Shootout: Luxman MQ-300 (300B, $24,000USD) vs my 45/2A3 SET amp

I have not matched the volume levels of the two systems. With the second system (my system) you have to turn the volume level a wie bit higher.
The Luxman (not mine) alone costs $24,000 USD.
A top Luxman preamp & power amp system with top Living Voice speakers vs my own much cheaper 45/2A3 amp built by Master Uesegi of Japan, with CAT SL-1 Ultimate preamp with phono and Cain & Cain BEN Horn speakers (these have Lowther PM2A drive units), and a cheap Sony Bluray player (under $400usd).

[@danielchong1825]

Your 45 amp is more effortless and natural at nuancing musical notes.

[@tommcmurdo6181]

Yours - although it's by no means budget, it puts many high-end systems to shame. Love the combo of pre-amp/tubes and the speakers...wow 👌🏻

[@KT88gs]

Man that sounds!!!Love it...

[@edwilldaames9869]

excellent comparison your system more engaging....worlds apart emotively,natural sounding...

[@andrewsheehy2441]

To my ear, the first system is significantly better than the second: better instrument separation, a more open sound and more presence. But I assume that these two systems were recorded in different rooms, so the differences in the room acoustics and the mic set-up could explain a lot. But it is rather remarkable that the quality of a good system shines through - even after a simple recording, sticking it on KZbin and playing it on some crappy PC speakers.

[@aitchr8770]

Also in the dynamics of her voice.

[@stefansipl6736]

I agree. The first system is noticeably better. Maybe also the room.

[@rickyblair8802]

The second system held my attention more.

[@frankgeeraerts6243]

There are reasons for but you felt it ..............

[@timpit164]

Very very nice keep your system!

[@davidnewboult6887]

Great video but I must give 1st place to the Luxman, greater dynamics although it did come across as slightly louder: For a more relaxed listen after a hard day at work then I could see many preferring your system, which is of course a wonderful is still a wonderful system: Thanks

[@jandjaczenko8943]

Very interesting comparison. Your system is excellent, just a little less airy then the super expensive 300b.

[@V1ralB1ack]

Even through KZbin I could tell your system was more engaging and warm and more liquid smooth.

[@MusicLover-01]

More air in the luxman, a more spacious dimensional sound (grandiose). The 45 was much more focused and sweeter to my ear, sounds more real, cleaner and captivating. I'm more wowed by the Luxman but I would buy the 45 😀

[@seanhawley5367]

The 2A3/45 is sweeter and less in your face. It seemed to have better low level detail. I wish I had money for Tangos

[@keithkwan4304]

how do you rate the 2a3 from Ken-san I'm using the audio note kit 2A3 and want to upgrade, thinking of Ken-san 2a3 or Audio note Meishu tonmeister

[@AnthonyCandaele]

The Luxman MQ-300 and CL-1000 sound fantastic. What pair of speakers do you recommend with this combination?

[@alanmorris8783]

The other system is more ‘airy’, benefitting I think from the room treatment and greater distance to the speakers. Yours is dramatically more revealing and dynamic, but ‘suffers’ a little from the size of the room and small distance from mic to speakers flattens the soundstage. Both sound great, but if you are a normal human being without a huge, dedicated, treated room I’d take yours every day ...... but I’d use a turntable 😬

[@dckfg01]

I am yet to set up my turntable. This time it will be a SME Model 10 with Graham 2.0 tonearm and Michelle Gyro SE with Moerch DP-8 tonearm.

[@budnn8993]

I stream to my Old Linn Briks tri amp ,Yours very deep sub bass , Are you use subwooffer?

[@eduardoalbalat-pu9qv]

hello who is the manufacturer of the amplifier it sounds amazing

[@brunog.8920]

WOW !

[@mikealbano7207]

Who is this artist she is so natural

[@booaaaa]

Yours much much better

[@dr-loz]

What mic u using? Is it same mic and recording system? I don't understand how u think hifi is reproduced on KZbin #rofl #lol

[@griffincui]

The Luxman system sound better in a Hi Fi sense, your 45 is more natrual and true, bass line is better as well. Your 45 system would be my choice.

[@frankgeeraerts6243]

This is one of the only correct comments.............if you think the amp is a tool to listen to MUSIC and not to analyze performance............in real life one does NOT analyze music as a hifi system....but try to connect to it .

[@gregwilliams2746]

All I can say is that I prefer the sound of the track in your room over the first room. However, I feel the deep bass in your room is a bit flabby.

[@alwyn0403]

I think we can not categorize this as apple to apple comparison, because the room size and perhaps the speaker also different (not sure on that speaker one). But eventually, Luxman as many other commercial hi end brands must ensure that the sound characteristics are widely accepted, therefore it's more generic and neutral. While the 2A3 SET is very much segmented for people who "knows" audio and chase for that "Mid Nirvana". Anyway, how many audio players on the early stage even know about this single ended triode worlds ? And I'm not talking 300B vs 845 B, but plenty of unique tubes like this one with 2A3 ? Not so much I guess. Don't get me wrong, I also love SET and I had stuff like 1625 and 6C33 SET amps and even though class D as well (I put it on different systems for different listening sessions). They're very much different and can not be compared head to head. And looking this 2A3 with Tango OT, well...it's not DIY or classified as entry level SET as one. This amp got BLING !!! those components aren't cheap bruh... ha ha ha

[@pukiinn]

In the first case, the dynamic range is wider. Not equivalent playing and recording conditions.

[@dckfg01]

I have not match the sound level though. With the second (my) system, you have to turn the volume up a bit.

[@DieselRott]

I like your system, but this is not a comparison of two systems by any measurable standard. You would have to have everything the same, including the room, with the amp being the only variable in order to call this an actual comparison. That said, I did like both systems. I think your amp sounds great....

[@danielquintanal9760]

Ilike the second one.The first one is the typical sound hiend,for me isn't natural.The live music sound like the second one.

[@hadebui]

This Luxman costs 24,000 USD. can't get the most out of the Living Voice speakers, so this talking brand has returned to its level

[@Quannguyen-hr2kn]

45 is sweet than 300B and more natural sound. 45 is the best.

[@danbuffington75]

Yours sounds like the singer is sitting in the room. Plus, the first expensive system had too much 'mush" in the bass for my ears.

[@HP_____]

I don't know how you can compare with completely different systems and completely different rooms. Other than the source is the same song everything else is different.

[@rickyblair8802]

What is the source?

[@dckfg01]

My system used a Sony bluray player ($500USD).

[@TA-qn4ew]

Luxman, by far

[@vvcv__00]

SET is the reason I sold my Lux and got some great 300b monos AND a preamp made to knock down doors (already have two 2a3 SETs). THe engineering in this preamp is beyond the complexity of the amp for sure. So hard to get a very 'good' sounding pre. And the Lux was made right after they bought back from Samsung...hehehe. I got the deal I'd say. Great SET demo. Listen to SET people. It's Music!

[@user-od9iz9cv1w]

I find your system far more interesting and engaging. Palpable.

[@kenwk2283]

Your preamp is over $10k

[@user-go9yz1gk7k]

Custom is better

[@belotan4218]

Boring!