LUXMAN L-507uX

The L-507uX is built around three pairs of bipolar devices per channel that operate in parallel push-pull. The preceding model (L-507u) had only two pairs of bipolar devices – as such the L-507uX offers the technology that was previously available only with the L-509u step-up model. Other than that the L-507uX uses carefully matched and hand selected parts, many of them being manufactured right to Luxman´s specifications – this is the case of filtration capacitors with storage capacity of 40.000 µF or a hand-wound EI-core transformer that was adapted to minimize EMI radiation.

The good news is that the L-507uX has got inspired quite a lot from the L-590AX that I consider to be the excellent benchmark for any integrated class A amplifier. The new LECUA 1000WM (Luxman Electric Controlled Ultimate Attenuator) is the most advanced solution to volume regulation that has been introduced by Luxman so far. The setting of the VOLUME knob is detected by sensors that activate a microprocessor controlled circuit that sets one of the thousands combinations of current switches to control the volume in the current domain. By doing this the LECUA volume control is not the function of impedance anymore so the frequency response and signal to noise ratio are uniform across the whole range of the volume – something that is not possible with standard resistor based attenuators. Another asset is that both channels are attenuated identically with no tracking errors and crosstalk consequently.

Luxman is famous for using untraditional solution to feedback that consists only of those parts of signal that are evaluated by the control circuit as distortion. The ODNF – Only Distortion Negative Feedback - solution was introduced in 1999 and patented by Luxman; in the L-507uX there is the new ODNF 3.0 version that is an AB counterpart of the ODNF 3.0A found in the L-590AX. By using the ODNF the L-507uX raises the line level output S/N ratio to 105dB at 20-100,000Hz. But there is much more to the L-507uX, like smooth curves of PCB paths visible on internal boards to mimick standard twists and turns of wiring and where real wires are used they are proprietary Luxman OFC conductors with special shielding.

The L-507uX is specified 2x110W into 8 Ω or 2x210W into 4 Ω. From factory the L-507uX is equipped with excellent phono and headphone preamps thus saving money from your pocket – the relevant competition (Accuphase E-360 or E-460 integrateds) asks extra 1.000 euro for AD-20 option board to get the full suite model. The favorable pricing policy thus sets the L-507uX as one of the category champions.