I have painstakingly investigated on the possible reasons why the system, more appropriately the amp (Luxman L-590AXII) sounds different when I listened to it again after more than a year. The source, speakers and cables are all the same, speaker placement is almost the same. I suspect it’s either the mains power cables that might have been swapped, or the arrangement of components on the rack.
To cut to the chase, I think I have found the culprit which may be contributing to the rather poor sound which I experienced previously after going through some old photos of the system. It’s the support of the amp which was previously suspended by springs. It’s now supported on a fixed platform while the source/DAC remains on the suspended platform.
I have recently swapped the footers below the rack and it’s sounding different but it’s still early days. I now realise that impressions or assessment of any component may not reflect the actual performance of it and can change over time, and there can be many different views on the same component as every system, room (and person) are different.
The amp has been playing for about 3 weeks now after I sent the Gryphon amp for repair.
It used to sound warmer and fuller with a treble that doesn’t have much sparkle. The sound is now much airier and expanded in all directions, and the treble is a lot more extended and has energy and zing. It’s a ‘light on the feet’ feeling.
I just installed some new footers below the rack (yesterday) and the amp is now placed below other components. The sound has lost some life and now sounds different. I’ll let it settle for several days before I start listening again by end of the week.
It actually sounds a lot better. It’s a keeper the Luxman. The purpose or intent of this post is to suggest that early or premature assessment of any component may not be accurate due to poor setup. The setting-up of the system is crucial.
It’s the same with another amp which I own, the Sonneteer Orton as it somehow sounds much better than before.
Yeah it’s why ABX auditioning never works. I mean it does work insofar as you hear a difference and come to a conclusion - but only randomly the right conclusion. You generally need to listen to something for a long time like weeks. Then take it out and ask if you think you lost or gained something? Then after another extended period put it back and ask yourself again.
It’s not convenient or practical. But unfortunately, evaluating hifi is like many things in life and requires hindsight to build a more accurate assessment.
FWIW the airy and open sound is actually achieved with the Luxman DA-06 DAC. This DAC used to sound warm and lacks detail when compared to the Chord QBD76 DAC. However, the sound is now very open with good clarity and detail even though it’s matched with the Luxman amp, previously perceived as slightly smooth and warm with reduced treble energy.
I didn’t really expect this outcome as the Luxman DAC and amp combination previously sounded slightly dead about 2 or 3 years ago - too much warmth. I have always matched the Luxman amp with Chord DAC previously. The Luxman DAC/amp combination sounds a lot better now, certainly not dull or dead.
It has happened to me; being blown away by the system, then coming back 3 months later and feeling something is off, although nothing changed.
In my case, I am certain it has to do with my emotional state when listening. It is a major factor, and I would argue that this is what you are experiencing as well. We cannot possibly remember exactly what a system sounds like after a couple of weeks, even days. Just give it some time!
After trying various configurations, I finally found the best sounding setup - the amp on a fixed platform with Nobsound spring footers below the amp. The sound lacks 3-dimensionality without the footers. The way the amp is supported truly matters.
Unfortunately the Nobsound footers can’t be used below the Gryphon amp as the weight makes it difficult to place and position the footers.
Imo it’s better to remove those suspended supports/isolation devices before coming to conclusion of how the amp sounds like.
I had an Accuphase E650 before which is of a similar class to your Luxman, and put isolation under the amp ‘aimed for a better sound’. I didn’t realise those feet kill most of the bass and creates a fake beautiful mids and highs (and so an impression of lacking warmth and bass) until I sold the amp. Turns out I was listening to the feet rather than the amp…
Point taken. I’ll remove the isolation devices if the sound is worse. Currently music sounds better with the feet so they are staying. The sound is only worse if the amp is on the suspended platform. The amp is now on a fixed platform + isolation feet.
The new Finite Elemente Cerabase Compact footers below the rack (previously Cerapuc) appear to have made their presence felt as well by providing a meatier sound with more defined bass.
Cheers ryder hopes you get a great result. If it was me I would just leave the amp as is (except the necessary isolation of rack) as I bought for its tuning, feet imho make some songs better some parts worsened. You may also consider Acoustic Harmony’s mains cable if you prefer to meatier sound, great synergy with Luxman. And ultimately Pass Lab int/pre-power would be your favourite : -) cheers and enjoy
Yes, I’ll remove the footers below the amp and listen again after I spend some time with the system. I’m still experimenting with the rack after I swapped the footers below the rack. The chipboard platform below the DAC has been removed and the component is now supported by footers placed directly below the case. I might get a quartz or granite platform to replace the wood/chipboard platform that is currently below the amp. We’ll see.
Acoustic Harmony mains power cable, that’s new to me. I am actually done with cables and amps as I have excess of everything at the moment and need to sell some instead of getting more. My Naim pre/power amps have not been used for more than two years now and I’ll need to reassess their performance as past experiences may not be accurate anymore.
Exactly - the only way I find is using consistent listening queues - like this sounds like an ‘X’ on whatever part of a recording, or I can clearly notice ‘Y’ on this track, or this voice sounds natural in this passage, or this element sounds like it is outside the room .. and typically combinations of these.
I also find this method the only reliable way to audition hifi products as well - as it is introducing a degree of objectivity to how you perceive replayed audio.
I used to write my observations down and then refer to them - and for a while when I was auditioning many components it really helped and mostly avoided coming to rushed or superficial conclusions
I wouldn’t charge you a penny.
My Naim pre/power amps have not been used for more than two years now and I’ll need to reassess their performance as past experiences may not be accurate anymore.