Luxman R-115 (1988)
A mid-tier receiver that doesn't feel mid-tier. Solid, musical, and built to outlast its owner.
Overview
The Luxman R-115 isn't flashy. Luxman released it in 1988 as a digital synthesized AM/FM stereo receiver. It sits in the middle of the late-1980s lineup, above the R-113 and below the R-117, but plays well above its station. It was engineered for the demands of high-resolution digital audio, with the kind of attention to detail that made Luxman a quiet legend among audiophiles. The design goal was stable, dynamic power into real-world speaker loads, and it delivers that with a calm authority that many of its contemporaries never matched.
Owners report a detailed, clear sound with natural bass and a tonal balance that never feels forced. It disappears into the music, with clarity and warmth in equal measure. It keeps its composure at any volume, whether it's feeding a pair of vintage KEFs or modern high-efficiency designs, which makes it a favorite among people who value musicality over specs alone. It also has a built-in phono stage for both MM and MC cartridges, which few mid-tier receivers of its time offered.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Luxman |
| Model | R-115 |
| Year Introduced | 1988 |
| Type | Stereo Receiver |
| Original Price | $750 |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 438 × 139 × 424 mm |
| Weight | 11.5 kg |
| Power Output | 70 watts per channel (20–20,000 Hz, 8 Ω) |
| THD at Rated Power | 0.03% |
| Frequency Response (Line) | 20 Hz – 20 kHz ±0.3 dB; 5 Hz – 140 kHz +1 –3 dB |
| Tone Control Range | ±8 dB at 100 Hz and 10 kHz |
| Loudness Contour | +6 dB at 100 Hz |
| Input Sensitivity (Phono MM) | 2.5 mV |
| Input Sensitivity (Phono MC) | 0.25 mV |
| Input Sensitivity (Line) | 150 mV |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Phono MM) | 82 dB (A-weighted) |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Line) | 100 dB (A-weighted) |
| FM Tuner Usable Sensitivity (Mono) | 10.8 dBf |
| FM Tuner 50-dB Quieting Sensitivity | 14 dBf |
| FM Tuner Distortion (Mono) | 0.05% |
| FM Tuner Distortion (Stereo) | 0.08% |
| FM Tuner Channel Separation | 65 dB at 1,000 Hz |
| FM Section Frequency Range | 87.9 – 107.9 MHz |
| AM Section Frequency Range | 530 – 1620 kHz |
| General Power Consumption | 160 W |
| Power Supply | 120 V – 220 V, 50/60 Hz |
| Tuner Type | Digital Synthesized AM/FM |
Key Features
Duo-Beta Amplifier Circuit
The core of the R-115 is Luxman's Duo-Beta (Duo-β) amplifier design. It uses separate wide-band and DC feedback paths to minimize distortion and improve stability. That's a real engineering solution, not marketing fluff, and it helps the receiver keep control when driving difficult speaker loads. The power amp stage is high-current and high-speed, with dual FET inputs and paralleled output transistors. The output is 70 watts per channel, and it feels stronger than that number suggests.
STAR Circuit Layout and Signal Purity
Luxman's STAR (Symmetrical Transmission and Amplification Routing) circuit layout keeps signal paths short and reduces interference. That contributes to the low noise floor and tight stereo imaging. The idea is to keep the signal path as direct and uncorrupted as possible. The "CD Straight" circuitry follows the same approach. At the push of a button it bypasses the tone controls, balance, loudness, and subsonic filters, giving digital sources a clean, uncolored path.
Digital Synthesized Tuner with Smart Features
The FM tuner is a digital synthesized design with a 5-gang varactor and a dual-gate MOSFET front end. Usable sensitivity is 10.8 dBf and channel separation is 65 dB. It has narrow/wide bandwidth selection and auto-blend noise reduction, which moves smoothly between stereo and mono as signal strength drops. There are no sudden dropouts, just a graceful fallback. The 20 station presets (two banks of 10) make tuning easy, and the vacuum-fluorescent display is clear and readable.
Phono Stage and Connectivity
The dedicated MC (moving coil) phono input is a standout for a mid-tier receiver. Most receivers at this level offered MM only. The R-115 has both MM (2.5 mV) and MC (0.25 mV) inputs. Pre-out/main-in jacks let you add external amplifiers or processors. The motor-driven volume control allows smooth remote operation, at a time when many competitors still used manual pots.
Historical Context
Introduced in 1988, the R-115 was part of Luxman's "Ultimate Power" series, receivers engineered for the emerging CD era. Digital sources demanded greater dynamic range and stability into low-impedance loads, and Luxman responded with designs that put control and clarity ahead of raw power figures. The R-115 wasn't the flagship, but it inherited the core technologies of its more expensive siblings. That made it a smart buy for audiophiles who wanted high-end performance without the top-tier price.
Collectibility & Value
The R-115 doesn't command the sky-high prices of some Japanese classics, but it's gaining recognition among buyers who value long-term reliability and musical honesty. A refurbished unit recently sold for $319.99. A listing in Brazil showed R$4,200 (approximately $600 - $700 USD depending on exchange), which suggests strong regional variation. It isn't extremely rare, but working, well-maintained examples are getting harder to find.
Common issues are typical of age: capacitor failure, transistor stress, and resistor degradation. Some users report FM section problems. Intermittent channel cut-outs have been linked to the Tone Defeat or CD Direct switches. Controls may get scratchy over time, and contact cleaner ("de-oxiting") often fixes that. A complete power failure has been traced to the power switch in at least one case. Serious failures can bring a burning smell, melted relay covers, and cross-function bleed, all signs of stressed internal components. A service manual is available for qualified technicians.
The R-115 holds up well despite its age. Owners describe it as a "solid performer" and "a great value that holds up with time," and one says it "can keep composure at pretty much any volume." It's still a capable receiver by modern mid-fi standards.
Market Value
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ LUXMAN R-115 Nov 2026 │ ├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ High $408 Latest $300 │ │ Median $300 Trend — │ │ Low $168 Volume ~2/mo │ ├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ $500 ┤ │ │ │ │ │ │ . │ │ $329 ┤ . │ │ │ . . . . .│ │ │. . │ │ │ . │ │ $100 ┤ │ │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│ │ vol │▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ █ ▄ ▄ ▄│ │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│ │ 2026-04 2026-06 2026-07│ └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
eBay completed sales. Excludes accessories, parts, and non-working units. Hover points for details.
eBay Listings
Recently sold on eBay: $231–$375 (median $300, based on 10 completed sales, past 12 months)
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