LUXMAN C-700u / M-700u
Preamplifiers
To conclude I can only reconfirm that Luxman have made a quantum leap with the new generation models. The difference between its top amplifiers is rather the one in sonic character – the M-900u is closer to the previous Luxman’s class A sound, the M-700u is closer to class AB, irrespective that both are actually class AB amps. Yet both represent great value for money and a hot tip of the season.
Function and form
Unlike the C-900u that paid no attention whether you included the tone controls in the signal path or not, the C-700u performed better in LINE STRAIGHT (that is with the tone controls excluded at all). The difference is not profound and does not relate to any frequency lifts or changes – without LINE STRAIGHT the Luxman C-700u sounds just great. I felt the difference in the subjective region, as if the music was less coherent when the tone controls circuit kicked in. In LINE STRAIGHT there was higher sense of cohesiveness and unity. Yet I could detect it only on some selected recordings.
Still, should I point out the most important changes versus the previous generation - C-600f and M-600A – I would turn your attention to the newest LECUA 1000 attenuator that works even finer (the number of steps increasing from 72 to 88) so it gives analogue feel.
Bass management
The 700-u line continues in the Luxman’s tradition of ‘afterglow’, the fine delicacy in drawing of decays and ambient clues. The amps can beautifully reconstruct recording studio reverbs and that projects back into the playback as an enhanced sense of be-there, moving your listening chair a few steps closer to the studio. Thus the Herbie Hancock’s phenomenal Killer Bees (B&W Music) not only featured laser-sharp transient attacks but it added very solid fundamentals with sound and endless decays, so perfectly delineated that they were not covered even by the whole ensemble playing. As the result the full and rich sound of the piano could have been tracked through entire song with ease. Add the double-bass induced goose bumps and you have another stellar performance from Luxman.
Clarity & delicacy
In stereo the 700’s were to my ears a bit more analytical than 900’s. Their sound is less saturated so the sound has more light in it a spectrally prefers instrumental transients to fundamentals. The C-900u/M-900u combo was more organic, richer and complex. I believe that the C-700u/M-700u should be a great partner wherever extra light is required – like with some silk dome speakers that usually roll out pretty soon in top octave.
Tonal accuracy
It surprised me how good were the Luxmans with hard hitting dance electronica. Front Line Assembly’s single Shifting Through The Lens is industrial mayhem with deep pumping beat and whirlwind of tormented electronic circuits and it was great through the C-700u and M-700u. Though not really synthesized, the duo of acoustic guitars of Rodrigo y Gabriela (11:11) is not less punishing. Have I hardly ever heard the guitars to be so present in my listening room – this the living evidence of why spending a lot of money on high end stuff becomes so easy. The sound was so precise and pristine from the necks of both guitars down to their holes as if your ears were tracking the strings instead of a microphone. The details of fingers or guitar picks were absolutely stunning.
Spatial resolution
The progress that the new “M” line of Luxman have made is apparent even within its own catalogue. As much as I liked the sound of the Luxman L-550AX integrated I have to admit that the amplifier separates are in a totally different league. The direct comparison shows superiority of the C-700u and M-700u: the soundstage explodes laterally and in depth, microdynamics are supercharged and artists regain their passion. If you are a Luxman’s devotee plus budget short you should consider not to audition the newcomers otherwise you risk sleepless nights.
Recommended resellers
HTP s.r.o., tel: +420 606 642 175
PP HiFi Otrokovice, tel. +420 603 581 305
Nisel SK, Bratislava, tel. +421 905 203 078
Manufacturer's website: http://www.luxman.com
Associated components
- Sources: Luxman D-05, Luxman DAC DA-06
- Amplifiers: Luxman C-700u, Luxman M-700u, Accuphase E-600
- Interconnects and speaker cables: Atohm ZEF max
- Loudspeakers: Revel Ultima Studio2
Gallery
ACCUPHASE C-3800
Nature works with infinite number of colors – hifi & high end components have very limited palettes, however. Fortunately we have already passed the black & white point yet a real orchestra sounds different from what one usually ...
Recommended resellers
Nisel SK, Bratislava, tel. +421 905 203 078
AUDIOMAT Opus 2
Philosophically speaking, how it is possible that the Audiomat listeners say that the voice of Frank Sinatra in Nice & Easy is perfectly realistic, undistorted and tonally correct? None of them have ever had a chance to hear ...
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Interaudio SK, Komárno, tel. +421 905 884 677
BEL CANTO Pre3
It was as if the recording venue had new air filters installed and an extra dose of oxygen was pumped in during a performance – the sense of vertigo was very strong and I did not want to return back to the ´dusty´sound of everything ...
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Hanzel Audio, Komárno, tel. +421 905 400 770
BESPOKE AUDIO passive preamplifier
This passive preamplifier is unprecedented. The level of customer care that is out into conceiving every single unit is amazing and throws you back in time, when shoes were made by shoemakers rather than chosen from a full shelves in ...
Recommended resellers
HI-FI studio TYKON, Ostrava, tel. +420 723 449 894
BOULDER 812
The Boulder 812 is a modern front-end that puts a preamplifier, a DAC, and a headphone amplifier under one hood. Although the brand is synonymous with boulder-like behemoths, the 812 is surprisingly smal. It has a square footprint of ...
CONSTELLATION AUDIO Pictor/Taurus
The funny fact about the Constellation Audio’s Pictor preamplifier and Taurus stereo power amplifier: in the company’s amplifier hierarchy they are a part of Revelation series which is a ‘compact car’ in automotive terminology. The ...
Recommended resellers
No distributor at the time of the review.
CREEK OBH-22
The Creek OBH-22 was a heart-stopper. When I substitued different preamps with it or when I used it as a front end of integrated amplifiers, it did not do anything that would impair the sound. So actually it did what it was supposed ...
Recommended resellers
High-End Audio Studio, Praha, tel. +420 224 256 844
