Интегральные усилители — Luxman L-509X

The L-509X is the top solid-state integrated amplifier of Luxman, the Japanese company, and continues a line of top integrated models that began with the L-509fSE in 2002. Luxman describes it as separates in a single unit - it brings the volume control of the C-900u preamplifier and an output stage modelled on the M-700u power amplifier into one chassis, alongside a built-in MM/MC phono stage, tone controls and a headphone output. Its white-lit analogue meters and hairline-finished top panel follow Luxman's classic styling.

Key specs that matter

The L-509X delivers 120W per channel into 8 ohms and 220W into 4 ohms from a bipolar four-parallel push-pull Class AB output stage, with a damping factor of 370. THD is 0.007% or less at 1kHz and 0.06% or less from 20Hz to 20kHz. Line signal-to-noise ratio is 105dB, and phono S/N is 91dB (MM) and 75dB (MC). Inputs include four line (180mV/47 kilohms), two balanced (180mV/55 kilohms), MM phono (2.5mV/47 kilohms), MC phono (0.3mV/100 ohms) and main in (1.1V/47 kilohms), with record out, pre-out and monitor connections plus A and B speaker terminals. Line frequency response extends to 100kHz (-3dB) and phono response is 20Hz to 20kHz (+/-0.5dB). Bass and treble adjust by +/-8dB. Power consumption is 380W, or 150W at idle. The chassis measures 440 x 193 x 463mm and weighs 29.3kg, with an RA-17A remote.

Engineering and use context

Luxman's New LECUA1000 attenuator, taken from the C-900u, is integrated with the preamplifier's gain stage rather than placed ahead of it, switching precision resistor networks electronically so volume tracks closely between channels at every setting. The power amplifier uses the fourth generation of Luxman's distortion-only feedback, ODNF 4.0, with a triple-paralleled error-detection stage, followed by a three-stage Darlington driver and four parallel pairs of output transistors per channel - the same layout as the M-700u - which keeps output rising into 4-ohm loads. The power supply combines a 600VA EI-core transformer with independent left and right filter capacitor banks totalling 80,000 microfarads. Internal wiring from the amplifier boards to the terminals uses thick 3.5 square-millimetre cable, and a loop-less chassis structure keeps ground impedance low. The balance control is also handled by LECUA. Pre-out and main-in connections let the preamplifier and power sections be used separately.

Pairing

Its high current output and damping let the L-509X drive demanding floorstanding speakers. The built-in phono stage accepts both MM and MC cartridges directly, and the A/B terminals allow bi-wiring or two speaker pairs.

Alternatives

Luxman's own L-507Z is the smaller integrated model below it in the range, with a lower power output.