Luxman L-505V (1975)

That first warm, weighty note from the L-505V hits like a memory you didn’t know you had—rich, full, and startlingly alive.

Overview

The Luxman L-505V is an integrated amplifier from 1975. It was released in October of that year as part of Luxman's V Series, and it traces back to the SQ505 from 1968. This is the fifth generation. The L-505V was priced at ¥98,000 on release, a serious sum for its time. It is a pre-main amplifier with 55 watts per channel into 8 ohms and distortion of 0.03% or less. It is solid-state, but owners often describe the sound as having a "tube-like flavor."

Specifications

Key Features

Pure Complementary OCL Design

The L-505V uses a pure complimentary service OCL (Output Capacitor-Less) system. Dropping the output capacitors preserves low-frequency response and transient accuracy. The whole amplifier chain, input to output, is built around a two-stage differential-amplification setup fed by dual positive and negative power supplies. That keeps operation balanced and distortion down, which feeds into the 0.03% THD rating.

Emitter Follower Circuit for Class Isolation

One smart move in the L-505V is an emitter follower circuit after the pre-driver stage. It does two things. It improves the high-frequency load condition of the pre-driver, and it electrically isolates the class B pre-driver from the class A output stage. With that isolation, the output stage's impedance swings can't reach the pre-driver, which keeps things stable and lowers distortion under real-world loads.

Class A Inverted Darlington Push-Pull in Preamp

The preamp section's equalizer circuit combines carefully selected operational amplifier ICs with a high-voltage class A inverted Darlington push-pull output stage. This gives low noise and high linearity, which matters for the delicate phono signals it handles. The phono stage has a signal-to-noise ratio of 62 dB or more, which is respectable for its era.

Power Supply and Build Quality

Two massive 10,000 μF electrolytic capacitors anchor the power supply filter circuit, backed by a well-regulated transformer. That helps keep things stable at full output. There are also 8 iron-case power transistors, built like tank turrets. The whole amp weighs 11.5kg.

Tone Control Flexibility

The L-505V has a LUX System NF Type tone control with selectable bending points. Lows can be adjusted at 150 Hz, 300 Hz, or 600 Hz, and highs pivot at 1.5 kHz, 3 kHz, or 6 kHz. There are defeat options for purists. It also has a low boost at 70Hz (+6dB/oct), a 30Hz low-cut, and an 8kHz high-cut. That makes it one of the most flexible tone systems of its time.

Historical Context

The L-505V is the fifth generation in a line that began with the SQ505 in 1968 and grew into the V Series. Luxman did not build it in isolation. They used circuit technology developed for their high-end separates, specifically the M-6000 power amplifier and the C-1000 control amplifier. That put the L-505V ahead of typical integrated designs of the mid-70s.

Collectibility & Value

Today the L-505V is sought after by vintage audio enthusiasts, particularly in Europe, where prices hover around €950 to €999 for functional units. Listings elsewhere vary, from as low as $132.50 to nearly $1,000, depending on condition, location, and whether the unit has been serviced. A recap kit for capacitors can be had for around €24. A full service manual is hard to find, and owners often trade or seek them out on forums. Original user manuals still surface, with one recent example selling for $65 in Very Good condition. One known issue is the startup protective circuit relay. It can develop a progressively longer delay, with humming and mechanical noise, and eventually fail to switch on. Recapping and relay maintenance are common restoration steps.

Market Value

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ LUXMAN L-505V                                                   Nov 2026 │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ High      $803                                    Latest            $780 │
│ Median    $628                                    Trend                — │
│ Low       $459                                    Volume           ~1/mo │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│   $900 ┤                                                                 │
│        │                                                                 │
│        │                                .                               .│
│   $686 ┤                                                                 │
│        │                                                                 │
│        │                                                                 │
│        │.                                                                │
│   $400 ┤                                                          .      │
│        ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│
│    vol │█                               █                         █     █│
│        └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│
│         2026-02                      2026-03                      2026-05│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

eBay Listings

Recently sold on eBay: $459–$803 (median $628, based on 4 completed sales, past 12 months)

Luxman L-505V Stereo Integrated Amplifier V Series Audio Vin

$849

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