Luxman L-509x Class AB Integrated Amplifier

A product of the legendary Japanese obsession with fit and finish, the Stereophile Class A Recommended Luxman L-509X integrated amplifier brings the effortless power and delicate nuances of the iconic company's flagship separates to a single, luxurious steel-and-aluminum chassis. Sharing the same commitment to excellence as those who craft the world's most exclusive cars and watches, Luxman's talented engineers considered each and every detail involved with this very special Class AB component.

Such exacting approaches can be seen in the gold-plated traces on the amplifier's PCB boards – meticulously laid out according to Luxman's original Beeline circuitry design, a practice that leads to the shortest and smoothest possible signal path. Owing to the same meticulous process, more than half of the screws that fasten down critical components on L-509X are individually tuned by ear to reduce resonance and ensure nothing but the purest music reaches your ears. In addition, L-509X incorporates Luxman's Electronically Controlled Ultimate Attenuator ( LECUA ) technology from its top-of-the-line C-900u preamplifier to keep the number of resistors in the signal path remarkably low. The result: Precision-level control of the playback chain, allowing you unrestricted access to the subtlest low-level detail and the most demanding crescendos of the records you love.

Built to take control of any system, L-509X serves as a full-function audio command post. Its audiophile-grade phono preamplifier handles both moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges while the amplifier comes with two sets of speaker terminals, balanced and single-ended outputs, bass and treble controls, old-school VU meters, and a headphone input. Utilizing a parallel push-pull circuit, 600 VA EI-core power transformer, and independent l/r-channel blocking capacitors ( 10,000uF x 4 per channel ), L-509X easily outputs 120 watts per channel into eight ohms and boosts that power to an impressive 220 watts as impedance is halved. In addition to employing a discrete buffer circuit, Luxman incorporates the latest version of its distortion-reducing negative feedback circuit ( ODNF 4.0 ) to ensure that music flowing through L-509X emerges from the blackest backgrounds.

From the hair-line silver finish of its retro-modern design to its hand-selected parts, cast-iron feet, and aluminum remote control, L-509X has everything a reference-grade integrated amplifier should – and then some. No wonder it inspired a five-star review from What Hi-Fi? and prompted veteran Stereophile critic Ken Micallef to write "the L-509X is one of the most intimate-sounding, dynamic, texturally nuanced purveyors of music of my experience." 

ODNF Version 4.0 Amplification Feedback Circuit

An integral part of the design of L-509X is Luxman's original ODNF (Only Distortion Negative Feedback) amplification feedback circuit, featuring a high-speed primary slew rate, an ultra-wide bandwidth, and a low level of distortion achieved by feeding back only the distorted components of the audio signal from the output of the amplification circuit. L-509X is equipped with the latest Version 4.0 ODNF, providing a dramatic enhancement of accuracy in distortion detection due to the triple-paralleled first stage error detection circuit. Lower impedance and a higher signal to noise ratio have been achieved due to the paralleled first stage and Darlington-equipped second-stage amplification circuit. A three-stage Darlington circuit and a four-parallel push-pull structure is used for the output stage, producing output at 120 watt + 120 watt ( 8 Ω ) and 220 watt + 220 watt ( 4 Ω ), enabling L-509X to drive speakers powerfully with rich dynamics and full expression.

88-Step LECUA1000 Computerized Attenuator Features 3D Layout

LUXMAN's new LECUA1000 ( Luxman Electronically Controlled Ultimate Attenuator ) beats at the heart of the preamp section and the volume adjustment control of L-509X. The computerized attenuator is integrated with the amplification circuit, a feature integral to the high-end LUXMAN C-900u control amplifier. LECUA provides an ideal level control system that allows smooth, fine adjustment of the volume over 88 steps, thereby minimizing the deterioration of audio quality at any point of the volume adjustment range. An advancement of LECUA1000 pertains to its 3D design layout. The attenuator circuit board is directly connected to the amplification circuit board. Signal routing is minimized and efficiency successfully enhanced. In addition, the design proves extremely resistant to external vibration and eliminates changes in audio quality over the volume control range. The robust nature ensures longevity and durability.

High-Stability Power Supply and Discrete Buffer Circuit

The highly stable power supply circuit developed for L-509X features a 600 VA EI-core-type power transformer and independent left- and right-channel large capacity blocking capacitors ( 10,000μF x 4 per channel ). This generous custom specification ensures the power supply unit will not be affected by any load fluctuation. In addition, a discrete buffer circuit equivalent to the type used in the Luxman C-900u separate amplifier, preserves the clarity of the original signal while concurrently increasingly the power amplification stage's driving force.

Increased Damping Factor Allows Effortless, Accurate Drivability

Large-capacity, low-resistance speaker relays are connected in parallel, enabling loss-less transmission of the powerful driving force generated by the generous power supply circuit and the amplifier output section of L-509X. The use of 3.5 mm 2 cabling for the amplifier board output and the unit's 370 damping factor enables L-509X to drive all kinds of speakers accurately.

User-Friendly Features Include Remote Control

L-509X is equipped with a high-quality phono preamplifier compatible with MM and MC cartridges. It also comes complete with bass and treble tone controls, L/R balance adjustment controlled by LECUA, pre/power separation function, volume control, and headphone output. A high-grade, aluminum body remote control is also supplied.

Copper Alloy Terminals and Cast-Iron Feet

High-quality RCA terminals, made of copper alloy, are used for the LINE-1 inputs of L-509X, combining the beneficial conductivity of copper and durability of brass. L-509X features many custom-made components befitting a flagship model, such as the robust power supply and high-grade speaker terminals compatible with Y-connectors. Cast-iron feet attached the bottom of L-509X eliminate resonance and provide firm stability.

Luxman L-509x Integrated Amplifier User's Manual

Specifications