? Maybe someone could answer this.

Hi, I have a pretty dumb question. I’ve a 505UXll amp and wondering about speaker connections. My last amp had the option to select 4 or 8ohms. Does this 505 automatically configure upon connection or is there a certain way to connect my 4ohm speakers? Thanks in advance. They say there’s no dumb questions but this comes close.

Great review. Love the look of these amps and the VU meters. Once I upgrade my speakers, subs and possibly my Gustard R26, my Exposure 3510 will probably be in the firing line......😂

i regret never getting a pair of Klipschorn speakers.

routel a 11 tribute

Tarun: when i was shopping for new gear in 2024 to use in a smallish room at not loud volume, went for the beauty of class A and chose the Luxman L-550AXII. The first 30 watts are class A.

Luxman amplifiers makes everything else look very ordinary. For me personally, they're only tow others who can sit at the same table. Mark Levinson & Krell. I know there are others for sure. (Linn, conrad-johnson, Mcintosh).
However Luxman is stunningly beautiful. I only can imagine ownership pride, most be of the charts..

Excellent review!

Brilliant and very well covered review, Tarun. That's why you're the best in business hands down. Kudos.
Speaking of amplifiers made in Japan, please review the new Denon PMA 3000 - thank you in advance.
To answer your question, I regret not buying my dad's Sansui SU 9900 integrated, when he swithed it to
some newer gear, Musical Fidelity M6 with the matching CDP etc. That Sansui amp was build like a tank,
looked great, and sounded so good with lots of current on tap. All the childhood memories comes alive.

Does anybody know how legit the luxman amps on ebay are? They are less than half price. I think i have heard you need to make sure you get one that is compatible with UK mains (presuming you want it for UK). Thanks.

One of my dream Amps

Moar audiophile doggo pics please!

great vid mt loved it classy.

Nice review, thanks for it. After hearing the new Z-series I made a comparison to the vacuum tube amplifier MQ-88uC and vacuum tube pre-amplifier CL-38uC - and the winner were - the both vacuum tubes amplifiers. I think, if you like to have a crisp soundstage the tubes could be the better match with the right speaker system , for example Dali Epicon 2. In 1986 I have started my Hi-Fi journey with the Luxman C02/M02 - so I am still a great fan of Luxman products.

Another nuanced and well thought-up review. My last disappointment was waiting on the Super Lintons only to find they've tweaked their sound to fix something that wasn't wrong in my opinion.

Some say Rotel is 'poor man's Luxman'. Being an owner of Rotel gear, I think I can take that...

Tremendous amplifier. Thanks for doing this review. A lot of info there on the sound, design and capabilities. I would buy this in a heartbeat.

Excellent review , owned the previous 505 Uxii and now the 509x, surprised at the drop of resolution without line straight, I do prefer it off with less than stellar recordings, loudness is great as well at low volumes, those Alyssa speakers have a sensitivity of just 81 dB and 2 to 3 ohms through mids, this is stereophile measurements so perhaps not the 505 best partner for high volume, 509 sorts this out by the way but at a price, I use harbeth and they sound fab, 505 is a bargain in my opinion especially the uxii models now, great vid tarun

Thanks Tarun wonderful insight and depth as always. I remember back in the 70's and '80's when there were many great budget priced components that were 'Made in Japan'. I just took it for granted. Remembering a 40 watt Rotel amp I had, with bright red block step volume display. I bet it's still going somewhere, Thanks again for a reliable place of solace from a world of nonsense outside.

Will this amp drive the ATCsm40 speakers and how does it compare to the Musical Fidelity M6i ? I love your reviews 😎

Nice review! I'd edit title to "Integrated" amplifier.

Hi Tarun,

I have had a question on my mind for some time, it is however not related to this video, there is no expectation for a response. Its regarding the NVA 600 monoblocks, can the lack of bass be mitigated with a sub? It may sound like a silly question. My concern is that it would be akin to adding bass with an EQ, emphasising unwanted aspects of the sound if it does not naturally present at the foundation of its design.

I live in the north of scotland, nowhere near an audition studio & you are my most trusted reviewer. Interestingly your reviews are presented like a well balanced system, well presented, touch of warmth, lots detail, perhaps not the last word in.......... I joke :-)

In regards to your question of the day......without a doubt my biggest regret would be missing out on the Dynaudio
Heritage bookshelf speakers. I spent too much time faffing about & they probably came out a year too soon for me .
They have been on sale a few times on ebay but one of the great joys to me in buying speakers is breaking the seal
on the packaging, setting them up & being the first to listen to them.

One of these will set you back AU$9,999.00! For a 100W/8 ohms per channel integrated it's way way over priced. Luxman are a very small niche Japanese manufacturer and as such have always been put on a pedestal that they never truly deserved. I wouldn't pay half that price. Lost me.

I should've bought Monitor audio PL200ii to go with my Yamaha A-S2200. Happy with my silver 300s untill some come on the used market.

Hi Tarun off topic, what brand are your equipment racks?

Thank u for the comprehensive comparisons.
Especially to the Accuphase e280.
These 2 fantastic brand amplifier are my to-die-for😅.
Hope u can review the e3000 too.

To me LUXMAN has superb vocal image & separation within the stage.

I hope the 507Z and 509Z are way better then the 505Z

As always, Tarun, a thorough, professional, review.
My only regrets hifi wise are not hanging on to a couple of pieces of really great tube amplification. First was a Heathkit 60w x2 power amp. Then there was my Dynakit pre and power combo.

Thanks for a very enjoyable review Tarun, nicely done.

Tarun, I love your understated and detailed review. Now tell me the answer to the age-old question: Luxman or Accuphase! 😄👍

Thanks the review Tarun ! 🙂I do wonder when this panel meters phase will die out in design, even retro can be done without it.

Another solid detailed review . I own a Hegel H 90 and an older Luxnan L 400. The Hegel is a touch more detailed and the Luxman has more base and a slightly warmer mid. Running with an Eversolo A 6 upgraded power supply and Revel speakers .