Hi folks, I have been torn between getting a Luxman L 100 or a Pioneer SA 9800. I know luxman's a known for their warmth & that's what I'm looking for, yet the specs on the pioneer sound amazing. I would like to know if anybody can describe the sound of these 2 powerful integrated amplifiers.
I never owned a Luxman. They had a good reputation though. I have had Pioneers and really like the sound and punch.
I've had 2 Pioneer SA-9500 II 's going back to day one in mid-70's. My first one was stolen, but I managed to find another some years later in great condition. I still have it, although it's not being used at the moment. I think the sound of my Pioneer is pretty neutral with a slight skew towards warm. Nothing dramatic, so I wouldn't classify it as a warm IA. The built-in phono pre with it's user-adjustable cartridge controls on the front panel is extremely convenient. The bottom line is it does everything well and its build quality is a testament to that also. Since the SA-9800 is a later model, I would think that improvements were incorporated, and if so, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one. I've never owned a Luxman product, although I really do like their stuff...especially the new products.
Having gone down the vintage route in the past, I'd go with the Pioneer assuming it is in good condition, has been serviced and isn't renowned for having issues (like the infamous Sansui glue!). They're starting to command high prices in the UK now, so if you can get it for a good price where you are, that'd be my pick. Feedback from users I knew on other hifi fora in the past was always very positive.
The Luxman L-100 has my vote. I've owned a Lux L-11 since 1980, purchased new. The L-11 is a 100wpc amp, a beastly 100 watts with authority to drive difficult loads. I love Pioneer receivers and amps. The SA-9800 is a beast sure to impress. The Lux is a step up IMO. You may be able to find a better deal for an L-100 since the SA-9800's are going for as much as a grand. The Lux is a less popular amp, so their average resale prices reflect that.
Ok cool but what about the sound that one gets thru these amps? Correct me if I'm wrong but I've always heard that pioneer amps have a top end clear sound as opposed to a warmer depth kind of sound. Another amp I'd also like to know more about is the Luxman L 85V
The L100 integrated? Had one for years. Used it to drive DQ-10s, which were power hungry beasts. It was a fine piece of gear and sounded great against anything at the time. The phono section was extremely advanced and it had a cool mute function (touch the center of the volume control). They were $1000 when new in 1976(ish), which was upper end $$$-wise at the time. I have always thought about getting another one and going through it, replacing old/out of spec components. If interested in FM, look for the T110 (?) tuner. That combo is achingly beautiful. Crap, you have awakened some long-dormant lust.
I agree with your assessment of Pioneer. Luxman does have a reputation for warmth and smoothness. But I think that's more true for their tube gear, and maybe some of the SS amps. The Luxman L-11 features extremely fast Fujitsu ring emitter output transistors. Luxman claims in the flyer, that switching distortion is below audibility, that this class AB amp performs as smoothly as class A at full power. This translates into extremely low distortion, especially in the absence of switching distortion. The L-11 sounds super clean, that I would not describe as warm. The L-11 is revealing and smooth in the upper ranges, super detailed without any grain. I have to sell it, sadly, so it's up for sale as I type this
W What will take the L-11's place? Every time I read up on the specs for the Pioneer SA 9800 it makes me think, how can't this amp be warm as well as powerful! It just has more to offer than a lot of the amps from that period: 100 Wpc Less than 0,005% THD 5Hz - 100khz 2 transistors Great phono stage, etc..... I haven't yet read anything negative about it.
For now just a Pioneer SA-500a (my first amp that I found on ebay a few years ago) and my office setup for transferring my band tapes to digital files. The tapes have developed sticky shed, so this will be a challenging project. This little Pioneer is only 10 wpc, but a good little amp. The Lux surpasses it as expected. I look to replacing it in the future, or maybe a tube amp.
Neither have I read anything negative. The Sa 9800 and 9500 and the high powered receivers SX-1050, SX-1250, SX-1280 (a few more obscure models I can not recall the model #'s) are all highly regarded and loved by Pioneer fans. I am a fan of Pioneer. Luxman is a smaller company, less known about the virtues of their amps, so undervalued still. Luxman is known for the "Luxman sound", largely true. The L-11 I have enjoyed immensely may be the white elephant. It is a little brute, but fast and clean as any high end boutique amp, including a Cello Duet 350 I bought and sold last year.
