Luxman Opens US Subsidiary, Launches New Amp and CD Player

On March 16, audio manufacturer Luxman Corporation, now in their 92nd year, announced the establishment of a new US subsidiary, Luxman America: the first time in 30 years that the Japanese tube-amp specialist has had a corporate-owned presence here.

The announcement was made at the Manhattan showroom of co-hosts Adirondack Audio & Video, a retail and distribution company based in Queensbury, New York. The event doubled as a launch party for two new Luxman products: their LX-380 tubed integrated amplifier ($7995) and D-380 tubed CD player ($5495). On hand were Luxman Vice President Tatsuya Sueyoshi, on the left in the photo above, and, next to him, Terry Kawakami, the President of Luxman.

Each channel of the LX-380 uses a pair of 6L6 beam power tetrodes—an even older design than the 300B power triode, according to Herb Reichert, who also attended the launch—for a specified output of 20Wpc. The new amp, which is housed in a beautifully finished wood enclosure, combines a number of traditional features—including a mono switch, a balance control, and tone controls with selectable frequency ranges—with a newly developed solid-state volume control called the LECUA (for Luxman Electrically Controlled Ultimate Attenuator). Also included is a full-function (MM/MC) phono stage with a built-in cartridge demagnetizer.

For its part, the D-380 CD player, which is also supplied in a wood case, can be switched between solid-state and tubed output stages (the latter powered by an ECC82/12AU7 dual triode, visible through a window on the front panel), and features proprietary output transformers and a data display that, with just a touch of the remote handset, goes from regular to large-print-edition modes (you can bet I liked the latter).

Together and in concert with a pair of Triangle Signature Delta loudspeakers, the new Luxman components sounded exceptionally musical—the presentation of the Triangle loudspeakers was crisp but not quite bright—and solo voices had both musical momentum and spatial presence in abundance. Notable also was the sheer tactile pleasure of the controls on the new products, which not only looked but also felt like luxury products from the mid-1960s. Herb and I were in heaven, or something very like it.

Luxman America can be reached at (518)261-6464; listening sessions at Adirondack Audio & Video's Manhattan site are by appointment only, by calling (212)784-6084.

COMMENTS
johnnythunder's picture

Is the distributor On a Higher Note still involved with Luxman products in the US?

Audio_Visionary's picture

The new, sole importer for Luxman in North America is this new Luxman supported entity, Luxman America.

johnnythunder's picture

I would hope and even pray that Art (who has a soft spot in his heart for LUXMAN gear) or Herb (whose ears are a national treasure) will review that new LUXMAN LX-380. It's stunning looking and I bet the sound is close to Shindo level in warmth (the price is a little Shindo too.)

Dan Wiggins's picture

"Each channel of the LX-380 uses a pair of 6L6 beam power tetrodes—an even older design than the 300B power triode, according to Herb Reichert, who also attended the launch"

I know Herb's been reviewing audio for a LONG time, but I didn't know he was around at the launch of the 6L6 tube!

Herb Reichert's picture

Ok so here are the "facts" - just as I remember them: The Western Electric 300A tube appeared in 1933. The 6L6 appeared in 1936. And the 300B first appeared in 1938 and was last manufactured in 1988.

But then there is the issue of my memory . . .

grantray's picture

I mean, you guys have been using a Luxman as the icon for "Recommended Components" Integrateds for how long now? (which doesn't actually have a Luxman in the list...)

I'd sure love to know how this one stacks up to the LM 518IA, sans the phono section, naturally. Although, if the LX-380's built-in phono is even close to the EAR 834P, I'm going to have to legitimately start a new savings plan.

Audio_Visionary's picture

There will be 5 or 6 Luxman Corp models on display at this weekend's Montreal Audio Show. Paired with Marten Mingus Quintet loudspeakers at this show, the sound quality will be outstanding. Please visit if possible.

jporter's picture

"Relax, you will listen to some music and then tell us everything you know..."

IgAK's picture

An organically bodacious and wood-paneled legacious blast from the past. The sort we we reminisce fondly about, as opposed to, say, the reliability of 60's English sports cars or their Lucas electrics (Lucas, Lord of Darkness and so forth).

Odd that pairs per channel of 6L6's only produce 20W, though. Pairs generally suggest push-pull, the usual 6L6 configuration, but usually such produce 35-40W. Any information about the topology available? Can we assume that 15-20W are being sacrificed for good cause?

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