Luxman LV-112 (1980)
The Luxman LV-112 is an integrated stereo amplifier introduced in December 1980 at ¥128,000. It sat near the top of Luxman's lineup of the period. It puts out 50W per channel (into 8 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, both channels driven) and is a hybrid design: a 12AU7 twin triode vacuum tube in the control stage, with a solid-state output section. The tube stage is the reason most people seek this amp out today. It was meant to give a warmer, tube-like sound without the cost and heat of a full tube amplifier.
The design details are where the LV-112 gets interesting. Luxman used what it called "twin rectification" - two independent power supplies, each with its own transformer winding - plus a large custom capacitor and newly developed three-stage Darlington power transistors. The tone control circuit can be switched out of the signal path with a relay bypass, and the power amplifier section itself was transformerless. The control stage used a DA-12 vacuum tube optocoupler, and the whole thing was laid out in modules for easier servicing. Rated distortion was 0.05% or less from 10W to full output, with a damping factor of 60 and power consumption rated at 300W. Inputs covered phono, tuner, aux, and two tape loops.
Reception has been mixed. Audio (October 1990, p.334) ran a spec listing for the LV-112's successor line that shows Luxman pushing voltage-driven amplification across its integrated models in this era. The LV-112 itself drew praise for its musicality and value, and some owners have compared its tube-stage sound to that of far more expensive all-tube amplifiers. There are also strong subjective opinions that the vacuum tube in the control section doesn't sound good, and that it adds coloration rather than magic. Measurements were fine. The tube stage divides listeners. Owners also note the amp runs hot, and, like most Luxman gear of this vintage, it may need its electrolytic capacitors replaced to perform at its best.
A later improved version, the LV-112U, appeared in 1982, and the more powerful LV-113 joined the lineup in 1981. The LV-112 and its successors trace back to the LV-111 of 1977. Weight is approximately 12 kg (about 26 pounds). Dimensions are not documented in a clean, reliable form.
Known Specs
- Power output: 50W/ch into 8 ohms, 20Hz–20kHz, both channels driven
- Input sensitivity: 2.5mV (phono), 150mV (high level)
- Damping factor: 60
- Inputs: phono, tuner, aux, 2 tape loops
- Weight: 12 kg (approx. 26 lbs)
- Power consumption: 300W
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