Luxman

Company profile

Japanese manufacturer of hi-fi and high-end products. 1925 - Founded by brothers T. Hayakawa and K. Yoshikawa as a radio receiver division within the Kinsindo of Osaka Store group.
1931 - First magnetic pickup (moving magnet - MM) 1952 - OY-15 output transformer, a so-called high-resolution mains transformer. Luxman devices evoke enthusiasm everywhere as they are considered the most powerful on the market. 1958 - (The year of 45/45 stereo recording): MA-7A, the first post-war mono hi-fi amplifier in tube technology. It is equipped with "Crossover NFB" (Negative Feedback). NFB is patented worldwide by Luxman.
1962 - SQ-65, tube integrated amplifier. The amplifier is equipped with a "Motional Feedback (MFB)" circuit. This allows to control the movement of the loudspeaker drivers. The amplifier had a power rating of 2 x 28 watts. 1962 - PZ-11, phono amplifier: The very first phono amplifier with germanium transistors manufactured in Japan. Its "slimline design" enjoys great popularity (218 x 13 x 157 mm). 1963 - SQ-38 tube integrated amplifier: This amplifier is the starting point for the famous SQ-38 series until today. It has 2 x 11 watts and is already an audiophile device. 1964 - SQ-38 D, tube integrated amplifier; it is the first amplifier equipped with a triode. Further models of this legendary "38 series" are the SQ-38D, SQ-38FD and the SQ38S. 1966 - MQ-36 (Tube OTL Power Amplifier). The MQ-36 was an OTL (Output Transformer-Less) amplifier. Because of its high quality sound, it became a long time best seller. 1968 - SQ-505/507 (integrated amplifier): The SQ 505 and SQ 507 were the first models of the "500 series" and the predecessors of the models L-505s and L-507s.
1975 - M-6000 (power amplifier)/C-1000/T-110: As a product to celebrate Luxman's 50th anniversary, the M-6000 embodied the first attempt to break into the high-end market. As a power amplifier that boasted 2 x 300W of power and excellent sound, the M-6000 was very well received. 1977 - Debut of the Laboratory Reference Series: Highlights included the first DC amplifier and synthesized tuner. The functionality, performance and innovative design of each product distinguished the series. - First DC amplifier and synthesized tuner in the world - Computer controlled cassette deck - Stackable components. 1980 - PD-300 (Vacuum turntable) Luxman introduced an innovative turntable that used a vacuum system to prevent records from warping on the turntable. The Luxman PD-555 Limited model was a limited edition of 55 copies of the top-of-the-line model to celebrate its 55th anniversary. 1982 - D-05 (Omega-Loading Cassette Deck): The D-05 appeared at the time when the market was moving away from the "open-reel" format towards the cassette. It featured the hi-fi performance of an "open-reel" tape player and the ease of use of the cassette deck.

From 1984 until the early 2000s, Luxman was owned by Alpine.
1987 - The digital-to-analog converter DA-07 (Fluency DAC); Fluency DAC is an application of interpolation theory developed by Dr. Toraichi, a professor at Japan's Tsukuba University. The DA-07 with its companion DP-07 player formed the pinnacle of the CD segmet at the time.
In 2004, Luxman introduced a CL-88/MQ-88 pre/power amplifier combination, with the MQ-88 being a tube amplifier.
In 2005, the L-507f revived the large 500 series integrated amplifiers.
In 2009, Luxman was purchased by the International Audio Group (IAG).
In 2011, the PD-171 reintroduced a turntable for vinyl; it uses a belt drive, which had previously been rare at Luxman.
In 2013, the M-900u power amplifier was introduced. Two years later, the tube tradition was also continued with the MQ-88u.
In 2019 came the PD-151, another turntable for vinyl, priced lower than the 171.

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