Luxman L-509u

Winner of SoundStage's Reviewer's Choice Award (February 2009)

"The L-509u was one dead-quiet integrated amp with an ultra-low noise floor, resulting in the blackest of backgrounds from which the music would emerge in solid, focused, three-dimensional images. Additionally, the L-509u was tonally neutral, and did not favor one end of the frequency spectrum over another; instead its sonic signature was geared toward delivering the least-colored, most musically natural performance, regardless of the type of music." "What impressed me most, however, was the L-509u’s control of the bass." "Subterranean? Without a doubt." Click here to be redirected to the SoundStage review.

Download PDF version

The L-509u features the new high quality electronic selector switch, which is the heart of the C-1000f pre-amp (one of Luxman’s 80th anniversary commemoration models). The sound quality deterioration using the new electronic input switch is now minimal, while channel separation and crosstalk efficiency were raised substantially in comparison with the previous L-550A / L-590A / L-507 /L-509SE. In addition the illuminated position indicator around the input selector knob, makes it much easier to view the selected position even from afar.

The integrated amplifier also benefits from the ALPS volume control used in the CL-88 vacuum tube preamplifier. A massive solid-brass, four gang potentiometer.

The amplifier section has not been ignored either; noise and distortion has been kept to a minimum with the introduction of ODNF version 2.2. The deep, rich, wonderfully textured tone is available here in Luxman’s most powerful integrated amplifier.

 No compromises made for sound quality; designed for the musical purist. This is Luxman’s ultimate integrated amplifier. * Equipped with ODNF version 2.2 for minimal noise and distortion.

• Solid brass, four gang attenuator from the CL-88 tube preamp.
• Electronic input selector, trickle down technology from the flagship C-1000f.
• Relay power source with large storage capacity.
• One pair of RCA inputs with Luxman's eddy current defeating technology,
• Peel Coat PCB with gold plated traces.
• Power Output Display Meter in dB
• Switch to split the preamp from the power amp.
• High quality phono stage.
• Two pairs of balanced inputs.
• Custom parts designed by LUXMAN, even the paint used on the resistors to denote the value has been carefully chosen after many hours of comparitive listening.

Volume Control
The volume control on the L-509u is a solid brass, four gang ALPs potentiometer, its too heavy to be motorised, hence the lack of a remote control, it does however provide a linear attentuation & gain throughout the range, holding both channels perfectly in balance even at low amplitude, photo below:

Tone Controls
The tone controls might seem like an anachronism in this day and age of minimalism, but they can be remarkably effective in bring to life a less than perfect music collection. We all have music gems in our collection that are sonicly challenging. A lot of the 1980's CDs are quite harsh sounding and the digital glare can be quite fatiguing. Reduce the treble slightly and while the harsh CD is not going to suddenly sound like a reference recording, at least it will now be perfectly listenable. Sit back relax, enjoy the music & forgot about the HiFi. When you want to bypass the tone controls, just engage the Line Straight switch. Peel Coat Circuit Boards

"Very impressive was the reproduction of high frequencies and the midrange. On "Azalea" from trumpeter Brian Lynch’s album 24/7 (Nigel Hayer 2055), Lynch solos on his trumpet with the band playing softly behind him, and little details, such as the crisp high hat or the faint brushes on the snare heard in the background, sounded light and delicate, while still remaining detailed. Lynch’s playing in the upper register was smooth, airy, and graceful, floating front and center, with no evidence of hardness or edge. The low noise floor of the L-509u again contributed to unveiling this low-level detail." - Uday Reddy, Soundstage February 2009

Printed Circuit Boards

Printed Circuit Boards normally have a green coat (dye) that can be printed upon, so the manufacturer knows where to place the copper traces and where to insert the resistors & capacitors. LUXMAN's designers don't like the sound of the green dye, so instead they print onto a plastic peel coat and remove it once the traces and mounting holes are in place. Then the copper traces are gold plated to reduce resistance across the circuit. In the photo below you will notice that Peel Coat circuit boards are an off-white color. It’s this fanatical attention to detail that delivers such superior sound quality.

Phono Stage
The on board phono stage is not an after thought on any of the Luxman integrated amplifiers, rather a well executed  pre-preamplifer. The MC input has 55dB of gain (thats a multiplication of 550x) and is suitable for medium to high output MC cartridges, approx .7mV. While the MM input has 35dB of gain.

A mono switch is also available for both loudspeaker setup as well as mono record playback.

Pure Copper Cables
Extensive listening was applied to the high purity, oxygen free copper (OFC) cables which are used to transmit the signal throughout the amplifier. These cables have a minimal audible signature and minimal electrical effect on the audio waveform. Linear wide bandwidth frequency response is achieved by the low measured values of both inductance and capacitance. The result, the cables do not color the sound, but pass it through, quickly.

Even the stock power cord is a serious piece with heavy gauge, pure copper:

Headphone Amplifier
There is a high quality headphone amplifier, accessible from the front panel. The headphone output is taken from the speaker output,, assuring you of the highest fidelity. Power Block

Luxman did not cut corners in the L-509u; notice lots of custom solid copper parts including screws & fasteners & mounting plates. Not to mention the gold plated peel coat circuit boards. This is one channel complete with heat sink

Two Pairs of Speaker Terminals
Large speaker terminals for driving two individual sets of speakers. At the turn of the speaker switch, it is possible to change between the two pairs of speakers easily. In addition, if the A+B function is used; Takasina capacitors are used to parallel the output which permits bi-wiring a single pair of speakers. The speaker outputs may also be turned off in case you wish to listen with headphones.

The speaker terminals themselves accommodate, bare wire, banana & spade connectors, the terminals are high quality, sonically transparent.

Line Phase Sensor
Here is a clever device found on the back of every Luxman powered product. You press the button and it will check the phase of the electricity it is receiving. If the AC outlet in the wall is incorrectly wired, meaning the live and neutral are swapped, a red LED will turn on to warn you. You only need to press it once, when you are installing a product to check that everything is in order. Its a simple mistake, that occurs often, and one that can seriously undermine your listening enjoyment.

AC Inlet
In order for an amplifier to multiply the signal cleanly, it first needs to receive clean electrical power. LUXMAN view the AC input with great concern, just as serious listening tests are applied to the power cables, so too is the AC inlet built to rigorous standards. With the L-590AII, the AC inlet starts with high purity brass which subsequently receives a non-magnetic nickel plating and finally gold-plating is administered in order to lower resistance.

Specifications