Vintage Luxman vs. Vintage McIntosh .......

[RedGrant]

Which has better sound?

Which is the better value?


I was all set on getting myself McIntosh till I heard Luxman 1050 receiver.

McIntosh sounded more dynamic, wheras Luxman 1050 sounded warmer and lush, both sounded alive, quite different from other receiver/amps.

Anyone of you who have both perhaps can enlighten me?

[Marek]

If you're a little more specific maybe people can give a little help with your choices.

In general it's apples and oranges.

Mac has been made with the same management philosophy for more than 50 years. They have superb build quality and parts availability and also excellent resale value.

Luxman has went through several different management phase's and is sort of an upscale mid fi brand, respected for there sound quality.

Both have there advantages.

[Socal Sam]

McIntosh solid states such as my MC2100 is transformer coupled, like the tube amps. So, it will tend to have a warm lush sound that is not particularly sparkly compared to some of the faster Japanese. If you like fast forward sound, the Luxman may suit your ear better.

[braxus]

There was a period of time when Luxman made mid fi components, but they started and have gone back to high end production. Nothing Luxman makes today is "mid fi".

[Marek]

Point taken.

When I say mid fi I mean corporate production as opposed to high end gear which is often hand made to mil spec standards.

Mid fi does not mean low quality.

There was a period of time when Luxman made mid fi components, but they started and have gone back to high end production. Nothing Luxman makes today is "mid fi".

[Mark J]

I never considered McIntosh as high end SOUND equipment, just very, very well built audio equipment. I don't know their new stuff but I had a C28 back before learning of Luxman.

The Luxman brand, up until the Alpine purchase was top notch gear but maybe not high end. I think their LRS (Laboratory Reference Series) is some great equipment. They did try to achieve sound quality in the gear and accomplished this for the general public with their receivers, amps, preamps and tuners as well as their turntables and early tape decks.

I think of high end as the esoteric stuff. Neither of these two manufacturers made that kind of equipment. Luxman does now and as stated I don't know current McIntosh gear. Still looks the same.

[Marek]

The c28 was introduced in 1970 and was very advanced for that era.

Mac has been very favorably reviewed in audiophile publications like stereophile, the absolute sound and stereo sound (japan) having class a rated and grand prix rated gear.

Luxman gear was actually made by a variety of different oem's which is common in Japan. Mac gear is mostly produced by them in there US factorys.

I never considered McIntosh as high end SOUND equipment, just very, very well built audio equipment. I don't know their new stuff but I had a C28 back before learning of Luxman.

The Luxman brand, up until the Alpine purchase was top notch gear but maybe not high end. I think their LRS (Laboratory Reference Series) is some great equipment. They did try to achieve sound quality in the gear and accomplished this for the general public with their receivers, amps, preamps and tuners as well as their turntables and early tape decks.

I think of high end as the esoteric stuff. Neither of these two manufacturers made that kind of equipment. Luxman does now and as stated I don't know current McIntosh gear. Still looks the same.

[RedGrant]

The c28 was introduced in 1970 and was very advanced for that era.

I've read at audiokarma, one person upgraded to luxman pre-amp from c28.

Luxman gear was actually made by a variety of different oem's which is common in Japan. Mac gear is mostly produced by them in there US factorys.


That is true, but for awhile, didn't Luxman have its own in-house production in the 70's and early 80's?

[RedGrant]

What do you guys think?




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APlvb8qFoEc&feature=related


I know here Lux is tube, Mac is solid, still I personally prefer the sound of Lux over Mac, in this segment, which is no mean accomplishment since I like the sound of Mac even in solid state over many tube of other brands.

The sound seems fuller with Lux.

[Marek]

That is true, but for awhile, didn't Luxman have its own in-house production in the 70's and early 80's?

Take a look a this section at tvk, apparently lux, and others such as sony used many oem's in the 70's and 80's.

http://www.thevintageknob.org/MISCELLANEOUS/WHATWHEREWHO/whatwherewho.html

I've read at audiokarma, one person upgraded to luxman pre-amp from c28.

1970 was very early in solid states development...a lux from say 1978 would be an apples to oranges comparison. But the 2 brands also have different voiceing, some people may like the lux sound in there system.

I know here Lux is tube, Mac is solid, still I personally prefer the sound of Lux over Mac, in this segment, which is no mean accomplishment since I like the sound of Mac even in solid state over many tube of other brands.

The sound seems fuller with Lux.

Mac and marantz valve electronics are what lux valve gear was trying to be like...If you like that sound you might want to hear mac valves as well to have a more direct comparison.

Lux is nice gear...you can't go wrong with them.

I've read at audiokarma, one person upgraded to luxman pre-amp from c28.




That is true, but for awhile, didn't Luxman have its own in-house production in the 70's and early 80's?

[RedGrant]

That is true, but for awhile, didn't Luxman have its own in-house production in the 70's and early 80's?

Take a look a this section at tvk, apparently lux, and others such as sony used many oem's in the 70's and 80's.

Indeed.

So it's the consistency in quality, not necessarily quality itself is the problem.

[iamhifi]

I miss this thread, how could I as My father was a Mac person until started to loose hearing. And yes I'm a Mac men, and Luxman was lost for a time and Now there are getting there act together. But Mac never left the Us and always then and now have there act together. So depends what you want, Luxman now is just as expensive as Mac. I have a C40 Solid state and it is not a new one and can not be any warmer and I dare to compare to any Lux because I know it will prevail. That said the new Lux is nice looking, there tube is OK sound, read the mood review and you will unserstand. However there integrated stuff is top notch, so is Mcintosh. Did you know that Mac has a lot of new Tube gear that will knock your socks out and compares with the best out there. A MC 352 is warm and detail sounding amp, and so are a bunch of there new stuff. If you have the Mula look at it, they have great stuff. Their Solid state sounds like tube. The new integrated from Luxman is nice L550A and Mac, well www.mcintoshlabs.com and knock yourself and drop your Jaw.
Angel

[iamhifi]

I just replace the lights on my Mcintosh 352 they were all blown, I had forgotten how nice they look with all the lights working. On Monaday I will call Audio Classic and buy the LED upgrade for the 352 and see if there is a LED upgrade for the C40. Anyway there isn't an amp nicer than a Mcintosh.
Angel