Luxman L-507s (1996)

At 20 kg, it lands on the rack with some authority. This is serious engineering, not another integrated amp.

Overview

The Luxman L-507s was announced in 1996 as the flagship of Luxman's 500 series. It was built during Luxman's post-Alpine era and manufactured under AZDEN. The idea was a pre-main amplifier with high-end integration and no compromises. It weighs 20 kg, and the chassis sits on a five-point FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastics) composite base meant to resist resonance. The front panel is a massive extruded aluminum piece made in-house on high-precision CNC machinery. This is not mass-market gear.

Owners report that the L-507s sits between separates and an integrated, with circuitry and components borrowed directly from the top-end L-509s. The OD ßeta (Optimized Dual ßeta) and simplified SSC (Single Stagger Circuit) topologies are central to the design, aiming for minimal signal degradation and high linearity. A large EI core power transformer feeds a mechanically decoupled, low-impedance power supply. The newly developed ultra-low noise custom resistors are shared with the L-509s, C-10II, and B-10II, which suggests Luxman wasn't cutting corners on parts. Two large backlit logarithmic meters dominate the fascia and give real-time power monitoring. The input and volume controls are motor-driven, and the design promises smooth, reliable operation without sacrificing signal integrity.

For an integrated, it has plenty of flexibility. There is a built-in MM/MC phono stage, which was a rarity in high-end integrated amplifiers of the era. Balanced XLR inputs and a pre-out/main-in loop let it work in more complex systems. The wireless remote was a notable luxury at the time and handles input selection, volume, muting, and meter lighting. Whether obsolete RF modules will cause long-term reliability problems is undocumented.

Specifications

Key Features

OD ßeta and Simplified SSC Circuitry

The L-507s uses Luxman's OD ßeta (Optimized Dual ßeta) and simplified SSC (Single Stagger Circuit) designs. These were engineering choices, not marketing terms, aimed at reducing distortion and phase shift across the audio band. The OD ßeta configuration optimizes transistor biasing for linearity. The SSC reduces the number of gain stages, which cuts cumulative noise and signal degradation. According to available documentation, this approach contributed to very low THD - reportedly under 0.005% at 1 kHz - and stable performance across the full 20 Hz to 20 kHz range.

MM/MC Phono Stage with High Sensitivity

Many high-end integrated amplifiers of the 1990s left out the phono stage entirely. The L-507s has a fully featured MM/MC input. The MC input has a sensitivity of 0.3 mV and an impedance of 100 Ohm, so it handles low-output moving coil cartridges without an external preamp. The MM input, at 2.5 mV sensitivity and 47 kOhm impedance, is standard. Signal-to-noise ratios are 91 dB (MM) and 75 dB (MC). MC users in high-gain setups may still want external step-up transformers for the quietest backgrounds. A dual-stage phono input in a 100W integrated was a real differentiator.

Motor-Driven Input and Volume Controls

Luxman chose motor-driven input selection and volume control, a feature intended to eliminate mechanical wear and contact noise over time. Sources suggest this improves long-term reliability and gives smooth, repeatable operation. The motorized system is fully integrated with the wireless remote. Some purists argue that any motorized component adds a potential failure point. Here it was part of a broader strategy to maintain signal purity by isolating user interaction from the signal path itself.

Line Phase Sensor and AC Polarity Management

The L-507s has a Line Phase Sensor, which lets the user manage the polarity of the AC power supply. This is uncommon in consumer gear. It allows optimization of the amplifier's internal grounding relative to the wall outlet, potentially reducing hum and improving the noise floor. The audible impact is debated. It works alongside the mechanically decoupled power supply and the large EI core transformer as part of the noise reduction approach.

Wireless Remote Control

A wireless remote was a premium touch in 1996. According to documentation, it controls power on/off, input selection, volume, muting, and meter lighting. That was rare in high-fidelity amplifiers at the time, when IR remotes were often limited to basic functions or omitted entirely. It suggests Luxman was targeting users who valued both performance and usability.

Five-Point FRP Composite Base

The chassis uses a five-point FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastics) composite base, designed to dampen vibrations and keep resonance away from sensitive circuitry. Other Luxman components from the late 1980s through the 1990s share this approach. The rigid FRP platform supports the internal layout and decouples the amplifier from shelf-borne vibrations. The massive extruded front panel completes the build.

Historical Context

The L-507s was introduced in 1996 as the top model in Luxman's 500 series, during the brand's resurgence after its association with Alpine. It was manufactured under AZDEN. It carried forward design principles from earlier flagship models and added newer technologies like the wireless remote and refined circuit topologies. It shared core circuitry with the L-505s, though the L-505s reportedly had a less capable phono stage and lower power output. In 1999, the model was updated to the L-507sII, reportedly to accommodate SACD bandwidth requirements.

Collectibility & Value

Original pricing for the L-507s was 262,000 ¥ in Japan. Current market listings show the L-507sII selling for around $2,500 in very good condition. No verified data on failure rates, maintenance needs, or spare parts availability exists. Three user reviews give an average rating of 4.3 out of 5, so documented user experience is sparse. One user observed that the L-507s never appeared in any major Hi-Fi magazine review. Availability through authorized dealers outside Japan, such as in the San Francisco Bay Area, was reportedly limited, which may affect parts and service access today.

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