$7995 Luxman LX-380 Tube Integrated - A Deep Dive

We take a deep dive into the tube powered LX-380 integrated. Power test, interior views etc.
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WHO WE ARE
SkyFi Audio is a small startup business specializing in the purchase, reconditioning, and reselling of select high end audio equipment. We only buy equipment that we admire and are passionate about. No mid-fi, no gimmicks, and no junk.
Each piece of equipment is cosmetically restored and fully tested in our well-equipped lab by an engineer with 30+ years of experience in the HiFi world. If it does not meet or exceed the original manufactures specifications, it will not be sold. We are very selective about the equipment we purchase, focusing on mostly analog, high-build quality, American, and European built units.
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Visit with us at SkyFi Audio as we go over the new arrivals for early June 2022. Lots to see from AR, Thorens, EV and more
To subscribe to our Friday New Arrivals Email Blast
bit.ly/skyfinewslettersignup
To submit your system to be featured in our Email Blast
[e-mail]
WHO WE ARE
SkyFi Audio is a small startup business specializing in the purchase, reconditioning, and reselling of select high end audio equipment. We only buy equipment that we admire and are passionate about. No mid-fi, no gimmicks, and no junk.
Each piece of equipment is cosmetically restored and fully tested in our well-equipped lab by an engineer with 30+ years of experience in the HiFi world. If it does not meet or exceed the original manufactures specifications, it will not be sold. We are very selective about the equipment we purchase, focusing on mostly analog, high-build quality, American, and European built units.
SkyFi Audio Store:
www.skyfiaudio.com
SkyFi Audio News:
skyfiaudio.com/blogs/news
SkyFi Audio on Instagram:
/ skyfiaudio
SkyFi Audio Newsletter:
bit.ly/skyfinewslettersignup
Subscribe to SkyFi Audio on KZbin:
bit.ly/subscribe-skyfi-youtube
To inquire about new products please visit our friends at Stereo Exchange in New York City:
stereoexchange.com
SkyFi Audio on Facebook:
/ skyfiaudio

[@johnolson4977]

You’re very interesting to listen too and it’s great to see all the vintage and new audio equipment Without the normal KZbin reviewer BS . Thanks you so much for doing this .

[@derekmann857]

I have that unit and its freaking amazing!!! Love it!! It runs 6 hours a day and its bliss!!

[@robertyoung1777]

Beautiful - thanks for posting this ! My Luxman from the early 80s still running strong with zero maintenance.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Great to hear! The vintage Lux stuff is super reliable

[@playbackvintagehifihunter9669]

Stunning little amp. Luxman never seems to fail in quality.

[@stillastillsfan]

I have the LX-38 Ultimate integrated which the LX-380 is based on. Very similar in appearance but all metallic switches, champagne faceplate, and even nicer wood cabinet. It is close to most classy front panel I’ve ever seen excepting not having meters. The LX-38 is from the 70s or early 80s, and was only made in 100V version as far as I know. I have a high quality step down transformer to use here in USA. Fernando, you should look this one up just so you know about it. It is fantastic.

[@johnhovanec6240]

Love the content 👌 it's very educational

[@fredfungalspore]

Always enjoy your equipment reviews and new arrivals. Unfortunately not being electronic savvy I learn so much watching your internal reviews and scope hookups and how you explain in layman's terms how it affects and works .. Keep up the great work guys from Australia

[@SkyFiAudio]

Hey thanks. There seems to be quite a passion for high end audio in Australia, so cool.

[@fredfungalspore]

@@SkyFiAudio Yes there is unfortunately having a rather small population compared to the US and Europe early Hi End Hi Fi equipment is far and few between..Most of the rarer hifi pieces were brought into Australia from overseas immigrants.I personally have a Pioneer PL71 Turntable which was very expensive and rare in Australia I aquired it from an Ex Qantas pilot who flew to Hong Kong and purchased it there and brought it back..So you can understand when we see your shop and your early rare hifi pieces We are like kids in a candy store....😆🙏🦘

[@fabieneldridge3414]

I need one of those. My Marantz is tried and this hits on everything I’ve been looking for. Sound quality I bet is Wonderful ! 20 watts on Klipsch K-horns and Belle’s will rock !

[@dougg1075]

A beautiful product.

[@thelion9588]

Amazing review 👌

[@SkyFiAudio]

Glad you liked it. Thinking of getting one?

[@saltywalt57]

Another great video. Does luxman make a D/A converter that matches this unit?

[@miguel--rush]

Hola..genial sus videos...Ahora me suscribí...! Quiero preguntar que equipo tienen sus maquinas de trabajo..? Hay tres módulos..verdad..? Amplifier..CD...y...???? Gracias! Saludos desde Buenos Aires.

[@Ricky-cl5bu]

Lovely

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Thanks for the video Nice amp , Surprised theirs not a tube pre built inside But the volume control board does look impressive I saw those long standoffs 😆 AND 20 watts from this amp I bet will compete with the average 50 watt solid state amp easily ! Theirs some serious Iron in that Badboy those Engeeners @ IAG are very talented 'Jan Erthner'

[@dilbyjones]

Havent heard from you in a while love Luxman products. I know technology has moved forward a lot so intrested to hear what you have to say here.

[@gjnbouwmeester5860]

Beautiful tone controls with a wide rage of frequency attenuation. 600Hz is vocal territory and 1.5Khz is just the top of the natural spectrum. Great 'vintage' amplifier ánd the type sourced pre-amp which i would love to own...

[@SkyFiAudio]

Couldn't agree more!

[@AudioElectronicsChicago]

Beautiful vintage amp

[@SkyFiAudio]

It sure is!

[@alanrogs3990]

That thing really looks like a final piece in an audiophiles dream. I wish I could afford such a nice device. But I'd still rather have a Leben 😁

[@zeram01]

How would you bias replacement tubes in this? Finally, did you take measurements of the headphone output?

[@zukispur5493]

My sansui AU 717 SPECIAL wants to fight it🌚

[@issadad]

Lovely but what about its performance? Is there a companion vid?

[@jcanuk269]

Having 70s Luxman gear, I can really appreciate the new integrated nod to the past. I’m sure it sounds wonderful. However the mk35 pre stole the show! Time to hook that up to the amplifier section of the 300.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Totally agree!

[@johto]

Cool review, me as a non electrian was puckering my a-hole while you were touching the live amp inside. Well, i assume you know better where to touch and not 😅

[@larrywe3320]

Mate with a pair of Klipsch Cornwall IV

[@SkyFiAudio]

Thats what I was thinking. Would mate well with just about any Klipsch from he Heritage series.

[@bigblueocean]

Excellent deep dive. You are really creating your own style of Video. It promotes your business in a positive way and holds my interest for the whole presentation. Just one thing...... Phones to vibrate before you begin. You can call your mom back later :)

[@SkyFiAudio]

hahah, so may devices in the shop, I always seem to miss one!

[@alanrogs3990]

I wish I lived near such a nice shop.

[@webking185]

LX380 or L590 AXIII? Curiois to know what people.say?

[@davidmathieu3592]

Avec dynaudio evoke ??

[@user-ex9zm7bg3x]

If the desirability of PCB -vs- point-to-point is debatable I'll argue the latter, Fernando. I'm seeing a lot of circuit boards that are going to get dried out from those tubes, particularly the ones directly underneath. Love your videos.

[@SkyFiAudio]

I see you point. PCBs certainly dont add anything in terms of reliability. I was debating if they sound better or worse. What ya think?

[@user-ex9zm7bg3x]

@@SkyFiAudio Pardon me I thought you were speaking of longevity. IMO neither is inherently better sounding.

[@alanrogs3990]

Aren't the boards made today much longer lasting than boards from the 50's and 60's? BTW, I have a couple vintage boarded tube amps and they are still fine.

[@westelaudio943]

​@@alanrogs3990 Absolutely not. Well, the boards themselves might take the heat a little better. But they're using lead free solder now, which is much more susceptible to cracking due to thermal cycling. The traces are also much thinner now usually.

[@JK-rt2jj]

For a few hundreds I have got a vintage SQ507x, which is actually a good performer and it looks better than the amp in this video. I admire all the classic looking amps by Luxman though.

[@DrBroncanuus]

I have never heard Luxman nor McIntosh ...can anyone describe the difference in sound and which one is superior.....

[@SkyFiAudio]

I consider them equal although they each had a period where they made crappy stuff. For example McIntosh was owned by Clarion for a bunch of years that were clearly inferior to the stuff made before and after. Same for Lux, there was a time in the 80's and 90's where they made some crappy stuff.

[@user-rg7do3qp5u]

外型真漂亮 可惜不是手搭棚

[@westelaudio943]

Looks nice but on the inside, it's a bit questionable especially for the price. There are the chunky power tubes just sitting directly on the board, with no support at all. Then, what's the point of a 'motorized digital volume control'? The remote could just shift the volume without physically turning the rotary encoder. Looks like s gimmick to me. Motorized volume controls only make sense with a real pot, which would have been a more appropriate choice anyways. From a service perspective this still looks rather nightmarish, albeit better than many other modern amps.

[@alexislancaster2691]

I hate luxman why??? Because is too expensive, This amp is Absolutely beautiful

[@thisisnev]

Cheat - buy a used one!

[@allardvanderstarre5238]

it's now 8500 euro, ouch!

[@richclips]

Love the appearance, until you see inside, and then for me it's a no 😅 way too much going on, overly complicated. Nicely built as you say, but micro controller, and full of electrolytics, sandwiched boards etc. I'll stick with my audio research all day long.. Excellent video, thank you

[@SkyFiAudio]

I see your point for sure, thanks for the feedback. I do wish it were simpler in design.

[@ThomasL]

​@@SkyFiAudio I'd love to see an "autopsy" of modern Accuphase integrated (Class AB first, then Class A), and hear what you think of their built quality, and compare to modern Luxman or McIntosh. Really informative video. Thanks

[@xstensl8823]

solid state pre stage, no thanks

[@scottskillman]

Best unintended Joke I have heard all day: "The under $10,000 integrated amp market is pretty crowded." You think? How crowded is the over $7,000.00 integrated market? Not too many candidates to my awareness. Because at that price point buyers want separates. Best of luck with that sale.

[@user-ex9zm7bg3x]

if you did any research you would find you are wrong

[@scottskillman]

@@user-ex9zm7bg3x I am not sure how one would research this topic exactly, but maybe we can agree that of all integrated amps for sale, a HUGE percentage of those are for less than $7,000.00? I welcome your thoughts on on to do that research though.

[@SkyFiAudio]

A few come to mind from McIntosh, Accuphase, Simaudio etc. Folks seem to like the simplicity of integrated amps so there are more entering the market each year. Thanks for commenting.

[@stillastillsfan]

I only go for high quality integrateds now for system simplification.

[@tuantrd]

8k ha haa I’ll spend it on a motorcycle and experience real sound.

[@SkyFiAudio]

sound AND feel. Perhaps a track ready Ducati.

[@alwyn0403]

$7995 and you still got the old and very common alps blue velvet motorized vol pot ? could do better here with the price tag...really !

[@paulguranich8086]

The only person who had spent $8,000 on a $2,000 integrated amp is people who buy audioquest cables.

[@colingarner6175]

Route is pronounced root not rowt !

[@bigblueocean]

Not in the US Colin. We are two nations, divided by a common language. :)

[@SkyFiAudio]

haha, good answer Big Blue. Thanks to both.

[@bobking7347]

You really shouldn't run a tube based output stage unloaded for any length of time, that's really bad for the output transformers and the output tubes, made me cringe the whole time... When you had the top off... I also don't like how the input is "digital either" you pay 9 grand for a tube amp, it should be fully analog, no questions asked, I want my resolution limit to be whatever my front end is, not with whatever is baked in as a hard limit because of the internal dac. Yeah, it's a digital attenuater, what is the sampling rate, actual dynamic range, or all the many other measurements, I wish luxman would provide this.... It's a real shame that all of their products including preamps pretty much have this, except for 4 or so. Only tube amps worth buying from them are the luxman mq-88uc or the luxman mq-300. I've seen real measurements of the mq-88uc, it's a beast really, no digital bs, it just works, the mq-300 is much the same, fully analog, both have point to point wiring too, no loss in power at 20hz all the way up to 40k or so and at -5db or so, 100k "something like that it's been awhile since I see the measurements" no phase shifting, flat frequency response, good layout to reduce noise, actually exceeds some of its ratings. The sqn150 is not worth it as good as it looks, analog, affordable "within reason, the value really isn't there when you get past the looks" unfortunately it's noisy and measures pretty horrible, lot of power supply noise gets though, phase shifting as well in the outputs, more than there should be, audio science review has measurements up for that one. Great brand, but really only the few solid state and tube power amps they make are worth it, their standalone dacs aren't really worth it either, topping makes stuff much more affordable that measure far better. I'd love a topping d90se or le "look up the measurements for the d90 on asr" driving a luxman mq-88uc direct, no preamp inbetween, that would be the ultimate combo. That dac measures so good, it's the closest thing to a straight wire with gain, no matter what source you'd play though it, or what amplifier you have being driven from it, the amp or source material will always be the limiting factor, gets out of the way and has the measurements to back it up. You have the ability to really hear just the gear attached to it, nothing to make it sound better, what you attach is how it sounds. I would love to hear the mq-88uc like this with absolutely no limitations. Now Luxman, their intergraded amps all have that digital attenuater too... I'm sure they sound great, but, shave off some money and make it fully analog... What happens if that chip goes bad, then you can't find it anymore.... Least with the other units, you can repair them on your bench... I'd want an Amp to last for 50 years, by then the stand alone dacs will only be better, but one of those above-mentioned tube amps will still be serviceable by then, no digital chips that can go bad that will make a unit useless when they stop making them....

[@paulguranich8086]

I grew up in the Golden age of Hi-Fi in the 70s and '80s. All this overpriced crap. I've owned some of the best names in audio from Conrad Johnson to Kell. High-end audio is a joke for people have too much money and no brains. The big speaker of my time was the infinity IRS series 5. That was $50,000. Now you have $150,000 two-way monitors. If any of you people buy this crap you're insane. It's all snake oil. High-end audio is an absolute joke based in anything scientific. Yeah let's slap a battery on a cable that shows scientifically it makes the cable produce more noise and charge $25,000. Oh power cables make a difference. Well unfortunately they do not. I had the chance to come across a pair of 2,500 PS audio power cables. That I got really cheap off a friend who has more money than brains. So I hook them up and listen to them for a few hours with my wife who has incredible hearing. Then not telling her I hooked up the power cables that the ant came with which will name unlame. But you could buy a nice car with the price I paid for these amps. So she came back in sat down and was listening and I'm like well what do you think. She asked me what do you mean. Did you hear something different? She said no why you asking me. Well I just changed it from $2,500 cables to stock cables. She said are you kidding me? I said no. Even she couldn't tell the difference when it was a true blind test. But then again there's also science that shows you that cable technology hasn't really advanced since 1940. Remember it's not science it's snake oil. Anyone who talks about cables is an absolute buffoon. All I have to say to these absolute losers is keep wasting your on money on things that have no scientific proof behind it and have been tested over the years. High-end audio equipment is like flushing money down the toilet.

[@webking185]

Hi Paul love your honesty and enthusiam to what people spend. I agree and disagree with you. People spending x amount on speaker cables, wires, electric cords are crazy, thats all snake oil to me. People just want to say they spent 3k on wire. Like you said, more money then brains. However, all hifi gear cost alot for the build, parts and design. You will not get a $5k build machine vs $500, its just not possible. As for the sound, the machine will sound better for sure, 10x better, maybe not. Buts its the aesthetics that people like, ex. Chevy vs Mercedes, they both get you from point A to point B. But I agree, there are nutty people that need a pair of speakers for $100k, and amp for $75k. At the end, I just want to listen music. But it is pleasing to look at something nice. Cheers bud.

[@dougg1075]

Having a bad day man? Bitter roots ?

[@user-qm4wg7ho8j]

Боюсь за температурный режим работы в закрытой коробке .