If you’ve never heard a Luxman component, there’s really no better place to start than with the L-509Z Black Edition Centennial integrated amplifier. Available for a limited time in a sleek black finish to celebrate Luxman's 100th anniversary and handcrafted in Japan to feverish degrees, this 64.8-pound component outputs a true 120 Watts per channel (into 8 ohms ) & drives most high-end speakers with effortless ease. The L-509Z Black Edition Centennial plays with rarified levels of elevated naturalism and musicality, presenting music with vivid detail, color, tones, and dynamics — just like you’d experience in a live or studio environment. With L-509Z Black Edition Centennial, the debate over separates versus one-box approaches becomes irrelevant. Go ahead and call L-509Z a “single-chassis separate.”

Equipped with a built-in MM/MC phono preamplifier that puts most to shame, three-band tone control, two headphone outputs, and four line-level inputs, L-509Z Black Edition Centennial welcomes you to connect the sources you want. Two balanced XLR inputs ensure the highest-possible signal quality. A pair of pre-outs mean you can hook up an external preamplifier now or in the future if you so choose. Two pairs of robust, bi-wireable, Y-lug speaker binding posts and a trigger and control ins/outs for customized setups are here, too. 

Inside, L-509Z Black Edition Centennial throws its weight around. Both the preamplifier and power amplifier sections simultaneously use Luxman’s new-generation LIFES amplification feedback engine. Specifically, the output section utilizes three-stage Darlington bipolar transistors in quadruple-paralleled push-pull configuration to achieve outstanding power and near-perfect linearity that’s comparable to a standalone, reference-grade power amplifier. As for the power supply: A bespoke, highly regulated 600VA EI transformer abetted with large-capacity filter capacitors ( 10,000μFx 8 ). 

The audio-first engineering extends to the volume control, which draws support from a brand-new LECUA-EX attenuator system that suppresses sonic deterioration and realizes crack precision. L-509Z Black Edition Centennial combines a highly precise rotary encoder with a weighted rotation mechanism to create LECUA-EX, which offers unstinting reliability and a tactile operational feel. Enjoy 88 fine steps from 0 to 87dB and an acceleration setting for the speed at which the volume knob rotates. Trust us: You’re gonna want to touch and feel the knobs and switches on L-509Z Black Edition Centennial, but for ease, it also comes with an aluminum remote control. 

Nothing is overlooked. Peel-coat circuit boards are used for the main audio signal path, eliminating the negative effects of the coating film that can adversely affect sound. Beeline construction, which configures circuits to take the shortest route possible, and a non-angled wiring pattern for smooth signal transmission further distinguish L-509Z Black Edition Centennial. Large, low-resistance speaker relays are connected in parallel to transmit the driving force from the substantial power supply and output circuitry. What’s more, an ultra-thick cable is directly connected to the speaker terminals to ensure low impedance transmission, achieving a damping factor of 330.

In its special black finish, L-509Z Black Edition Centennial is a visual stunner. The thick aluminum top panel sports an exquisite hairline finish. Machined one by one, large ventilation holes provide efficient heat dissipation. Four large cast-iron insulator feet leverage their density gradient to protect the main chassis from unwanted vibrations. And the elephant in the room — two large VU meters, brightly back-lit by LEDs, furnish a crowning touch that draws the eyes to the action.  

General Specifications:

- Rated Output Power: 120 Watt + 120 Watt ( @ 8Ω ) / 220 Watt + 220 Watt ( @ 4Ω )

- Input Sensitivity/ Input Impedance:

- PHONO ( MM ): 2.5mV/47kΩ

- PHONO ( MC-H ): 0.3mV/100Ω

- PHONO ( MC-L ): 0.1mV/40Ω

- RCA LINE: 180mV/47kΩ

- BALANCED LINE: 180mV/79kΩ; MAIN IN: 1.1V/47kΩ

- Output Voltage PRE OUT: - 1 Volt

- Frequency Response -

PHONO: 20Hz to 20kHz ( ±0.5dB )

- LINE: 20Hz to 100kHz within -3dB

- Total Harmonic Distortion:

0.007% or less ( @ 8Ω, 1kHz ); 0.03% or less ( # 8Ω, 20Hz to 20kHz )

- S/N Ratio ( IHF-A ) :

- PHONO ( MM ): 87dB or more

- PHONO ( MC-H ): 70dB or more

- PHONO ( MC-L ): 62dB or more;

- LINE: 106 dB or more

- Volume Adjustment: LECUA-EX

- Amplification Feedback Circuit: LIFES 1.0

- Output Configuration: Bipolar 4-parallel push-pull

- Damping Factor: 330

- Max. Amount of Tone Control: BASS: ±8dB at 100Hz; TREBLE: ±8dB at 760Hz; TREBLE: ±8dB at 10kHz

- Power Supply: 230V~(50Hz) / 115V~(60Hz)

- Power Consumption: 390 Watt; 150 Watt under no signal, 0.5Watt in standby

- External dimensions ( W x H x D ): 440mm x 193mm x 463mm front side knob of 20mm and rear side terminal of 37mm included in depth

- Net Weight: 29.4kg 

- Accessories: Remote control ( RA-17A ), Power cable

Reviews

"Its message is clarity, balance, coherence, seamlessness, quietude, and a certain invisibility — in keeping, I believe, with a Japanese audio aesthetic of delivering music artifact free, above all else. As Luxman’s evolving distortion -suppression technologies make the company’s amplifiers more silent, what is left behind is purity and focus."

— Ken Micallef, Stereophile, Class A Recommended Component

“As a flagship integrated amplifier, the Luxman L-509Z must be counted as a major achievement by the designers and engineers who brought it to life. It is an unashamedly analogue device in an increasingly digital world, but it is all the better for it.”

—Chris Kelly, Hi-Fi+