Luxman L-507Z and L-505Z Integrated Amps – Quick Look
All Image Credit: Luxman
Besides the release of their flagship L-509Z integrated amplifier, Luxman have released two other integrated amplifiers in the same series, the more affordable L-507Z and L-505Z. I took a brief look at their flagship L-509Z here, now for those with a tighter budget these two siblings provide a similar range of features and excellent performance.
The L-507Z was the debut model heralding this new generation of amplifier products. While the L-505Z inherits all the high-quality sound and design know-how from Luxman’s higher-end models, all featuring Luxman’s new generation of amplification feedback engine, Luxman Integrated Feedback Engine System (LIFES 1.0). The volume controls use their new, Luxman Electronically Controlled Ultimate Attenuator (LECUA) system, that is said to suppress sound quality deterioration. The new power amplifier is designed around Luxman’s proprietary, Only Distortion Negative Feedback (ODNF) amplification circuitry, that is said to achieve excellent static characteristics and a natural sound quality as if it were a “non-feedback” system, developing 110W+110W and 100W+100W into 8 ohms respectively.
L-507Z Internal Layout L505Z Internal Layout
The L-507Z and L505Z replace the L-507X and 505X respectively. Compared to their siblings, these new integrated amps offer; a new phono preamp for both moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC), completely redesigned tone controls with separate bands for bass and treble, 12-volt triggers, an illuminated 7-segment LED volume level display in addition to the large front panel VU meters and a front-panel mute switch. Additionally a 4.4mm front panel socket has been added to the 6.3mm standard headphone socket, it uses independent left and right grounding and provides a balanced headphone output claiming to; “improve L-R separation and localization.”
Luxman Technologies:
Based upon the original ODNF principles of only using the distorted components generated in the audio signal’s path to be fed back to control the final amp stage, Luxman developed their LIFES technology. This latest development improves upon; distortion detection, regulation and thermal stability and is employed throughout the design in separate modules for the fully discrete pre and power sections. The Class AB power output stages are designed around Darlington bipolar transistors in a paralleled push-pull configuration (three for the 507Z and one for the 505Z) that is said to achieve near perfect power linearity performance.
L-507Z LECUA-1000 L505Z LECUA – IC configuration
In order to minimize left/right volume tracking errors that can lead to stereo imbalance or even distortions, Luxman developed LECUA. An electronically controlled attenuator system that switches through a series of high-quality, fixed value resistors for each channel independently, minimizing wear and effects of external vibrations. It provides 88 fine steps from 0 to -87dB.
L-507Z Power Supply Components L-505Z Power Supply Components
Supporting these new technologies is a traditional, very stable analog power supply design that uses a custom and highly regulated El transformer together with a bank of newly developed 10,000μF large-capacity filter capacitors. Special attention has been given to; each PCB’s foil layouts and surface finish in optimizing signal and current flow, the internal use of oxygen-free copper (OFC) cabling and large, low resistance speaker relays with thick cable to directly connect to the speaker terminals, ensuring low impedance speaker connectivity that achieves a high damping factor. Attention has also been given to the amplifier case in order to suppress effects of airborne and shelf-borne vibration. The chassis is very robust with thick aluminum panels or a steel case, and for the 507Z, a top panel featuring the classic Luxman hairline finish and individually cut ventilation ports.
Rear panel stereo audio input connectivity includes; unbalanced RCA phono, four line-level RCA and two or one line-level balanced XLR inputs. One unbalanced RCA preamp output and one unbalanced RCA power amp input enables flexible system configurations including bi-amping. Speaker connectivity supports either two pairs of individual speakers or speaker bi-wiring using the dual pairs of speaker binding posts available for each speaker channel.
Finally control is available from the front panel ergonomically positioned controls or the supplied RA-17A wireless remote, with additional wired control via the 12 volt trigger input and output that accommodate compatible hardware systems and control input and output terminals for operation with compatible Luxman components.
Specifications (507z/505z):
- Rated output – Class AB:
- 110W + 110W/100W + 100W (8Ω)
- 220W + 220W/150W + 150W (4Ω)
- Input sensitivity/input impedance:
- PHONO (MM): 2.5mV/47kΩ
- PHONO (MC): 0.3mV/100Ω
- LINE: 180mV/47kΩ
- BAL.LINE: 180mV/79kΩ
- MAIN IN: 1.05V/47kΩ
- Output voltage: PRE OUT – 1V
- Frequency response:
- PHONO: 20Hz to 20kHz (±0.5dB)
- LINE: 20Hz to 100kHz (within -3dB)
- Total harmonic distortion:
- 0.007%/0.009% or less (8Ω, 1kHz)
- 0.03%/0.09% or less (8Ω, 20Hz to 20kHz)
- S/N ratio (IHF-A):
- PHONO (MM): 91dB/87dB or more
- PHONO (MC): 75dB/70dB or more
- LINE: 105dB/104dB or more
- Volume adjustment: LECUA-1000/ LECUA
- Amplification feedback circuit: LIFES 1.0
- Output configuration: Bipolar 3-parallel/1-parallel – push-pull
- Damping factor: 300/200
- Max. amount of tone control
- BASS: ±8dB at 100Hz
- TREBLE: ±8dB at 10kHz
- Power supply: 230V~(50Hz) / 115V~(60Hz)
- Power consumption: 350W/330W, 86W/150W (under no signal), 0.5W (at standby)
- External dimensions: 440(W) x 178(H) x 454(D) mm
- Net weight: 25.4kg/22.5kg
- Accessories: Remote control (RA-17A), Power cable
MSRP (507/505):
- US: $8,995/$5,995
- UK: £8,000/£5,500
- EU: €9,500/€6,490
For more information visit the Luxman web site.
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