Luxman P-1 ODNF Headphone Amplifier

[Sovkiller]

Anybody had tried this one...???

Features:
High power 1000mW + 1000mW output that projects high quality and highly stabilized (32 Ohms) sound
Pure A class amplifier circuit operation system which raises the purity of sounds to their extreme
Version 2 ODNF circuit allows clear portrayal of individual sound nuance
Individual star circuit surpresses distortions and maintains high quality sounds
High capacity power source gives plenty of room for livelier music
3 simultaneous headphone connection possibility
Equips with high class control amplifier corresponding input terminals

Specifications:
Continual effective output: 4W+4W/8 Ohms, 2W+2W/16 Ohms, 1W+1W/32 Ohms, 500mW+500mW/64 Ohms, 53mW+53mW/600 Ohms
Input sensitivity impedance: Coaxial: 1.0V/23k Ohms / Balance 1.0V/66k
Total height harmonic wave distortion factor: 0.008% or less (1kHz), 0.025% or less (20 - 20kHz)
Frequency characteristic: 20 - 20Hz (+0, -0.1dB), 10 - 100kHz (+0, -0.5dB)
S/N ratio (IHF-A): 108dB or more
Inputs: Coaxial RCA x 1 / Systematic balance XLR x 1
Output: phi 6.3 standard jacks x 3
Attachment operations: Volume control and balance volume, Balance volume * pass switch and input selector * switch, Power switch, power source on (protection) indicator, Balance input phase Change-over Switch, line fuse sensor, AC inlet
Electric power consumption: 31w
External size" 467 (W) ×80 (H) ×408 (D) mm
Weight 10.0Kg

 

[Costas]

Looks really nice. I used to own some Luxman gear so I can confidently say that this will most likely sound superb.

Any idea on the price of this unit???

 

[Sovkiller]

1,339.00 USD in audiocubes

 

[elrod-tom]

It's a good looking box...I wonder what it sounds like? Is it worth the $1,400??

I particularly like the 32 ohm impedence....good with Grados???

 

[arnaud]

hi everybody,

I just came back from a trip to Japan during which I had the opportunity to go to Hakihabara - Electric City, in Tokyo. My goal was to listen to some Stax stuff, hopefully compare it to a rig with the Sennheiser HD600, and decide if I should come back home 20 pounds heavier ;o).

It turns out that I left the store puzzled, not knowing what to buy... The source of my troubles: a Luxman high-end headphone amplifier, called P-1. This is a solid state amp with both balanced and unbalanced inputs, three output jacks. It’s large, deep, looks gorgeous, feels gorgeous, in the tradition of Luxman products I guess.
As suggested by the specs posted earlier in this thread, this guy is almost a speaker amp since it outputs 4W + 4W into 8 ohms. It seems it will drive about anything you throw at it. I listened to it only through the Sennheiser HD-580. The amp works in pure class-A and does not lack juice. I listened at 11 o’clock max, and it was loud.
The retail price in Japan is 150,000 yen, the store sold it for 128,000 yen, which is a little over a 1000 dollars.

So what did I compare it to? Stax of course since it was my original goal! Unfortunately, I could only compare it to the low end model, the SRS-3030. The source was a Marantz CD6000-OSE. I also briefly listened to the C.E.C headphone amp with the HD580, but it was harsh, thin, terrible.

It turns out that I enjoyed a lot the Luxman amp. It was extremely solid in the bass, probably even more solid than the Corda PreHead! What I enjoyed the most is that is was effortless, very fluid, never harsh. In fact, it reminded me of the Singlepower tube amps I listened to during last Detroit meet at Wadia.

In comparison, the Stax system was much brighter, much less forgiving. For few high quality recordings, I preferred the Stax because it had much more extension (HD580 veil to be blamed?). But the bass register was just much more solid with the Luxman / HD580 (although not as “refined” as the stax).

Unfortunately, there was too much background noise for me to judge the low level resolution and soundstage. But I surely enjoyed the Luxman amp, and believe it will compete with the best amps out here.

In the end, it was two very different sounds, and I was really puzzled. I came in to maybe buy a Stax system. I almost got out with the Luxman amp. The size (470x80x410mm), weight (20 lbs), and the fact the unit was 100V only is what stopped me. But, this is maybe not my last word ;o).

Special note, the store I went to was great. The staff is super friendly, which I appreciated after 1 store who refused to let me in (too bad, it had ALL the high end headphone gear one could dream of… ALL of it, I am serious…) and an other store who also refused to sell me Stax products (but let me audition)… For those who plan to go to Tokyo and are looking for a store with friendly staff who carries AudioTechnica / Stax / Sennheiser and many other good stuff, drop me a P.M.

Arnaud.

 

[Budrew]

You can order the Luxman from Audiocubes for around $1300, but you still have to use a power transformer. You might check out the Grace 901 headphone amp ($1500 or less through pro audio shops). I'm continually impressed with this amp. I hooked it up today to my main system using an Electrocompaniet EMC-1 Up CD player, just to fiddle around, and it was dreamy. Instruments sounded very natural and easy, with nice attach on some cello pieces while Johnny Cash was right there. I love it!

 

[lini]

Budrew: Just by the way, it would be interesting to know, how the 901's internal dac fares against a very good cdp like yours. So would you mind commenting on both connections, analog and digital?

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[Budrew]

This was the first time I've used the Electrocompaniet with the Grace amp. I normally use it with a Marantz SA-14 SACD player. The DAC in the Electro is far better than the DAC in the Grace (or the Marantz for that matter). I have to add that the Grace DAC is not burned in. I've only used it for an hour or so total. But initial impressions are that it is very detailed and upfront. You could hear everything on the recording and I would say it's geared towards its purpose of monitoring rather than as an audiophile DAC (I consider the Electro DAC an audiophile DAC and it IS sweet).

 

[lini]

Burew: Thanks for the info. And if you try it any further, please let me know about the results.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[gzone3lement]

I went to the bay area audio meet in February 2010, and I fell in love with it instantly. With my Denon AH-D5000, the brightness was just right to my ears. Usually I didn't listen like music too bright, but with this amp, its brightness was controlled to the point I'm more than just satisfied.

 

[Currawong]

Go the 7-yo thread bump!