Luxman L-590AXII (2015, discontinued)
The L-590AXII is a pure Class A integrated amplifier. It came out in Japan in 2015, after the L-590AX, its predecessor, was well received. It reached international markets in January 2016 at £6,995. It continues Luxman's evolutionary line of Class A integrateds and was positioned as the flagship of that series, above the 550 series in price - the 550 around $5k, the 590 around $9k. Output is rated at 30W per channel into 8 ohms and 60W into 4 ohms, and the amp weighs 65LB. It has an MM/MC phono stage that Fidelity Magazine described as good enough to postpone buying a separate phono amplifier.
The design has Luxman's usual hallmarks: a high-inertia power supply with a substantial transformer, the proprietary LECUA volume control, and a unique negative feedback system. The power stage uses eight output transistors total, four per channel, the same configuration as Luxman's separate M-700u power amp. The rear panel has record-out, monitor-in, and pre-out terminals, plus an external preamp input for AV system integration and remote control outputs. The L-590AXII also runs warm. That comes with Class A operation, which tends to command a higher price because of production expenses, as Tone Publications noted when it observed that the modest 30Wpc rating might seem unimpressive on paper.
Reviews were largely enthusiastic. Hi-Fi News called it a "time warp" that looks retro but performs to modern standards, letting listeners "return to hi-fi's Golden Age" with contemporary sound quality. The same reviewer noted much more bass impact than expected, "like the lower bass was activated several notches up," and compared it favorably against a tube reference. The difference was undeniable, though whether it was better stayed a matter of taste. The unit has been discontinued, replaced in Luxman's lineup by the L-100 or L-507Z.
Known specifications:
- Pure Class A integrated amplifier
- 30W + 30W (8Ω), 60W + 60W (4Ω) rated output
- MM/MC phono stage
- Weight: 65LB
- Original price: £6,995 (2016)
No production end year, dimensions, or detailed distortion/signal-to-noise figures are documented in available sources. Market listings show the unit selling in excellent condition, and one Audiogon listing offered it brand new, factory sealed.
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