Luxman L-505f

Anyone used one of these?
Not sure when it was built or how much it differs from current models - but have chance to buy one for around £1,300. Currently ampless and was thinking about valves eg Pure Sound A30 etc
Any thoughts / experiences much appreciated.

 

I think they came out about 3-4 years ago. The current model is the L-505u which I think is only very slightly different. So its quite a recent model, could be some ex-demo ones around.

They also made the more powerful 507f and 509f but are now only doing the 505u (100W) and 550 (which is 30W pure class A).

I quite fancy one myself.... heard some say they are better than equivalent Accuphase amps, which they are direct competitors with.

 

Regarding Luxman, I have just completed my listening tests for a new integrated and ultimately decided on the latest Luxman 505.
I would think the f version would be good .I looked for an amp that could meet certain criteria knowing that ultimately I would compromise. How wrong I was the Luxman really trounced the competition. It is an incredible listening experience , fit and finish is great and the rock solid image is fabulous.The bass is out of this world it really is a first class contendor. Whether at high levels or low levels all the detail remains. So I would heartily recommend a Luxman. It was the only audition that I never really looked at the piece of kit all I did was listen to the music and it plays anything. So if you are looking for an integrated its reallly worth looking at and £1300 for an f is pretty good. Hope I am not breaking rules here but I must mention the dealer as well, great service and venue. I am not affiliated in any way to the dealer but when someone provides such a good listening experience,also recommended other amps to listen to that they werent dealers off. So thanks to Audio Emotion.

 

Thanks Alan and Colin.
Manufactories labels always tricky - jump from f to u! Yes - getting lost in the music rather than the equipment is the aim and Colin's experience is encouraging. The 70s retro style and all those meters etc are a bit off putting (hence the original post) but clearly don't get in the way. Thanks for the AE reference - wish lived nearer to them.

 

Well Mike I come from really minimal kit ad almost always valves, to an integrated it with all manner of knobs and buttons.The meters are great ,nice baby blue lights but its a big amp and it really sounds good. I had the dealer use their software to optomise my room and have just spent the morning reorganising furniture and my kit.Just stop sweating and I am sitting back listening to probably the best sounds I have heard out of my system. The amp does have a lot of facilities most of which I wont use but its just so musical I just had to go for it.Give one a try I dont think you will be disappointed.

 

At a slight tangent here: a dozen or more years ago, when I was starting to get very serious about my hi-fi, I bought a Luxman SQ1220 amp - it stayed with me for quite some time when all other boxes were swapped with monotonous regularity!

Fast forward to earlier this year: now married and having settled stopped chasing the pot of gold at the end of the high end rainbow, I'd settled into a comfortable life with a 'music playing system' but the urge to listen was waning (we're talking approx. £1k amp, same for CD here, so not bad kit).

As I'm sure many do, I did a quick recce of eBay and found a Luxman SQ507x up for auction... to cut a long story short, I didn't win the auction but something sparked.

Two/three months later, scanning eBay again and the same amp is being listed: this time I win the auction.

The amp has been with me for about a month now and is used every day - I'm listening as much now as I ever did. What 'Colin2040' says above echoes how I feel - ignore the facilities, sit back and enjoy the music. Certainly very close to (if not) the best sounds I've ever had, too.

This from a late 1960's to early/mid 1970's amplifier... my point being that Luxman amps not only sound great but are built to last.

Would definitely go for it if you like what it does - you may never need another amp!

 

Thanks guys - will ignore those retro tone controls and so forth. What I needed was the push away from the valves - low power - which was the way I was headed. Will now get serious about lots of power, meters and such like. Away (work) currently but will update when back in the UK with my impressions - should I be able to get the 'beast' !

 

Why ignore the tone controls? They are excellent for bringing life back to old LPs that have been played too many times. More amps should have them.