John Darko
Just ahead of its 100th anniversary, Luxman has announced the final member of its Z Series of integrated amplifiers. The L-505Z replaces the L-505uXII to feature an improved MM/MC phono stage, a better-sounding volume control, headphone outputs that now include a balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn socket and – the star of the show – a pair of large-needled VU meters.
Inside the L-505Z’s chassis, a Class A/B amplifier stage threatens 100wpc into 8 Ohms (and 150wpc into 4 Ohms) via bipolar transistors arranged in a triple-paralleled Darlington push-pull configuration. The power supply that feeds it is built around a 540 VA EI-type transformer and an array of four ‘new-generation type’ 10,000 µF filter capacitors. This is probably why the L-505Z weighs a whopping 22.5kg.
Luxman claims that the use of negative feedback to reduce distortion can compromise an amplifier’s musicality. Here, distortion is driven out of town by Luxman’s LIFES1.0: a feedback module that detects and regulates distortion whilst maintaining thermal stability. Distortion control also extends to the L-505Z’s volume and balance controls where the Japanese company sidesteps the use of resistors to implement a custom solid-state IC attenuator. Luxman calls this the Luxman Electronically Controlled Ultimate Attenuator — or LECUA for short.
More from the press release:
“To protect the purity of music reproduction, Luxman engineers gave careful thought to signal routing and input/output terminals. Beeline topology minimizes internal signal runs. Oxygen-free copper (OFC) wiring helps ensure uncommon musicality. The internal cables further protect the signal with spiral wrap shielding for each non-plated core wire. Because slight variations in ground impedance can have a subtle smearing effect on the music, Luxman engineers adopted a loop-less chassis structure.”
“Even the printed circuit boards reflect Luxman’s thoroughgoing approach: round-cornered asymmetric printed circuit traces ensure smooth current transmission while resisting interferences. Luxman also provides 18-mm spacing between input terminals to accommodate high-grade interconnects. The inline speaker terminals offer ample spacing for large gage speaker cables and Y terminators.”
Let’s bring things back down to earth with a comment on knob-feel. Luxman asserts that “the traditional rotary volume knob interface achieves a satisfying, weighty tactile response.” But if you’d rather remain seated, an “RMA-17A wireless remote control” ships in the box.
Price? US$5995 or €6800.
I’ve requested a review sample so let’s see what shakes loose.
Further information: Luxman
