Luxman M-117 (1987–1990)

Name: Luxman M-117
Brand: Luxman

That rare beast: a high-powered Japanese amp that doesn’t shout—just sings, with authority and soul.

Overview

You can spot a Luxman M-117 from across a dimly lit listening room—low-slung, matte black, no flashy meters or glowing VU displays, just a pair of heavy-duty knobs and the faint glint of brushed metal. It doesn’t look like it can move mountains, but plug in a decent pair of speakers and you’ll find out fast: this thing *hustles*. Built between 1987 and 1990 during Luxman’s ownership by Alpine, the M-117 is a classic model that never chased trends. Instead, it doubled down on what Luxman did best—building amplifiers that blend brute power with musical finesse.

Unlike the delicate passive preamps Luxman also made, the M-117 is pure muscle. But it’s not the kind of muscle that fatigues your ears after an hour. Owners report a sound that’s both dynamic and forgiving—tight, articulate bass, a warm midrange that makes vocals bloom, and highs that extend without ever turning brittle. It’s the kind of amplifier that makes you forget about specs and just listen. And listen. And listen.

It’s also a machine built for serious systems. With both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs, dual pairs of binding posts, and stability down to 2 ohms, the M-117 wasn’t meant for shelf stereos. This was for audiophiles stacking separates, running long cable runs, and demanding clean, distortion-free power at volume. It’s no surprise that user reviews are consistently glowing—some even call it “FANTASTIC” in all caps. One HiFi Engine user flat-out declared, “I’m sticking with the M-117!” and that kind of loyalty doesn’t come cheap or easy.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Luxman Corporation, Japan
Model	M-117
Production Years	1987–1990
Type	Power Amplifier
Class	AB
Power Output	170 watts RMS per channel, both channels driven into 8 ohms (20Hz–20kHz, ≤0.008% THD)
Power Output (4 ohms)	200 watts per channel
Frequency Response	20Hz to 20kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion	0.008%
Signal to Noise Ratio	110dB
Damping Factor	150
Input Sensitivity	1.2V
Inputs	Balanced XLR, Unbalanced RCA
Speaker Outputs	Two pairs of binding posts
Stable Into	2 ohm loads
Power Supply Capacitors	60,000 uf
Output Transistors	2SC2922 and 2SA1216
Dimensions (W×H×D)	440 × 150 × 390 mm
Weight	18kg
Color	Black
Remote Control	Yes

Key Features

Pure Complementary Design with ODNF

At the heart of the M-117 is Luxman’s “Pure Complementary Power Amplifier” architecture, a fully discrete design that avoids integrated circuits in favor of individual transistors and precision components. This isn’t just marketing fluff—it means every stage of amplification is hand-tuned for linearity and low distortion. Even more distinctive is the “ODNF” (Only Distortion Negative Feedback) circuitry, a Luxman innovation that applies feedback only where distortion occurs, rather than across the entire signal path. The result? Cleaner amplification without the sonic sterility some feedback-heavy designs suffer from.

Massive Power Supply, Minimal Coloration

The M-117 doesn’t mess around when it comes to power. A massive toroidal transformer feeds 60,000 uf of filter capacitance, ensuring deep reserves for dynamic peaks—think orchestral crescendos or kick drums in rock. But what’s striking is how quietly it delivers that power. There’s no sense of strain, no compression, just effortless control. One user put it perfectly: Luxman calls it a “voltage amplifier, not a current amplifier,” and that philosophy “screams tube sound to me.” It’s not literally a tube amp, of course, but the comparison makes sense—there’s a liquidity and dimensionality here that many solid-state amps from the era lack.

Built to Last (With a Few Caveats)

The chassis is solid, the binding posts are substantial, and the overall construction feels like it could survive a minor earthquake. The remote control adds convenience rare for power amps of this class, letting you adjust volume from the listening seat. But it’s not bulletproof. The speaker relay is a known failure point—enough so that owners know the fix: swap in a standard Omron relay, and you’re back in business. More insidious is a structural flaw: a dent near the left channel binding post can crack the speaker terminal board, sometimes running 3/4 of the way through. It’s not common, but it’s serious when it happens. And then there’s the occasional horror story of -74 volts DC appearing at the speaker terminals—obviously a catastrophic failure mode that can fry speakers if not caught fast.

Still, for an amp pushing nearly three decades old, the M-117 holds up. A service manual exists, schematics are available, and the discrete design means most components are replaceable. It’s not a museum piece you’re afraid to turn on—it’s a working amplifier that many still use daily.

Collectibility & Value

The Luxman M-117 trades in a narrow but passionate market. Current listings show prices all over the map: $450 on Audiogon, $700 each or $1,300 for a pair on Canuck Audio Mart, and one dealer asking $1,295. That volatility suggests condition and provenance matter deeply. A fully serviced unit with clean channels and a replaced relay will command top dollar. One with a cracked terminal board? That’s a project.

Despite the quirks, owners believe it “will hold its value,” and given the steady praise for its sound, that’s plausible. It’s not as rare as a Luxman M-05 monoblock, but it’s no common commodity either. For those building a high-end vintage Japanese system—especially from the late '80s—this amp fits like a glove. Just be ready to test it thoroughly or budget for a checkup. That -74 volt failure isn’t theoretical; it’s a real risk in neglected units.