Luxman L-505uXⅡ (2011–2018)

A hand-built Japanese integrated amplifier that doesn’t just play music—it reveals it, layer by layer, with surgical precision and unexpected warmth.

Overview

First, a correction. If you are hunting for a vintage Luxman preamp from the 1990s called the L-505UX, you are chasing a typo. What exists is the **Luxman L-505uXⅡ**, an integrated amplifier that arrived in 2011 as the second generation of the L-505uX line. It is a dual-mono design built during a strong stretch for Luxman.

The L-505uXⅡ isn't loud or flashy. Plug it in, cue up a well-recorded jazz trio, and the equipment disappears. What's left is space, air, and the sense that the musicians are *there*. Two things get the credit: Luxman's ODNF 4.0 feedback system and the "beeline" signal path design.

It replaced the original L-505uX (launched in 2011). The Mark II shares a lot with that model, but it is a refinement, not just an update. It inherits discrete buffer circuitry from the flagship C-900u preamplifier, so the preamp section performs like it belongs in a separates system costing twice as much. The phono stage handles both MM and MC cartridges with genuine authority, so it works as a complete analog hub right out of the box.

At 20.0kg, it's no lightweight. The chassis is a "snakebody-style" aluminum construction with loopless grounding to minimize earth impedance. The layout is fully symmetrical dual-mono, which keeps channel separation very clean. It still doesn't sound cold.

Specifications

Key Features

LECUA Volume Control: 88 Steps of Precision

No scratchy pots here. Luxman's LECUA (Luxman Electronically Controlled Ultimate Attenuator) uses a ladder network of high-precision resistors, switching in 88 discrete steps. Volume changes are smooth and repeatable enough that you'd forget it isn't an analog knob. There's no physical wiper dragging across a resistive track, so there's no wear, no noise, and no channel imbalance over time. Owners report that even at whisper-quiet levels the balance stays rock-solid.

ODNF 4.0: Feedback Done Right

Most manufacturers use global negative feedback to reduce distortion, often at the cost of transient smearing. Luxman takes a different path with ODNF (Only Distortion Negative Feedback) Version 4.0, a multi-stage, ultra-short-loop feedback system that corrects distortion at the source without muddying the leading edges of notes. Claimed THD is just 0.005% at 1kHz. Drums snap, strings breathe, and piano hammers strike with tangible force.

Dual-Mono, Beeline, and OFC: Signal Path Obsession

Inside the L-505uXⅡ, signal flow gets careful treatment. The "beeline construction" philosophy puts components on the shortest possible route from input to output, minimizing capacitance and inductance. Internal wiring is oxygen-free copper (OFC) with spiral wrapping to reduce electromagnetic interference. The preamp section is fully symmetrical dual-mono, so left and right channels are completely independent, with their own power supplies and circuitry until the final output stage. That is why the soundstage is so wide, deep, and stable.

Phono Stage That Punches Above Its Weight

Many integrated amps treat the phono stage as an afterthought. Not this one. The L-505uXⅡ has a fully selectable MM/MC phono stage with separate gain settings (0.3mV sensitivity for MC) and a dedicated MC cartridge gain on/off switch. The signal-to-noise ratio for MC is 74dB, which is respectable for an integrated. The discrete design won't load down delicate moving-coil cartridges, so a high-end turntable can run straight into it.

VU Meters and Build That Demands Respect

The front panel has two large VU meters with switchable backlighting, blue or red. They give real-time feedback on output levels. The chassis has a heavy aluminum body and a front panel that feels milled from a single block. The large central volume knob has some heft, and the input selector clicks with precision.

Historical Context

The L-505uXⅡ is the direct successor to the L-505uX, which launched in 2011. That model was a statement that integrated amps could rival separates in performance. The Mark II refined it, using technology trickled down from higher-end models like the L-590aX and the flagship C-900u preamplifier. From the original L-505s introduced in 1996 to the L-505uXⅡ, the line saw three major iterations. This model was eventually replaced by the Luxman L-505Z.

Market Value

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ LUXMAN L-505UX                                                  Nov 2026 │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ High      $3,390                                  Latest          $3,390 │
│ Median    $2,600                                  Trend                — │
│ Low       $1,950                                  Volume           ~1/mo │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ $4,000 ┤                                                                 │
│        │                                                                 │
│        │                                                                .│
│ $2,714 ┤                                                                 │
│        │                              .                                  │
│        │.                                                                │
│        │                                                                 │
│ $1,000 ┤                                                                 │
│        ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│
│    vol │█                             █                                 █│
│        └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│
│         2026-03                      2026-05                      2026-07│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

eBay Listings

Recently sold on eBay: $1,950–$3,390 (median $2,600, based on 3 completed sales, past 12 months)

Luxman L-505uXII Integrated Pre-main Amplifier Blaster L-505

$3,160

Luxman L-505uX Integrated Amplifier

$2,591

LUXMAN L-505uX Integrated Amplifier ODNF2.3 LECUA AC100V 50/

$2,903

Luxman L-505uX Integrated Stereo Amplifier Hi-Fi Audio Amp

$2,698

As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.

Related Models

• Luxman MS-11 (1974)
• Luxman 5L15
• Luxman 5T-50 (1977)
• Luxman C-03 (1978)
• Luxman C-9II (1979)
• Eico 3150 (1967)
• Fisher CUSTOM-ELECTRA-I (K-14/K-15) (1957)
• Fisher CUSTOM-ELECTRA IV (E33/E44) (1960)
• Akai AM-2400 (1978)
• Akai AM-2600 (1977)