Luxman FL153
The FL153 runs as a 3-channel or 2-channel divider, with a 3-D mode. Crossover points are selectable: 125, 250, 500, or 800 Hz between low and mid, and 1.5k, 3k, 5k, or 7 kHz between mid and high, plus flat positions. The cutoff slope switches between 12 dB/octave and 6 dB/octave. Total harmonic distortion is rated at 0.1% or less at 1V output. Input impedance is 250kΩ. Output impedance is 1kΩ on the low band and 100Ω on mid and high.
A few design details stand out. The low-frequency section has a 2-stage NF amplifier with roughly 13 dB of gain after the level-set volume, meant for low-efficiency woofers. The mid and high sections use emitter-follower circuits. That keeps output impedance low and avoids noise pickup over long shield lines to the power amps. The band-selector knobs turn idle unless you pull them toward you. Luxman did this on purpose, to prevent accidental switching that could send out-of-band signals into a horn driver and damage it. The level-set volumes are semi-fixed and capped at their optimum position.
The FL153 uses eighteen 2SC693GU transistors, one 2SC734, and a single DS16B diode. It runs on 100 VAC at 50/60 Hz and draws 2W or less. Dimensions are 180 mm wide, 155 mm high, and 250 mm deep. A French forum comment on audiovintage.fr called it "not to be overlooked," which is about as close to a period review as the record gets.
Documentation is thin. There are no service manual scans, no comprehensive English-language review, and no reliable weight figure. What the record does show is an early transistor divider with unusual protective touches, and a design that clearly descends from Luxman's earlier FL15 tube unit.
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